The hill resort of Dhulikhel lies 32 km to the east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Highway that leads to Tibet. In the old days, Dhulikhel flourished as a trading center handling commerce between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Today, it delights visitors with its enchanting cultural heritage and stunning Himalayan views.
THE TOWN
Dhulikhel (population 9,812 and altitude 1,440 m) is a small town with a long history. Records show that it has been around for more than 500 years. The artistic skill and urban ethos of its Newar inhabitants have created a place of charm and beauty. streets lined with bare-brick houses, carved wooden windows, sloping tile roofs, pagoda temples and sacred statues everywhere. You will think you have wandered into a cultural theme park.
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.
THE VIEW
There are many vantage points in Dhulikhel which offer a panorama of the Himalaya that will leave you spellbound. Looking out over low hills and valleys, the mountains rise up in an extended arc stretching from the far left to the far right. 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 colors change. Sunset views are equally spectacular.
ACTIVITIES
The most popular activity for visitors in Dhulikhel is doing nothing. For something more strenuous, we recommend bird watching. You can sit back in your hotel garden and admire the winged creatures fluttering from tree to tree. The forests around Dhulikhel harbor many species of exotic birds and observing them is a wonderful pastime.
For adventurers, there's hiking around the countryside, visiting nearby pilgrimage sites and mountain biking. Walking trails pass through Tamang villages and terraced fields providing you an insight into rural Nepal. The shrine of Namura or Namo Buddha, where the Buddha in a past life is said to have offered his own flesh to a starving tigress, is four-five hours on foot. The center of attraction at the village of Panauti (two-four hours' walk) is the temple of Indreswar Mahadev, the oldest existing pagoda structure in the Kingdom.
Mountain biking is a joy with hill trails and rough roads radiating in all directions from Dhulikhel. Some popular routes are Dhulikhel-Panauti-Dhulikhel, Dhulikhel-Banepa-Nala-Dhulikhel and Dhulikhel-Namura-Dapcha-Panauti-Banepa-Dhulikhel. Rafting on the Sun Koshi river, 25 km away, is another exciting diversion.
Resort Hotels In DhulikhelDHULIKHEL LODGE RESORT
Dhulikhel; Tel: 011-61114, 61494, 62042, 62043; Fax: 977-11-64001
Kathmandu Office: Kamaladi; Tel: 247663, 222389, 248299; Fax: 977-1-222926
Charming traditional architecture complemented by all modern facilities for a relaxing and comfortable stay. All rooms offer stunning views of the mountains and the Panchkhal Valley. A variety of restaurants serving Nepali, Continental and Tibetan cuisine.
DHULIKHEL MOUNTAIN RESORT
Dhulikhel; Tel: 011-61466
Kathmandu Office: P.O. Box 3203, Lazimpat; Tel: 420774, 413737; Fax: 977-1-420778; Telex: 2415 RESORT NP
Nestled on a mountainside the resort’s 42 comfortable rooms in bungalows, all with attached bath, are equipped with modern amenities and offer a breath-taking view of the northeastern Himalaya. Our services range from STD/ISTD telephone services to a helipad. You can enjoy a choice of scrumptious Nepalese, Continental, Indian and Tibeto-Chinese cuisine in the restaurant, the garden terrace or the Chimney Bar. Outdoor barbecues can also be arranged. The resort is also thoroughly equipped for meetings, workshops, seminars and parties. We accept American Express, VISA and Mastercard credit cards.
HIGH VIEW RESORT DHULIKHEL
Dhulikhel; Tel: 011-61966, 62048;
Kathmandu Office, Tel: 243514; Fax: 977-1-250364; E-mail: hvrd@wlink.com.np; Website: www.highview.huizen.dds.nl
Located atop a peaceful height, High View Resort offers a panoramic view of the Himalaya as well as the terraced landscape of surrounding villages. Our 12 spacious rooms in five exclusive bungalows in traditional Nepali style have attached bath with hot and cold water provided by solar panels. Sunrise can be enjoyed from each room which also has a fireplace and a wide balcony. The Himalaya Kitchen serves Tibetan, Thai and traditional Nepali cuisine. You can relish the barbecue in the terraced garden and on the roof top.
