Hike to Namo Buddha

Located on a hilltop about 38 km (23 miles) east of Kathmandu, the Namo Buddha Monastery is regarded as one of the most important holy sites in Nepal. It's also a popular pilgrimage destination for practicing Buddhists in the country. The good news is that it's not necessary to be a holy person to make this trek. It's easily accessible on a scenic hiking route that features rich culture along the way as well as some of the most stunning views in the country.

The hike embarks from the village of Dhulikhel. From here it's an easy-three hour jaunt that winds around country roads and paths, passing local villages along the way. The residents of these villages still live much the same way they did centuries ago, and it's common to spot local women sitting outside and handweaving traditional garments. The tour culminates at a stupa (Buddhist shrine) next to the monastery, which sits at an altitude of 1,750 meters (5,741 feet). All around are sweeping panoramas of the Himalaya Mountains.