Treks and Expeditions
Bandipur Hiking
Trip Duration : 5 Night 6 Days
Bandipur Hiking offers a magnificent view of the central Himalayas and the Marshyangdi valley. Bandipur Village is a pleasant and charming hill town situated on a hill-crest. This ancient Newari mountain town is located somewhat mid-way between Kathmandu and Pokhara and only eight Kilometers above the Prithivi. Bandipur Hiking is the ideal spot for travelers to take a lunch- break, stretch the body or simply gaze at the enchanting mountain views. Untouched by modernization and laced with an abundance of ancient houses, temples of great significance, and historical architecture, this medieval-era town boasts festivals all year around, besides plethora of cultural offerings. Local People of Bandipur Village are mainly from Magar, Gurung, Bahun, Chhetri, Damai and Sarki caste, contributing to the cultural diversity of the region. The hilltop town not only overlooks the incredible expanse of the Marsyanngdi river valley, but also offers a breathtaking sweep of the Himalayan range, from Langtang in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. From nearby hilltops, Holy Prigrimage Manakamana and Gorkha to east, the great Chitwan plains to the south can be viewed easily. This all makes Bandipur Hiking an ideal place for two to three day hiking in the surrounding hills.
Bandipur is in the western development region of Nepal called the Gandaki Zone, and in the eastern part of the Tanahun district. When looking at a map of Nepal, one can find bandipur by focusing on central Nepal. It is 165 Km from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and 70 km from Pokhara, one of the most beautiful cities in western Nepal. Although Bandipur is a small town in the hills, it is one of the oldest settlements in Nepal. Bandipur is about 1200 meters above seas level and the climate is almost perfect throughout the year. The town is famous for its beautiful Himalayan views wonderful natural scenery, and the many different birds that are found in the region. Bandipur was the capital of the Tanahun district 25 years ago. Since the creation of the prithivi highway, which links kathmandu and pokhara, the capital was moved to Damauli, which is 20 Km form Bandipur. Still, there are few government office located here, such as the district hospital, the post office, the police post, the military camp, and the public communications office (international telephone). The town has been linked to the Prithivi highway at Dumre, which is about 7 Km long and situated to the north of Bandipur.
Bandipur Hiking, thus, is a combination of cultural tour and village hiking tour which will help travelers understand actual hidden history from the ancient Nepal.
Trip Facts
Highlights of this Trip
Transportation : Car / Bus
Taken Care by : Guide / Self
Bandipur Village, Marshyandi River, Breath-taking mountain views, Local culture, Tudikhel, Caves, The Gadhi, Mountain Views ranges - Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Gorkha Himal (which is the closest, and include Manasulu, Himalchuli and Baudha peaks), the Annapurnas Dhaulagiri and Kanjiriba.
Itinerary - Bandipur Hiking
Day 01. Arrive in Kathmandu :
Our representative will meet you in airport and transfer to Hotel. At evening, we take a walking tour to Kathmandu durbar square with our guide. We will have dinner in restaurant/ hotel. Overnight in the Hotel. BB
Day 02. Kathmandu Sightseeing :
After the breakfast our guide will led you with car/ van to the Kathmandu sightseeing. We will visit major temple and other site in the valley including Pashupatinath temple, Buddanilkantha. Swoyambhunath Stupa and Patan durbar square. Evening back to Hotel for rest and experience casino and back to Hotel and sleep. (We will stop for lunch on the way while sightseeing) with guide by car/ van.
Day 03. Drive to Bandipur :
After the breakfast drive (7:00AM) to Pokhara (by private car/ van or regular tourist Bust with our guide) on the way visit Manakamana Devi temple. Following the old trail of Bandipur or take a jeep to Bandipur will be take half and hour. Over night in Bandipur (We will stop for lunch on the way at Malakhu and dinner will be in the restaurant/ hotel in Bandipur) Overnight in the Hotel. BB Free evening around Bazaar.
Day 04. Excursion Day :
After breakfast, we will move to traditional Magar village.
Mukundeswari:
Mukundeswori lies at an altitude of 1830 m. About a two hours hike to the west of Bandipur we will get an important tribal 'power place' of Mukundeswari, The shrine here is festooned with numerous bells and tridents (trisuls), and it is especially revered by Gurungs. You will see gallery of ancient weapons and other antiquities, some knives and swords of different shapes and size, apparently placed here by victorious warriors of long ago.
The Gadhi:
After hour's hiking we will get the Gadhi. Northeast of Bandipur, on a hill top, stands a fort said to have been established by Mukunda Sen. the fort's trenches are still visible. The spot lies at a higher elevation than the Bazaar so you can get stunning view of the Himalaya. Also visible is the eastward bend of the Marshyangdi River far below. One can also follow the river's course northward as it disappears into the Manang region between the Annapurna and Manaslu massifs. Beyond, of course, lays Tibet.
Ramkot:
Ramkot is two hours walk to the west of Bandipur passing via Muchuk village. We can also hike Mukundeswori form this village. This typical village will provide you a hilarious chance to see the culture, people, life- style, (Crucial existence with the nature and the climate). At the same time we will visit a Primary school for the local people and mix with the local kids and move down to another village called Ramkot besi and overnight at a local family house .The people of this village will be very pleased to welcome a foreigner to their house. As in our Hindu philosophy, Tourists are regarded as God. (In the evening there will be a gathering of the local people to see you all and will try to communicate with you in some broken English and an open heart with a big smile .If the groups are bigger we will arrange for a cultural show ,since we have to pay some for the performers.
