Bandipur Cultural Tour – a blend of culture and nature tour with scenic views from Bandipur Heritage Village
Tour Profile:
Bandipur: Renown age-old heritage village famous for the Home Stay program within the local community
Bandipur elevation: Ranges from 1,100 m to 1,400 m high
Tour Grade: Leisure with short walks
People and Culture: Main natives Newar tribes with other mix people Gurung, Magar-Tamang, Brahmin and Chettries of both Hindu/Buddhist religions with various cultures
Tour Duration: 02 / 03 Days (with overland or flights)
Extension possibilities: To Pokhara 2-hour drive, or Chitwan for Safari, Manakamana Cable Car tour, or Gorkha Durbar tour.
Bandipur is lying at an altitude of 1030 metres and 143 kilometres west of Kathmandu and 74 kilometres southeast of Pokhara, and 7 kilometres south of the Dumre Bazar. Bandipur, a hilltop settlement of a Newari community, still lives with its age-old custom and tradition. From Kathmandu, a beautiful drive through Prithvi Highway reaches Dumre Bazaar. Then, we leave the highway and fork left to Bandipur town, which is still well preserved and invites travellers to experience its rich hilly culture, mountain views, and side village hiking.
The old part of Bandipur is untouched by modern civilization, with several old houses, temples of great significance and architecture. This medieval-period town boasts festivals all around the year. Besides the Newari community, the neighbours are Magar, Gurung, Brahmin, Chhetri, Damai and Sarki, contributing cultural diversity of the town and village. There is beautiful scenery of Annapurna, Manaslu Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchare Himal (fishtailed mountain), and Seti river valley from this hill village. Bandipur is a lovely place to visit around Kathmandu and Pokhara.
The morning drive leads through the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway overlooking snow-capped mountains in contrast to rolling green hills and valleys. The journey passes several towns and villages following the road to Pokhara. The road to Bandipur diverts from Dumre Bazaar, requiring seven kilometres of direct uphill.
Upon reaching the village, we check into a hotel or community homestay. Lunch and introductory village tour and interact with locals learning about their daily life, culture, and traditions.
Early morning hike for stunning sunrise views from Tundikhel and Gurungche Hill to see beautiful views of the Himalayas. We then return to the hotel/homestay for breakfast. Then we proceed to visit the silkworm farm and cow and agriculture farms.
After enjoying a memorable time in Bandipur, we drive back to Kathmandu or continue towards Pokhara. On the way, visit the Manakamana temple, a famous Hindu temple, if we return to Kathmandu.
Meals except the breakfast at the hotel and those not mentioned in the cost includes section.
The hill ridge town of Bandipur, with a mixed canopy of Sal and pine forests, with more than 200 species of plant, and lush terraced fields, offers views of Himalaya from Ganesh Himal to the Dhaulagiri range in the west. The diversity of flora and fauna of Bandipur makes it home to 70 species of birds and 35 species of wildlife.
Siddha cave, 18 feet wide and 50 feet high, situates north of Bandipur. The Siddha cave is vast and dark, with numerous sub-trails, gorges and holes created by water. The cave is not yet fully explored. Another mysterious cave called Patalidwar (gateway to hell) holds religious significance for the locals and waits for tourists to explore the geological marvel.
There are several agricultural farms, goat and cow farms and silkworms far to visit and learn. The side trip to Bandipur takes us to the cultural villages of the Magar and Gurung communities.
A good time to visit Bandipur is Nearly all months except the monsoon season, from mid-June to mid-September. Though the lovely time is from March to June, most of the day is clear for views, and the hills are alive with wildflowers in full bloom.
Mid-September to Mid-December during autumn/fall is also the best time to visit this town when most days are fine and clear for breathtaking views of peaks and landscapes.
Mid-December to February is also an excellent time to visit this city, as it is not as cold as in Kathmandu. As a result, the views are great except for some cloudy days.
