Culture Trip / Kathmandu Valley / Nepal

Namobuddha Overnight Hike and Bhaktapur

2 days

Moderate

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From the peaceful heights of Namobuddha Monastery to the bustling medieval alleys of Bhaktapur, experience Nepal’s spirit through nature, spirituality, and timeless art.

Overview

2 days Total Duration

Kathmandu Trip Start Point

Kathmandu Trip Finish Point

1,750m/5741ft (Namo Buddha) Highest Point

Moderate Difficulty Level

The Namobuddha Monastery hike offers an immersive trek through pine forests and traditional villages, ending at a serene hilltop monastery rich with spiritual legend. Spend the night at the monastery, joining monks in meditation, before continuing the next day to Bhaktapur, where medieval temples, carved courtyards, and lively pottery squares bring Nepal’s heritage to life.

Namobuddha Monastery

Nestled on a hilltop within striking distance from the city, Namobuddha is one of Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist monuments, known for its tale of the Buddha’s sacrifice to save a starving tigress and her cubs. Moreover, picturesque views from the monastery offer a spiritual retreat and an unforgettable experience of Nepal’s Buddhist heritage.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu

The medieval city of Bhaktapur (UNESCO World Heritage site) is a time capsule and known for its quaint courtyards, pottery shops and landmarks like Nyatapola, 55-windows palace, pottery square and Dattatraya Temples. It serves as a living museum of Newari culture, showcasing stunning architecture and myriad of festivals. A short distance away is the expertly carved Changunarayan, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and considered the oldest temple in Nepal.

Dhulikhel-Namobuddha hike

Starting from Dhulikhel, this hike meanders through dense pine forests, terrace farmlands, and quaint Tamang villages, with sweeping views of the Himalayan range guiding the path. The trail gradually ascends, with glimpses of rural life unfolding at each turn. Upon reaching Namobuddha, the sacred stupa and monastery complex sit atop a hill, draped in prayer flags that flutter in the mountain breeze

Best time to go

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JulAugSepOctNovDec

Outdoors in the Kathmandu valley is amazing in spring (March to May). The average daytime temperature is 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). The forests are green, and rhododendrons bloom, making the trail vibrant.

Kathmandu valley receives a lot of rainfall in monsoon, so it will be very wet, humid, slippery and leechy. Nonetheless, the valley will be gorgeously green and beautiful during monsoon. Temperatures range from around 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F). While early June and late September are still advisable for trekking, July and August are not very ideal.

It is the most popular time of the year to visit with clear skies and stable weather conditions. The monsoon rains will have subsided, and visibility of the mountain ranges is excellent. The temperatures range between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). As the region is very accessible, trails and hotels can be busy this time around.

Winter is a great time to be outdoors in Kathmandu valley. The far-off mountains on the horizon look sparkling white on clear days. The temperatures go between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F) during daytime and can go lower at night. It is very pleasant and not very cold. The trails are not very busy and lodges are operational.

Group Size	Price per person
1 pax	Inquire
2 pax	Inquire
3 - 7 people	Inquire
8 people & above	Inquire

	1 hotel
	1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
	Reserved vehicle

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

For a group size of upto 3 people, hiring a cab is generally more economical than reserving a private car for the day. However, given the distance to Namobuddha Monastery and holding charges for cabs, reserving a car is recommended. NB: Cars are more convenient and comfortable than cab.

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Itinerary

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Day 1

Kathmandu - Namobuddha

Drive from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel 1.5 to 2 hrs

Trek from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha 4 to 5 hrs

If you want a more comfort accommodation, you can book Namobuddha Resort.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Namo Buddha Monastery Hotel

Day 2

Namobuddha - Bhaktapur

	Drive from Namobuddha to Changunarayan 1 to 1.5 hrs
	Explore Changunarayan temple
	Drive to Bhaktapur 30 mins
	Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square 3 to 4 hrs OPTION TO ADD ON: Nepali cooking and food experience at Tahaja Getaway (2-3 hours)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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Prices

Group Size	Price per person
1 pax	Inquire
2 pax	Inquire
3 - 7 people	Inquire
8 people & above	Inquire

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

Includes

	Accommodation 1 night in Namo Buddha Monastery Accommodation (twin sharing basis)
	Transportation Reserved vehicle throughout the trip (vehicle carries luggage)
	Food 1 breakfast 1 dinner
	Crew An experienced guide with medical kit An cultural expert for Bhaktapur sightseeing An assistant guide (depending on group size) Salary, board and insurance for the crew
	Misc 13% Government taxes

Excludes

Lunch
Soda, tea/coffee and alcoholic beverages
Travel Insurance
Any item not mentioned in Price Includes

Important Details

Health & Safety

You will be accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable tour guide equipped with a first aid kit. Always follow their instructions and stick to designated paths.

