Kathmandu to Nayapul: Cost, Transport & Travel Time
There is no direct journey from Kathmandu to Nayapul. You travel via Pokhara. Fly to Pokhara in about 25 to 35 minutes (approximately USD 75 to 130), or take the tourist bus in 6 to 8 hours (approximately USD 12 to 27). From Pokhara, it’s a further 1.5 to 2 hours to Nayapul by taxi, local bus, or private jeep.
Nayapul is a common road-access trailhead for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, our regular Annapurna Base Camp route, and several Ghandruk-specific itineraries. Most trekkers fly Kathmandu to Pokhara to save time, then take a private jeep or taxi on to Nayapul.
Kathmandu to Nayapul: Key Facts
- Journey structure: Two legs, Kathmandu to Pokhara, then Pokhara to Nayapul
- Kathmandu–Pokhara distance: approximately 200 to 210km via the Prithvi Highway
- Kathmandu–Pokhara flight: 25 to 35 minutes, approx USD 75 to 130
- Kathmandu–Pokhara tourist bus: 6 to 8 hours, approx USD 12 to 27
- Pokhara–Nayapul distance: approximately 40km
- Pokhara–Nayapul travel time: 1.5 to 2 hours by taxi, jeep, or local bus
- Nayapul altitude: approximately 1,070m
- Treks starting here: Ghorepani Poon Hill, Ghandruk routes, regular Annapurna Base Camp
Nayapul is a common road-access starting point for several of the Annapurna region’s most popular treks, including Ghorepani Poon Hill and our regular Annapurna Base Camp route. Unlike Besisahar or Chame, there’s no realistic direct road journey from Kathmandu. The practical route always goes via Pokhara. This guide covers both legs of that journey, with current transport options, prices, and travel times, so you can plan the smoothest route from Kathmandu to the trailhead.
If you’re trekking Poon Hill, Ghandruk, or ABC with us, see our Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek pages for the full itinerary and inclusions.
Kathmandu to Nayapul: Transport Options at a Glance
| Leg | Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu → Pokhara | Flight | approx USD 75 to 130 | 25 to 35 min |
| Kathmandu → Pokhara | Tourist bus | approx USD 12 to 27 | 6 to 8 hours |
| Kathmandu → Pokhara | Local bus | approx USD 4 to 7 | 7 to 9 hours |
| Kathmandu → Pokhara | Private car or jeep | approx USD 120 to 180 | 5 to 7 hours |
| Pokhara → Nayapul | Taxi | approx NPR 1,500 to 2,000 | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Pokhara → Nayapul | Local bus | approx NPR 100 to 300 | 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Pokhara → Nayapul | Private jeep or van (groups) | contact for group quote | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Leg 1: Kathmandu to Pokhara
The first leg of the journey covers approximately 200 to 210km along the Prithvi Highway. There are four practical ways to make it.
By flight — fastest option
Multiple daily flights operate between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The flight takes 25 to 35 minutes and costs approximately USD 75 to 130 one way, depending on the airline and how far ahead you book. On a clear morning it’s also one of the more scenic short domestic flights in Nepal. During peak trekking season (October, November, March, and April), flights can sell out early, so booking ahead is worth it if your trek dates are fixed.
By tourist bus — the standard budget option
Tourist buses depart daily around 7:00 AM from the Sorhakhutte Tourist Bus Park, a short walk from Thamel. Journey time is generally 6 to 8 hours, though it can stretch to 9 or 10 hours with traffic or road conditions on the Prithvi Highway. Buses typically stop once or twice for meals and restroom breaks and arrive at Pokhara’s Tourist Bus Park near Lakeside in the mid-to-late afternoon. Ticket prices range from around USD 12 for a standard deluxe seat to USD 25 to 27 for a VIP sofa seat with more legroom and onboard amenities.
By local bus — cheapest option
Public buses run the same route from Gongabu Bus Park for around USD 4 to 7, but take longer — typically 7 to 9 hours — due to more frequent stops. This is a functional option for budget travellers comfortable with local transport, but not the most time-efficient choice if you’re on a tight trekking schedule.
By private car or jeep
A private vehicle costs around USD 120 to 180 and takes 5 to 7 hours, offering door-to-door pickup and your own schedule. This is worth considering for couples, families, or small groups who want more comfort and flexibility than a scheduled bus, without the cost of flying.
Leg 2: Pokhara to Nayapul
Once in Pokhara, Nayapul is a further 40km, generally 1.5 to 2 hours by road.
Taxi
A private taxi from Lakeside to Nayapul costs approximately NPR 1,500 to 2,000 and takes around 1.5 hours. This is the most convenient option for solo trekkers or pairs, with hotel pickup and a direct run to the trailhead.
Local bus
Local buses depart from Baglung Bus Park roughly every 30 minutes to an hour between 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM, cost approximately NPR 100 to 300, and take around 2 to 2.5 hours. This is the cheapest option and a reasonable choice for budget-conscious solo trekkers.
Private jeep or van — best for groups
For small groups travelling with trekking gear, a private jeep or Hiace van is the most practical option, avoiding the need to split luggage across multiple taxis or squeeze onto a crowded local bus. MountainKick can arrange this as part of your Poon Hill, Ghandruk, or regular ABC package, or as a standalone transfer. Contact us with your group size and dates for a quote.
Which Route Should You Choose?
Short on time or your trek dates are fixed: fly to Pokhara, then take a taxi or private jeep to Nayapul. This gets you to the trailhead in well under a day from Kathmandu.