HIMALAYAN SHANGRI-LA RESORT
Dhulikhel
Kathmandu Office: Lal Durbar; Tel: 427837; Fax: 977-1-423939; E-mail: himalayan@hsr.wlink. com.np; Website: www.virtual-nepal. com/him-shangrila
Himalayan Shangri-La, a typical resort situated amidst natural surroundings overlooking Dhulikhel, offers 36 spacious rooms from where the entire mountain range is visible, restaurant serving delicious cuisine, fully stocked bar decorated in Nepalese style, and a 100-person capacity conference hall. The views of sunrise and sunset from the Himalayan Shangri-La’s commanding and unobstructed heights are the most fascinating in Dhulikhel.
HIMALAYAN HORIZON
HOTEL SUN-N-SNOWDhulikhel; Tel: 011-61260, 62196, 61955, 61296; Fax: 977-11-61476; E-mail: hi.horizon@dhulikhel.wlink.com.np; Website: www. catmando.com/hotel-horizon
Kathmandu Office: Durbar Marg; Tel: 247183, 225092; Fax: 977-1-225092
Located in the pristine hill resort of Dhulikhel, where the peaks speak, some 30 km to the east of Kathmandu, Hotel Sun-n-Snow offers 16 deluxe and 12 standard rooms, each equipped with all modern amenities. As for culinary offerings, the hotel’s two restaurants and bar serve a rich assortment of luscious foods and tantalizing drinks.
MIRABEL RESORT HOTELS
Dhulikhel; Tel: 011-61972/3/4/5
Kathmandu Office: P.O. Box 630; Tel: 248054/5/6/8; Fax: 977-1-226642; E-mail: sre@vishnu.ccsl.com.np
Enjoy the breathtaking view of Dhulikhel from Mirabel where the scenic bliss is enhanced by luxurious rooms and great food.
MOUNTAIN MELODY
Dhulikhel - 6, Kavre; Tel: 011-61415; Fax: 977-1-423441; E-mail: mountain@melody.mos. com.np
Mountain Melody, overlooking the magnificent valley below, offers 12 elegant and spacious rooms with panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. Each room has a private verandah and attached bathroom with running hot and cold water. The "Gaon Ghar", or village home, decorated in typical rural style, serves Nepalese cuisine.
RANU'S COTTAGE & SNOW VIEW MOUNTAIN RESORT
Dhulikhel; Tel: 011-63025, 62025
Kathmandu Office: P.O. Box 11850, Jyatha, Thamel; Tel: 264185; Fax: 977-1-264185; E-mail: traunit@rajendra.wlink.com.np
We offer 11 well-furnished rooms with all modern amenities and facilities. Our restaurant serves a variety of cuisine - Chinese, Continental, Indian and Italian. Each and every corner of the hotel commands a panoramic view of the Himalayan range, green forests and terraced fields. A total of 52 rooms and a swimming pool are added attractions to look forward to in the near future.
HOTEL RAVINE SUNRISE
Thakuri Gaon, Dhulikhel; Tel: 011-61482
Kathmandu Office: P.O. Box 10714, Thamel; Tel: 416155; Fax: 977-1-435686; E-mail: florid@ wlink.com.np
Set amidst an exquisite landscape with abundant greenery and far from the din and noise of city life, Hotel Ravine Sunrise offers a combination of comfort, hospitality and nature at its best. Situated at a high point, its 12 well-appointed rooms with modern facilities open to the sensational panoramic view of the Himalaya. Its services include laundry, mailing, STD/ISD facilities, shopping unit at reception, private parking and day hike and vehicle rental on request. The restaurant serves Chinese, Nepali, Indian and Continental cuisine and is open 24 hours.
MD Publishing Co.
Pvt. Ltd.,
Tripureswor, P. O. Box 3525, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tel: 260327, 256003 . Telex: 2611 EMC NP. Fax: 977-1-261159.
E-mail:nttj@mos.com.np
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Last Updated: 24 July, 2000
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