Dhulikhel is situated at an altitude of 5,500 ft above sea level, 30 Kms east of Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway. It is 90 minutes drive from Kathmandu. The city offers a complete panoramic view of the snow-capped ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The view however is not as good as that from Nagarkot, one can see for 130 miles. It is a magnificent place to spend the night and awaken to the sun rising across the wide Himalayan range.

Once an important link in the ancient trade route to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past that can be witnessed in the lovely building and intricate woodcarving found among the shop-lined streets and in the temples. The city offers numerous interesting day hikes. These provide the tourists an opportunity to see the Nepali countryside away from the roads and also giving a taste of trekking. The easiest is the hike to Namobuddha and back.

The major places of worship here are the Narayan and Harisiddhi temples, which are adorned with profuse wood carvings. The Gokhureswar Mahadev temple, a 30-minute walk to the eastern part of town, is a peaceful and scenic spot. The Bhagwati temple is situated at a height in the western part of Dhulikhel and dominates the skyline. From here, you can get a beautiful vista of the town and surrounding areas.

There are many vantage points in Dhulikhel, which offer a panorama of the Himalaya that will leave spellbound. More than 20 Himalayan peaks can be seen in all their glory. Sunset views are equally spectacular. More than 20 Himalayan peaks, including Annapurna (8,091 m), Ganesh (7,429 m), Langtang (7,234 m), Phurbi-Chyachu (6,637 m), Gauri Shanker (7,134 m) and Lhotse (8,516 m) can be seen in all their glory. You should get up early in the morning to watch the first rays of the sun hit the summits and their colours change.

Walking
For those who enjoy walking, there are many long and short trails through lush green forest, bushes of rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal and other diverse types of plants. One can go for a short walk or one can take a long walk if one wants to go to other places from Dhulikhel. Along the way, one can find large varieties of birds and butterflies and visit the villages of the Tamangs, a traditionally Buddhist ethnic group.

Dhulikhel-Srikandapur-Banepa-Dhulikhel (3 hours) :
Hardly a day walk, this is one you can make to get to know the suburbs after you've had a good look around the town! Walk west out of the old part of the town and hit the road that is signposted "Dhulikhel hospital" (This is an Austrian-sponsored hospital that brings an expatriate volunteer community into the area). Walk in front of the hospital, passing it on a track. Walk through the thick scrub and descend onto paddy. Cross the paddy until you reach the distinctive buildings of the Kathmandu University. Hit the track left that takes you to the village of Srikandapur. Visit the temple and then pass across the flats to join up with the Panauti-Benapa road. Unless you are lost, you'll meet the road at a new SOS Children's Village. Turn right and walk along the minor road until you meet the urban settlement of Banepa. Turn right at the main road intersection that goes to Dhulikhel and follow it a km or so until the turning on the right marked "University Chowk". Follow the road through the campus until the main road ends, turn left and walk toward the hospital you can see in the distance. Cross the paddy, pass by the hospital and join the road into town.

Dhulikhel to Nagarkot via Banepa and Nala (about 5.5 hours) :
Walk to Banepa by taking the route described above. At the Banepa intersection turn left and walk along the Arniko highway out of town. Just before you get to the traffic police post, turn right and take the road to Nala. (Two interesting temples in this sleepy village). Turn left on the track that leads to Bhaktapur and after about 500 metres turn right onto the track that leads to the settlement of Tukucha ("Kun Tukucha jaane bato ho?" - "Which is the track to Tukucha?") Work your way uphill for about 3 kms to arrive at the Nagarkot view tower at 2150 metres above sea level. Turn left and follow the ridge into Nagarkot.

Dhulikhel to Bhaktapur via Banepa and Nala (4 hours) :
Arrive at Nala by following the routes described above. Pass by the Lokeshwar temple and keep left on the dirt road to Bhaktapur. The road meanders a bit and you'll pass through the villages of Nalachhap and Yangdol. As you approach Bhaktapur you'll pass several brick kilns, brick making is a major industry of the city of Bhaktapur. 500 metres before the city gate you pass Maheshwari Temple by the Tabyakhusi River. You can enter the city for a payment of US$10 or turn left onto the main road and walk through the urban sprawl a kilometre or so to the Arniko highway where you can catch a bus to Kathmandu.

Dhulikhel-Kampani-Laamidaada and back (1.5 hours) :
A nice, small walk to start the day with. Take the road out of Dhulikhel that leads to the Kali shrine but instead of taking the right fork to the shrine keep on the other dirt road. You'll pass by a major resort and, after 15 minutes the road turns a sharp right (at Kampani) and you are now looking south into the valley behind Dhulikhel Heights. Follow the track down to the tiny settlement of Laamidaada. Retrace your steps to Dhulikhel.