Bandipur

A hilltop settlement, the hidden village of Bandipur appears stopped in time.  Its Newar style buildings from the late 1700s stand intact along narrow stone walkways.  Isolated and protected from ugly modern changes, its location far from the main highway, the village has caught on to tourism and has become a destination for travelers.  Originally a bustling trading center for farmers and merchants from far off, the village retained it’s wealth and the well built shops and houses of long ago, remain in good condition and house cafes and restaurants that cater to visitors. We stopped there a couple of nights mainly to break up the hellish windy bus ride from Pokhara to Kathmandu that can be up to 9 hours. The windy cobblestone streets, filled with school children and traditionally dressed Nepalese is wonderful and very similar to an old French village, same feeling, but more colorful and spicier food.