Bandipur

The small town of Bandipur straddles the ridge of a hill overlooking the Kathmandu-Pokhara road. About 3 hours drive from Kathmandu, Pokhara or Chitwan, it is a great spot to break your journey and explore traditional Nepalese life.

The town has a population of around 10,000 people, mostly from the Newari and Magar ethnic groups. It was once an important stop on the trade route between India and Tibet, and most of its fine architecture and temples date from this more prosperous era. The town fell into decline in the 1970s when the main highway passed it by, but the lack of development has helped preserve many beautiful buildings which were destroyed elsewhere in Nepal. In recent years, the town has seen a revival in its economy as a tourist centre, with the construction of a good road linking it with the highway.

Bandipur sits at an altitude of just over 1,000m, and enjoys spectacular mountain views. A single main street runs along the ridge, lined with traditional buildings, some of them in poor repair but many beautifully restored. Traffic is banned form the main street, giving a sense of peaceful seclusion which is rare in Nepalese towns. The area around Bandipur has many traditional villages as well as small shrines and temples, and a walk around the region is very rewarding. There are also longer walks, including a downhill hike to the Siddha Cave, said to be the larges cave in Nepal.