Welcome to the perfect one-day vacation for your mind and body. The Namobuddha Monastery Day Hike is more than simply a walk; it’s a peaceful trip back in time to learn about Buddhism. This climb is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and see the Himalayas up close.
Our carefully designed package will make your trip easy, comfortable, and interesting. You will see the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery and the well-known Namobuddha stupa, which has a deep spiritual story. These are two of Nepal’s most important holy sites.
“Namobuddha” means “Homage to the Buddha.” Legend has it that the youthful Prince Mahasattva gave up his own life to save a hungry tigress and her cubs at this renowned spiritual location. Long before he became the Buddha, he did this enormous act of kindness.
The Namobuddha Day Hike is a great way to get some exercise, have a peaceful spiritual experience, and see some lovely natural landscapes. It is best for travelers who want an unforgettable cultural journey without needing to join a long, multi-day trek.
Namobuddha is not only a high hill; it is one of the three most important stupas near the Kathmandu Valley (alongside Boudhanath and Swayambhunath), respected by both Tibetan and Newari Buddhists.
The spiritual importance of Namobuddha relies mainly on the Jataka tale of Prince Mahasattva (Tibetan: Drime Kunden), which tells the story of the Buddha’s former births. The story is the best example of Karuna (compassion) in Mahayana Buddhism:
The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery is a large Tibetan Buddhist complex that sits on top of a hill. It is relatively new (built in the late 20th century) and is managed by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.
This hike is suitable for travelers with:
Note:Those who cannot walk, or if you want to avoid hiking, can reach the Namobuddha Monastery directly in our arranged transportation.Our Namobuddha Day Hike packages are made to be flexible, affordable, and to satisfy the customer’s needs. All our prices are given in USD and are based on the cost per person.
Best For: Solo or group travellers who want to visit the Namobuddha monastery.
Cost: $85 per person (2 or more participants) | $120 for solo participant
Best For: Couples, families, or small private groups who want personal service and better comfort.
Cost: $150 per person (minimum 2 participants) | $250 for solo participant
Best For: Those who want to spend time for meditation, stay in the monastery or want to learn buddhism.
Check our other short hike: Nagarkot Sunrise View and Hiking, Pokhara Tour with Paragliding- 1 DayOur full-day program is designed to give you the best experience possible by combining physical activity with plenty of time for reflection and cultural activities at the monastery.
Phase 1: The Departure and Drive (7:00 AM – 8:30 AM)
07:00 AM: Hotel Pickup & Briefing:
Your professional guide will meet you at your designated hotel (within Kathmandu/Patan/Bhaktapur). A detailed weather check, trail briefing, and introduction to the day's historical context will be provided during the drive.
07:15 AM: Departure from Kathmandu:
We start our trip east, leaving the busy city area behind. The trip itself is beautiful, going through ancient towns like Sanga, which is known for its huge Shiva statue.
08:30 AM: Arrival at the Trailhead (Dhulikhel/Panauti Region):
We commonly start the hike from a good spot that gives us a good trail balance, which is usually near Dhulikhel or the historic Newari settlement of Panauti (the route we take depends on the current trail conditions and what our guide suggests). The last steps of getting ready, checking hydration, and stretching begin.
Phase 2: The Ascent and Newari Heartland (8:30 AM – 11:30 AM)
08:45 AM: The Initial Trek:
This part of the hike goes up gradually and steadily through terraced farms that are typical of the mid-hills of Nepal. The trail has great views for photographers of how farming works.
09:30 AM: Passing Through Villages:
As we walk a little, we see the real Newari farm communities. This is a chance to see traditional mud and brick houses and talk to residents in a pleasant way.
10:30 AM: Forest Canopy & Ridgeline Approach:
The path goes from wide pastures to a cool pine and rhododendron forest. The slope gets a little steeper here, with stone stairs and the natural forest floor. Your guide will give you breaks to drink water and tell you about the plants and animals in the area.
11:30 AM: Get to the Lower Monastery Gate/Viewpoint:
When the weather is good, we get to the top of the ridge, where we can see the Himalayas for the first time in all their glory and have a wide view of the valley below.
Phase 3: Monastery Experience and Lunch (11:30 AM – 2:00 PM)
11:45 AM: Visit to the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery:
This beautiful, busy complex is the center of the site.
Monastic Observation: See the monks' prayer wheels, listen to the daily chants (if they are scheduled), and study the beautiful Newari and Tibetan architectural elements.
The Hall of Assembly: If allowed, a short, quiet visit to the main prayer hall to admire the detailed paintings and big Buddha stupas.
1:00 PM: Traditional Nepali Lunch:
You can have traditional Nepali Dal Bhat (rice, lentil soup, and curried veggies) at a clean, locally-owned restaurant or guest house near the monastery.
Note: You can only have veg-option in the menu inside the monastery restaurants.
Phase 4: Reflection and Return to Hotel(2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
2:30 PM: The Sacred Stupa (Namobuddha Stupa):
We go to the most important place, the original sacred stupa. Your guide will tell you the whole story of Prince Mahasattva and the tigress, and then you will have time to think about it and walk around. We will explore everything inside the monastery and around the monastery. There are also small shops from where you can buy souvenirs like Buddhist Prayer Beads( Mala).
4:00 PM: Arrival at the Vehicle Pickup Point:
We will reach the parking zone of the Namobudhha monastery and take a ride in our private area and head toward Kathmandu.
6:00 PM: Drop off
While enjoying the evening view we will reach Kathmandu in around 2 hours. After that you can check in your hotel.
We know that plans for travel might change. Our cancellation policy is meant to be fair, so once you make an advance booking payment, which is 20% is non-refundable. However, you can transfer your trip date by conforming with our tour operator. If you do not show up on the booked date, the full amount will be charged as a no-show.
If the tour operator needs to cancel the Namobuddha Monastery Hike due to situations beyond our control, we reserve the right to do so. In such cases, we will either adjust the schedule or offer you a similar trip within the same price range.
If the customers want to cancel on their own, there will be no refund.
For your safety, we will provide a trained and licensed tour guide. In case of a serious medical emergency, we will arrange transportation to the nearest quality medical facility. Your travel insurance must cover these situations.
We are after to maintain the cultural and ecological ecosystems of the Namobuddha region. Participants should obey these moral rules:
We are proud to help the local economy directly:
We suggest packing light but smart:
