Besisahar is where the Annapurna Circuit begins and where a surprising number of trekkers lose half a day because they chose the wrong transport or showed up at the wrong bus park. Here is exactly how to get there from both Kathmandu and Pokhara, with real 2026 costs and no guesswork.
Besisahar sits at 760 m in Lamjung District 175 km from Kathmandu and 106 km from Pokhara. It is the official starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek and the gateway to Tilicho Lake and Nar Phu Valley. From Kathmandu you have three realistic options: public bus, private jeep, or fly to Pokhara and drive. From Pokhara the journey is shorter and simpler.
Table of Contents
Transport Quick-Reference
| Route | Option | Cost (USD) | Duration | Best For |
| Kathmandu → Besisahar | Public bus | ~$5/person | 8–9 hrs | Budget trekkers |
| Kathmandu → Besisahar | Private jeep | $110–150/vehicle | 6–7 hrs | Groups, comfort |
| Kathmandu → Besisahar | Shared jeep | $25–40/person | 6–7 hrs | Solo, mid-budget |
| Kathmandu → Besisahar | Flight (PKR) + Jeep | $100–160/person | ~5–6 hrs | Time-pressed trekkers |
| Pokhara → Besisahar | Local bus | ~$4/person | 4–5 hrs | Budget, Pokhara-based |
| Pokhara → Besisahar | Private jeep | $50–80/vehicle | 3–4 hrs | Groups from Pokhara |
How Do I Get to Besisahar from Kathmandu?
From Kathmandu, you can reach Besisahar by public bus (8–9 hours, ~$5 per person), private jeep (6–7 hours, $110–150 for the vehicle), or shared jeep ($25–40 per person). One critical fact most travel sites miss: there is no tourist bus on this route. Only local public buses and private hire vehicles run between Kathmandu and Besisahar. If you spend your morning searching for a tourist bus at the wrong terminal, you will miss the departures entirely.
Public Bus The Budget Option
Buses depart from Gongabu Bus Park also known as New Bus Park in north Kathmandu. It is approximately a 10-minute taxi ride from Thamel, costing around NPR 200–400. This is the correct departure point. Do not go to Ratna Park Bus Stand or any other terminal for this route.
Buses leave between 6:00–8:00 AM daily. Take the earliest departure available, arriving in Besisahar by early afternoon gives you time to arrange onward jeep transport the same day.
The route follows Prithvi Highway to Dumre, then turns onto the Marsyangdi River valley road up to Besisahar.
- Journey time: 8–9 hours
- Cost: NPR 600–800 per person (~$5–6 USD)
- Honest assessment: Basic seats, no air conditioning, frequent stops, and a rough road for the final section. It works for budget trekkers. It is not comfortable. If you are carrying large gear or want to arrive fresh for the trek, the private jeep is worth the extra cost.
Tickets can be purchased directly at the bus park on departure morning or through a Thamel travel agency for roughly the same price.
Private Jeep The Comfortable Option
A private 4WD jeep takes 6–7 hours from Kathmandu with fewer stops, hotel pickup, and proper space for luggage.
- Cost: NPR 12,000–18,000 (~$90–140 USD) for the full vehicle
- Capacity: Seats 6–7 people comfortably best value when split across 3–6 trekkers
- Shared jeep: Joining others on the same vehicle costs approximately $20–35 per person a practical option for solo trekkers
Book through your trekking agency or a reputable Thamel operator. In peak season October, November, March, April book at least one to two weeks in advance. Vehicles fill quickly and last-minute availability at a fair price is not guaranteed.
Himalaya Hub arranges private jeep transfers for all Annapurna Circuit departures, confirmed the evening before so there is no morning logistics stress on departure day.
Can I Get to Besisahar from Pokhara?
Yes, Pokhara to Besisahar is approximately 106 km and takes 4–5 hours by local bus (~$4 per person) or 3–4 hours by private jeep (~$50–80 for the vehicle). This is a significantly shorter and easier journey than from Kathmandu and a sensible option for anyone already based in Pokhara.
Bus from Pokhara
Buses to Besisahar depart from Pokhara Bus Park (Prithvi Chowk area) in the early morning, typically around 6:00–7:00 AM. Confirm the current schedule locally the evening before as timings shift slightly by season.
