Shivapuri Village is a destination
village resort in Nepal which is 25 km
from the capital; Kathmandu. Even though
being so close; yet it provides a
visitor a glimpse of the remoteness and
the grandeur of the villages found in
Nepal. Shivapuri Village is maintained
in a true spirit of Nepalese village
experience and hospitality and lies in
the buffer zone of the Shivapuri
National Park, which is one of the few
National Parks situated in any capital
around the globe. Shivapuri Village
offers various activities to keep
oneself busy during the stay be it in
the form of Nature Treks and Hikes,
Ethnic Village Tours, Bird Watching,
Photography or just a simple relaxing
leisure. At the moment we have 3
exclusive huts with a total of 3 rooms
and 2 Nepalese huts with a total of 5
rooms adding up to a total of 8
exclusive rooms. We have kept the
accommodation as genuine as possible to
provide quality services. Since
Shivapuri Village is located beyond the
Shivapuri National Park and as one has
to cross the Park entrance before
arriving at Shivapuri Village, it is
often advised to stay overnight at a
hotel in Kathmandu.
Shivapuri
National Park
Adjoining Shivapuri National Park from
the north is a small village area known
as Patiswara, which is ward eight of the
Jhor Village Development Committee. In
this area, which is also a buffer zone,
lies Shivapuri Village Eco-Tourism and
conservation Farm. Situated approx. 25
km to the north of Kathmandu City center
and at an altitude of 2000m above sea
level in the northern slopes of the
park, Shivapuri Village has breathtaking
views of the majestic Himalayas, the
lush greenery of the park forest and a
sense of remoteness; even while being so
close to the capital.
Shivapuri Village Eco-Tourism and
Conservation Farm as the name suggests,
work specifically in the field of
tourism industry and the conservation
aspects of tourism, flora and fauna. The
main objectives and concepts that
Shivapuri Village has nurtured up until
now is a sustainable tourism industry
through quality services, conservation
efforts at all levels and fields and to
provide a new definition for
"Eco-Tourism".
Shivapuri Village believes that, since,
Nepal being a land-locked country with
diverse flora and fauna at its disposal
has been compelled to take up tourism as
the no. 1 alternative among the existing
industries. Indeed this has proven to be
successful to a great extent, however,
as of recent, Nepalese tourism industry
has been facing criticisms due to the
lack of quality and eco-friendly
services and negligence of the concerned
parties within the industry. Taking an
example of our famed tourist sites; we
can find that they have been
over-exploited and congested. Not only
has it produced negative impact on the
area but also to the local culture and
especially the young generation. Thus,
we feel that the preservation of our
local culture should also be given a top
priority. On one hand, we need tourism
for our economic benefits whereas on the
other hand we have to preserve and
protect natural resources, beauty and
our cultural heritage. Hence, to avoid
such dilemma we feel that Eco-tourism is
the only solution.
Eco-Tourism can be defined as being a
part of the tourism industry, having
intentions towards the preservation,
conservation and protection of our
environment, natural beauties, culture
and our sentiments along with an
encouragement and emphasis towards
tourism too. Therefore, what is most
needed is a complete support and a
program that can be an eclectic mixture
between western needs and eastern
sentiments. What we have to understand
in Eco-Tourism is that there is a
paradox that even the most patriotic of
all travelers seek out eagerly whatever
is most different from what they approve
in their own country.
Bearing all this in mind, Shivapuri
Village had initiated various informal
projects such as plantation of nearly
40,000 saplings of various fodder and
fuel wood and different types of hybrid
fruits with high yield and fast growth.
Production of organically grown
vegetables of various types and bringing
about awareness to the local villagers
on plantation, conservation of flora and
fauna, culture, local crafts, arts and
skills and providing on the job training
to mitigate poverty. Most of the jobs at
the Village are occupied by the local
villagers at different levels. Different
indigenous plants and some brought in
from foreign countries have also been
planted on trial basis because of their
usefulness. One of the major areas of
conservation work is on seed production
and propagation of various vegetables
and fruits etc. Researches on Japanese
Shitaki mushroom had been carried out
through the then SWWR project and
Japanese scientific assistance. A couple
of years ago, wild boar study program
had been initiated at the Village by the
then SWWR and FAO, which is still at its
initial stages. Shivapuri Village was
also an informal advisor to the then
SWWR. Apart from these programs, various
research and study as well as informal
research activity requests have been
coming from different establishments.
