Bandipur, the Newari hill town the highway passed by
A bazaar street with no cars, on a ridge halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The Himalaya lines up at the end of it, and one of Nepal's biggest caves lies below.
By the Lakeshore team · 5 min read · Updated 5 October 2026
Bandipur is the best stop on the road between Kathmandu and Pokhara, and most people drive straight past the turning. It's a Newari trading town on the ridge above Dumre. It grew rich on the old route between India and Tibet, then got left behind when the highway went through the valley instead.
Being bypassed is what saved it. The main street is closed to vehicles, and the shophouses still have their original carved windows and shutters. The whole place looks much as it did a century ago. It was never knocked down, and it hasn't been dressed up for visitors either.
Give it a night, not an afternoon. Almost everyone who stops for two hours wishes they'd stayed.
The bazaar street and the ridge behind it
The bazaar is a single flagstoned street lined with two and three storey Newari buildings, many of them guesthouses and cafés now, and there's no traffic on it. In the evening people carry chairs outside and children play in the middle of the road. That tells you most of what you need to know about the place.
Behind the town is Tundikhel, a flat shelf of grass on the edge of the ridge that used to be the parade ground and market space. The ground drops away sharply, and the view north takes in Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu. Sunrise from here is the reason to stay the night. It's a ten-minute walk from your guesthouse, so you don't need a drive before dawn or a ticket, and there's no crowd.
Siddha Gufa, the cave below town
Siddha Gufa is about an hour's walk down from the town and is among the largest caves in Nepal. A narrow entrance opens into a big chamber with large stalactites and stalagmites.
The cave hasn't been tidied up for tourists. Bring a torch and shoes with grip, and expect to get dusty. The guides at the entrance know the formations and are worth taking.
You walk down through forest, and the climb back up is where you'll feel it. Allow half a day there and back.
Fitting Bandipur into your route
Bandipur splits the road between Kathmandu and Pokhara almost exactly in half. A punishing seven-hour drive becomes two comfortable half-days, with a night in a hill town in the middle.
That's the main reason to stop, and it's how we build it into our itineraries. You give up a day of your holiday and get the best night's sleep of the trip.
It also works as an overnight trip from Pokhara on its own, about two and a half hours each way, if you want a quiet change from Lakeside.
Walk it with us
Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.
Questions we get asked
How long should I stay?
One night at least, and two if you want to do Siddha Gufa properly and have a slow day. An afternoon stop is better than nothing, but you miss the evening and the sunrise, and those are the reason to come.
Is there much to do?
Not much, and that's on purpose. You walk the street, walk out to Tundikhel, visit the cave and sit on a rooftop. It's a place to slow down between two cities, and it does that very well.
Can I get there by public transport?
Yes. Any bus between Kathmandu and Pokhara drops you at Dumre, then a short local bus or jeep ride gets you up the hill. We usually arrange a private transfer instead, which is easier with luggage and comes with our Bandipur overnight.
Is it good for families?
Yes, very. A street with no traffic is a rare thing to give children in Nepal, and the walking is gentle.
Still deciding?
Tell us your dates, and we'll tell you whether Bandipur Overnight Escape is right for you. If it isn't, we'll say so.
Nothing to pay online. We confirm your dates first.
Or call the office +977 61-457830