The 7 Best Things to Do in Dhulikhel, Nepal
Dhulikhel is a popular place to visit near Kathmandu for a short trip. It’s similar to Nagarkot but less touristy. It is famous for its views of the mountains but whenever I visited, the views were cloudy, so the views are not always guaranteed.
Dhulikel is 30 km east of Kathmandu and it takes around two hours to get there. You can go by taxi or take a public bus from Ratna Park.
Apart from the sunrise views, it’s also worth visiting the temples, go hiking or zip lining. I recommend spending at least two days in Dhulikhel. Dhulikhel is a bit far from Kathmandu to make it in a day trip, but if you are short on time, you can hire a private car, and then, it’s possible to make it in a day.
Information for Visiting
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Dhulikhel is in autumn (October-November) and spring (March-April). You have the best chance for clear views of the Himalayas during these times.
During the monsoon season (June-September), 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 may not be any 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.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel
The public buses go regularly from Ratna Park (opposite Bir Hospital, Kathmandu) to Dhulikhel. The bus ride takes around two hours and costs Rs. 90 (USD 0.60).
You can also get to Dhulikhel by taking a taxi. The taxi is more comfortable, so it’s a good option if you are not on a tight budget. The taxi fare from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel is between Rs. 2,000-2,500 (USD 13-17).
The 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.
Sadly, the views are not guaranteed. I have visited Dhulikhel a couple of times but never had the chance for a good, clear view of the mountains.
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. Visit the Temples
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. Explore Hidden Gems
As you walk around town, there are also some nice wall paintings at random places, I really liked accidentally bumping into these hidden gems.
5. Go Ziplining
The Dhulikhel Zipline is close to the town centre, however, if you don’t have your own transport, it is 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 SAARC country citizens: USD 30 (regular) – USD 40 (superman)
- For Nepali citizens: Rs. 2,500 (regular) – Rs. 3,500 (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! (Rated 4.8/5 on 64 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 (USD 10) per night.
Here are my 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.
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