Just east of the Kathmandu Valley, in the green hills of Kavre district, two Newar towns offer a perfect overnight break. The 2 Days Dhulikhel & Panauti Tour (1 night / 2 days) combines the medieval river town of Panauti with the hilltop resort town of Dhulikhel (about 1,550 m), whose terraces look out over a Himalayan panorama from Langtang and Dorje Lakpa to Gauri Shankar and the peaks of the Rolwaling. You travel by private vehicle and stay in a 3-star hotel with a welcome drink, dinner and breakfast included.
Panauti is built on a single great rock at the sacred confluence of the Roshi and Punyamati rivers – a third, invisible river, the Rudrawati, is said to join them here. Its old core is one of the best-preserved medieval townscapes in Nepal, with carved wooden houses, stone water spouts, riverside ghats and the Indreshwor Mahadev Temple, a three-tiered pagoda first built in 1294 and among the oldest in the country. Panauti is also said to be the birthplace of yomari, the sweet steamed dumpling of Newar festivals.
On the way you pass Bhaktapur, the Sanga hill with its giant Kailashnath Mahadev statue and the market town of Banepa. In Dhulikhel, an old trading post on the route to Tibet, you can wander through its brick lanes and temples, then watch the sunset over the mountains from your hotel. Next morning, sunrise turns the snow peaks gold; for an even wider view walk 30–45 minutes up to the Kali Temple viewpoint before breakfast and the drive back to Kathmandu.
Why choose this tour?
- Medieval heritage and Himalayan views just 1–1.5 hours from Kathmandu.
- 3-star hotel with welcome drink, dinner, breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
- Quieter and less crowded than Nagarkot.
Who is it for?
Couples, families, seniors and anyone looking for a relaxed short escape. The grade is easy. A guide for Panauti and Namobuddha can be added on request.
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