- Cost: NPR 400–550 (~$3–4 USD) per person
- Journey time: 4–5 hours
On arrival in Besisahar, shared jeeps heading further up the Marsyangdi valley to Dharapani or Tal depart regularly during the day. Most trekkers arriving in Besisahar by midday continue the same afternoon rather than overnighting there.
Private Jeep from Pokhara
- Cost: NPR 6,000–10,000 (~$45–75 USD) for the full vehicle
- Journey time: 3–4 hours
- Best for: Small groups of 2–4 sharing the cost, or trekkers with heavy gear who want a direct and flexible transfer
Is There a Faster Way to Get to Besisahar?
The fastest option from Kathmandu is to fly to Pokhara (25 minutes, ~$90–110 per person) and then take a private jeep to Besisahar (3–4 hours) totalling around 5–6 hours door to door versus 8–9 hours by direct road from Kathmandu.
The Flight + Drive Combination
Airlines including Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, and Shree Airlines operate frequent daily flights between Kathmandu (TIA) and Pokhara (PKR). Tickets cost approximately NPR 10,000–14,000 (~$75–105 USD) per person depending on airline and season. From Pokhara airport, a private jeep to Besisahar takes 3–4 hours at NPR 6,000–10,000 for the vehicle.
For a group of 3–4 splitting the jeep cost, total per-person cost runs to approximately $95–130 USD comparable to a private jeep directly from Kathmandu but saving 3–4 hours of road travel.
This combination works particularly well for trekkers on tight schedules or those who prefer not to spend a full day on mountain roads before a long trek. It is the option Himalaya Hub recommends for trekkers joining our Annapurna Circuit Trek with limited days in Nepal.
What Should I Do Once I Arrive in Besisahar?
Besisahar has ATMs, trekking supply shops, pharmacies, and the Annapurna Circuit permit checkpoint. It is the last town with reliable services before Manang use arrival time productively.
Arrival Checklist
Withdraw cash. Besisahar has ATMs and they are among the last reliable ones on the route. Carry a minimum of NPR 20,000–30,000 for a standard circuit. Most teahouses above Besisahar are cash only.
Check your permits. The ACAP permit (NPR 3,000 / ~$22) and TIMS card (NPR 2,000 / ~$15) are verified at the entry checkpoint. Himalaya Hub clients have these arranged before departure. Independent trekkers should confirm both documents are in order before proceeding. Full details are in our Annapurna Circuit permits guide.
Consider a jeep further up the valley. Shared jeeps from Besisahar to Dharapani (~$12–15 per person) or Chame (~$20–25 per person) depart regularly and bypass the lower section of the route, which runs along a rough jeep road with limited trekking interest. Many experienced trekkers skip this section entirely and start the proper trail from Chame or Dharapani.
If you arrive after 3 PM, stay overnight. Besisahar has reliable guesthouses at NPR 300–600 per room. Starting the road section in poor light is not worth it. A fresh 6:30–7:00 AM departure the next morning is the better decision. The Manaslu Circuit Trek also finishes near Besisahar if you are combining routes, this is a useful overnight base in both directions.
Conclusion
Besisahar is accessible and well-connected. The logistics are simpler than most trekkers expect once you know the correct bus park, realistic journey times, and which option fits your budget and schedule. Public bus if you are watching costs. Private jeep if you value comfort. Flight plus drive if you want to save time.
Himalaya Hub arranges all Besisahar transport as part of every Annapurna Circuit Trek package, hotel pickup confirmed, no bus park navigation, no morning stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
Yes. Public local buses depart daily from Gongabu Bus Park (New Bus Park) in north Kathmandu between 6:00–8:00 AM. The journey takes 8–9 hours and costs NPR 600–800 (~$5–6 USD) per person. There is no tourist bus on this route; only local public buses and private hire vehicles operate between Kathmandu and Besisahar.
How long does it take to get to Besisahar from Kathmandu?
By public bus, 8–9 hours from Gongabu Bus Park. By private jeep, 6–7 hours. The fastest combination is flying Kathmandu to Pokhara (25 minutes) then taking a private jeep to Besisahar (3–4 hours), totalling approximately 5–6 hours door to door.
What is the cheapest way to get to Besisahar?
The cheapest option is the public local bus from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu at NPR 600–800 (~$5–6 USD) per person. From Pokhara, the local bus costs approximately NPR 400–550 (~$3–4 USD) per person.