It is a Nepali Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Kavre District which is about 40 kilometers away to the east from Kathmandu. Located on a slightly elevated land, the place and its Gumba and monastery complex are a pleasant getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. Since you’ll also sight the panoramic views of the snow-covered Himalayan ranges and witness beautiful sunrise and sunset, the place is ideal for spiritual meditation too.
If you’re willing to take a bus, you can book your ticket at Ratna Park Bus Station in Kathmandu, it will pass through Bhaktapur till Banepa. From Banepa, you have to change to a bus which goes up to Dhulikhel and to the Dhapcha Pass until you reach your destination in three to four hours. The same trip on a taxi can cost above Rs 3,000 for a round trip. [break]
You can also trek from Banepa to Namo Buddha as you pass through Panauti and Sangkhu. If you want an overnight stay, there are a few guesthouses available as well
Daman
Daman is located 80 kms southwest of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,400m above sea level. Located on the Tribhuvan Highway between Kathmandu and Birgunj, Daman offers the widest views of the Nepal Himalaya from Dhaulagiri in the west to Mount Everest in the east.
The best part is that just four hours away from Kathmandu, you will get to see the ultimate panoramic Himalayan views from Daman. You can take a microbus or hire a taxi if you are not using your own vehicles. You can also hike from Daman to Gupteshwor Mahadev which takes 30 minutes.
From Daman, another twin alpine-hill destination is Tistung above the Palung Valley on the way to Bhainse Dovan, Bhimphedi and
Hetauda in the Tarai lowlands of mid-Nepal.
Kakani
Kakani is located 29 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,982 meters above sea level (masl) and is famous for the magnificent views of the Kathmandu Valley and the northwestern Himalayan peaks. The main attraction of this hilly rural place is the beautiful alpine scenery, magnificent Himalayan panorama, particularly of the Ganesh Himal along with Langtang Ranges.
You also get a close view of other Himalayan peaks like Gauri Shanker, Choba Bhamare, Dorje Lhakpa, Manaslu, Himalchuli, Annapurna and the other several peaks. The place will also be ideal for a majestic view of the sunset.
Phulchowki
Phulchowki, at 2,782 meters, is the highest hill situated to the south of the Kathmandu valley. The 14-kms drive to the south of Kathmandu will first lead you to Godavari where you can hang out a bit at the Botanical Garden or the nearby surroundings. Then a hike gradually uphill through subtropical thick forest for about four hours will take you to Phulchowki, which means meadow of flowers. The magnificent views from the eastern part of the Annapurna Range to Gauri Shanker in the east can be seen from here on a clear day, apart from the breathtaking views of the Kathmandu Valley in front. After a hike down, following the same trail to Godavari for about two hours, a drive back will take you back to Kathmandu.
Bandipur
A beautiful hilltop town situated at an elevation of 1,030 meters over the Mahabharat Range, Bandipur is approximately 700 meters above the Marsyangdi River Valley in Tanahu District. It is a 143-km drive from Kathmandu. You can take a break at Malekhu, and after a long drive on the Prithivi Highway, you will reach Dumre. You can hike from Dumre to Bandipur which will take two hours.
From Bandipur you can take a walk to Siddha Cave and continue your hike to Bimal Nagar as well. If you aren’t in the mood to hike, you can just take pleasure in observing the traditional Newar-style houses with carved wooden windows with beautiful scenery against the once-mercantile town’s backdrop.
Shivapuri Hill Range
A trek to Shivapuri is an ideal option for those who prefer comfortable and short treks. Shivapuri, renowned for its watershed and fauna and flora, is the second highest hill that surrounds the Kathmandu Valley.
The trek begins from Budanilkantha which will provide splendid sights of the central and eastern Himalayan mountain ranges, breathtaking sunrise and sunset views and rural Nepali life. The best part of the trek is that you have two options to round off the Shivapuri trek: You can either end your trek at Nagarkot or at Dhulikhel, both scenic and touristy hill stations in and around the Kathmandu Valley rims. The village of Nagarkot presents marvelous views of the mountain ranges and also of the Kathmandu Valley. The advantage of this trek is that it can be done throughout the year, with Khadichaur to Dolalghat
If you’re looking for some rafting adventure surrounded by wilderness, you can drive from Kathmandu to Khadichaur. The rafting starts from there for you to paddle energetically on the swift glacier-fed river amid the picturesque landscapes and then head to Dolalghat for a night camp.
On reaching Dolalghat, you’ll get to see terraced farmland fields and traditional Nepali houses perched on the hillsides and along the slopes. The next morning, the raft will take you away from Dolalghat to Kolpa. After hours of rafting amid spectacular landscapes, you reach near Kolpa and camp nearby on the riverside. On the last and third day, you depart from Kolpa. You can drive to Sukute Resort from there before you depart for Kathmandu.
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