Day 05: Excursion day in and around Bandipur :
Tudikhel:
The most convenient place for a mountain view is Tudikhel, the field at the northern end of Bandipur's main bazaar. This unique flat-top, right by a precipitous cliff which falls away towards the Marshyangdi valley far below, must have been originally developed as a military parade ground. It is now used for political rallies and by Bandipur's youth for football and volleyball. The field is also used as a promenade, populated as it is by stately trees. From here one can view the magnificent Himalayan range and spectacular peak of Annapurnas ,Dhaulagiri ,Kanjiriba, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Gorkha Himal, Ghorkha Plalace and famous Hindhu Temple Manakamana peak (which is the closest, and include Manasulu, Himalchuli and Baudha peaks) and also Marshyangdi valley can be seen clearly.
Siddha cave:
Bandipur's hillsides are also well known for their caves, which carry religious significance for the locals. Siddha cave discovered only in 1987. The cave can be reached from Bandipur after one and half hour through forest or we can also reach their just above the cliff of Bimalnagar which will take 30 minutes climb. A two-hour hike form Siddha cave through forest leads to the Pataali Dwar, or the Gateway to Hell, with a Shiva shrine at its deepest recess. The limestone formations are also revered. Alternatively, the cave is also known as Swargadwari, or Entrance to Heaven! According to legend, anyone entering the cave will cause all the sins of their ancestors to be washed away and brings them salvation.
Teendhara & Raniban:
This place lies to the east of the main bazaar and can be reached within ten to twenty minutes. Teendhara means three water spouts. We can also see the shrine which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the spot for its greenery sal trees and tranquility.
Khadga Devi:
The temple of Khadga Devi is one of the most revered temples in Bandipur. This temple is opened to devotees only once a year on the day of Phulpati during the Hindu festival of Dashain. The shrine does not contain any statues of gods or goddesses, but a Khadga, a sacred sword wrapped in layers of cloth. Legend has it that if anyone looks at it, he or she invites instant death by vomiting blood. According to another story, the relic was a present from Lord Shiva to Mukunda Sen, king of Palpa (1518-1553 A.D.). The Khadga is worshipped as a symbol of the female power, hence the name Khadga Devi, which means goddess of the sword.
Bindhabasini Temple:
This temple is located in the main bazaar. It is constructed in the pagoda style. An image of the goddess Bindhabasini is enshrined here. It also contains statues of other goddesses. During the New Year celebrations of the Bikram Sambat, the image of Bindhabasini is put on a chariot and pulled through town amidst other revelry.
Chandithan:
This temple lies to the west of Bandipur Bazaar. According to folklore, people would place 12 eggs inside the temple and cover it with straw and a brick before the start of the planting season. If the eggs kept fresh after one year when they were uncovered, it meant that there would be a good crop the following year.
Mahalaxmi Temple:
This temple is located to the southeast of the main bazaar. Its architecture shows it to date from the medieval period. The temple is in the style of a pagoda. The struts and tympanum are adorned with figures of Bhimsen and various mythical creatures. The original statue of the goddess Mahalaxmi, however, was stolen, and it has been replaced by a new one.
Narayan Temple:
This temple lies to the east of the main bazaar area. Statues of the god Harihar and the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are installed inside.
Paharpani Mahadev:
a fifteen-minute walk to the north of Bandipur Bazaar brings one to the shrine of Parpani Mahadev. From above, it appears as a small bush. A stone pathway leads to the cave-like shrine. Inside, there is a waterspout, and below it are installed several small statues of various gods. They are known as Parpani Mahadev. In the old days, people gathered here to sing hymns and bathe under the fountain before going to work in their fields. A pond has been built here to add to the beauty of the site.
Purano Kot (Gurungche Hill):
Purano Kot, originally a fort, lies at a distance of about 500 m to the west of the main bazaar. It takes about twenty minutes of easy hike over the stones to reach the top. There is a small temple nearby containing a number of old statues. Next to it stands a newly built temple of Thanithan Mai. The local people believe that praying to Mahadev at this spot during a drought will bring rain.
Tandrang Tundrung:
This place is west of main bazaar we will get their within 20 minutes walk. Its unusual name is said to imitate the sound that is produced when a stone is thrown into the well here. According to the old-timers of the village, it was used by Mukunda Sen to pass between Mukendeswari and Tandrang Tundrung to perform religious deeds.
Day 06. Drive back to Kathmandu
After Breakfast, there will be a farewell by the villagers and we drive to Dumre by a local public Jeep with local people. Then we will take a regular tourist bus or private car to Kathmandu.
Package Cost Includes - Bandipur Hiking
Arrival pick up and departure transfer by private vehicle as per group size
All the ground transfer by private vehicles as per group size
All meal(breakfast Lunch and dinner provided)
An English speaking guide
Cultural program at village
Package Cost Excludes - Bandipur Hiking
Personal equipment and gears
Travel insurance and emergency evacuation( should cover your insurance)
Personal expenses such as drinks, postage, laundry.
Tipping and donation
Lunch and dinner while you are in Kathmandu
If any extra tour or trek then the itinerary
Costs arising from unforeseen events outside the control of AATE
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