Overview
Namoboudha situated at the hill top of Panauti is very important Buddhist pilgrimage located in Kavre District about 38 km. east of Kathmandu. The stupa and shrines build up in this lovely little hill has significantly enough mark a very ancient holy site where a legendary prince named Mahasattva offered himself to starving Tigress with its several underfed cubs.
Namo Buddha which means Homage to Buddha is situated at the hill top of Panauti at an altitude of 1750m, located in Kavre District about 38 kilometers, east of Kathmandu valley. It is listed as a famous hiking near the Kathmandu Valley and has a beautiful Monastery named Thrangu Tashi Yangtse which is the main attraction of this trip. It is believed that Lord Buddha gave his life to a starving tigress and her cubs at Namobuddha. Founded in 1978, this monastery has now become home to more than 250 monks. It is also one of the attractive tourist destinations as the visitors can observe mountain ranges of northern Nepal and breathing in the fresh mountain air from here. Flowers and green forests nearby make the place more elegant. In the morning, you can see smiling monks and their chanting all over the monastery that makes you feel the place to be off the world.
We start our trip with a scenic drive to Khopasi via the ancient Newari town of Panauti. It will take one and half hour to reach Khopasi which is approx. 30 km from Kathmandu. We will start our hiking from Khopasi and follow the uphill trail towards Namobuddha. We will cross a suspension bridge and pass through traditional villages enjoying the beautiful views of cultivated fields and forest. Upon reaching Namobuddha we will explore the monastery, the school and other attraction of Namobuddha.
From the stupa you can have a beautiful view of the valley you just crossed. Although the stupa is much smaller than at Bouddhanath or Swayambunath, it is a very important one for Nepalese Buddhists. We will have our lunch at one of the small restaurants there, and then will proceed further with an easy hike towards Panauti, another historical city full of temples passing through villages, paddy fields with potato fields and experience the genuine culture from Kathmandu’s inhabitants. Panauti is an ancient Newari town believed to establish by King Bhupatindra Malla located at the auspicious confluence of Roshi khola & Punyamata Khola. Panauti also consists of a variety of Buddhist and Hindu religious monuments and is considered to be one of the area’s most important medieval sites.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : Hike to Namo Boudha from Kathmandu
07:00 – Gather all groups in front of Nature Trail’s office
07:15 – Depart from office to Khopasi approx. 1 hr. 30 min drive which is 30 km east of Kathmandu
08:45 – Tea break, fill up water bottle or last minute shopping for the hike
09:00 – Start your hike passing through the beautiful forest and traditional villages all the way uphill to Namobuddha.
13:00 – On the way you will have breathtaking views of the monastery and the stupa in the distance. Also hundreds of thousands of prayer flags attached to a pole at the highest point are unmistakable and the golden roofs of the monastery sparkle in the sun. From the stupa you will have a beautiful view of the valley you just crossed
Lunch break for one hour and have lunch prepared by organic foods available locally.
14:00- After enjoying leisurely lunch with good views of the landscapes and mountain ranges of northern Nepal, we will proceed further with an easy hike towards Panauti, another historical city full of temples. We will walk along the village covered with orange trees all over.
17:00– Meet your vehicle at Panauti and drive back to Kathmandu and drop all the group member in front of Nature Trail’s office.