While Nepal is generally very safe, there is still a possibility of pickpocketing in touristy areas. Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewelry etc or a large sum of cash while traveling for security reasons.

Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases. Drinking tap water is not advised and we recommend drinking boiled/ filtered or bottled water only.

Logistics

Accommodation Accommodation is on twin-sharing basis, which means there will be two people to a room. For families with kids, room allocation depends on your preference and room availability. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge.

Vehicle We provide reserved private vehicles to drive you around for pick-ups and drop-offs as per the itinerary. The vehicle type (car, jeep, van, etc) will be allocated depending on the number of people and terrain.

Water Carrying your own water bottle/hydration pack is mandatory. It is always best to have a bottle (1.5-2 liters) during the tour. You can refill your bottle with boiled or bottled drinking water available at lunch spots and hotels. We highly discourage buying plastic water bottles for environmental reasons.

Toilets While you will find Western-style toilets in hotels and proper restaurants, squat toilets are common in public places and near heritage sites. Toilets may not have running water at all times, resulting in an unpleasant smell. Make sure to bring your own toiletries. Females are advised to carry their sanitary napkins.

Connectivity & Wifi For cellular service, a reliable and hassle-free option is to purchase an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. Another alternative is to buy a local SIM card. NCell and Nepal Telecom are common carriers, both of which offer good network coverage in major cities and towns. Wi-Fi is generally available in most hotels and restaurants, and it’s usually quite fast.

Crew

Tour Guide One lead licensed tour guide and assistant guides (depending on the group size) will accompany you on the trip. All our tour guides speak fluent English, and are highly experienced with an in-depth knowledge of local culture.

Driver You will be accompanied by a driver most of the time. For multi-day trips, vehicle and driver may vary from day to day.

Money

Extra costs to expect Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the Price section thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while traveling.

Currency You are advised to carry the local currency (Nepali rupees) as all the service providers transact in rupees.

ATMS and Credit cards In cities, you will find ATMs in numerous locations. Additionally, most hotels, restaurants, and big shops accept credit cards, with an additional fee (usually around 3-5%) applied on top. However, outside of cities and in smaller shops and eateries, cash is the preferred payment method, and ATMs are limited.

Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills. For the crew, you are welcome to give some gratuities if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 15-20 per day for the guides and USD 10-15 per day for the drivers, as a group. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service.

Checklist

What to pack

Outfit

•	Comfortable walking shoes
•	A warm layer
•	Sun hat or cap
•	Full sleeved clothes for entering heritage sites

Accessories

•	Day bag
•	Rain gear
•	Sunglasses
•	Water bottle
•	Trail snacks and energy bars (optional)

Electronics

•	Camera with charger and extra batteries
•	Power bank (Optional)

Toiletries and Meds

•	Sunscreen (SPF 30 or above)
•	Sanitizer
•	Bug / Insect repellent
•	Toiletries

Documents & Money

•	Original passport
•	Extra cash (for meals, shopping, etc)
•	Credit card (VISA & MasterCard)

How to pack

Anything that you will need during the day, like rain gear, a warm layer, a water bottle, sunscreen, basic toiletries, your phone, and camera, money, important documents, and a few snacks, goes in your day bag. A 15-25 liters bag is your ideal daypack. It is advised to buy a good quality bag with adjustable waist straps, as good load distribution makes all the difference.

Sign Up

1. Fill up the Booking Form

Please print and fill up the Booking Form. It’s pretty simple and short, please let us know if we can help you with it.

2. Pay to confirm

We’ll send terms and conditions, along with payment details. To confirm your spot, please pay 50% of the trip cost in advance.

Note: Full payment to be made at least 7 days before trip departure.

A few days before the trip, the lead guide will host a small briefing to discuss logistics and safety matters, and also answer any questions you have.

3. Prepare for mountains

Do some light training and set your gears. Then off to the mountains we go!

Namobuddha Overnight Hike and Bhaktapur