If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu for a bit of fresh air, pastoral views accented by temples and monasteries, and a taste of rural Nepali culture, try a day hike or easy walk in the hills beyond Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple).

Our first stop was the very colorful Dhongak choling Monastery.
Entering through the institutional-looking thick white walled exterior, where we heard school-type activities taking place, the brightly decorated Bhuddist temple rises in the center of the courtyard. The entire building is covered with amazing murals of gods, colorful scenic depictions, and of course, the wheel of life. Large gold statues inside are surrounded by bright walls and ceiling art.

Behind the temple, drums and horns attracted our attention. Following the sounds, we discovered a gathering of monks and pilgrims, but do not expect this activity every day. In fact, a sign near the entrance informed us that public visits to the Kudong of His Holiness Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche take place on Fridays and Satrudays. The next impressive monastery, from the outside, was Druk Amitabha Mountain. Unfortunately, the sign on the gate says, "Closed for strict retreat except for Saturdays," so we hopped in a nearby bamboo festival swing for some aerial views of the next valley.

The path continued up and around, over hill and dale, through clusters of farmhouses, terraced fields growing everything from cauliflower to rapeseed to rice, intermingled with wildly blooming flowers. We passed a hand-operated stone quarry, then steps on the hillside drew us to to a cave entrance. We peered through the gate into the shrine. Visitors can dial a posted phone number if cave entrance is desired.

We passed through village, and visited famous Hindu Temple. We enjoyed a simple lunch of noodle soup with leaves, tomato bits and egg accompanied by Nepali milk tea, prepared by the proprietor of the tiny BKS Store with only one table for customers.

On the way back down to the Monkey Temple for the taxi ride back to Hotel Holy Himalaya, you can visit the famous monastery at Halchok hill.The trip took about 5 hours and was a pleasant and quiet alternative to the busy narrow streets of Kathmandu.