If you are looking for short hiking in Kathmandu Valley ranging 2-3 Days as a short trek Ranikot Namobuddha Dhulikhel Hike is the best one. No matter whether you are a first-timer, old, or a kid this hike suits all despite Monsoon, Spring, Autumn, or fall.
As Trekking Trail Nepal is the pioneer to promote Ranikot Hiking, we are adding about 2 more days to this route and making it a best 3 Days Hike in Kathmandu Valley. By using all the local information and our years of experience we combine the 2 different hiking trips and destinations that will match your needs even in this rainy season or winter season.
Ranikot Namobuddha Dhulikhel Hiking Route Itinerary Details:
If you are known to the Names of this place, This Ranikot Namobhuddha Dhulikhel Hiking with the ancient Newari Town of Panauti is the best mix of 2 different one-day hikes:
- Ranikot Hiking.
- Namobuddha Dhulikhel Hike.
Day 01: Kathmandu - Ranikot
After breakfast in your hotel, we start our drive from Kathmandu to Suryabinayak Bhaktapur and hike to Ranikot village via Pilot Baba Aashram and Ranikot Fort, and Valley View Point.
Although we have all drivable trails to Ranikot village, we took the old walking route from Ganesh Temple Base to Pilot Baba. Please note first 4 Km is an asphalt road. After 25 minute hike up to Pilot Baba and another 1 hour to Ghyampe Danda, we will spend more time with nature and viewpoint. After Ranikot Fort we will be headed to our camp for our Lunch. After lunch, we will explore the village to see, learn, and experience the lifestyle of rural Nepalese people. Even if time allows we visit the farm and help local farmers and carry good memories. Before we end our day with dinner, we will hope for a golden sunset.
Accommodation: Standard Home Stay. ( No Standard Menu but all Food is organic and homely Made ).
Meals: Snacks, Lunch, and Dinner. Duration: 5-6 Hours
Max Altitude: 1891m ( Ranikot Fort )
Transportation: Public
Distance: 14 Km
The Attraction of The Day:
- Ganesh Temple of Suryabinayak. Pilot Baba Ashram Visit.
- Coffee Break at the YO-YO Zipline and Sky-cycling spot.
- Capturing the whole Kathmandu Valley from the Valley View Point.
- Stairs walk to Ranikot Old Fort.
- Exotics of forest trekking trail which offers the wildlife as well Himalayas of Nepal.
- Exploring the rural village lifestyle, culture, and customs of Ranikot Village.
- Golden Sunset.
- ( Depending on a local working day, you may get a chance to get the local drinks before dinner).
Day 02: Ranikot - Panauti - Namobuddha.
We start our day with sunrise and later enjoy our organic and healthy breakfast before we check out from the Homestay. After 20 minute hike down we reach the Republic park where we see the artificial beauty of the Nepalese Map and small garden. Later we hike down to Parkhill Chaur.
This trail section is easy and will not take 1 and half hours, But all is downhill, and later another 1 and half hour hike to Panauti. Panauti is an oldest Neweri Town, the culture, customs and architecture here are different than you see in Ranikot Village around. We will enjoy lunch here in the restaurant before we hike another 2-3 hours to reach Namobuddha. The hiking route from Panauti to Sunthan 4 km. Mostly black topped road, even to the Sankhu. Sunthan to Sankhu river bridge is one easy hour through the agricultural field. Here we need to hike steeply uphill through the forest to the Namobuddha Temple. This is the main temple where the body of buddha is mixed with nature.
With another 25 minutes of road hiking, we will leach the Thrangu Monastery. After reaching the Namobuddha Monastery complex. We will take a breath rest in the Thrangu Cafe with cold or hot drinks. Later visit the monastery, viewpoint, and surroundings. Exploring the Monastery for peace of mind, body, and soul. Even we pray for peace in the world. The prayer class which is held in the big hall is a different spiritual experience.
Accommodation: Thrangu Tashi Buddhist Monastery Guest House
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, and Dinner. Duration: 6-7 Hours Max Altitude: 1750m ( Namobuddha Village )
Transportation: Public; if we need to drive between the hiking route, especially Parkhal Chour to Panauti.
Distance: Ranikot - Panauti - Namobuddha 18.5 km in total. ( Depending on Hiking Pace We have the option to drive Parkhal Chaur to Panauti or Panauti to Sankhu Village ).
The attraction of The Day:
- Republic Park.
- Village city center of Parkhal Chour.
- Ancient Newari Cultural town of Panauti.
- Biggest Monastery in the region.
- Vibrant Chant and Buddhist Mantra Session.
- Trekking trail mix of human settlement zone, agricultural fields, and forest.
Day 03: Namobuddha - Dhulikhel - Kathmandu
The day will start with the Buddhist chants of the Monastery. We will enjoy breakfast and drinks before we hit the trekking trail. For today hiking trail is like a ridge walk totally different from what we did in the last two days. The valley gets wider and warmer.
Namo Buddha to Kavre Bhayanjang 5 km easy 2 hours mostly with rural village area and some parts are inside the pine forest on the ridge side. This part looks amazing with the colorful Buddhist flags. We will take a short drink break at Kavre Pass in a normal teas shop. Later we hit the trail for an easy 1 hour 30 minutes to Dhulikhel which we cover 4 km with a short uphill to the viewpoint of Devsthan Temple. The green forest and easy trail make the perfect day to end our trek. The Hiking viewpoint of Dhulikhel and the views of Mountains and heritage makes it one popular destination around Kathmandu valley.
In Dhulikhel, we enjoy our lunch before we start our drive back to Kathmandu.
Accommodation: On You.
Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, and Lunch. Duration: 4 Hours and 1-hour drive back to Kathmandu.
Max Altitude: 1550m ( Dhulikhel View Point )
Transportation: Public
Distance: Namobuddha to Dhulikhel 9.5 km
The attraction of The Day:
- Dhulikhel viewpoint.
- Mountains, Hills, Valley, and Villages.
- The trade center of Dhulikhel.
Ranikot Namoubuddha Dhulike Hiking Guide: Must Know Things:
1. Accommodation Available During Ranikot Namoubuddha Dhulike Hike
Namo Buddha Resort about 1.5 Km away from Monastery is the most luxurious accommodation in the region. It cost 115 USD extra. This is the ultimate luxurious resort you can get with traditional flavors nearby Namobuddha Monastery, but 1 Km away from the town of Namo Buddha. Ranikot Village Home Stay you will get a private room, but rest room is common but inside the same complex.
2. Food and Drinks in Ranikot Namoubuddha Dhulike Hike
We provide all lunch, dinner, breakfast even snacks and local drinks. All lunches are in a restaurant where you can choose your favorite one. However, at dinner at Ranikot, we eat what the local people used to eat but by tourist standards. Here is your interest, you can request for no veg, vegan, vegetarian, or any other request.
Dinner and Breakfast in Namobuddha Monastery are not different from those of the monks. Even we eat and drink in the same dining room together on their time. The breakfast and dinner you get here are just for survival to know how they used to live happily and healthy with limited resources. However, if you need any other foods to eat or drinks, you can visit the Thrangu Canteen or Local Restaurant. They offer a few more items of your interest, with a few varieties of drinks.
NOTE: If you need a beer or a few non-veg items, you can find them in the local tea shop.
Transportation between Namobuddha, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Parkhal Chaur and Bhaktapur Ranikot
As this Ranikot Namobuddha Dhulikhel hike can be completed with public vehicles, which is the best way to experience the Nepalese travel culture and transportation system. However, if you want to have Private Transport from Kathmandu to Suryabinayak on day 1 and Dhulikhel to Kathmandu on Day 3 costs extra.
If you are a single traveler; we hardly suggest spending more on private vehicles as this is the most expensive topic as Nepal's Government's tax policy and the sky-rocketing fuel prices. By traveling with a public coach you will experience the local lifestyle, BUT you are free to choose the services which are comfortable for you. Private Car for the Ranikot Namobuddha Dhulikhel Hike cost USD 85.
Payment and Currency
You have to pay your Ranikot Namoubuddha Dhulikhel Hike fees in USD. However, you need Nepalese Rupees for another spending like chocolates, juices, drinks, shopping, and so on. Regarding the payment, you can pay us in cash or card after you arrive in Kathmandu. No Worries, We trust all our guests. Tour Starting Point / Can I Start from Airport
Typically our Ranikot Namoubuddha Dhulikhel Hike starts from Thamel or Around Kathmandu valley. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and the hike starts. If you want to start from Kathmandu Airport, We will be there at Tribhuvan (Kathmandu) International Airport to pick you up. From there we will start our day. Please look for our Company Name (Trekking Trail Nepal) in the arrival welcome area.
Why is Namo Buddha a sacred place?
It is a place of great compassion. You might have a question Why? Because the Buddha in a previous life as a prince wandered away from a royal party picnic into this deep forest. Here he comes across a starving tiger and her three cubes. The price felt such great compassion for the hungry tigers who could not feed her cubs, that he offered his body to her to eat. This makes Namo Buddha a place of Great compassion.
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche The Man Who Builds The Namo Buddha Monastery:
The Namo Buddha temple and nearby buildings were established, designed, and built by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. He is a major master of the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. When Rinpoche was asked why he built this majestic monastery here, he replied in an interview: There are three major holy stupas in the periphery of the Kathmandu valley. One of them is the stupa which is just below this NamoBuddha Monastery and encompasses relics of the Lord Buddha. Since it was not well-taken care of and not in proper condition, I decided to build something majestic and beautiful and beneficial for all. Now it has become a place of pilgrimage for many people who believe in Buddhism, Buddha, Nature, Meditation, and more.
Namobuddha is the Home and School for Monks:
There are about 350 monks living here. You will see the young monks, mostly come from remote villages high in the Himalayas with very low incomes. The approximately 130 little monks are very happy and cheerful living here since they get two kinds of education: 1: Training in rituals of the monastery and 2) The basic Nepalese school education at the branch school of Rinpoche's Shree Mangal Deep School. They are sponsored for food, lodging, robes with education, and educational materials through individual sponsors and donations.
After completing 5 to 10 years of basic training and if they have good marks, they can enter the 12-year program in Higher Buddhist the monastic college which is also located here.
Also here is a one-year retreat facility for the preliminary practices, which is the requirement for entering the three years retreat for the training as a dharma teacher, a Lama. The Three Year Retreat Center is located in a more remote location.
There is a small hospital and clinic for the people of this district and the monks. It is staffed by volunteer doctors from all over the world as well as nurses and monks with medical training. Western and Tibetan medical treatments, and Chinese acupuncture are available. Every year the clinic hosts eye and dental camps.
Staying in the Namobuddha Monastery:
As you have experienced, this monastery is quite far away from the nearest popular towns like Panauti, Dhulikhel, and Banepa. All that is needed has to be brought up from the valley and nearby town centers. To make comfortable for your stay and fulfill the quench of meditation and spiritual needs, Namobuddha Monastery has its own guesthouse. You will get a personal room with an inside hot shower.
Please Note: Water is one of the scarce resources here. We hearty suggest you save water and help the NamoBuddha Monastery management team to keep it clean, green, and spiritually rich.
