Two of Nepal’s most charming destinations, one easy road trip. The 4 Days Bandipur and Pokhara Tour (3 nights / 4 days) takes you from Kathmandu to the car-free Newar hill town of Bandipur and on to the lake city of Pokhara, with short drives, gentle walks and plenty of time to soak up mountain views, old architecture and lakeside life. It is the perfect slow-travel escape for couples, families, photographers and anyone who has seen Kathmandu and wants a taste of the hills.
Perched on a ridge at about 1,030 m above the Marsyangdi valley, Bandipur was once a prosperous stop on the India–Tibet trade route. When the highway bypassed it, time stood still: its slate-paved bazaar is still lined with 18th-century merchant houses with carved windows, temples, shrines and teashops, and no cars are allowed in the main street. From the ridge – especially from the Thani Mai hilltop temple at sunset – the Himalaya stretches from Dhaulagiri and Annapurna to Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. You can also walk down to Siddha Gufa, one of the largest caves in Nepal.
From Bandipur it is only about 75 km to Pokhara. Row across Phewa Lake to the island temple of Tal Barahi, wake early for sunrise over Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas from Sarangkot, and spend a full day visiting Bindhyabasini Temple, Devi’s Falls, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, the World Peace Pagoda and the International Mountain Museum. Evenings are free for the cafés and shops of Lakeside before the return drive to Kathmandu.
Why choose this tour?
- A heritage hill town and a lakeside city in one easy trip.
- Two nights in Pokhara for a full, unhurried day of sightseeing.
- Budget-friendly tourist-coach travel with breakfast and dinner included on two days.
- Optional Manakamana cable car stop on the way, and paragliding or the Annapurna cable car in Pokhara.
Who is it for?
Couples, families, photographers, students and weekend travellers. The grade is easy; walks are short and on paved or stone paths. A private vehicle can be arranged instead of the tourist coach on request.
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