One of the Mardi Himal Trek's biggest advantages is how easy it is to reach. There are no flights to remote mountain airstrips and no two-day jeep rides. The trailhead at Kande is about an hour from Pokhara, and Pokhara itself is a straightforward day's journey from Kathmandu, or a direct flight away if your airline serves Pokhara International Airport. Getting home is just as simple, with jeeps running from Siding back to the lakeside.
That said, Nepali roads have their own rhythm, and it helps to know the options, travel times and potential delays before you go. This guide covers every stage of the journey: reaching Nepal, getting from Kathmandu to Pokhara, reaching the trailhead, and returning at the end of the trek.
The Journey at a Glance
| Leg | Options | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| International arrival | Kathmandu (Tribhuvan) or Pokhara International Airport | Depends on route |
| Kathmandu to Pokhara | Tourist bus, private car or jeep, domestic flight | 6–8 hours by road; about 25 minutes by air |
| Pokhara to Kande | Local bus, taxi, private jeep | About 1 hour by car; longer by local bus |
| Siding to Pokhara | Private or shared jeep | 2–3 hours |
| Pokhara to Kathmandu | Same options as the outward journey | 6–8 hours by road; about 25 minutes by air |
Arriving in Nepal
Most international travelers arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, which has connections through hubs such as Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, among others. Visa on arrival is available for most nationalities, and there are kiosks and counters for the paperwork. Allow time for queues, especially when several flights land together. Our Kathmandu airport arrival checklist walks you through the process.
Pokhara International Airport opened in January 2023. It is designed for international flights, but the number of scheduled international routes has been limited and can change. If you can find a convenient flight straight into Pokhara, you skip Kathmandu altogether and can start the trek much sooner. Our 7-day Mardi Himal Trek with a direct flight to Pokhara is built around this option. See also our Pokhara International Airport guide.
Kathmandu to Pokhara
If you arrive in Kathmandu, the next step is the journey west to Pokhara, about 200 kilometers along the Prithvi Highway. You have three main choices.
By Tourist Bus
Tourist buses leave Kathmandu early in the morning, usually around 7 a.m., from the Kantipath and Sorhakhutte area near Thamel. They stop for breakfast and lunch at roadside restaurants and arrive at the tourist bus park in Pokhara in the afternoon. The journey typically takes six to eight hours, though traffic, road construction and landslides in the monsoon can make it longer. The road follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers and passes through some beautiful scenery, so a window seat is worth having.
Tourist buses are the most popular choice because they are comfortable enough, safe by Nepali standards and inexpensive. They are included in our 9-day Mardi Himal Trek. Read Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus for tips on booking and choosing a seat.
By Private Car or Jeep
A private vehicle gives you flexibility over departure time and stops, and it is usually a little faster than a bus. It suits families, small groups splitting the cost, and anyone who gets motion sickness and wants to stop more often. Our guide to Kathmandu to Pokhara by private car covers costs and what to expect.
By Domestic Flight
Several domestic airlines fly between Kathmandu and Pokhara, with a flight time of around 25 minutes. On a clear day the mountain views from the right-hand side of the plane heading west are spectacular. Flights are more expensive than road travel and can be delayed or cancelled by weather, particularly in the monsoon and on hazy mornings. If your schedule is tight, a flight saves a full day, but keep a buffer for delays. See Kathmandu to Pokhara by flight and what to do if your flight is delayed.
What a Kathmandu to Pokhara Bus Day Looks Like
If you have never taken a Nepali tourist bus, the day follows a predictable pattern. You check out of your hotel around 6:30 a.m. and walk or take a short taxi ride to the bus stand, where dozens of buses line the road in the early light. Your ticket shows the bus company and seat number, and a conductor loads your large bag into the hold. The bus leaves around 7 a.m. and crawls through Kathmandu's morning traffic before climbing out of the valley and dropping steeply toward the Trishuli River.
Around 9 a.m. there is a breakfast stop at a roadside restaurant, with a buffet or simple menu. The road then follows the Trishuli River, where you will see rafting groups on the water in the right season, before turning west at Mugling to follow the Marsyangdi and later the Seti valleys. Lunch is around midday. Depending on traffic and road works, you arrive at the tourist bus park in Pokhara between 2 and 4 p.m., where taxis wait to take you to Lakeside. It is a long day, but you see a great deal of rural Nepal through the window.
Getting from Pokhara Airport to Lakeside
Both the domestic terminal and the newer international airport are on the eastern side of Pokhara, a short drive from the Lakeside hotel district. Taxis wait outside arrivals, and the ride takes around 15 to 30 minutes depending on which airport you use and the traffic. On our packages that include flights, we meet you at arrivals and drive you to your hotel.
Traveling with Luggage and Gear
Most trekkers bring a large bag for the trip and pack a smaller duffel or backpack for the trek itself. Buses and jeeps are fine with standard luggage, but domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara have tighter checked baggage allowances than international flights, often around 15 to 20 kilograms, with extra charges above that. Trekking poles should go in checked baggage, and gas canisters are not allowed on flights. Leave anything you do not need on the trek at your hotel in Pokhara, which almost all hotels will store free of charge.
