The Katmandu Valley extends far beyond Katmandu itself, as you might expect! It holds numerous treasures, including 7 UNESCO World Heritage monuments scattered across a 25-kilometer radius. To immerse yourself in the heart of Buddhist Nepal and meet with monks, several monasteries welcome visitors and offer a different perspective on Nepal to those who visit them.

Kopan Monastery:

North of Katmandu, with the Shivapuri hill as a backdrop, stands Kopan Monastery. It was built in 1969 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe following their escape from Tibet, not far from the Bouddhanath temple. After facing numerous financial difficulties, the monastery decided to open its doors to Westerners. The response was remarkable, and Kopan Monastery's construction was completed largely thanks to donations from foreigners. In the long term, the two lamas' vision was to cultivate compassionate hearts and the wisdom needed to help the rest of the world—a mission still pursued today by their disciples. Perched atop a hill overlooking Katmandu, Kopan is well-known among monks in the region. Mahayana Buddhism is taught there, and courses are offered in English for foreign visitors. Numerous courses and retreats are available for all levels, from discovering Buddhist thought to practicing the Noble Eightfold Path and seeking ultimate happiness through meditation. Food and accommodation are included in the price for multi-day retreats and courses, but it's also possible to stay without taking courses for a relatively modest fee.

Neydo Monastery:

Neydo Monastery is a recently constructed monastery in Pharping, south of Katmandu. Pharping is an important religious site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Many important places of worship for these two religions are found in the vicinity of this town, such as the Dakshinkali and Sesh Narayan temples, and the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated. Many great figures of Hinduism and Buddhism have spent time meditating in this town, which today hosts numerous small monasteries. It's also possible to learn meditation at this monastery, in a peaceful and serene atmosphere, just a few hours' journey from Katmandu. The Neydo Hotel will be your base during your visit to Neydo Monastery. Located within the monastery complex itself, the hotel welcomes you during your stay, whether you're taking Buddhist courses, participating in a retreat, or simply passing through as a traveler eager to explore Nepali Buddhist culture.

Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery (Namobuddha)

Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, better known as Namobuddha, is a sacred pilgrimage site in Buddhism. Located approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Katmandu in the Kavre Palanchowk district, it sits near the town of Dhulikhel. An ancient legend tells that Buddha, in one of his previous lives, lived at this temple. During a forest outing, Buddha, the third prince of a small kingdom, discovered a starving tigress in a den, too weak to move after giving birth to her cubs. Stopping his brothers who first wanted to kill her, he realized she and her cubs would die without food. So he retraced his steps and offered his body to the beast so that she and her cubs could survive. He then reincarnated in the heavenly realm after performing this ultimate act of sacrifice. The monastery region is quite pleasant, offering views of Langtang and Gaurishankar, as well as the Panauti fields. The monastery itself is a renowned learning center for monks and disciples, and today offers courses and retreats for foreign travelers. It offers various comfortable accommodation options and is easily accessible by bus from Katmandu.