What is Bishnudwar known for?

Bishnudwar, meaning the gate of Vishnu, is the source of the Bishnumati river, one of the main rivers of the Kathmandu Valley. Cold spring water emerges near a small cave shrine believed to be dedicated to Vishnu, surrounded by forest, small streams and prayer flags.

Where is Dadagaon and what is it like?

Dadagaon, also written Danda Gaun, is a hill village in Budhanilkantha on the edge of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. It is known for its Tamang community, homestays and views over the Kathmandu Valley. On clear days you can see Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung and Dorje Lakpa to the north.

Can children do this hike?

Yes, most children who enjoy walking can. Tarebhir is known as a family hike and the Bishnudwar trail is steady rather than steep. The long day is the second one, so we keep a relaxed pace and plenty of stops. Think about whether your children will be comfortable with a camp night and a simple village stay.

What mountains can you see from Tarebhir?

On a clear day the Ganesh, Langtang and Jugal ranges are visible to the north of Tarebhir, with the whole valley below. The clearest mornings come in autumn and early spring. In the monsoon and on hazy days the mountains are often hidden, so we cannot promise the view.

When is the best time to hike in Shivapuri?

September to May is the best period for walking in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. June to August is the monsoon, with heavy rain and slippery forest trails. Autumn usually gives the clearest skies, while winter mornings are clear but cold.

Is it safe to hike in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park?

Yes, with a guide. The park is home to wildlife such as barking deer, wild boar and monkeys, and rarely seen leopards and black bears, which is one reason we do not send guests alone into the forest. Your guide knows the trails and keeps you on well-used paths.

Tarebhir, Bishnudwar and Dadagaon Hike - 3 Days

01Two nights on Kathmandu's northern hills

Overview

This Tarebhir Bishnudwar Dadagaon hike links three of the best short walks on the northern edge of the Kathmandu Valley into one easy-paced trip with two nights out of the city. You start at Jagdol and walk up through pine forest to the Tarebhir cliff, where you camp above the valley lights. Next day you cross to Budhanilkantha and its reclining stone Vishnu, then climb into Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to Bishnudwar, the spring where the Bishnumati river begins, and on to the Tamang village of Dadagaon for the night. On the third morning you head back to your hotel. It suits families, first-time multi-day walkers and anyone who wants forest, village life and wide views without a long trek.

Easy to moderate, short walking daysDifficulty

September to May, outside the monsoonBest season

Bishnudwar, source of the BishnumatiHighlight

Families and first multi-day hikersGood for

02Day by day

The itinerary

Starts inKathmandu

Pickup from your hotel and a short drive to Jagdol, near Gokarna on the north-east side of the valley
Walk up through pine forest and prayer flags, about one and a half hours at an easy pace
Final short, steep climb to the open top of the Tarebhir cliff
Camp on the cliff and watch the lights of Kathmandu come on below

Morning views over the valley and, on clear days, the Ganesh, Langtang and Jugal ranges
Cross to Budhanilkantha to see the five-metre stone Vishnu lying in its temple pond
Enter Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and climb through forest to Bishnudwar, source of the Bishnumati
Continue to Dadagaon, a Tamang hill village, for a simple village stay overnight

Wake to wide views over the valley from the village
Slow breakfast and time to walk around Dadagaon
Short drive down past Budhanilkantha
Back at your hotel in Kathmandu by midday or early afternoon

Ends inKathmandu

04Packing

Things to carry

Walking shoes with good grip for forest paths
Warm layer for the camp night and village evening
Head torch
Light rain jacket
Refillable water bottle

05Questions

Good to know

It is moderate rather than hard. The trail from Budhanilkantha climbs steadily through forest in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and usually takes two to three hours to Bishnudwar. There are stone steps and some uneven ground, but no technical sections. Regular walkers and active children manage it well.

06Deep dive

Complete guide

The Tarebhir Bishnudwar Dadagaon hike strings together three short walks on the northern hills of the Kathmandu Valley: a cliff-top camp, a forest climb to a sacred spring and a night in a Tamang village. None of the days is long, and you are never far from the city, but for three days it feels a long way from Thamel.

What the Tarebhir Bishnudwar Dadagaon hike covers

Day one starts with a short drive to Jagdol, near Gokarna, and an easy walk of about an hour and a half up through pine forest and prayer flags to the Tarebhir cliff, finishing with a short steep pull. You camp on the open top and watch the valley light up. On day two you cross to Budhanilkantha, see the reclining Vishnu and climb into Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to Bishnudwar, which usually takes two to three hours. From there you continue to Dadagaon for the night. Day three is a slow morning in the village and a short drive back to your hotel.

If you want the forest and the village without the camp night, our 2-day Bishnudwar and Dadagaon hike starts at Budhanilkantha and does exactly that. This version adds Tarebhir and a second night out.

Tarebhir, Budhanilkantha and Bishnudwar

Tarebhir is a cliff just outside the national park, known as a family walk and one of the closest camping spots to the city. On a clear morning the Ganesh, Langtang and Jugal ranges show to the north. If one day is all you have, the Boudhanath and Tarebhir viewpoint hike covers it in a single outing.

Budhanilkantha holds the largest stone image of Vishnu in Nepal, five metres long and carved from a single rock, lying on a bed of serpents in a pond. Hindu worshippers come to pray and make offerings, and you watch quietly from around the pond. Bishnudwar, the gate of Vishnu, is where the Bishnumati river begins as cold spring water beside a small cave shrine. It is a quiet, green place, and the walk to it through the forest is the heart of this trip.

A night in Dadagaon

Dadagaon, also written Danda Gaun, sits on the hillside in Budhanilkantha at the edge of the national park. It is a Tamang village, and the stay is simple: a homestay-style room, home-cooked Tamang food and a view over the valley. Evenings are quiet, and the morning view is the reward for the second day's climb. On clear days you can see Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung and Dorje Lakpa. It is not a hotel, and the honest trade is comfort for a real evening in a village where people farm and live.

Who it suits, permits and season

The walking is easy to moderate, and families with children who like the outdoors do well. The longest day is the second one, so we keep the pace relaxed. The honest limits are the tent on night one and the simple village room on night two. If either is a problem for you, tell us before you book.

What to bring is simple: walking shoes with good grip for forest paths, a warm layer for two cool evenings on the hills, a head torch for the camp and a light rain jacket. Carry your passport on day two for the park gate.

Tarebhir needs no permit. Bishnudwar lies inside Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, which charges foreign visitors an entry ticket; we arrange it at the gate. The park is home to barking deer, wild boar, monkeys and, rarely seen, leopards and black bears, so we always walk it with a guide. September to May is the season. June to August brings heavy rain, slippery trails and cloud over the mountains. Send us your dates and group, and we will tell you straight whether this or a shorter version suits you.