The Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike is a lovely excursion on the outskirts of Kathmandu. This day trip is full of adventure, cultural encounters, and beautiful sceneries.
Many travelers do the Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti hike in a 2 to 3 days trip. However, we have designed a one-day itinerary for tourists. Travelers who have a full day in Kathmandu and are looking to do something fun, exciting, and culturally rich will love the Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike.
From peaceful scenery to rich Nepali culture and small towns, this one-day journey is an incredible opportunity to explore the lesser-known side of Nepal. The Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike takes you southeast of Kathmandu.
You will drive around 30 kilometers to reach Dhulikhel. It is located 1,550 meters above sea level. Dhulikhel is a famous hill station and holiday spot near Kathmandu. You can see a gorgeous sunrise and stunning snow-capped Himalayan mountain views from here.
After exploring Dhulikhel, you will hike to Namobuddha. On the way, you will explore the Goukhushwar Mahadev Temple and Kali Mandir. Namobuddha is a beautiful monastery located at 1,750 meters near Panauti.
Upon reaching Namobuddha monastery, rest and later explore it. You can see monks chanting prayers and meditating around the monastery. From the balcony of the monastery, you can see a vast view of the surrounding hills.
It is quite an eye-catching view for the visitors. After exploring the monastery, you will descend to Panauti. It will be another lovely three-hour walk through nature and dirt roads. You can also opt for a short drive to Panauti if you do not want to hike.
The surroundings are blissful. You will enjoy beautiful views of lush hills, streams, and terraced fields on the way. Panauti is an old Nepali town situated at the junction of two holy rivers (Punyamati and Roshi rivers).
The entire town is dotted with ancient temples. There are 40 temples in this town. Traveling here will feel like you have traveled back in time. Locals are welcoming, and their lives are quite peaceful, at least compared to Kathmandu.
You can see ancient wood art, old houses, statues, and antiques while exploring Panauti. We also recommend trying local Newari dishes while visiting here. Carry some cash to buy food and souvenirs as our package cost does not cover these expenses.
Overall, the Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hiking will be around a 6-hour day trip.
Highlights
- A lovely excursion on the outskirts of Kathmandu
- An excellent day trip full of adventure, cultural encounters, and beautiful sceneries
- Perfect travelers looking to do something fun, exciting, and culturally rich around Kathmandu
- An incredible opportunity to explore the lesser-known side of Nepal
- Enjoy peaceful scenery and breathtaking Himalayan mountains views from Dhulikhel
- Hike through lush forested hills and dirt roads to Namobuddha Monastery and Panauti, an ancient Newari town
- Explore the Namobuddha Monastery, where you can see monks chanting prayers and meditating
- Explore numerous temples, wood art, old houses, statues, and antiques in Panauti
- Try local dishes and buy handicrafts to support local businesses
Panauti - a beautiful Newari town with 40 ancient temples
Interesting fact: We have shared that Panauti is situated on the junction of two holy rivers. But there is also a third river called Lilawati. It is an invisible river believed by the locals.
Panauti is an old Newari town whose roots go back over 1,500 years (Kirat and Licchavi periods). The town saw major cultural transformations during the Malla dynasty (between the 13th and 14th centuries).
Indreshwar Mahadev Temple is one of the oldest temples in Nepal. The temple dates back to 1294 CE and is chambered around a lingam that is believed to embody Shiva's presence.
Likewise, Unmatta Bhairava & Brahmayani Temples date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. They showcase the rich Newari craftsmanship, inscriptions, symbols, and images.
These three are the main temples, and there are 37 others worth exploring. Each of them carries their own stories, myths, and faith. The town is small, but the cultural richness is immense.
Namobuddha Monastery
Interesting fact: One famous legend of Buddha says he sacrificed his body to feed a starving tigress and her cubs. It is believed that this event took place in this place. The Namobuddha monastery was later built on his remains.
The Namobuddha Monastery, also known as Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, is the hub for Buddhist teaching in Nepal. It was founded in 1978 by the 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.
The monastery is home to around 250 monks and includes several temples, a monastic college, a meditation hall, balconies, and a school. You can join monks during morning and afternoon chantings in the prayer hall.
Pilgrims are often seen circumambulating the stupa and engaging in silent meditation. Many also visit here to learn Buddhist teachings.
The location of the monastery also offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains like Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, Dorje Lhakpa, and even Mt. Everest on clear days.
Is Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike suitable for you?
The Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike is suitable for all age groups. It is an easy hike near Kathmandu. Travelers looking to spend some time in nature and a peaceful setting will love this hiking program.
Likewise, Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti hiking is also spiritually and culturally rich. If you have a free day in Kathmandu and nothing to do, consider the Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti hiking/day trip. You can join this tour solo or with your family.
The Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike is also a great excursion for students and colleagues. There is a lot to learn and explore on this trip. We organize both private and group tours for Namobuddha Panauti.
Preparation and packing for the Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hiking
There is not much to prepare for Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hiking. You do not have to do any physical training. Just make sure your daypack, clothes, and shoes are ready for the hike.
Follow the below packing list to pack for the Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hiking:
- Comfortable undergarments
- Hiking trousers/shorts
- Breathable t-shirt
- Windcheater jacket
- Thermal layer (as per the weather)
- Comfortable hiking shoes (do not wear new hiking shoes)
- Socks
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- SPF and lip balm
- Map (optional)
- Packed lunch/snacks
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Mobile, camera, power bank, spare batteries
- Wet wipes
- Tissue
- First-aid kit
- Whistle (great to have)
- Nepali cash
Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike cost and what it includes
You can see our Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike cost on the right side of this page. Our prices for Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hiking are reasonable. In addition to that, we also provide group discounts.
You will get the best Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day cost and service with us. Our package includes the following services:
- Private four-wheeler and professional driver to travel.
- Expert, friendly, English-speaking hiking guide.
- Necessary permits.
- Trip completion certificate.
- Company's charge.
*Note:
- Any expense not mentioned above, hikers have to take care of themselves.
- Tipping the guide and driver is recommended. You can tip them based on your satisfaction level with their service.
What is the best time to go on a Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike?
The best time to do the Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike is March to May and late September to November. These months are the perfect time, weather and climate-wise, to explore Namobuddha Monastery and Panauti town.
Along with preferable weather, these months also boast rich seasonal vegetation, flowers, and festivals. December to February are also great times to go Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hiking.
However, these months are the coldest time of the year, so you have to wear proper clothes. If you want to spend time in nature and possibly see mountain vistas in winter, you can consider Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti hiking.
June to August is the hottest time of the year. The humidity is also high in these months. It is also the rainy season, so rain frequently falls, which makes the trail slippery and, therefore, hiking a bit challenging. However, travelers who love rainy weather will enjoy the excursion to the fullest.
Benefits of booking Dhulikhel Namobuddha Panauti day hike with Adventure Treks Nepal
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off service
- Comfortable four-wheeler and skilled driver
- Professional guide
- First aid kit
- No hidden charges
- 24/7 support
- Flexible itinerary
