Exploring the Villages of Panauti

Getting Outside of Panauti

Panauti is the often-overlooked younger brother of the other massive Newar cities of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. Although nothing more than a mere speck when compared to these other sprawling metropolises, the village of Panauti has just as many temples and just as vibrant a culture to rival anything Kathmandu has to offer.

What makes Panauti stand apart is how seamlessly the small old town fades into endless fields and idyllic scenes. For those looking to escape the constant nagging of hawkers and stress of the city, Panauti is literally a breath of fresh air.

Wanting to read more on Panauti? Check out my full guide here!

Keeping Your Eyes Peeled

There are a handful of reasons why you decided to diverge a little bit off of the beaten path to explore a small town like Panauti. Most travelers find themselves in Panauti as a jumping-off point to reach the Buddhist monastery tucked up into the mountains: Namo Buddha. There are several ways to go about this hike to Namo Buddha. One route is through Shankhu and the other from Balthali.

Regardless of which route you choose, it would be a shame to merely have your eyes on the prize nestled up on the top of the hill and fail to discover the abundance of shrines and waterfalls along the way.

The hike to Namo Buddha is gorgeous, but unfortunately, most backpackers are so dead set on reaching the Buddhist monastery that they fly by some of the real beauty Panauti has to offer.

If you choose the Shankhu route to Namo Buddha, you will first depart Panauti from Sunthan Road. On your right, you will find several hidden shrines, stone bridges, and even secret waterfalls tucked into the hillside.

Want the complete guide to hiking to Namo Buddha? Check out this article here!

Salmitar Bridge

If you decide to take the Khopasi route to Namo Buddha, you are sure to cross one of the most “Instagramable” bridges in all of Panauti. Stretching over the Roshi River, this steel bridge offers stunning views of the valley, jungle, and the surrounding mountains.

On a Saturday you will find not so many people looking out over the breathtaking landscape of Khopasi. Most visitors and tourists will be occupied with striking a pose with the mass of prayer flags which adorn the bridge.

Don’t expect the crowds to disperse any time soon, many travelers will spend half an hour posing on the bridge to try and get that perfect picture to upload on to social media. During the week, however, you will find both peace and solitude on Salmitar Bridge!

Much like Panauti, Tansen is a city often underrated. Read more about visiting Tansen here!

Fadekeshwor Mahadev Temple

While in Panauti, it is hard to miss pagodas such as the Indreshwor Temple, but there are still many beautiful shrines which are known only to the villagers. Fadekeshwor Mahadev Temple is one of these shrines hidden under the cover of a cliff. The constant trickling of water from the rocks makes this a common pilgrimage site for local Hindus.

What makes Fadekeshwor Mahadev Temple truly unique is the fact that it is nestled between a small section of dugout rock and the roaring river. On most days travelers will find complete seclusion at this temple, hearing only the sound of the water echoing off of the cliff.

Want to explore more temples off the beaten path in Nepal? Check out Chhangchhangdi!

Rivers and Waterfalls

While those around you are busy retaking their selfies for the millionth time, you may be able to catch a sight overlooked by most tourists on Salmitar Bridge. Out of the corner of your eye, you will find a cascading waterfall feeding into the Roshi River below.

While you can see the secret pool and waterfall from the bridge, it may seem that actually reaching the pouring waters is just outside of your grasp. The reality is that if you have enough time on your hands, this waterfall can be reached within an hour.

Following Pasthali Road and into the village of the same name, you are sure to come to the edge of the valley with a view of both Salmitar Bridge and the elusive waterfall.

Panauti truly comes alive during its bi-monthly aarti puja, read more about it here!

Sunthan’s Jharanna Waterfall

After you muster up the courage to descend the steep hillside, a whole new world of emerald fields, looming mountains, gushing rivers, and flowing waterfalls will be revealed before you. The sad reality is that the beauty of Sunthan can only be enjoyed from a distance.

After crawling on all fours down to the banks of the pond you will find that the once tranquil waters are filled to the brim with trash. It breaks one’s heart that a place that could easily be deemed a hidden treasure is so neglected by locals.

Some travelers may try and trooper on and take a dip in the pool. The constant slapping away of floating sandals and candy wrappers is sure to make most people give up any attempt to enjoy the water.

Looking for some hikes in Pokhara? Check out how to hike to the World Peace Pagoda!

The Balthali Trek

For those looking to get a bit closer to nature or tourists not wanting to walk the full distance to Namo Buddha from Panauti, Balthali is a small village which has created a name for itself as an eco-tourism hub. Backpackers passing through Balthali would never think that such a rural village would be home to some of the most famous resorts in the area.

Balthali sits on a plateau, nearly encircled by the same Roshi River found in Sunthan. In the valley dividing the hilltop town of Balthali from the road leading to the summit of Namo Buddha, you will find children playing in the river and some of the most stunning views of the countryside.

The endless fields are beautiful in their own right, but for those who have hiked all the way from Panauti, the farmland of Balthali don’t necessarily offer anything new.

If you are in Kathmandu Valley during Nepali New Years, don’t miss the Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur!

The Hike to Namo Buddha

As you leave the winding trails behind and begin your final march up to the summit of Namo Buddha, you will be presented with some of the most breathtaking views of your whole hike. While the Shankhu route is much easier and less steep, the trek from Balthali will give you some of the most stunning views of the valley.

Green fields cutting through mountains framed by tall stalks of bamboo is just a small part of the beauty which awaits you as you climb to the monastery’s perch. If you are lucky, the majestic Himalayas may even reveal themselves on a clear day!

You can also visit the Amar Narayan Temple if you are traveling to Tansen, read more here!

Panauti Off The Beaten Path

The village of Panauti is already considered by many to be off of the beaten path. Occasionally you will find tour groups and the more well-read solo traveler venturing off the tourism highway into this forgotten royal town.

The idyllic farmland and breathtaking natural beauty is something you will recognize immediately while exploring the countryside of Panauti. Little known to most trekkers, some of the most unique temples and waterfalls are found off of the typical tourist route.

Uncovering these hidden shrines and secret pools will turn an amazing trip to Namo Buddha into one which you will treasure for the rest of your life.