Namo Buddha Day Hike

The Namo Buddha hike is a one-day walk from Dhulikhel, on the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, through terraced farmland and forest to the Namo Buddha monastery hill, then downhill to the old Newar town of Panauti. On our map the walk is about 19.4 km with 610 m of climbing and 720 m of descent, partly on quiet roads. Operators allow five to six hours including rests, and one guide gives about two and a half hours from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha and another two and a half to Panauti, a total of 14 to 16 km. We say allow six to seven hours, because our mapped route is longer. The highest point is about 1,750 m. A taxi from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel takes about an hour. None of our sources lists a permit.

The plan follows an operator itinerary and a day-trip guide that agree on the order, Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha to Panauti, and on the lunch stop at the monastery hill. Our map follows roads and tracks because OpenStreetMap has few footpaths here, so it is longer than the guide's 14 to 16 km.

What the hike is like

The trail leaves Dhulikhel through villages and terraced fields, with patches of forest, and climbs gently to Namo Buddha, where Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery stands with golden roofs above a stupa. According to Wikipedia, the site recalls a past life of the Buddha who gave his body to save a tigress and her cubs. A stairway through the woods links the stupa to the legend site. After lunch the way drops towards Panauti, an ancient Newari town.

Permits and rules

None of our sources lists a permit or park fee. Monuments and monasteries may charge small entrance fees; operator pages include them in their price without giving amounts. Remove shoes before entering temples and dress modestly.

Best season

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most popular, according to an operator, and winter and monsoon walks are possible.

Getting there and away

Dhulikhel is about an hour by taxi from Kathmandu, or an operator transfer of about 1.5 hours. Local buses run from Ratna Park to Dhulikhel. From Panauti local buses also run from Ratna Park with changes involved, and a taxi is simpler.

Difficulty and fitness

The walk is easy to moderate: 610 m of climbing spread over most of a day. Carry water and a packed lunch, and start by 8 am to reach Panauti before dark.

Budget notes

There is no permit fee. Pay for a taxi or bus to Dhulikhel and a taxi from Panauti, plus lunch. The costs section shows the taxis as lines to check.