Bandipur
In Nepali: बन्दीपुर
Newar traders from Bhaktapur settled Bandipur on the trade route between India and Tibet, and in the 19th century it flourished. When the Prithvi Highway bypassed it in the 1970s the town declined — and so its handsome three-storey houses, shuttered shopfronts and flagstone main street survived.
Today the bazaar is closed to traffic and has become one of Nepal's favourite places to slow down, with guesthouses in old merchant homes. Walk to Tundikhel for the mountain view, Thani Mai temple for sunrise, the Siddha Gufa cave below, and Magar villages like Ramkot.
What to see and do
Stroll the main bazaar with its restored merchant houses, visit the Khadga Devi and Bindabasini temples, and walk up to Tundikhel and the Thani Mai hilltop for sunrise over the Himalaya from Dhaulagiri to Langtang. Walk down to Siddha Gufa or across to the Magar village of Ramkot with its round houses, and visit the silk farm nearby.
Good to know
Stay at least one night to enjoy the evenings and mornings without day-trippers. Bandipur is about 2.5 hours from Pokhara and 4–5 from Kathmandu via Dumre.
Quick answers
- Where is Bandipur?
- Bandipur is in Tanahun district, Gandaki Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
- What is the altitude of Bandipur?
- About 1,030 m (3,379 ft) above sea level.
- How much does it cost to visit Bandipur?
- For a 3-day trip from Pokhara, about NPR 5,000 (≈ US$37) per person on a budget, or NPR 14,000 (≈ US$105) with standard hotels and private transport — for two foreign visitors sharing, including transport, stay, food. Nepali visitors on a budget: about NPR 5,000 per person. These are estimates; adjust them in the trip planner.
- How many days do I need for Bandipur?
- Plan 1 night there; with travel from Pokhara and back, about 3 days in all.
- Do I need a permit or ticket for Bandipur?
- No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
- When is the best time to visit Bandipur?
- October–April
- How do I get to Bandipur?
- 30 minutes uphill from Dumre on the Prithvi Highway. It is about 51 km (straight line) from Pokhara.
- What is Bandipur called in Nepali?
- बन्दीपुर
Photo gallery
1 / 9
