Dhulikhel (elevation 1550m) is a town of about 10,000 people on the eastern fringe of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The town lies on the intersection of the Arkino Highway to Tibet (74km) and the B.P Highway to the Eastern Terai.
There are good views of the Himalayas from Dhulikhel, possibly as good as those from Nagarkot, with one important difference: Dhulikhel is a real Newari town and has a village square lined with temples, not just infrastructure to accommodate tourists looking for good views.
- Kali Temple. A Hindu temple at the top of the hill in Dhulikhel, providing a good viewpoint. This is a popular spot for locals on weekends.
- Shiva Temple. A Hindu temple at the bottom of a gorge, over 2 km southeast of the village square.
- Narayan Temple. A Hindu temple to Vishnu, near the centre of town
Kali Temple. A Hindu temple at the top of the hill in Dhulikhel, providing a good viewpoint. This is a popular spot for locals on weekends.
Shiva Temple. A Hindu temple at the bottom of a gorge, over 2 km southeast of the village square.
Narayan Temple. A Hindu temple to Vishnu, near the centre of town
- Hiking - about 6h will get you to Namobuddha and back to Dhulikhel. The route starts in the same direction as the walk to the Kali Temple. The route is well signed. Once you arrive in Namobuddha, you might want to visit the Tibetan monastery on the hill above the town.
Hiking - about 6h will get you to Namobuddha and back to Dhulikhel. The route starts in the same direction as the walk to the Kali Temple. The route is well signed. Once you arrive in Namobuddha, you might want to visit the Tibetan monastery on the hill above the town.
There is a Nabil Bank ATM in the centre of town at the junction of BP Highway and the Araniko Highway.
There is no place to change currencies in town.
There are few independent places to eat in town. Most people will choose to eat at their hotel or lodge.
- Newa Kitchen. Offers International and Nepali menu items. Dishes from NPR80-300.
- Rukh Cafe, B.P.Highway, Dhulikhel 45200 (Next side to Nabil Bank ATM (same building), +977 11 490751. 7am-10pm. Expresso,(cappuccino,americana,cafe late,caramel latte,chocolate late,hot chocolate,cafe mocha)ICE/HOT,ice tea,green tea special masala tea,special lassi, pizza,sandwich burger hot dog, nuggets,Japanese gyouza,purin,pasties, japanese green tea.etc.... 100〜200Rs.
Newa Kitchen. Offers International and Nepali menu items. Dishes from NPR80-300.
Rukh Cafe, B.P.Highway, Dhulikhel 45200 (Next side to Nabil Bank ATM (same building), +977 11 490751. 7am-10pm. Expresso,(cappuccino,americana,cafe late,caramel latte,chocolate late,hot chocolate,cafe mocha)ICE/HOT,ice tea,green tea special masala tea,special lassi, pizza,sandwich burger hot dog, nuggets,Japanese gyouza,purin,pasties, japanese green tea.etc.... 100〜200Rs.
If you are hiking the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail, you can continue from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha and from there on to Panauti. The hike to Namobuddha will take approximately 3h and an additional 2.5-3h to reach Panauti. This village has several temples and is considered a particularly sacred spot being at the junction of two rivers as well as a third invisible river, the Padmabati.
- Namo Buddha is a 3h hike from Dhulikhel. The town has a large stupa which is one of the three most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in Nepal. The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery sits on the hilltop overlooking the town.
- Panauti
- Banepa
- The Arniko Highway can be followed a further 75km to the Tibet Border, passing the towns of Barabise, Tatopani, and Kodari