Down to Siddha Gufa cave
Siddha Gufa lies in the limestone hillside below Bandipur. It is often described as the largest cave in Nepal, with a long main chamber hung with stalactites and rising stalagmites, and bats roosting in its upper reaches. Local guides, who look after the site, take visitors in with torches. The floor is rough and wet, and some sections need careful scrambling over rocks, so this is a visit for those happy to get a little muddy and to move slowly in the dark.
The walk down from Bandipur takes about 1.5 hours on a steep path through forest and past small farms, with views over the Marsyangdi valley. Steps are uneven and slippery after rain, so walking sticks are useful. At the cave entrance a local guide joins us, and the visit inside takes 45 minutes to an hour. We carry our own torches in addition to the guide's light, and suggest clothes and shoes that can cope with mud and damp rock.
From the cave it is a further 30 to 45 minutes down to Bimalnagar on the Prithvi Highway, where the car meets you, so there is no climb back up. This works well on the morning you leave Bandipur for Pokhara or Chitwan, with luggage going ahead by car. The walk is best in the dry months, from October to May. In the monsoon the path is slippery and the cave may be closed; check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How difficult is the walk to Siddha Gufa?
Moderate. The path from Bandipur drops steeply for about 1.5 hours through forest, on uneven steps that can be slippery. Going down is harder on the knees than on the lungs, so walking sticks help. Inside the cave you scramble over wet rocks in places. Anyone in reasonable health can manage it at an easy pace with a guide.
Do I need a guide to enter Siddha Gufa?
Yes. Local guides look after the cave and accompany visitors inside, and a small entry fee is charged; check current status before you travel. The guide lights the way, points out the formations and helps on the rough sections. Our own guide walks with you from Bandipur and arranges the cave guide at the entrance.
Can I visit Siddha Gufa without walking back up to Bandipur?
Yes, and we usually plan it that way. After the cave, a descent of 30 to 45 minutes leads to Bimalnagar on the Prithvi Highway, where your car waits with the luggage. It suits the morning you leave Bandipur for Pokhara, about two hours further, or for Chitwan. There is no need to climb back up the hill.
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