Options for Solo Travelers and Small Groups
If you are traveling alone, local buses and tourist buses are by far the cheapest options, and taxis between Pokhara and the trailhead are affordable. A private jeep for one person is expensive, which is one reason solo trekkers often join a group or book a package in which transport is included. For groups of three to six, the cost of a private jeep split between everyone becomes very reasonable and saves a great deal of time and hassle. Families with children also tend to prefer private vehicles for the flexibility to stop. Read joining a group Mardi Himal trek as a solo traveler for ways to share costs.
Pokhara: Your Base for the Trek
Pokhara is where you will spend the night before and after the trek. The Lakeside area along Phewa Lake has hotels for every budget, gear shops, restaurants, ATMs and the Nepal Tourism Board office where permits are issued. It is also where our pre-trek briefings take place. For recommendations, read where to stay in Pokhara before the trek, and if you need to leave things behind, see storing luggage in Pokhara.
Pokhara to the Trailhead at Kande
Kande sits on the Pokhara–Baglung highway, which climbs west out of the city past Hemja and Phedi. The drive takes about an hour by car, depending on traffic leaving Pokhara.
By Local Bus
Local buses heading toward Baglung and Beni leave from the Baglung bus park in Pokhara and pass Kande. They are cheap and a genuine local experience, but they stop frequently, can be crowded, and are not designed for big backpacks. Tell the conductor you want to get off at Kande, and ask your hotel which bus park and time to use.
By Taxi
Taxis from Lakeside will take you to Kande for a negotiated fare. Agree the price before you set off. Taxis are a good option for couples or solo travelers who want to avoid the bus without paying for a jeep.
By Private Jeep
A private jeep picks you up from your hotel and drops you at the start of the trail. It is the most comfortable option and is included on all of our Mardi Himal packages. Read Pokhara to Kande: bus, taxi and private jeep for a detailed comparison.
The Alternative Start at Phedi
Some trekkers start at Phedi, a few kilometers before Kande on the same road, and climb a steep stone staircase to Dhampus before joining the main route at Australian Camp. Transport is the same as for Kande. The choice between them is mostly about which villages you want to walk through. See Phedi vs Kande.
Getting Back from Siding
At the end of the trek, most groups descend to Siding, a village at the end of a dirt road north-east of Pokhara. From here, jeeps carry trekkers back to the city. The road is rough, narrow in places and can be muddy after rain, and the drive usually takes two to three hours. In the monsoon, landslides occasionally block the road, and you may need to walk a section or wait for it to be cleared.
Shared jeeps sometimes wait at Siding in the trekking season, but availability is not guaranteed, especially outside peak months. Booking a private jeep in advance is the reliable choice, and it is included in our packages. Our Siding to Pokhara jeep guide has more on timings. For road safety tips, read jeep and road safety on the way to Kande and Siding.
Exiting via Lwang
An alternative descent leads to Lwang village, which also has a road connection to Pokhara. The drive is similar in length and roughness. Lwang is a good option when you want a different descent or when the Siding road is in poor condition. See Mardi Himal via Lwang village.
Road Conditions by Season
- Autumn (September–November): generally the best conditions. Roads are dry, though early September can still see landslide debris from the monsoon.
- Winter (December–February): dry and stable. Mornings can be foggy in the lowlands, which occasionally delays flights.
- Spring (March–May): dry and dusty, with occasional pre-monsoon storms in May.
- Monsoon (June–August): the most challenging season. Landslides can block the Prithvi Highway and the Siding road for hours, and flights are often delayed.
If you are traveling in the monsoon, build an extra day into your schedule. Our monsoon itinerary shows how.
Motion Sickness on Mountain Roads
The roads to Kathmandu, Kande and particularly Siding are winding and bumpy. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit near the front, look at the horizon, eat lightly before the journey and consider medication recommended by your doctor. Our article on motion sickness on Nepal's mountain roads has more ideas.
What Transport Costs
Transport costs vary with fuel prices, season and group size. Tourist buses and local buses are cheap; taxis, private jeeps and domestic flights cost more but save time or add comfort. If you are traveling independently, budget for a return trip between Pokhara and the trailhead as well as the Kathmandu–Pokhara journey. Our Mardi Himal cost guide shows how transport fits into the total budget, and starting in Kathmandu vs Pokhara compares the options.
Planning Around Transport Delays
Most journeys go smoothly, but a few habits protect your trek from the occasional delay:
- Arrive in Pokhara at least one night before the trek starts.
- Avoid booking your international flight home for the same day you return from the trek.
- In the monsoon, keep a spare day at the end of the trip.
- If flying Kathmandu–Pokhara, choose a morning flight, when weather is usually better.
- Keep your guide's and agency's phone numbers saved offline.
How Transport Works on Our Treks
We handle transport on every Mardi Himal package so you can focus on the trek. On the 5-day Mardi Himal Trek from Pokhara, a private vehicle collects you from your hotel, drives you to Kande and picks you up at Siding at the end. On the 9-day version from Kathmandu, we also include airport transfers and tourist bus tickets between Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you prefer to fly between the two cities, we can arrange that as well. Just let us know when you book.