Jamacho (Nagarjun Hill)
A forested half-day climb to a Buddhist stupa on the western rim of Kathmandu Valley — the closest big-view hike to Thamel.
Know before you go
Trip readiness
Best timing
October-December, February-May
Treat this as the first planning window, then verify local trail and weather conditions.
Time needed
4h
Include acclimatization and transport buffers for mountain routes.
Permit status
Permit required
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry (NPR 1,000 for foreigners)
Difficulty
Moderate
Kathmandu route. Match this to fitness, altitude experience, and daily walking hours.
Live conditions
Trail weather available
Use the weather card before starting, especially during monsoon and winter windows.
Jamacho crowns Nagarjun (Raniban) — the western half of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and the closest serious hike to central Kathmandu. The trail starts at the Phulbari gate off the Ring Road and climbs through dense oak and rhododendron forest rich with bird and monkey activity.
The summit at 2,097m is marked by a large Buddhist stupa with a viewing tower above. On clear mornings the panorama spans Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, and the full bowl of the Kathmandu Valley. The trail can be walked as a loop descending via the fire-road track, or extended out-and-back for a longer day.
Jamacho is a favourite Saturday hike for Kathmandu residents and an excellent first acclimatisation walk for trekkers arriving in the valley. A paved road also reaches near the summit for those with less time.
Planning this trek? Local operators publishing trips here can arrange it.
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