Sundarijal–Mulkharka Day Hike
Waterfalls, stone steps and village scenery on a Sundarijal–Mulkharka return walk. Plan 4–6 hours on foot and return to Kathmandu the same day.
Photo: Pratapbaniya · CC BY-SA 4.0
About this spot
DAY HIKE · KATHMANDU RETURN · NO OVERNIGHT REQUIRED
Research checked: 2026-09-15. Suggested plan for Nepali travellers, not a tour booking or live route-status report.
This outing changes from water and woodland to the lived-in landscape of Mulkharka. The village is the destination for the day; reaching Chisapani or a distant dam is a separate, much longer plan. [sundarijal]
ROUTE AND EFFORT
Route: Sundarijal → authorized park approach / reservoir trail → Mulkharka village → Sundarijal
Altitude: Village turnaround roughly 1,800–1,900 m depending on where you stop; this plan does not climb Shivapuri Peak.
Walking: Allow 4–6 hours return with village stops. Operators describe different endpoints and 3–4-hour segments; the longer allowance includes retracing the ascent. [sundarijal] [mulkharka]
Difficulty: Moderate: substantial stone steps on the way up, easier village stretches, then a downhill return.
Transport allowance: Allow 60–90 minutes each way from central Kathmandu to Sundarijal; public transport and traffic may add time.
DAY 1 - KATHMANDU TO THE TRAIL AND BACK
Times are planning windows. Traffic, gate hours, weather and the slowest walker determine the day; shorten the route if needed.
07:00–08:30 · Kathmandu to Sundarijal
Travel to the trailhead and complete entry formalities. Ask which walking route is open and confirm the exit deadline.
08:30–11:30 · Waterfall / reservoir approach to Mulkharka
Climb the established stairs and trail. Observe the water from safe paths and stay out of the reservoir and slippery stream edges.
11:30–12:30 · Village stop
Take a lunch break at Mulkharka. Carry backup food even if planning to use a local eatery; ask before entering fields or photographing people.
12:30–15:00 · Return to Sundarijal
Retrace the route while there is ample daylight. The stairs can take longer downhill after rain.
Afternoon · Sundarijal to Kathmandu
Exit the park and take your arranged ride or local transport home. Leave waiting time in the schedule.
GETTING THERE AND HOME
Look for current Sundarijal connections through the Boudha / Jorpati side, confirming boarding points locally. A shared taxi can reduce transfers. Return via the same trailhead if leaving your own vehicle there.
PARK ENTRY FOR NEPALI VISITORS
The park lists NPR 100 for Nepali citizens per person, per day, per entry; this is entry only, not a trip budget. Carry Nepali identification and cash, and confirm the rate at the gate. [park-fees]
Use authorized gates/routes, retain your ticket and leave before sunset. No bathing in park water sources. Meat, alcohol, cigarettes, lighters and loudspeakers are prohibited. Confirm opening and last-entry times before leaving Kathmandu. [park-rules]
SHORTER / ALTERNATIVE PLAN
Turn back earlier on the approved route for a shorter water-and-forest outing. Continuing toward Chisapani joins the Helambu approach and is not included in this return schedule; arrange a separate longer or overnight trip rather than adding it after lunch.
BEFORE YOU GO
Respect water-supply infrastructure and trail closures. Carry drinking water, rain protection and shoes with grip. Avoid the route during heavy rain or when park staff advise against it; a waterfall photograph does not show today's flow.
Check weather and local access on the day. Take water, food, grippy shoes, a charged phone and an offline route. Keep a daylight margin and bring all rubbish home. Maps below locate the area; they are not trail-navigation tracks.
SOURCES
[sundarijal] Sundarijal Shivapuri Hike — Discover Altitude. Undated; checked 2026-09-15.
https://www.discoveraltitude.com/shivapuri-s…
[mulkharka] Sundarijal-Mulkharka Day Hike — Janaki Darshan Tours and Travels. Undated; checked 2026-09-15.
https://janakitours.com/tour/sundarijal-mulk…
[park-fees] निकुन्ज प्रवेश शुल्कहरु — Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Undated; checked 2026-09-15.
https://snnp.gov.np/pages/fees/
[park-rules] पालना गर्नुपर्ने नियमहरु — Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Undated; checked 2026-09-15.
https://www.snnp.gov.np/pages/rules/
Location
Sundarijal–Mulkharka, Gokarneshwar, KathmanduSundarijal–Mulkharka, Gokarneshwar, Nepal. Destination: Mulkharka, Shivapuri, Nepal. Nearby settlement / discovery location: Kathmandu. The suggested journey starts and ends in Kathmandu.
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