Route · Pokhara & the Annapurnas
Pokhara to Bandipur
Pokhara to Bandipur is about 80 km: drive east on the Prithvi Highway to Dumre, then 8 km up a paved hill road, about 2.5–3 hours by car. Tourist buses to Kathmandu can drop you at Dumre, where local jeeps and buses climb to Bandipur.
A private car from Pokhara follows the Prithvi Highway east through Damauli to Dumre, then climbs 8 km of switchbacks to the parking area at the edge of Bandipur's bazaar. The drive is easy and scenic, with river valleys and terraced hills. It allows a stop at Begnas Lake on the way out of Pokhara and arrival in time for sunset.
Take a Kathmandu-bound tourist bus from Pokhara's Tourist Bus Park and ask to be dropped at Dumre, about 2–2.5 hours. From Dumre, local buses and shared jeeps go up to Bandipur in about 30 minutes. It is inexpensive and simple, though you may wait in Dumre for a vehicle to fill.
From Dumre, an old stone trail climbs to Bandipur through forest and villages, the route traders used before the road. It takes about 2 hours uphill and is a good way to arrive if you travel light. Leave heavy bags with a jeep or arrange for your inn to send them up.
Worth a stop on the way
- Begnas Lake turning near Talchowk
- Damauli on the Seti and Madi rivers
- Dumre bazaar
Local tip
Arrive in Bandipur by late afternoon to walk the bazaar at sunset, its best hour.
Questions
How far is Bandipur from Pokhara?
Bandipur is about 80 km east of Pokhara by road: around 72 km on the Prithvi Highway to Dumre, then 8 km up a paved hill road. The drive takes 2.5–3 hours by private car. By tourist bus to Dumre and a local jeep up, allow 3–4 hours including waiting.
Can I take a bus from Pokhara to Bandipur?
There is no regular direct tourist bus to Bandipur, but any Kathmandu-bound bus from Pokhara can drop you at Dumre on the highway. From Dumre, local buses and shared jeeps climb to Bandipur in about 30 minutes. Tell the conductor your stop when boarding and keep your bag with you.
Is Bandipur worth a stop between Pokhara and Kathmandu?
Yes. Bandipur is barely off the highway, and a night there breaks the long drive with a car-free Newar bazaar, Himalayan views at sunrise and quiet evenings. It works equally well between Pokhara and Chitwan. A few hours' stop is possible, but staying overnight is far more rewarding.
Is the road to Bandipur safe?
The 8 km road from Dumre to Bandipur is paved but narrow and winding, with steep drops in places; experienced local drivers handle it daily. The Prithvi Highway section is busy with trucks and buses. In the monsoon, landslides can affect both. Travel in daylight and use a reliable driver.