The 7 Best Things to Do in Dhulikhel, Nepal
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Looking for the best things to do in Dhulikhel, Nepal? Here are the best places to visit in Dhulikhel!
I live in Nepal and somehow ended up visiting Dhulikhel many times, so don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here is your ultimate travel guide to the best activities in Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Although, Nagarkot is the most popular destination for sunrise views near Kathmandu, if you are looking for a less touristy alternative, Dhulikhel is the place for you!
Dhulikhel is 30 km east of Kathmandu and can be reached in 2 hours by taking a direct bus from Ratna Park.
Apart from the beautiful sunrise views, you can also discover temples, hiking trails or go ziplining.
How to Get to Dhulikhel by Bus
How to Get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel by Bus
The buses go regularly from Ratna Park (opposite Bir Hospital) in Kathmandu to Dhulikhel. The bus ride takes about 2 hours and costs Rs. 90.
🚗 For more information, check out my guide on how to get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel.
How to Get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel by Bus
The bus to Dhulkhel leaves from the Jagati Bus Stand in Bhaktapur. The Jagati Bus Stand is about 15 minutes walk from the Bhaktapur Durbar Square so it can be reached easily.
🚗 For more information, check out my guide on how to get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel.
Best Time to Visit Dhulikhel
The best time to visit Dhulikhel is during the Autumn Season (October-November) and Spring (March-April). You get the best views of the Himalayas during these times.
During the monsoon season (June-August), the skies are not clear and you may not get any views at all. Nevertheless, Dhulikhel is a nice place to get away if you are looking for a trip from Kathmandu during the monsoon. Just know that there will be no views of the mountains.
One time, I was there in mid-October, and the skies were still not clear so the weather patterns and views can be a hit and miss even outside the monsoon season.
Best Things to Do in Dhulikhel
1. Watch the Sunrise and Sunset over the Himalayas
If you like the sunrises and sunsets over the Himalayas, Dhulikhel is a great place for you to visit. It is a less touristy version of Nagarkot, and if the views are clear, you get 360 degrees view of the Himalayas.
2. Walk up the 1,000 Steps to the Kali Temple and Selfie Stone
The 1,000 steps (or Hajaar Sidi in Nepali) is about 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Dhulikhel. It takes about 20 minutes to go up the stairs and 15 minutes the way back down.
The stairs go through a forest area and as you walk up the stairs, you also pass by a couple temples and shrines. There is also a buddhist statue (Shanti Ban) on the way to the top of the stairs that you can visit.
The best time to go is in the morning around 9 am when the sun is not too hot yet.
Kali Temple
Once you get to the top of the 1,000 steps, you will reach the Kali Temple. The temple is somewhat small but it is on a hill so you get a really nice view of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges.
Selfie Stone
The path to the Selfie Stone starts from the Kali Temple. It is famous for a rock that has become a popular spot for photos. If you angle the photo right, it will look like you are high up in the mountains.
3. Discover the Temples in Dhulikhel
There are a number of temples hidden away in Dhulikhel. They are truly gems and not so touristy at all.
Some of the temples are not on the main road, so you will have to check on the map. The best thing is that while you look for the temples, you also walk through local areas and can get a local vibe of the town.
4. Street Art in Dhulikhel
As you walk around town, there are also some nice art works at random places. I really enjoyed discovering these wall paintings while walking around and exploring the temples.
5. Go Ziplining
The Dhulikhel Zipline is close to the town centre, however, if you don’t have your own transport, it will be easier to get a taxi to get there.
The length of the zipline is 1.1 km and it takes between 1-2 minutes to zip line through from the beginning to the end station. It is popular for its “superman” zipline, in which you are set up to zip line in a horizontal position as if you were flying like superman.
Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 10:30 am – 17:00 pm
Price:
- For foreigners: USD 35 (regular) – USD 45 (superman)
- For Nepali citizens: Rs. 2,500 (regular) – Rs. 3,500 (superman)
- For SAARC country citizens: USD 30 (regular) – USD 40 (superman)
6. Hiking in Dhulikhel
There are some popular hiking routes around as well. If you are looking for a day hike, you can choose from hiking from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha, Panauti or even Nagarkot.
Dhulikhel – Namo Buddha – Panauti Hike
The hike from Dhulikhel to Panauti takes about 5.5 – 6 hours. The first part of the hike from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha takes about 3 hours.
In Namobuddha, you can discover the Namo Buddha Monastery and after that, the continuation of the hike to Panauti will take about 2.5 hours.
It is possible to complete the hike in one day, or if you prefer, you can stay in Namobuddha for a night and continue to Panauti the next day.
➡️ Don’t want to hike solo? Book a one day hiking trip from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha here! (Voted 4.8/5 ⭐ on 24 reviews)
Dhulikhel to Nagarkot
Nagarkot is the most popular destinations for sunrise views near Kathmandu and it is also possible to hike there.
The two towns are close to each other and there is a hiking route which is 16 kms long to connect the two towns. It can usually be completed withing 4-6 hours.
7. Visit the Kailash Mahadev Statue
Although the Kailash Mahadev Statue is practically not in Dhulikhel, the bus passes by the statue on the way to/from Dhulikhel. Thus, it can be an ideal time to visit the Kailash Mahadev Statue as part of a trip.
The statue is one of the tallest statues of Lord Shiva in the world. If you look carefully, you will also be able to see it from the bus (if you want to see it from the bus, make sure to sit on the left hand side of the bus).
