Namobuddha to Balthali Village Hike

Hiking from Namobuddha to Balthali and then to Panauti is a perfect day hike among all the hikes in and around Kathmandu Valley.  This day hike takes place in Kavrepalanchowk, the neighboring district of Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. 

The hike from Namobuddha to Balthali that ends at Panauti is one of the best hikes in Nepal which provide a blend of the hospitality of Hindu and Buddhist religion in a single day plus an exploration of the Nepalese village lifestyle. If you have enough time in Nepal then we also suggest you make this trip in two days by spending one night in Balthali homestay with a local family. 

Panauti is also one of the must-visit places during your hike from Namobuddha to Khopasi through Balthali village. Panauti is a medieval town which is located at the holy confluence of the Roshi Khola and Pungamati Khola. The bank of the river is dotted with the Hindu temples and the old Palace square lies within the center of the city. 

Hiking route from Namobuddha to Panauti through Balthali Village

From Kathmandu, you will drive to Namobuddha about 42km of road distance which takes a maximum duration of one and half hours. After visiting Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery and its periphery you will head toward Balthali village. After an hour of hiking through the villages and open fields, you will descend down to the Roshi River where there is a fixed aluminum bridge. The hiking trail is wide enough until you reach close to Roshi River. Cross the bridge and climb up through the stoned stairs passing the orange fields on your right side. Then you will walk by the fields which are mostly green and filled with potatoes in the spring and in the summer paddy and wheat in the fall season. The wide walking road through the giant fields is beautiful and probably it’s the best spot for your portrait photo. The residents’ areas are located at the edge of the fields in all direction seem the houses are guarding the fields. 

From Balthali it is another 1 hour of hike to Khopasi and then you will drive to Panauti for 15 minutes. Namobuddha and Balthali village hike finished at Khopasi as thereafter the road link with Panauti. Panauti is always worth visiting because of its historical monuments and vibrant Newari cultural arts. The major attractions of Panauti are Panauti Durbar square, Panauti Museum, Indreshwar Temple, and Triveni Ghat. After the short sightseeing, you will drive back to Kathmandu which takes about one and half hours covering a distance of 32 km.