Bandipur Nepal: the beautiful, hidden gem Newari town

Bandipur Nepal, is a charming little town you might not have heard of. But this post is all about why you should have, and why you should visit. It is a wonderful hidden gem of a town, offering a wonderful blend of cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, lovely accommodation and peaceful places to eat. A perfect antidote to the hustle and chaos of Kathmandu. It is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, offering beautiful scenery and amazing walks to take in the surrounding countryside.

Located about 80KM from Pokhara, and 150KM from Kathmandu, it fully deserves a place on your Nepal itinerary. If you are planning on visiting both Pokhara and Kathmandu, this is the perfect place to stop to break up the journey. And most likely, it will become one of the highlights of your stay in Nepal.

How to get to Bandipur Nepal

As mentioned in my 10 day itinerary for Nepal, transport options in this country are not plentiful. I travelled around Nepal with G Adventures, which meant we had a private driver for the duration of the tour. And this definitely felt like the best option. The tour I took was: Nepal: Mountains and Temples.

A private driver is by far the easiest way to travel to Bandipur, and indeed around Nepal.

How long to spend in Bandipur Nepal

You could absolutely cover everything you wanted to see in Banidpur in two days; it is a small town. However, it is one of those places where you just want to sit back and soak up the atmosphere. So I would recommend staying at least three nights.

What to do in Bandipur Nepal

Wander Bandipur Bazar

It is such a beautiful place, you can’t visit Bandipur Nepal, and not make some time just to wander around. Bandipur Bazar is the centre of the town, and the perfect place for a mooch. There are lots of little shops to pick up a souvenir. As well as places to eat with tables set just up off the road, ideal to watch the day go by.

This is also the best place to admire the architecture of the town; its main roads are full of Newari row houses and architecture.

Enjoy the view from Thani Mai Temple

One of the most spectacular viewpoints over Bandipur. The temple itself is quite small, but it is really the view you are walking up to see. The goddess of Thani Mai is worshipped here, and many pilgrims come here to worship. You will know you are reaching the temple, as you will often hear them ringing the bells.

Steep steps lead up there, and it could take you around 30 minutes to reach the top. The route begins next to the school, which can be found at one end of Banidpur Bazar, with a small sign marking the beginning of the trail.

This spot offers 360-degree views of the town below and is also a spectacular place to watch the sunset.

Visit the Tundikhel viewpoint

This was once a former parade ground, but is now the town’s football pitch. But from here, you might get the chance to see the majestic Himalayas looming down in front of you. I say might, as on both days I was there, there was cloud in the valley. I could still see the tops of them standing proud above the clouds, and blushing in the early morning sun. If you are here on a clear day, it will be truly spectacular.

Hike to Ramkot

Ramkot is a rural village, and hiking there offers you the chance to see some of the more remote living in Nepal. The people who live in this village are of Magar ethnicity, and Ramkot has about 80 households.

The hike is approximately 6KM each way, and takes around 1.5 hours. So a return trip will take around 3 hours, but leave some time to explore the village when you are there.

If you are hiking to the village, make sure to give something back to the local community. They will be kind enough to show you around their home, so supporting them goes a long way. There is a local cafe, the Culture Home Restaurant, which initially only served drinks, but they sometimes offer food as well. The owner can also arrange a homestay in the village if you want to extend your visit.

As mentioned, Ramkot is a tiny village, so very easy to see. Wander around, and enjoy experiencing the way of life. Make sure to look out for the one remaining round house. Traditionally, Magar people built round houses, but now there is only one left in the village.

Try local food

As mentioned, there are plenty of places to eat local food. Some of the finest local dishes include choila (spiced and grilled water buffalo meat), kwati (bean soup), wo (lentil cake), sanya khuna (fish soup), and thwon (rice beer).

But my favourite was Sel Roti, ring-shaped sweet fried dough made from rice flour. It is mostly made during Hindu festivals, but can be found all year round. Incredibly sweet and filling.

Where to stay in Bandipur Nepal

• Budget: Himchuli Guest House – Beautiful mountain views, 24-hour reception, sun terrace and outdoor fireplace.
• Mid-range: Bandipur Cchen – Rooms with a balcony, and full of Newari charm.

Final thoughts on Bandipur

Offering something a little different from other places in Nepal, this is the ideal place to come and relax, soak up the culture and rest. A little oasis of a town.

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Have you been to Bandipur? I would love to hear from you! Drop me an email: wherecharliewanders@gmail.com

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