Day 8: Pokhara to Kathmandu - Explore Historic Bandipur on Your Own - Nepal Purple Travel Guide

Today we travel from Pokhara back to Kathmandu. You have the same transportation options for this trip that you had on the way from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

The historic town of Bandipur lies almost directly on the road between Pokhara and Kathmandu, and only requires a short detour. This detour is absolutely worth it!

If you decide to take a bus from Pokhara to Bandipur, then you need to buy two tickets. One from Pokhara to Dumre Bazar and another ticket for the next day (or later) from Dumre Bazar to Kathmandu. From Dumre Bazar you need to take a taxi to Bandipur, and it is advisable to stay in Bandipur for at least 1 night. In Bandipur, you ask the hotel to organize transportation back to the bus stop at Dumre Bazar for the next day (or later), and then you take the bus from there to Kathmandu.

If you followed our advice and rented a car with driver, a detour to Bandipur will be no problem.

Infornation about Bandipur

Nestled in the hills of central Nepal between Kathmandu and Pokhara, Bandipur is a beautifully preserved hilltop town that offers a rare glimpse into the country’s Newar heritage, alongside sweeping views of the Himalayas.
With its car-free main street, traditional architecture, and laid-back atmosphere, Bandipur has become a popular stop for travelers seeking culture, history, and tranquility all in one place.

Bandipur is located 90 miles (143 km) to the west of Kathmandu and 50 miles (80 km) to the east of Pokhara at an elevation of 3,380 ft (1030 m). The town’s population is approx. 15,500 people.

History of Bandipur

Bandipur was established by Newar traders from Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu valley after it was conquered by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768. The location was chosen, because this area is malaria free, and because it lies on the India-Tibet trade route.
The Newar cultural heritage is still visible in the town’s architecture which has basically remained unchanged to this day.
Bandipur became a prosperous trading center and had its heyday during the Rana Dynasty (1846–1951). During that time, it was granted special permission to have its own library. This was an extraordinary honor and the library still exists today as the Bandipur Padma Library.
Bandipur’s fortunes began to decline after the construction of the Prithvi Highway (named after Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king who unified Nepal in the 18th century) in the 1970s. The new highway bypassed the town, and trade routes shifted to the lower lying towns on the highway, like Dumre. As economic activity moved away from Bandipur, many families migrated elsewhere, and Bandipur was gradually forgotten.
This decline, however, accidentally preserved Bandipur. Without rapid modernization or major construction, the town retained its historic character, untouched by the concrete sprawl seen in other parts of Nepal.
Starting in the 1990s and 2000s, Bandipur began to re-emerge as a heritage tourism destination. Efforts by the Bandipur Eco-Cultural Tourism Project (BECT-Project) and local entrepreneurs helped:

• Restore traditional buildings

• Promote sustainable tourism

• Support homestays and small businesses

Thanks to this revival, Bandipur is now celebrated as a model of community-based, culturally respectful tourism. It has also become a popular spot for Nepali families, school trips, and international tourists seeking an alternative to crowded cities.

Origin of the Name Bandipur

The name Bandipur is believed to come from the Sanskrit words:

• Bandana meaning ‘to bind’ or ‘to tie’, and

• Pur meaning ‘settlement’ or ‘town’.

This suggests Bandipur was historically a meeting point or a place of connection, which makes sense, as it once served as an important stop along the trade route between India and Tibet.

Where to stay in Bandipur

We are only visiting Bandipur for a couple of hours, but if you plan to stay in Bandipur, then you will need to know where to stay.
Bandipur is a small town with a limited number of hotels and guest houses. During the high season, chances are that the most popular hotels will be booked solid, so it is a good idea to reserve your room in advance.
Most are located in the pedestrian-only historic downtown area, but some are located on hills and provide unbelievable views of the mountains.

Here is what is available during the time when you visit:

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Bandipur

Bandipur is a small town. The main road in the historic downtown area, a part of Dumre-Bandipur Road, is only open to pedestrians.
We will do most, but not all, of our exploration in this part of town.

Entrance Pedestrian Street

(map)

The main entrance to Bandipur’s pedestrian-only historic downtown area is near the NMB Bank building.
A wooden ‘Welcome to Bandipur’ sign awaits you here.

Admission is free, just come in and start exploring.

Bandipur Padma Library

(map, reviews)

Near the end of Dumre-Bandipur Road, you find a historic building in the middle of the road: Bandipur Padma Library.

The Padma Library (Padma Pustakalaya) was established in 1945 and named after Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, a progressive Rana Prime Minister of Nepal who briefly held office from 1945 to 1948.

Detailed information can be found at our Bandipur Padma Library Page

Khadga Devi Temple

(map, reviews)

Turn left and walk up the stairs through the brick arch and follow the trail for 5min, and you will come to Khadga Devi Temple.

Khadga Devi Temple is one of the most spiritually significant and historically rich landmarks in this peaceful hill town of central Nepal. Though it may appear modest from the outside, the temple holds deep cultural importance for locals and offers a mysterious, mythic allure for curious travelers.

Detailed information can be found at our Khadga Devi Temple Page

Pancha Brichya

(map, reviews)

Trace your steps back to the brick arch, and make a sharp right at the bottom of the stairs and follow the narrow street down the hill. Follow the street as it exits the pedestrian-only part of Bandipur, and keep walking until you come to a park, called Tundikhel. Before we explore Tundikhel, we take a closer look at the large trees that you see – they are your next destination and they are called: Pancha Briksha.

The walking time from Khadga Devi Temple to here is about 15-20min, and along the way you have beautiful views of the surrounding hills and mountains, and the colorful houses that were built on the hills. Chances are that you may also see some chickens on the road.

Detailed information can be found at our Pancha Brichya Page

Tundikhel

(map, reviews)

The park at whose entrance the Pancha Brichya trees stand is called: Tundikhel, and this is your next destination.

Even though Tundikhel looks like an ordinary soccer field, it is much more. Overlooking the rolling hills and distant Himalayan peaks, Tundikhel in Bandipur is a beloved public space where community life, and nature converge. If you are lucky, especially during Tihar, then you may see kids playing and dancing to modern music in front of the buildings near the park.

Detailed information can be found at our Tundikhel Page

Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

Other popular Purple Travel Guides you may be interested in:

Like this Backpack and Snorkel Purple Travel Guide? Pin these for later: