Travel from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel by taxi or bus and start walking early. The trail leaves town through villages, terraced fields and patches of forest and climbs gently to Namo Buddha, about two and a half hours on, where the golden roofs of Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery stand above the stupa. Have lunch there and visit the monastery. Then walk downhill towards Panauti, another two and a half hours by the guide's account, passing farms and small villages, and finish in the old Newar town. On our map the day is 19.4 km with 610 m of climbing and 720 m of descent, mostly on quiet roads and tracks. Take a taxi from Panauti back to Kathmandu.
Namo Buddha Day Hike
A one-day walk from Dhulikhel through terraced farmland and forest to the Namo Buddha monastery hill (about 1,750 m) and down to the Newar town of Panauti, 19.4 km on our map.
- Days1
- Max altitude1,750 m
- Distance18.8 km
- Ascent547 m
- DifficultyEasy
- Best monthsMar–May, Sep–Nov
Photo: Rukeshmdr12 · CC BY-SA 4.0
This itinerary is a draft and hasn't been verified yet. Always confirm stages with your guide.
Written by FindTrekkingPartner teamReviewed by FindTrekkingPartner teamHow we reviewFindTrekkingPartner
Namo Buddha Day Hike is a 1-day trek in the Kathmandu Valley region of Nepal that climbs to 1,750 m. Foreign trekkers can find a partner for it on FindTrekkingPartner by posting a trip with their dates, budget and pace. Matches stay private until both trekkers agree, and the service is free. At mid-range rates a licensed guide costs about USD 9 per person over 1 days when four trekkers share, against USD 37 for one trekker alone. The best seasons are Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr. The Nepal Tourism Board April 2023 rule requires a licensed guide in national parks and conservation areas. Local practice differs (checked 19 October 2026): the Khumbu municipality opted out and issues its own trek card, and day hikes are rarely checked, but follow the rule and hire a guide; confirm with your agency. Last verified: October 19, 2026. Sources: Nepal Tourism Board, DNPWC, Department of Immigration.
Sources:Department of Immigration, NepalNepal Tourism BoardDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
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Overview
Starts from Dhulikhel1 day · max 1,750 m
Best seasons: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
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.
Highlights
- Namo Buddha, a Buddhist pilgrimage site above terraced fields
- Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery with its golden roofs
- Terraces, villages and forest between Dhulikhel and Panauti
- Panauti, an old Newar town at the end of the walk
- Mostly gentle going with little altitude gain
Route map
Route data from OpenStreetMap, not yet checked by our team. Use it for planning, not navigation.
Day by day
What it costs
Estimated all-in cost per person: lodge and food by altitude, transport, permits, and the guide and porters. The more trekkers share a guide and porters, the less each person pays. As of October 2026.
| Style | 1 trekker | 2 trekkers sharing | 4 trekkers sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | — | — | — |
| Mid-range | $40–$80* | $20–$40* | $10–$30* |
| Comfort | $40–$80* | $30–$50* | $20–$40* |
Share a guide, save money
At mid-range, a solo trekker pays about $40–$80; four trekkers sharing one guide and two porters pay about $10–$30 each (66% less at the top of the range).
Breakdown for 2 trekkers sharing
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide | — | $10–$30 | $10–$30 |
| Porters | — | $0–$20 | $10–$30 |
Budget uses public transport and no porter; mid-range shares one porter between two trekkers and a private vehicle; comfort gives each trekker a porter. A guide is included where one is required or the style is mid-range or comfort.
Not included
No published price found for: Kathmandu to Dhulikhel by taxi; Panauti to Kathmandu by taxi. Totals marked * leave these out; ask your agency. A day hike: no lodging and no permit. A guide is optional.
Cost sources
- PriceNepal: Nepal Travel Cost Guide 2026 (2026-05-14)
- Third Rock Adventures: Nepal trek budget planner (2026-05-09)
- Himalayan Partner: Guide and porter price in Nepal 2026 (2026-02-10)
- Shikhar Adventure: Annapurna Circuit trek cost (2026-02-03)
- Nepal Tourism Board: Trekking Permit (2026-10-18)
Estimates from operator guides, not quotes. Tips, insurance, gear and Kathmandu hotels are not included; USD at the platform exchange rate.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Operators allow five to six hours including rests. One guide gives about 2.5 hours from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha and another 2.5 to Panauti, 14 to 16 km. Our mapped route is 19.4 km, so allow six to seven hours.
