You can hop on a bus to get to many towns and villages in the Kingdom. The roads are no autobahns but they offer terrific views of rural landscapes and the high Himalaya. Some of the highways (like the one to the Indian border) spiral over mountain passes as high as 3,000 m. The route to Pokhara follows river courses most of the way and makes for a scenic trip. The road to the Chinese border takes you through stunning mountain vistas and river gorges.

BUSES FROM KATHMANDU

All buses leave from the Gongabu Bus Park, located on the Ring Road on the north side of town. It is advisable to purchase the tickets in advance. You can get them at travel agencies, the offices of the bus companies or at the bus park itself. Here are some popular tourist destinations, their distances from Kathmandu, the approximate time it takes to get there and the fare. Have a nice trip.

Baglung (a trade center to the west of Pokhara), 274 km, fare Rs. 172 (day), Rs. 190 (night).

Bhairahawa (on the way to Lumbini and near the Indian border, on the other side is the railhead of Nautanwa): 282 km (10 hours), fare Rs. 170 (day), Rs. 205 (night).

Biratnagar (in the eastern Terai near the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, across the border is the Indian railhead of Jogbani): 541 km (12 hours), fare Rs. 325.

Birgunj (near the Indian border, on the other side is the railhead of Raxaul): 298 km via Mugling (10 hours), fare Rs. 165 (day), Rs. 180 (night).

Dharan (former Gurkha recruiting center, 40 km north of Biratnagar): 539 km (14 hours), fare Rs. 275 (day), Rs. 320 (night).

Dhangadhi (an industrial town in west Nepal) 688 km (18 hours), fare Rs. 474.

Dhunche (the trailhead for treks to the Langtang region to the north of Kathmandu): 117 km (6 hours). (Buses for Dhunche leave from Balaju Bypass), fare Rs. 110.

Gorkha (the historic town west of Kathmandu): 141 km (5 hours), fare Rs. 71 (day), Rs. 80 (night).

Janakpur (the holy city in the eastern Terai, across the border lies the Indian railhead of Jayanagar): 375 km (9 hours), fare Rs. 172 (day), Rs. 226 (night).

Jiri (the trailhead for treks to the Everest region): 188 km (10 hours), fare Rs. 204 (express), Rs. 182 (ordinary).

Kakarbhitta (at the eastern extremity of the country, across the border in India lies Darjeeling and Sikkim): 610 km (13 hours), fare Rs. 315 (day), Rs. 365 (night).

Kodari (the overland entry point to Tibet, across the border lies Khasa): Kathmandu to Barhabise, 88 km (fare Rs. 78) and from Barhabise to Kodari, 26 km (fare Rs. 60).

Mahendranagar (border town in far west Nepal, gateway to the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve), 695 km (19 hours), fare Rs. 479.

Narayanghat (adjoining Bharatpur, the gateway to the Royal Chitwan National Park): 146 km (5 hours), fare Rs. 85 (day), Rs. 107 (night).

Nepalgunj (the gateway to Nepal’s far western region, across the border in India lies Rupadiya): 531 km (12 hours), fare Rs. 280 (day), Rs. 365 (night).

Pokhara (west of Kathmandu, the lakeside city at the foot of the Annapurna mountains): 202 km (8 hours), fare Rs. 122 (day), Rs. 142 (night).

Tansen (the serene hill station south of Pokhara): 302 km (12 hours), fare Rs. 165 (day), Rs. 212 (night).

 

TOURIST BUSES

Pokhara and Bharatpur are also served by "tourist buses" that are more comfortable and slightly faster than the ordinary buses. They are also a little more expensive. Tourist buses to Pokhara and Bharatpur leave from Thamel near the Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh Building.

Greenline Tours (Tel: 253885, 257544) serves air-conditioned luxury transport to Pokhara and Chitwan. They also operate a shuttle service to Dhulikhel. Buses leave from their private terminal at Tridevi Marg (Thamel).

 

TRAINS

Nepal's only railway line (51 km long) runs from Lewri via the holy city of Janakpur in the eastern Terai to Jayanagar in India.

MD Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.,
Tripureswor, P. O. Box 3525, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Tel: 260327, 256003 . Telex: 2611 EMC NP. Fax: 977-1-261159.
E-mail:nttj@mos.com.np

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Last Updated: 24 July, 2000
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