my next stop

Nepal

Bandipur (Tanahun)

Car-free Newar hill bazaar with Himalayan views above the Marsyangdi valley

HeritageMountainsOffbeat

Best time to visit Bandipur (Tanahun)

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: February to March and October to December
  • Shoulder: January, April to May and September, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to August

Planning a specific month? FebruaryMarchOctoberNovemberDecember

Bandipur (Tanahun) season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Clear mornings with the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges on show, mild days and cold nights as fog fills the valley below.

Summer March to May Prime time

Mar is clear and green for walks to Ramkot and Siddha Cave; Apr and May get hazy and hot down at Dumre.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Rain and leeches on the trails and clouds over the mountains in Jul and Aug, though the bazaar itself stays lovely.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Best time: festival season, crisp air and a long Himalayan skyline from Tundikhel at sunrise in Oct and Nov.

What Bandipur (Tanahun) is actually like

Restored old Newar houses turned into guesthouses and cafes, with tables out on the stone street at night.

Things to do in Bandipur

The local places worth your time in and around Bandipur, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Tundikhel

    Viewpoint · 1 km out

    Old parade ground on the ridge just north of the bazaar, the sunrise spot for the Himalayan skyline.

  • Thani Mai Temple

    Temple · 1 km out

    Hilltop shrine about 30 min up stone steps, with the best sunrise view over Bandipur and the peaks.

  • Siddha Cave

    Cave · 2 km out

    One of the largest caves in Nepal, with big stalactite chambers; about 1 h walk down with a local guide.

  • Khadga Devi Temple

    Temple · in town

    Shrine holding a sacred sword said to come from a Palpa king, brought out only once a year at Dashain.

  • Ramkot

    Village · 4 km out

    Magar village of round thatched houses, a half-day walk west along the ridge from Bandipur.

  • Manakamana Temple

    Temple · 16 km out

    Wish-fulfilling goddess temple on a ridge, reached by a short cable car ride up from Kurintar on the highway.

Getting to Bandipur (Tanahun)

8 km uphill from Dumre on the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway; about 4 to 5 h from Kathmandu and 2 h from Pokhara.

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Easy solo
Altitude
989 m
Country
Nepal
Coordinates
27.9380, 84.4067

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Bandipur (Tanahun)?

February to March and October to December is peak season in Bandipur (Tanahun). January, April to May and September is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to August. Best time: festival season, crisp air and a long Himalayan skyline from Tundikhel at sunrise in Oct and Nov.

How many days do you need in Bandipur (Tanahun)?

2 days is the usual stay. Restored old Newar houses turned into guesthouses and cafes, with tables out on the stone street at night.

How do you get to Bandipur (Tanahun)?

8 km uphill from Dumre on the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway; about 4 to 5 h from Kathmandu and 2 h from Pokhara. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Bandipur (Tanahun) expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Easy solo.

What are the best things to do in Bandipur?

Tundikhel, Thani Mai Temple, Siddha Cave, Khadga Devi Temple, Ramkot and Manakamana Temple. Old parade ground on the ridge just north of the bazaar, the sunrise spot for the Himalayan skyline.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Nepal

All 24 destinations in Nepal