Guide
Bandipur Road Trip: The Hill Town Between Kathmandu and Pokhara
How to add Bandipur to a Kathmandu to Pokhara road trip: the turn-off at Dumre, the drive up, what to see, where to park and why an overnight stay is worth it.
By DriveRentalNepal ·
Bandipur is the best reason to break the drive between Kathmandu and Pokhara. A former trading town on a ridge above the Marshyangdi valley, it has a car-free main street lined with old Newar houses, and views of the Himalaya on clear mornings.
Getting there
Follow the Prithvi Highway to Dumre, roughly two thirds of the way from Kathmandu to Pokhara. From Dumre a paved road climbs about 8 km up the hillside to Bandipur. The climb is steady and winding but not difficult in a normal car.
Parking and the old bazaar
The main bazaar is closed to vehicles, which is a large part of its charm. Park at the entrance to the town and walk in with your bags. Most guesthouses are a short walk away.
What to do
- Walk the bazaar in the early morning, before day visitors arrive
- Climb to the Thani Mai temple viewpoint for sunrise over the mountains
- Hike down to Siddha Gufa, one of the largest caves in Nepal
- Visit the nearby Magar village of Ramkot on foot
Why stay the night
Day visitors see Bandipur in the busy middle of the day. Staying overnight gives you the evening, when the street fills with families, and the morning, when the mountains are most likely to be clear. It also splits a long drive into two easy days.