Bandipur Village Trails
A beautifully preserved Newari hilltop town with car-free streets — short trails to hilltop temples, massive caves, and Himalayan viewpoints.
Distance
8 km
Duration
3 hours
Elevation Gain
300m
Max Elevation
1,100m
Min Elevation
800m
Highest Point
Thani Mai Temple
Difficulty
Easy
Best Season
October-April
Route Type
Loop / Circuit
Bandipur is a living museum of Newari culture perched on a ridge between the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. Several short trails radiate from the car-free bazaar, including walks to the Thani Mai hilltop temple with its panoramic views from Dhaulagiri to Manaslu, and Siddha Gufa — one of the largest caves in Nepal at approximately 600m long.
The town itself is the main attraction, with beautifully preserved 18th-century slate-roofed Newari architecture, silk-weaving traditions, and no vehicle traffic in the old bazaar. The surrounding trails pass through Magar villages and offer views of the Marsyangdi river valley far below.
Bandipur makes an excellent stopover between Kathmandu and Pokhara, or a rewarding day trip from either city.