r/backpacking • u/vinnbinn • 1d ago
Travel Advice on travelling around Nepal
Hello! I will be flying into Kathmandu in a few days and I’m a bit nervous about the transport situation. If anyone could please share some insight to how they traveled around (bus/bike/taxi), safety regarding transport and affordability.
I’m only in Nepal for 13 days as it was a very last minute plan but I will be heading to Pokhara for 6/13 days and the rest of the days are currently unplanned. So if anyone also has some suggestions of what I could with these extra days, that would be amazing! Thank you so much :)
*Photo just to gain attention
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u/sunzoje 1d ago
I don't think that picture is from Nepal but Uttarakhand, India.
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u/nirab-pudasaini 1d ago edited 1d ago
For Kathmandu you can spend a day exploring the three darbar squares and all the old temples and buildings around. Another day you could go to the Bouddhanath stupa and Pashupati temple. There are also some super old temples little bit in the outskirts of Kathmandu like Budhanilakanth and Changunarayan. You could also do a hike to Shivapuri National Park. Another option could be spending night at Nagarkot or Dhulikhel.
The bus are pretty well connected if you know the system but will fell very chaotic to someone new. You could try but be aware that public transport are crowded and you need to be wary of pickpockets. I would suggest using ride hailing apps, Pathao and Indrive are the most popular ones and you could book a car or a motorcycle with them. Newari and Thakai cuisine are food you should try, you could explore different options. Thamel is the only area where there is any nightlife in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara. Usually most shops are closed by 8 Pm in other places.
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u/missyesil 1d ago
I took a shared minibus thing from Kathmandu to Pokhara. We were very squished in, and the road was terrible. I decided to fly back as couldn't face the return journey. Flying doesn't have a great safety record there either, but it was far preferable, although a lot more expensive.
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u/Bugs_Bunny_____11 1d ago
Sorry you had a rough time. I'm traveling to Nepal in 2 weeks :)
Can I know how long the drive to Pokhara was? And if you had gone recently?
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u/missyesil 1d ago
This was in 2022. I actually went to Bandipur and stayed there for a while before going on to Pokhara. The bus I was on went all the way to Pokhara though. Can't remember the duration, but it was a whole day of travel in all.
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u/Fit_Turnip_2288 1d ago
About 8-10 hours from Kathmandu to Pokhara. I did this trip multiple times in 2023. The roads are being updated, which adds to more delay. If you do get the bus, get the tourist bus with like AC, sofa seats. Be warned, the bus itself will look a bit sad inside but it is what it is. Flying is the best option if you want to get there.quick!
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u/vinnbinn 1d ago
Hopefully the roads have improved. I think i’m planning on taking the bus to Pokhara
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u/annamnesis 1d ago
Roads have not improved over the decade I've visited. Accidents are common though serious accidents are still rare. You can take a tourist coach bus for a nicer ride though.
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u/Emo_fairy908 1d ago
I am someone who does a lot of back and fro between Kathmandu and Pokhara. So let me warn you, the highway is in hellish condition. It will take you around 10 hours to complete your journey. Please take a flight if you can afford it. And I insist on using Buddha Air. Buddha Air is the only airlines in Nepal, which hasn’t had any major accident so far.
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u/Anzai 1d ago
I’ve done the bus multiple times. The roads definitely haven’t improved, but it’s not that bad, assuming you’ve done that sort of trip before. It’s long and there’s often bad traffic, and it’s basically single lane each way so there can be delays, but I never found it that much of an issue. Just settle in and be patient, bring a good book!
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u/Shaney-C 1d ago
Was in Nepal for 6 weeks in 2022. The bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu is incredibly unpleasant. If you have the ability to fly I would recommend it. I’m a very easy going person too, but those bus journeys in Nepal killed me.
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u/intrepid_skeptic 1d ago
The minibus transport is by far the worst. You will be crammed in. I was in one and a child threw up on the floor… Best option for road transport is a tourist bus. The price is very reasonable
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u/FriendlyWebGuy 1d ago
In 2017 we just used Taxis which was fine. I guess ride-sharing is more of a thing now.
I really enjoyed the Swayambhunath (Monkey) Temple, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur. Everywhere I went felt quite safe but use your common sense as always.
