Namobuddha Retreat

You'll be picked up by your driver (either from the airport or your hotel) and head out to Namobuddha, a beautiful location which is sacred to Buddhists, especially to the local Tamang population. The mountain retreat has incredible Himalayan views and a quirky architectural style making it a lovely place to relax and soak up being in the Himalayas. You'll arrive by mid-morning in time for a delicious lunch, followed by some exploring.

You'll start with a short stroll down the hillside to visit the little stupa at Namo Buddha. This stupa commemorates Siddhartha Gautam’s selfless act of offering his body to a hungry tigress, which is said to have contributed to his ability to achieve enlightenment and, ultimately, Buddha-hood. You will learn about the significance of the place and its place in local Tamang culture before you climb a short distance up to the newly built Tibetan Buddhist monastery perched on the hilltop above the
Stupa.

From here, you will walk back up the hill to the resort to relax (or head up to a lookout point close by for a stunning sunset) before you have a delicious dinner made from organic produce sourced right here from the resort grounds or close by.

Note: the resort is a sustainable, eco-friendly place and while you have toilets convenient to our rooms, some rooms have a short walk to the showers, located in the shower and sauna building, beautifully decorated with terracotta and glazed tiles locally made in Bhaktapur. Why not take the time to relax and rejuvenate the body with a hilltop sauna?!

Overnight: Namobuddha

Today, you'll have a chance to be active or take it a little easier. It is possible to take a hike down the valley from the resort and then drive the rest of the way to the lovely Newar village of Panauti where you will explore and have a local lunch before heading back to Kathmandu. (Alternatively, you can just take it easy and enjoy the stunning setting with a good book and have lunch here before heading back into Kathmandu.)

If you choose to walk down to Panauti it is a lovely 3-4 hour walk down through the forest, orange orchards, and terraced fields and then along a jeep trail into town. In the 13th century, Panauti was the capital of the autonomous kingdom of Banepa and it is still the most important historic village in the area and has retained its historic authenticity.

The town is built in the signature Newar style, with pink brick and carved wood. The old town is wedged between two small rivers with a cluster of important temples at the confluence. It is regarded as an ancient power place, with an invisible third stream also connecting here. Cremations are held at the confluence and a festival is held here once a year in January with every 12 years being of major significance as the third stream is said to be seen at this time. You will have a local lunch here before you load into the vehicle and head back to Kathmandu airport for your international flight.