Getting around · Nepal
Siddhartha Highway Road Trip
A scenic hill drive from Pokhara to the Indian border at Sunauli, past the Newari town of Tansen and down to Butwal.
The Siddhartha Highway is the scenic overland link between the lakes of Pokhara and the Indian border at Sunauli, running roughly 180km south through the hills to Butwal and on across the Terai. Named after Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, it is the natural road trip to combine with a visit to nearby Lumbini. Allow five to six hours by car or six to eight by bus, and break the drive in the hill town of Tansen.
The route
From Pokhara the highway runs south past Phewa Lake and climbs into the hills of Palpa district, twisting over ridges to the historic town of Tansen. From there it descends steeply to Butwal at the foot of the mountains, then runs fast and flat across the Terai to Bhairahawa and the border crossing at Sunauli.
Highlights along the way
- The Newari hill town of Tansen, with its stepped bazaar, the Tansen Durbar and the riverside Rani Mahal palace on the Kali Gandaki.
- Srinagar Danda above Tansen, a forested ridge with sweeping Himalaya and valley views.
- Butwal, the bustling gateway town where the hills meet the plains.
- A short detour west from Bhairahawa to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.
Driving the Siddhartha Highway
The road is paved end to end but the central hill section is narrow, winding and slow, with landslide-prone stretches in the monsoon. Drive in daylight and the dry season, and sit on the valley side for the best views. The plains section from Butwal to Sunauli is quick and easy.
Times and logistics
Tourist and local buses run the full route between Pokhara and the border at Sunauli, and shared jeeps cover the hill section to Tansen. A private car with driver is the most comfortable way to break the journey and detour to viewpoints. Fuel and food are easy to find in Pokhara, Tansen and Butwal, but limited on the ridges in between, so top up before the climbs. Many travellers cross at Sunauli to continue overland to India, or turn west to Lumbini before doing so.
Make it a road trip
This highway rewards an overnight in Tansen, one of Nepal's best-preserved Newari hill towns, before continuing to Lumbini and the border. From Pokhara it connects to the Prithvi Highway road trip back toward Kathmandu, while travellers heading east can pick up the BP Highway road trip across the Terai.
See how to reach the trailhead town with how to get to Tansen, explore more drives in the scenic road trips of Nepal collection, and plan vehicles with getting around Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Siddhartha Highway go?+
The Siddhartha Highway runs roughly 180km from Pokhara south through the hills to Butwal and on to Sunauli on the Nepal–India border. Named after the Buddha, it is the main route between the lake city and the western Terai, and the overland gateway toward Lumbini and India.
How long does the Pokhara to Sunauli drive take?+
Allow about six to eight hours by bus or five to six by car for the roughly 180km. The middle section through the hills around Tansen is winding and slow, while the final stretch from Butwal to Sunauli runs fast and flat across the plains.
What is worth stopping for on the Siddhartha Highway?+
The standout stop is the hilltop Newari town of Tansen (Palpa), with its old bazaar, Tansen Durbar and the riverside Rani Mahal palace. Butwal at the foot of the hills is the gateway town to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, a short drive to the west.
Is the Siddhartha Highway a good drive?+
It is paved throughout and one of Nepal's more scenic hill highways, but the central section is narrow, winding and prone to landslides in the monsoon. Drive in daylight and the dry season, and break the journey in Tansen rather than rushing the bends.
