Dhulikhel-Namo Buddha-Panauti: Hiking trail

Namo Buddha lies 38 kilometers east of Kathmandu. A beautiful Buddhist monastery and a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal, which is also named Namo Buddha, it’s located at the height of 1,750 meters. The monastery is surrounded by Tamang settlements. A special Buddhist legend of King Mahasattva offering his body to a hungry tigress at the very place also makes Namo Budhha a revered place for Budhhists.



Bare essentials

A day bag

Water bottle

Sunglasses

Sun-block cream

Hat/cap

Reasonable walking shoes

Light warm jacket

Windcheater

Light snacks

An extra pair of clothes[break]





Hike level

This is an easy to moderate hike. People from any age group can try this hike. Though comparatively a long route, this stretch is recommended for beginners.



Getting there

You can take public buses from the Old Bus Park in Kathmandu to Dhulikhel or Panauti. It’ll take one to one and a half hours’ ride to get there. You can start your hike either from Dhulikhel or Panauti. If you choose to start from Dhulikel, the hike to Namo Buddha will take around 3-4 hours and the downhill walk to Panauti will take around three hours.



The route along the Dhulikhel-Kavre Bhanjyang-Namo Buddha stretch is five kilometers long. While returning from Namo Buddha, one can also take the dirt track to Panauti. You can either choose for a one-day hike or you can also stay overnight at Namo Buddha and take the downhill trail to Panauti the next day.



Highlights

The main attractions of this hike are the panoramic mountain views and many Buddhist stupas on the hilltop. Namo Budhha is also famous for rice, mustard and millet; so you can also experience the beautiful hillside terraced farms throughout the walk. You’ll also be surprised by the number of temples, variations in landscapes and diversity of people living in harmony.



Apart from that, you can also experience the old Newar settlement of Panauti. It’s located at around eight kilometers south of Banepa. You can also experience typical country life, and if lucky, witness the local traditions and culture with various fascinating temples with magnificent woodcarvings. Panauti was a trading frontier town to Tibet in the old days. The Dhulikhel-Namo Budhha-Panauti trail is also ideal for people who would love cycling.



Weather

The weather is temperate at this time of year but it’s wise to equip yourself against chilly winds. Mid-February to April is considered as one of the best times to hike the trail.



Information courtesy

socialtours, Tridevi Marg, Thamel

For details: call 4412508, or email at info@socialtours.com.

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