This 3-day hike offers cultural immersion near Kathmandu, featuring Namobuddha Monastery, scenic villages, and Balthali's beauty, with Himalayan views and a peaceful trek.
Dhulikhel Namobuddha Balthali Hike
Duration
3 Days
Trip Grade
Easy
Maximum Altitude
1750 Meters
Group Size
Max 12 Pax
Activities
Hiking, Trekking
Starts
Kathmandu
Ends
Kathmandu
Best Time
Sept , Oct, Nov
Namobuddha Balthali Hike Overview
Namobuddha Balthali Hike is one of the best cultural trekking trails through beautiful hamlets, terraced farmlands, and religious heritages around Kathmandu. This 3-day trip outside Kathmandu offers an excursion through the spiritual Namobuddha Monastery, beautiful villages, and pristine landscape on the way that takes you to the charming hamlet of Balthali. This 3-day short trip from Kathmandu Valley to Balthali, stopping at Namobuddha, is the best choice for novice and senior travelers as it offers a trekking experience with a pleasant walk.
From Kathmandu, our private transportation drops us at Dhulikhel, then the hike begins to Namobuddha, one of the most significant Buddhist sacred sites, and visit the outstanding premises of Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery at Namobuddha. It is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Nepal; this is the place where Shakyamuni Buddha was believed to have his body sacrificed to feed a starving tigress and her cobs some 6,000 years ago in his previous life.
The Himalayan panorama of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Gaurishanker range can be seen from the trek. Balthali village is a beautiful location and a plain land region, surrounded by green hills. The hike to Balthali is outstanding due to the sub-hike to Ladkeshor Mahadev, located beside the Roshi Khola (River). The scenery around is so wonderful that you will forget everything and focus on the praise of nature and rejoice in your holiday.
Major Highlights of the Dhulikhel Namo Buddha Trek:
- One of the best 3-day trips outside Kathmandu Valley.
- Places of interest such as Dhulikhel, Namo Buddha, Balthali Village, and Panauti.
- 3-day relaxing itinerary suited for seniors and families trekking from Kathmandu
- Local village lifestyle, Buddhist monasteries, old temples, and great landscapes.
Alcohol and meat are prohibited at Thrangu Monastery at Namo Buddha, but no problem at Balthali Village Resort. Usually, the accommodation in the monastery from April to August is not available as they have Tibetan language classes and meditation courses for foreign visitors. In this case, we will arrange accommodation other than in the monastery. Please contact us with your travel details for more information.
Itinerary
Expand allAfter a nice morning breakfast; ride car to Dhulikhel - a town high on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley. We hike toward Namobuddha, one of the most blessed Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal.
Today’s walk will be around three hours, allowing you enough time to enjoy tour through the local villages and terraced farm lands, your stop for the night is at Namobuddha Monastery. It is only small, but it is extremely important to Tibetan Buddhists, as it commemorates Siddhartha Gautam’s act of offering his body to a hungry tigress, which is said to have contributed to his ability to achieve enlightenment and, ultimately, Buddha-hood. A short walk above the stupa is the newly built Tibetan Buddhist monastery perched on the hilltop. Arriving here around mid-afternoon, you can just relax, or head to a lookout point close by for a stunning sunset. You have dinner with monks today. No meat and alcohol here as we are staying in the monastery premises.
After having breakfast with a panoramic view, take a short walk downhill to the rural villages. From here, continue walking through fields and orchards to the quiet village of Balthali. Here again there are amazing views of the mountains, farmland, and villages. Overnight at the Balthali Village Resort.
After last breakfast with this spectacular view, start the short trek to Khopasi there; your car will be waiting for you. We stop at Panauti - a classic Newari town of ancient temples and monuments, where you can discover. Panauti is one of the best-preserved Newari towns in the country, and has been spared any earthquake damage over the years because of the popular belief that it is built upon a single, large rock. The town is built in the signature Newari style, with pink brick and carved wooden temples beside the river. After exploring, give your feet a rest by hopping into the car for the drive back to Kathmandu. En route, stop at Bhaktapur, one of the three ancient cities within the Kathmandu Valley. Lying 14 kilometers east of Kathmandu city, Bhaktapur was founded in the 9th century, and the old city plan is shaped like a sacred conch shell. Not only because of its famous carved peacock windows but also due to its museum, Bhaktapur is the center of traditional Nepalese wood carving.
After touring Bhaktapur, continue to Kathmandu and check into one of the nicest hotels in town, Dwarika’s Hotel. The place is not just a hotel, but practically a museum of traditional arts and crafts, with unique antique furniture and fittings in each room. If you’re on a tighter budget, there are numerous other boutique hotels around the city that offer a similar charm without the price tag.
This is our standard itinerary. It can be customized or slightly changed if required considering your pace and trekking habit that cause a change of day-to-day plan.
Still Confuse?
Download brochure or customize your trip.
Cost Details
Includes
- One registered English-speaking local guide for Namobuddha - Balthali hike.
- One-night deluxe room in Balthali Village Resort on a twin/double occupancy basis.
- Accommodation in Thrangu Monastery at Namobuddha on a twin-sharing basis.
- Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners during the tour.
- Mineral water during the tour.
- Private ground transportation to and from the trekking,
- Guide fee and all his / her expenses.
- Local taxes, entrance fees.
Excludes
- Transportation, accommodation & meals in Kathmandu / Bhaktapur
- Bar drinks and beverages such as coke, fanta, can juice, etc.
- Personal travel insurance and hiking gear.
- Personal nature expenses such as toiletries, phone calls, and laundry service.
- Rescue operation in case of emergency.
- Gratitude and tips for your guide/driver
Dates & Availability
Select Departure Dates
May 2025
Jun 2025
Jul 2025
Aug 2025
Sep 2025
Oct 2025
Nov 2025
Dec 2025
Check our dates published to see if it matches your time. We are happy to customize your tour perfectly to match your interests and needs, creating a unique travel experience just for you
What Our Clients are Saying?
based on 3 reviews
Had a most lovely 3 day trek around Kathmandu ,
We had have a 3 days wonderful trek to Dhulikhel – Namo Buddha – Balthali with our female guide Priscilla Tamang arranged through Wilderness Excursion in Kathmandu. Our guide was energetic, fun, and most accommodating for us with overnight changes...
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Barbara Orsi- United States
March 15, 2020Great short trek to Balthali village
We did the 3 day Namo Buddah- Balthali village trek in Kathmandu. We only had a short time in Nepal but wanted to still do a trek and this was perfect. We saw beautiful countryside, villages and stunning views. A...
T
Tessa Mary- Australia
February 06, 2020Dhulikhel - Namo Buddha - Balthali Tour
"Best guide I´ve ever met in Nepal. I did Namo Buddha and Balthali hike from Dhulikhel trek with Pradip 2013. I will definitely talk to him next time when I go to Nepal again for the Everest base Camp Trek. Very...
C
Carlos Alejandre- Spain
August 15, 2012Need Help? Call Us+977 9851042153