Sanga, Panauti and Namo Buddha Trek - 5 days

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, a guide from Third Rock Adventures will pick you up from the airport and drop you at your hotel. Check-in and get refreshed. After resting for a while, you start your half-day sightseeing tour.

First, your tour guide will take you to the medieval city of Patan. You head to the Patan Durbar Square, a palace square built during the Malla era. Beautifully sculpted temples and pagoda roofed palaces decorate the square. Krishna Temple, Patan Palace Museum, Golden Temple, etc., are the architectural marvels of this ancient palace square.

Next, you drive to Basantapur or Kathmandu Durbar Square. Stroll around the lively palazzo and explore the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum, Kumari Ghar (House of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple, etc. Later you return to the hotel.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, you board a private vehicle and drive east towards Sanga. Depending on traffic flow, you reach the town in about thirty or forty minutes. En route, you can view the tallest statue of Lord Shiva (standing) in the world.

You leave the main highway to reach the trailhead and drive through a dirt track to Khalchowk. Your hike begins from the point in Khalchowk where the road forks- one leading to Panauti and the other to Ashapuri Mahadev temple. If you wish to visit Ashapuri Mahadev Temple, you can do that first and continue your hike or carry on without visiting the temple.

You hike on a rough jeep track passing through traditional mud and concrete houses. You soon reach the ridgeline of a hill. The exposed trail offers 360-degree views of the hills, valleys, and villages. The sides of the hills are carved into terraces where the locals cultivate paddy. Enjoy your walk on the ridge and take a narrow foot trail through a pine forest. The descent to Panauti is filled with amazing views of the ancient Newar town and Banepa (another historic Newari town).

On reaching Panauti, you head to a local homestay where you spend the night.

Overnight in Panauti.

You start your hike to Namo Buddha after breakfast served by your host family. Walk on an uneven road for nearly three kilometers till you reach a junction and a local bus stop. You take the trail heading right and walk through local homesteads and Newari villages. The path goes up and down. From the settlement of Lapsibot, you take an upward route.

Before heading down, you can enjoy mesmerizing views of the valley and villages. Although tiring, the views are amazing and you feel refreshed as you gaze at the green hills and terraced fields. After a long ascent, you arrive at Namo Buddha. The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Gumba (monastery) sitting on the hill looks impressive and beautiful.

You can stay overnight at the monastery's guesthouse or a hotel. Staying at the monastery will give you a glimpse of the monks' day-to-day life.

Overnight in Namo Buddha.

You start early and head to Dhulikhel, a picturesque Newari settlement on the Nepal-Tibet route. The trail goes up and down, passing through charming villages and breathtaking scenery. During winter, one can see the Himalayan range stretching on the horizon. An ascent up a hill brings you to Dhulikhel.

Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Dhulikhel, ready to transport you to Bhaktapur for a sightseeing tour.

Once a kingdom ruled by the Malla kings, Bhaktapur is famous for its durbar square (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), pottery, and dairy products. You walk around Bhaktapur Durbar Square, admiring the fabulous Newari art and architecture. Nyatapole Temple, Taumadhi Square, Golden Gate, and Palace of 55 Windows are some of the ancient jewels of Bhaktapur. Get a taste of Juju Dhau (local yogurt) or the ‘King of Yogurt’ before returning to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Overnight in Kathmandu.

After spending four days walking through ancient villages and picturesque hiking trails, you finally bid goodbye to Nepal and return home. If you want to extend your holiday and visit more destinations, please get in touch with us.