Panauti Namobuddha Day Hike Overview
Panauti Namobuddha Day Hike is an excellent way to explore a holy site as well as explore a traditional village up-close to the southeast of Kathmandu city. It is one of the most magnificent day hikes in the valley, full of discovery and adventure, where you will be able to enjoy the beauty of culture, religion, and nature all in one day.
This Panauti Namobuddha Day Hiking will allow you to visit one of Nepal's oldest settlements named Panauti and one of the four most important Buddhist sites in Nepal named Namobuddha. This 6/7 hours-long journey is one of the greatest chances to learn about old Newari culture and Buddhism practices and get the feeling of strolling through old Nepal.
Panauti is a beautiful town located in the Kavre district & the people here have been able to protect their traditional culture despite the fact that it is easily accessible, about an hour drive on a local bus from Kathmandu. Despite its proximity to the capital with modernization, Panauti has managed to preserve its ancient culture and numerous Hindu temples.
On this day hike, we get to observe the traditional lifestyle of Newar communities who mostly occupy the area. Apart from the Newars, other communities of Tamang, Magar, and a few Aryan communities have also made a home in the area as well.
Cultivating potatoes, corn, and soybean are the daily routine of the household in this locality. It is worth noting that people make a special type of homemade liquor esp. the Tamang people; & you are very welcome to give it a try!
The most unique thing about this town is that people residing here strongly believe the town stands on one single rock and thus, is not affected by disasters like earthquakes. People here have preserved the culture and tradition in a very sensitive way.
Every 12 years, Panauti hosts a fair which is very famous by Panauti Mela. The ins and outs of the fair start in a temple and the devotees from almost every corner of the country come here to observe the festive environment.
All in all, Panauti is a very beautiful place to visit and look at the culture as well.
The ultimate endpoint of our Panauti to Namobuddha Day Hiking is the Namobuddha Monastery which is also called Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley on the south-east side.
Namo Buddha, the name itself suggests something related to Lord Buddha. And, certainly, there is - a well-preserved and beautiful monastery situated on a hilltop. Prayer flags, wheels, and statues adorn this lovely monastery. The area is quite peaceful & you can even feel the positive vibes flowing all around the monastery. In addition, this place offers stunning views of the surrounding areas and mountains while relaxing on the hilltop.
One of the monastery's most remarkable sights is monks praying for soul restoration. The monks here pray and chant Mantras and are fully devoted. It feels so reviving to see the monks chanting and devoting themselves in full & if you listen carefully with closed eyes, you might get some kind of spark hit that fulfills the empty soul. Thus, NamoBuddha is a lovely place to visit.
This one-day Panauti NamoBuddha trek across Kathmandu valley is an easy and lovely trip appropriate for all trekkers and is perfect for those with limited time. The trip has natural, cultural, and religious significance throughout, making it a religious hike to see both Hindu and Buddhist cultural sites close to Kathmandu's major city.
We will pass through picturesque villages, rice fields, monasteries, temples, and forests along the way, with a panoramic view of the Himalayas and Kathmandu Valley. All of this combines to make the Panauti Namobuddha Day Hike that takes you into Nepalese rural life away from the rush and bustle of city life.
Panauti Namobuddha Day Hike Highlights
- One of the best ways to observe the Traditional town near Kathmandu
- Namobuddha, a peaceful Monastery on the hilltop
- Admire both the natural and cultural beauty of Panauti Village
- Experience the hike along the trails passing through the forests
The Best time to Do Panauti Namobuddha Day Hike
The Panauti Namobuddha hike is possible all year. However, the spring season (March to April) and the autumn season (September to December) are regarded as the greatest.
Spring is regarded as one of the greatest seasons for trekking and climbing in Nepal, not only because of the pleasant weather but also because of the beautiful scenery. Fresh flowers carpet the trail, Rhododendron blossoms, in particular from March.
Autumn in Nepal brings mild temperatures and good hiking and climbing conditions, capped off by breathtaking views made possible by the monsoon clearing the air of dust and pollution. The autumn season showcases vivid colors of joyousness as it is also the time of year when Nepal celebrates the important festivals of Dashain and Tihar.
The summer months of May to August are often avoided for trekking/hiking in Nepal due to significant heat and moisture surges, scorching temperatures, clouds, haze, and rain. The clouds of monsoon obstruct views and the heavy rain pour generates muddy pathways along with some season insects and bugs. Other than that, the landscape view after the heavy rainfall is outstanding and clear.
While winter is not recommended for the high altitude and multi-day trekking journeys, it is a good time to do a one-day Panauti Namobuddha Hike. The winter in Kathmandu valley is relatively mild making it a suitable location for shorter walks at a lower altitude. Over the top, the Himalayan vistas are stunning (when the weather is clear) in the winter months.
Despite the pleasant winter weather, the Kathmandu Valley is less overcrowded in the winter, and the valley's spectacular attractions are less crowded and easier to observe. The treks are also considerably more pleasant and serene without the masses of people.