Dhulikhel

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An Introduction

A Warm Welcome to Gaia Holiday Home Dhulikhel !!!

Discover our green hills, stretching from the top of a mountain to its base.  Breathe deeply… immerse yourself in the rhythms of the countryside. Whether you seek the tranquility of a spiritual retreat – or a happy, healthy, relaxing holiday, we are here to serve you.

Dhulikhel is a famous place to visit near Kathmandu, Nepal. Just a 33 km drive on the Araniko highway delivers you to ancient Dhulikhel. It is situated at an altitude of 1550 m. A perfect location for panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain range from Cho-yu in the east to Himalchuli in the west. Also offering beautiful Sunsets almost every evening.

Directions:

It takes 45 minutes to reach Dhulikhel by Taxi or private car or two and a half to three hours by bicycle or one hour by local bus. Dhulikhel is an ideal spot to stop for one or more nights to explore and enjoy tradition, culture, and Nepalese landscape with the finest Himalayan panoramic views. If you need help please feel free to contact us.

Things to see:

Whether it’s a mountain sunrise you’re after, or 400 km of horizon from the Annapurnas in the west to Numbur in the east, the Himalayan skyline dominates Dhulikhel. Dhulikhel has culture with its old Newari heritage. At 1550 m it is also milder in winter than Nagarkot.

Dhulikhel was once known by the Buddhist name of Shrikhandapur and still has a few Buddhist stupas in memory of the old days. The famous Namo Buddha is an interesting and pleasant three-hour hike from the GAIA, and has a nice mix of Buddhist flavor and old Hindu temples. Dhulikhel also has several ancient temples dedicated to Sweta Bhairava, Hari Siddhi, Shiva, Narayana and Gaukhureswor temple, which represent the medieval Nepalese culture, heritage and a tradition maintained to this day.

There are plenty of other short hikes to undertake from Dhulikhel, but one of the best is a pleasant half-hour hike up the 1000 steps to the Kali Temple. Walkthrough a lush forest that echoes with the chattering of racquet tailed Drongos and turtle doves and end at the Kali temple with beautiful views of the mountain landscape.

Places to visit around

Namo Buddha:
There are many religious places and viewpoints around the Kathmandu Valley. One of them is Namo Buddha. This is a one hour drive or 3-hour trek from Gaia Holiday Home. It is a very respected place by Buddhists for its religious importance and also offers beautiful countryside and commanding views of the surrounding mountains. There is a Stupa with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, a Buddhist Monastery with colorful flags fluttering in the wind, a massive statue of Buddha, and many more Stupas. Namo Buddha is one of the best places to visit near Kathmandu Nepal.

Panauti:
Situated in the confluence of two rivers – Punyamati and Roshikhola, Panauti lies 10 km south of Dhulikhel. This ancient Newari triangular city still retains its old medieval charm.  There are clusters of multi-storied pagodas and religious monuments, a surrounding old bazaar, and the Newar’s cultural traditions almost in their original form. Besides the monuments of religious and historical importance, Panauti is famous for its classic 20th-century Rana-style Newar houses.

Palanchowk Bhagwati:
It lies 22km north-east of Dhulikhel and is situated on the top of a hill about 1,563m from sea level. Many scholars believe that the Palanchowk Bhagwati temple was constructed during Lichhavi King Mandev’s rule. The temple houses a beautiful artistic image – a masterpiece in stone – of Goddess Bhagwati, where one does not find the impact of Rudra or himsa (violence). She is calm, peaceful, loving, and showering her blessing to her devotees. From the hilltop, the surrounding magnificent views are most rewarding.

Charikot:
About 130 km from Dhulikhel, Charikot provides a spectacular snow-capped mountain view of Mt. Gauri-Shanker. It is the headquarters of Dolakha district and boasts of many shops, new settlements, and financial institutions. In the eastern upper part of Dolkha township, there is a famous roofless temple of Dolkha Bhimsen, who uniquely transforms into two other different appearances of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer, in a single day.

Jiri:
It is noted for its pristine nature and the unspoiled lifestyle of the locals. About 133 km to the northeast from Dhulikhel, Jiri exhilarates visitors with spectacular views of the Himalayan massif. Though the emergence of private aviation companies has played a role in pushing Jiri into the shadows, this lovely town still hosts a number of backpackers heading to and fro from Everest Base Camp.

Tatopani/Tibet Border:
Tatopani is about 80 km from Dhulikhel on the way to the Chinese border. In Nepali, ‘Toto’ means ‘Hot’, and ‘pani’ means ‘Water’. People believe that a bath in the hot springs at Tatopani eliminates skin diseases of every kind. Every year in winter, thousands of people visit Tatopani for hot spring baths. The Chinese border is about 4 km from Tatopani, where one can visit a traditional Khasa Village of China.  This is a superb market where a great range of products from cloth to electronics are imported to Nepal. There is a friendship bridge commemorating the friendly relations between Nepal and China. Take note, you will need a visa to enter China.

Dolalghat/Sunkoshi River:
Dolalghat 30 km to the east of Dhulikhel, is both the beginning and ending point of rafting on the Sunkoshi river. Literally the ‘river of gold’, it is a haven for whitewater rafters. This river, which originates from Tibet and combines with six other rivers, flows through the southern plains of Nepal and enters India to mingle with the Ganges. It is the most challenging river for adventurers because of its boisterous rapids.

Nagarkot:
A trek (about 5 hrs) from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel via Banepa and Nala is another exhilarating nature walk with awe-inspiring views of the entire Kathmandu valley.  The moderate trail is mostly downhill and at some points, it descends rather steeply. The ridge is followed all the way to Nala and imparts continuous views of the valley. The trail continues through Ghimiregaun. Even in the month of February, some of the trails may look a bit muddy and slippery. Make sure you visit Chandeswhori Temple while venturing to Banepa. Similarly, two major Temples, an outstanding four-story temple of Nala Bhagwati and a Buddhist Shrine of Lokeshwor also known as Nala Karunamaya are not to be missed.

Dhulikhel zipline: Zipline is a link or rope extended between two points of various height by tying a rope on the waist. Situated on the Araniko Highway, Zipline is organized in the border of Dhulikhel and Panchkhal Municipality. Dhulikhel is just 1.5 hours drive away which is almost 32 km from Kathmandu.  It can be delighted as a one day visit from Kathmandu. And also spend some quality time exploring, clicking some photos and roaming around.

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