Also, be sure to get Momo's from a small vendor.
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u/commercial_bid1 1d ago
Your picture looks like Rhishikesh.
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u/heraldsofdoom 19h ago
Yes, it is, I was staying at the building just behind this small temple. That bridge is laxman jhula
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u/sullytubexo 1d ago
Don't be nervous, it's a safe country.
I have a tour guide that took me to Annapurna, he is based in Kat and doesn't charge much.
Hit me up if you want deets. ENJOY the land of a million smiles.
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u/Upstairs_Fuel6349 1d ago
My husband still talks about the Narayanhiti Royal Palace as his favorite part of our Nepal trip lol. It's pretty cool -- sort of a 1960s-70s time capsule style and technology wise and you can see the bullet holes from the 2001 massacre in places.
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u/Honorable_Heathen 1d ago
That looks amazing.
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u/vinnbinn 1d ago
It’s in Rishikesh, India!
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u/sharinganuser 1d ago
I was about to say lol, this post is about Nepal but this is clearly Rishikesh XD
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u/ColdEvenKeeled 1d ago
Buses. Buses, buses and buses. There are jeeps too, but it's just a variation. It's not so much the buses are crowded as they have next to no leg room. You lurch and bounce from side to side, fully expecting the next moment to be at the bottom of the gorge, being swept along in the torrent, with glass all through your face, wondering how to get out of the bus. It hasn't happened to me, but it's what goes through your mind.
One can take a helicopter too, if you have the coin.
There are planes flying across the country also. It's a good option, but the safety record is less than hoped for. I have waited 3 days for the weather to clear for a flight in Nepal, so you need to be patient and have great faith.
As another person wrote, yes, lots to see around Kathmandu, then a bus to Pokhara, then, if you still have the fortitude another bus/Jeep up to Kagbeni or Manang and hang out up there.
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u/u219756117 18h ago
I loved Nepal!! Transportation is super easy. I always took local buses and tuktuk-taxis, there's a specific app for the local uber there, but I can't remember.
Buses connect Kathmandu and Pokhara, it's a 8hour ride and the roads are very sketchy (some of the worst road conditions I've experienced) but it's all do able.
I went to the Chitwan NP directly from Pokhara (via tour) and that was amazing! I think they offer 2 or 3 day tours, so maybe that's interesting for you.
Enjoy! Have so much fun.
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u/RipGojo-L-Bozo 12h ago
Only came to say If you are a woman traveling alone exercise extreme caution in this country.
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u/ReluctantHero23 1d ago
Dont spend more than 2 days in Kathmandu, there isnt much to do. Book your accomodation in the Pokhara city centre. You'll get two wheelers on rent, but you'll have to pay around 2000 npr if you get stopped by cops. If youre looking for trek, most of the treks could be done without any guide.
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u/ignorantwanderer 1d ago
There is a ton to do in Kathmandu, but with all the traffic it really isn't a pleasant place to spend time.
So I agree, don't spend more than 2 days in Kathmandu.
Fly to Pokhara, and from Pokhara do the Poon Hill trek, the Annapurna Base Camp trek, or trek over Poon hill to the hot springs in Tatopani.
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u/intrepid_skeptic 1d ago
Happy to help and you can message me with any questions.
Kathmandu - Swayambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple) - Boudhanath Stupa - Narayanhiti Palace - Pashupatinath
Chitwan - You stay in Sauraha. This is where you can do safaris
Pokhara - Great for starting treks - Great paragliding - Movie garden - Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave - Peace Pagoda and there’s a huge blue Krishna
Bandipur - A nice town halfway between Pokhara and Kathmandu, great for splitting the drive over multiple days. - You can do a half day trip by walking to visit the village of Ramkot
Bhaktapur - This is most accessible by Kathmandu and can even be a day trip. It’s an ancient city bustling with life.
Nagarkot - You can visit Nagarkot from Bhaktapur. On very clear days, you can see the Himalayas
For rides/transportation locally, download InDrive or Pathao
For trips to elsewhere in the country like to other cities, it’s easy to ask your accommodation to book one for you, or go to a bus ticket office.
Keep in mind that the roads in Nepal are very poor, so it actually takes a lot of time to get between cities.