Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Monastery Hike
A classic walk from Dhulikhel over the hills to Namo Buddha, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal, with transport both ways.
- Duration
- About 3 to 4 hours
- Start
- 7:30 AM from your hotel
- Group
- Private, up to 12
- Grade
- Moderate
Buddhists believe that Namo Buddha is where a young prince, who would later become the Buddha, gave his own body to feed a starving tigress and her cubs. A stupa marks the spot, and above it the golden roofs of Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery look out over the green hills of Kavre.
The trail from Dhulikhel climbs past terraced fields, small temples and Tamang villages, then drops down to Namo Buddha. You'll visit the stupa and the monastery, where with a bit of luck you'll hear the young monks at prayer, before driving back to Kathmandu.
Highlights
- Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery
- The tigress story at Namo Buddha stupa
- A village trail through the Kavre hills
How the day runs
Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha
- 7:30 AM pickup and drive to Dhulikhel (about 1.5 hours).
- Walk through Kavre's hill villages to Namo Buddha, with a tea stop on the way.
- Lunch at the monastery's guesthouse restaurant (not included). Visit the stupa and monastery.
- Drive back to Kathmandu, arriving at about 5 PM.
Tour facts
- Walking
- About 3 to 4 hours, 11 km
- Start
- 7:30 AM from your hotel
- Distance
- Namo Buddha is about 40 km from Kathmandu
What the price includes
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Kathmandu, Patan or Bhaktapur
- Private car to the trailhead and back
- A licensed, English-speaking hiking guide
- Drinking water
- Government taxes and our service charge
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance or park fees on the route
- Tips for your guide and driver
Good to know
- Meeting point
- Your hotel lobby in Kathmandu
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel later or don't show up, the tour price is not refunded.
- Notes
- Please dress modestly in the monastery and walk clockwise around the stupa.
- Tour code
- KCT-HIKE-03
Questions about this tour
How fit do I need to be?
If you can walk for three or four hours with a few uphill sections, you'll be fine. Your guide sets the pace to suit the slowest walker, so nobody gets left behind.
What should I bring?
Walking shoes with good grip, a light jacket, a sun hat, sunscreen and a small day pack. We'll bring the water.
What happens if it rains?
A little rain won't stop us, but in heavy monsoon rain we'll offer you another date or a shorter route.
Want to change something?
Every tour is private, so we can easily change the start time, add a stop or even join two tours into one day. Just tell us what you have in mind!
Ask about this tourfrom $40 per person
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