Want to see the country and don’t mind a long day: take the tourist bus to Pokhara, stay overnight, and continue to Nayapul the next morning. Many trekkers use this as a natural opportunity to spend a night in Pokhara before starting the trek.
Travelling with a small group: a private jeep for the Pokhara-to-Nayapul leg is worth the cost, especially with trekking gear to manage. Combine it with either a flight or tourist bus for the Kathmandu-to-Pokhara leg depending on your budget and schedule.
On a tight budget: local bus for both legs is the cheapest way to make the journey, though it adds a full day of travel either side of your trek.
Arriving at Nayapul: What’s There and Where Treks Start
Nayapul itself is a small roadside settlement at approximately 1,070m, mainly functioning as a trailhead rather than a destination. From here:
- Ghorepani Poon Hill trek starts by crossing to Birethanti, a short walk from Nayapul, before continuing toward Tikhedhunga and Ghorepani.
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek (our regular 14-day route) is one of the itineraries that uses this road-access point. From Nayapul, trekkers continue toward Birethanti and the upper Annapurna trails as the itinerary dictates.
- Ghandruk-specific routes can also start directly from Nayapul via a shorter approach.
There isn’t much reason to linger in Nayapul itself — most trekkers pass straight through to Birethanti or their first overnight stop.
A note on our faster ABC option: if you’re short on time, our Annapurna Base Camp Express Trek (10 days) follows a different approach entirely — starting from Syauli Bazaar and going via Ghandruk and Chomrong, rather than the longer Nayapul route. It’s not accessed via Nayapul, so if you’re booking the Express version, this guide’s Leg 2 section won’t apply to your trip — your transfer runs from Pokhara straight to Syauli Bazaar instead.
Other Annapurna Starting Points
Nayapul isn’t the only road-access point for treks in this part of the Annapurna region, and depending on your itinerary you might start or finish somewhere else entirely.
Kande and Phedi are used for routes that go via Australian Camp and Landruk — a common variation for Mardi Himal and some ABC itineraries that want a steeper, more direct first day.
Syauli Bazaar is the starting point for our Annapurna Base Camp Express Trek, reached by a longer drive from Pokhara that bypasses Nayapul entirely and drops trekkers closer to Ghandruk.
Ghandruk can be reached by a shorter road drive of its own, letting trekkers skip a day of walking from Nayapul and start higher in the valley.
Jhinu Danda and Siwai are sometimes used as jeep-accessible points further up the valley, mainly to shorten shorter ABC itineraries, and are also common exit points at the end of a trek.
MountainKick’s current Ghorepani Poon Hill and regular Annapurna Base Camp itineraries use the Nayapul approach as standard. Our Express ABC option uses Syauli Bazaar instead. If your trip calls for a different starting or finishing point, we can build that into your itinerary — just let us know when you enquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct bus or vehicle from Kathmandu to Nayapul?
Not in any practical sense. The standard route is always via Pokhara — either fly or take a bus to Pokhara, then a separate taxi, local bus, or jeep on to Nayapul. Treat this as a two-leg journey rather than looking for a single direct option.
How long does it take to get from Kathmandu to Nayapul?
By flight and taxi, the flight itself takes around 25 to 35 minutes, but allow several hours overall for airport time, baggage, and the road transfer to Nayapul. By tourist bus and local transport, plan for a full day — roughly 8 to 10 hours in total across both legs.
What is the cheapest way to get from Kathmandu to Nayapul?
Local bus for both legs is the cheapest option, at roughly USD 4 to 7 for Kathmandu to Pokhara plus NPR 100 to 300 for Pokhara to Nayapul. It’s also the slowest, adding a full day of travel on either side of your trek.
Should I stay overnight in Pokhara?
If you’re taking the tourist bus, yes. Arriving in the afternoon and continuing to Nayapul the same day is possible but tight. An overnight stop gives you a comfortable transition and a chance to sort any last-minute gear before heading to the trailhead. If you fly, a same-day continuation to Nayapul is comfortably achievable.
Which treks start from Nayapul?
Nayapul is a common road-access starting point for the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek and our regular 14-day Annapurna Base Camp route, along with several Ghandruk-specific itineraries. Our faster Annapurna Base Camp Express Trek does not use Nayapul — it starts from Syauli Bazaar instead.
Are Kande, Phedi, or Ghandruk better starting points?
It depends on the trek and how much walking you want on day one. Kande and Phedi suit routes via Australian Camp and Landruk, and Ghandruk can be reached directly by road if you want to skip the first day’s walk from Nayapul. Nayapul remains a common starting point for guided Poon Hill and regular ABC itineraries.
Can MountainKick arrange the transport?
Yes. Transport to Nayapul is arranged as part of our Ghorepani Poon Hill, Ghandruk, and regular Annapurna Base Camp packages. We can also arrange a standalone private transfer for either leg. Contact us with your dates and group size for a quote.
Planning your trip to Nayapul?
MountainKick can arrange your full journey from Kathmandu — flight or bus to Pokhara, then private transfer to Nayapul — as part of your Poon Hill, Ghandruk, or Annapurna Base Camp trek, or as a standalone booking.
Planning an Annapurna Base Camp trek?
- 14-day Annapurna Base Camp Trek — our regular route with a more relaxed pace, using the Nayapul approach.
- 10-day Annapurna Base Camp Express Trek — a faster option for fit trekkers, via Syauli Bazaar and Ghandruk.
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