Dhulikhel
Firstly, the hilltop location of this ancient, traditional Newari town affords splendid panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Secondly, it is an ideal overnight halt as part of an exploration of the rurality of the Kathmandu Valley, in particular for Panauti and Namobuddha.
Indeed, our short Villages of the Kathmandu Valley trek does just that.
Dhulikhel is easily reached from Kathmandu by means of the Arniko Highway, which links Nepal with Tibet.
By car, the journey takes around an hour each way.
So, this makes Dhulikhel an easy proposition as a day trip from Kathmandu too.
Dhulikhel is a real living, breathing, and working Newari town with a Kathmandu University Campus. It doesn't feel particularly touristy," and that's because mostly it isn't.
As well as the views, which are usually at their best in the mornings and late afternoons before the daily clouds obscure the mountains, Dhulikhel is a rather nice place to just wander around. There are quite a few schools here, and the local children in their immaculate school uniforms are a colourful sight.
You could also quite easily enjoy day walks around the Dhulikhel area. The surrounding landscape is very pretty, with small, organic farms and tiny villages, where life seems to move at a much slower pace and little seems to have changed either.
The Kali Temple is well worth a visit if you're prepared to slog your way up the seemingly never-ending series of switchback steps that lead up to the shrine.
It's not called the Ten Thousand Stairs Temple for nothing. On the way up, there's the Shanti Ban, which features a large golden statue of Buddha.
In the town of Dhulikhel itself, there are ornate temples to discover.
The Bhagmati Temple, a three-tiered pagoda structure, is said to be one of the tallest in the Kathmandu Valley.
Oh, there's one other reason some people specifically come to Dhulikhel, and that's to stay at the luxurious Dwarika's Resort, which is by far the best (and most expensive) luxury getaway/wellness hotel in Nepal. Escapism, yoga, meditation, spa treatments, and outlandish Himalayan views come at a price.
Dhulikhel Images
See our hand-picked Dhulikhel Accommodation for suggestions as to where to stay.
Read our Nepal Travel Guide
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