Trekking · Kathmandu
Nagi Gompa Hike
A short, gentle hike to Nagi Gompa, a hillside Buddhist nunnery above Budhanilkantha.
Nagi Gompa is a Buddhist nunnery on the forested southern slopes of Shivapuri, around 2,300 m, reached by a short and gentle day hike from Budhanilkantha. It is the easiest worthwhile walk in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park — a steady climb of an hour and a half to a peaceful monastery with wide views over the Kathmandu Valley.
The hike
The trail begins at the Pani Muhan gate above the Sleeping Vishnu temple at Budhanilkantha and climbs steadily through oak and pine forest. After about 1.5 to 2 hours you reach the nunnery, its prayer flags and whitewashed buildings clinging to the hillside. It is a gentle to moderate outing suitable for families and slower walkers, and a natural first stage of the longer climb to Shivapuri Peak.
The nunnery
Nagi Gompa is a working nunnery and meditation centre, long associated with the revered Nyingma master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, who taught here for decades. The setting is the draw: morning light over the valley, the murmur of prayers, and the forest rising behind. It pairs naturally with a visit to the better-known Kopan Monastery on the hills nearby. As at any active religious site, dress modestly, move quietly and ask before photographing the nuns or the shrine interiors.
Getting there and permits
Take a taxi from central Kathmandu to the Pani Muhan gate via Budhanilkantha, about 45 minutes; some hikers also walk in directly from the temple below. You pay the national park entry fee at the gate, so carry cash in Nepali rupees, with separate rates for foreigners, SAARC nationals and Nepalis. The walk has shaded forest stretches but climbs throughout, so bring water and start in the cool of the morning before the sun is high.
When to go
The best months are October to April, when skies are clear and the forest is dry. Avoid the monsoon (June to September), when the trail is muddy and leeches appear. For more gentle valley walks, see the open meadow of the Suryachaur hike and our roundup of the best day hikes near Kathmandu, or return to the Kathmandu hub to plan the rest of your trip.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Nagi Gompa?+
Nagi Gompa is a Buddhist nunnery perched on the southern slopes of Shivapuri, inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Long associated with the late meditation master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, it is a quiet retreat centre with sweeping views over the Kathmandu Valley.
How long is the hike to Nagi Gompa?+
From the Pani Muhan gate above Budhanilkantha it is a steady uphill walk of about 1.5 to 2 hours through forest. The monastery sits at roughly 2,300 m, so it is a gentle to moderate half-day outing.
Can you visit Nagi Gompa?+
Yes. Visitors are welcome to walk the grounds and view the valley, but it is a working nunnery and meditation centre, so dress modestly, keep quiet and ask before photographing the nuns or interiors.
Do I need a permit for Nagi Gompa?+
Yes, the nunnery is inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, so you pay the park entry fee at the Pani Muhan gate. Bring cash in Nepali rupees.