An operator gives a maximum height of about 1,750 m for the hike.
None of our sources lists a permit or park fee. Operator prices include small monument entrance fees without naming amounts.
Our plan and the operator itinerary go from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha for lunch and then downhill to Panauti, which keeps the climbing gentle.
Take a taxi from Panauti, about an hour, which a day-trip guide calls simpler than local buses that involve changes.
Sources
Along the trail
Stays, medical help, water and sights on each day of the route.
1. Dhulikhel → Panauti
- Dhulikhel Hospital · Medical · 1,523 m
- Dhulikhel Clinic Center · Medical · 1,501 m
- Pond · Practical · 1,549 m
- Water Tank · Practical · 1,658 m
- Bhimsensthan Viewpoint · Viewpoints · 1,546 m
- V-sign Guest House · Stays · 1,449 m
- Maneshwori Mo:Mo · Stays · 1,447 m
- Namaste Samudai Home Stay · Stays · 1,450 m
Show all 53 places
- R.K Pharmacy · Medical · 1,525 m
- Achutan Pharmacy · Medical · 1,524 m
- Balaram Pharmacy · Medical · 1,525 m
- Dhulikhel Hospital · Medical · 1,523 m
- Dhulikhel Clinic Center · Medical · 1,501 m
- Ku Helipad · Airports & transport · 1,470 m
- Pediatrics and Gyn/Obs · Medical · 1,510 m
- Pond · Practical · 1,549 m
- Love Bird · Stays · 1,550 m
- Dada Pari Lama Hotel · Stays · 1,555 m
- Sanu Khaja Ghar · Stays · 1,556 m
- Star Momo · Stays · 1,556 m
- Sanjibani Newari Khaja Ghar · Stays · 1,558 m
- Timal Hotel · Stays · 1,558 m
- Bishal Hotel · Stays · 1,558 m
- Mama ko hotel · Stays · 1,558 m
- Roshi bhojanalaye · Stays · 1,557 m
- Sanjibani · Stays · 1,559 m
- Krishna bhojanayala · Stays · 1,559 m
- Water Tank · Practical · 1,658 m
- Drinking Water · Practical · 1,536 m
- Bhimsensthan Viewpoint · Viewpoints · 1,546 m
- Hotel Green Peace Lodge And Resort · Stays · 1,547 m
- Pancha tamang hotel · Stays · 1,703 m
- Aahana Pharmacy · Medical · 1,667 m
- Ram Gopal Baidya Medical Centre · Medical · 1,640 m
- Sornim Phamacy · Medical · 1,640 m
- Kulung hotel · Stays · 1,704 m
- Namobuddha Hotel And Lodge · Stays · 1,707 m
- Thrangu Phende Clinic · Medical · 1,721 m
- Stupa view point · Viewpoints · 1,760 m
- Viewpoint · Viewpoints · 1,757 m
- Namobuddha Motel · Stays · 1,672 m
- Sankhu Homestay · Stays · 1,514 m
- Pariwar Syasthya Clinic · Medical · 1,454 m
- Prathamik Swasthya Kendra, Sunthan · Medical · 1,499 m
- Panauti Hospital · Medical · 1,453 m
- Rebika Pharmacy · Medical · 1,454 m
- Krishnamohan Pharmacy · Medical · 1,454 m
- Samudayik ATM · Practical · 1,450 m
- V-sign Guest House · Stays · 1,449 m
- Machhe Pharmacy · Medical · 1,449 m
- Maneshwori Mo:Mo · Stays · 1,447 m
- Bhairab Hospital · Medical · 1,450 m
- Prakash Drug House · Medical · 1,447 m
- Karmacharya Pharma · Medical · 1,450 m
- SomSarobar Medical Hall · Medical · 1,447 m
- Rehab Center · Medical · 1,471 m
- Red Cross · Medical · 1,457 m
- Panauti Public Health Post · Medical · 1,452 m
- Namaste Samudai Home Stay · Stays · 1,450 m
- Tap (Dhunge Dharo) · Practical · 1,452 m
- Gita devi ozone mart · Medical · 1,444 m