How to get to the Kailash Mahadev Statue
If you take the bus to Dhulikhel, the bus stop for the statue is at Sanga. Ask the helper of the bus to drop you off at Sanga. After getting off the bus, it takes about 10 minutes’ walk to reach the statue.
Restaurants in Dhulikhel
Gaia Restaurant: Gaia is a popular place for dinner and accommodation. It has both Nepali and continental food. The restaurant is overlooking valleys and mountains, and it is quite pretty in the evening.
Triple Crown Resto: The Triple Crown Resto is located near the Dhulikhel bus stand. As it is close to where the bus drops you when you are coming from Kathmandu, it is a good stop to refresh and eat before continuing on to Dhulikhel.
Anup Newari Khaja Ghar: Dhulikhel is originally a Newari settlement, so it can be a great spot to try Newari food here.
They serve a wide-range of Newari food, including bara (lentil pancake), choila (marinated buff/chicken meat) or the Newari khaja set (the newari version of thali set, including beaten rice, choila and veggies).
Where to Stay in Dhulikhel
Many of the hotels in Dhulikhel are not available to book online so for those, you can either call in advance or book it in person once you arrive. The prices for double/twin rooms start from Rs. 1,500 per night.
Here are our top 3 recommendations for hotels in Dhulikhel to fit every budget:
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Tashidelek Guesthouse and Lodge
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Gaia Holiday Home
📍 Best High-End Hotel: The Dwarika’s Resort
FAQs: Best Things to Do in Dhulikhel, Nepal
What is Dhulikhel famous for?
Dhulikhel is a hill town, famous for its sunrise views of the Himalayas. Dhulikhel is close to Kathmandu and you can get there in 2 hours by bus.
Although, Nagarkot is the most popular town near Kathmandu for sunrise views of the Himalayas, if you are looking for a less touristy place, then Dhulikhel is the place for you!
What are the best places to visit in Dhulikhel?
The best places to visit in Dhulikhel are going to see the sunrise, 1,000 Steps to the Kali Temple, Selfie Stone, Shanti Ban, ziplining, temples and hiking.
Is Dhulikhel worth visiting?
Dhulikhel is definitely worth visiting if you are looking for a place near Kathmandu where you can see the views of the Himalayas, spend time in the nature, and explore a typical Nepali small town.
How high is Dhulikhel?
The altitude of Dhulikhel is 1,550 metres above sea level. It is 30 km from Kathmandu and can be reached in 2 hours by bus.
Which mountains can be seen from Dhulikhel?
On a clear day, you can get panoramic views of the Himalayas, including the Langantang, Gaurishankar, Numbur and Ganesh Himal mountain ranges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a trip to Dhulikhel is a relaxing getaway from Kathmandu. It is less touristy than Nagarkot, so there will not be that many tourists.
It is best to visit between November to April when the weather is clear, so you can get the best views of the Himalayas.
Apart from the sunrise views of the Himalayas, Dhulikhel is also a good place for hiking, ziplining, exploring temples and having Newari food.
Nepal Trip Planning
Book your flight to Nepal: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Nepal: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Nepal: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Nepal: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
Nepal Quick Guide
Can I get a Visa on Arrival for Nepal?
Yes! Almost all nationalities can get a ‘Visa on Arrival’ once landing at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu (check eligibility here). Getting a Visa-on-Arrival for Nepal is quick and easy. Read here my full guide on getting a Visa on Arrival for Nepal.
Should I get a Nepali SIM card?
Yes! Once you arrive in Nepal, it is recommended to get a Nepali SIM card.
SIM cards in Nepal are cheap and easy to get. There are daily, weekly or monthly data plans – all at an affordable cost. For more information, check how to get a SIM card in Nepal here.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Nepal?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Nepal, including taxi apps, offline maps for trekking, booking accommodation and travel cards.
Check out my list of the most useful mobile apps to have in Nepal.
Can I exchange money in Nepal? What about ATMs?
Yes! Thamel (where most tourists stay) has many money exchange shops as well as ATMs.
There is also a currency exchange shop at the airport but the rates are better in Thamel. Read here all about currency exchange and ATMs in Nepal.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
The roads are dangerous but generally yes (best to travel by a tourist bus)!
I would say road travel in Nepal is generally dangerous due to the road conditions. The roads are narrow and go through mountainous areas. The tourist buses in Nepal have the best safety, so if possible, make sure to book tourist buses when travelling in Nepal.
Overall, the roads might look dangerous but the drivers are used to the road conditions in Nepal so the tourist buses are a safe choice. Here is everything you need to know about bus travel in Nepal.
Can I book bus tickets online in Nepal?
Yes! It is possible to book bus tickets online in Nepal however, I recommend it for those staying in Nepal for 3+ months.
It is not possible to book bus tickets online using an international bank card but only through registering on a Nepali digital payment app eSewa. If you are staying long-term in Nepal, read here my step-by-step guide on how to book bus tickets online using eSewa.
Do they speak English in Nepal?
You might wonder “Do they speak English in Nepal?” It depends on where in Nepal you are. In big cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha/Chitwan) or trekking routes (Annapurna, Everest) that have many tourists, you will easily get by speaking English.
If you are in remote Nepal where not many tourists go, people usually will have little or no English. Here is a quick list of useful Nepali phrases to know while travelling in Nepal.