Apart from the conservation aspect,
Shivapuri Village has also been able to
project itself as a popular tourist
destination. The majestic view of the
Himalayas, the golden sun sets and
breathtaking tours conducted to the
local ethnic village nearby, within the
buffer zone and the reserve itself are
seldom equaled. The lodging and food
available at Shivapuri Village has no
equal as we have managed to preserve
some typical "Durbar" and Nepalese home
cooking which is served by our talented
staffs in a typical village atmosphere
with a genuine Nepalese hospitality.
Continental cuisine are also served with
light snacks around the fireplace; often
punctuated with local folk songs to
smooth the evenings. For the time being,
six double rooms in village huts and
three deluxe rooms are under operation.
All the rest rooms are up to the western
standards and convenience. Although
Shivapuri Village has not yet been
accessible to electrification, it has
been a blessing in disguise as the
entire premises reminds one of the
bygone days.
Now, after a couple of years on the
road, Shivapuri Village has been able to
create to some extent, a buffer zone
adjoining the Shivapuri National Park.
We have been able to witness many of the
above-mentioned animals visiting the
premises of the Village. We were able to
see a Pallas's Cat near our kitchen,
which according to The Book of Indian
Animals, "Habit: Nothing is known about
the habits of this Cat in the wild
state. It is said to live among rocks
and prey on small animals and birds…"
(Prater, S. H., The Book of Indian
Animals. Page 80, Bombay Natural History
Society, 1971).
Furthermore, a ready market has been
established for the local produce and
the villagers have been able to benefit
from it. These organically grown
vegetables are used in the Shivapuri
Village kitchen. The Villagers have
begun to plant trees of various uses
provided by the Village nursery and from
the local nursery. They are aware to
some extent of the consequences of
deforestation and have begun to manage
their land properly. To a certain
degree, they have understood the
importance of Eco-Tourism, and are aware
of the hazards involving the usage of
non-biodegradable products often
arriving from the city.
A general outlook of Shivapuri Village
Eco-Tourism and Conservation Farm (P)
Ltd., at its current stage can be
described as a pristine, self
sustainable, ecologically balanced
establishment where natural, cultural
and environmental conservation can be
felt along with a steady arrival of
visitors who wish to sample a part of
this accomplishment either through
meditation, research works, writing in
seclusion or just simply enjoying the
environment.
Services & Facilities
Since Shivapuri Village is located
beyond the Shivapuri National Park and
as one has to cross the Park entrance
before arriving at Shivapuri Village, it
is often advised to stay overnight at a
hotel in Kathmandu.
The National
Park entrance hours are
Summer : 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs
Winter : 0900 hrs to 1600 hrs
If your flights arrive Kathmandu between
these hours or if you check out of the
airport by 1500 hrs then it will be
possible to depart for Shivapuri Village
immediately. Due to these restrictions,
we are unable to provide direct
transfers to Shivapuri Village. However
if you like us to take care of your trip
please write to us.
What to Bring
Since we are situated at an altitude of
2000m above sea level and being close to
the National Park, visitors are advised
of the following:
Personal Medication as prescribed
by your doctors.
Insect repellants, ointments.
Torches, extra pair of batteries
(we do not have electricity).
Warm clothes and jackets.
A good pair of trekking shoes.
Personal effects and reading
materials.
Anything you would not want to
leave out.
Yoga
Shivapuri area is considered as one of
the best places on earth to meditate and
divulge oneself in yoga and spiritual
searches. This is the reason why
Shivapuri region holds many legends past
and present.
It is told in the scriptures that lord
Buddha had once taken a bath and
meditated in this holy place of
Shivapuri forest before venturing
towards Swayambhunath; a holy Buddhist
shrine in Kathmandu.
We also hear of a great holy sage and
teacher, who later came to be known as
the revered "Shivapuri Baba". An Indian
sage by birth but choose to live among
the tranquility of the Shivapuri forests
till the age of 137. He had many
followers and seekers whom he so clearly
tried to explain the vast knowledge of
inner peace among the spiritual richness
of Shivapuri.
We, here at Shivapuri Village can only
but try to create that right environment
for all our guests arriving for yoga,
meditation and spiritual practices. We
do not conduct yoga & spiritual classes
as such, but only reserve the premises
for retreats. Usually, yoga retreats are
conducted by yoga teachers who book our
premises for certain duration and we
cater to their needs. We provide
delicious yogic food, preserve the yogic
environment and provide a unique
opportunity to practice yoga and
meditation.
Introduction