Nepal travel guides.
Read a little, plan a little.
Short guides to Tansen and Palpa, getting around Nepal, food and customs, and everyday life at Bulbul Farm Retreat. Start with our farmstay in Nepal overview or the Tansen, Palpa guide.
Tansen & Palpa
Tansen Durbar: Visiting Palpa's Old Palace
What to know about Tansen Durbar, the palace at the heart of Palpa's hill town: its long civic role, its restoration after 2006 and how to visit.
Read the guideShreenagar Hill, Tansen: Walks, Pine Forest and Views
How to walk up Shreenagar Hill above Tansen, what to expect in its pine forest, when the views are clearest and what to bring for the climb.
Read the guideRani Mahal, Palpa: The Taj Mahal of Nepal
Rani Mahal is the Rana-era palace on the Kali Gandaki in Palpa, built in memory of a wife. Here is its story and how to plan a day out from Tansen.
Read the guideTansen Old Bazaar: A Self-Guided Walking Route
A self-guided walk through Tansen's old bazaar: where to start, which squares and temples to look for, how steep the lanes are and when to set out.
Read the guidePalpali Dhaka: Palpa's Handwoven Cloth Explained
What Palpali Dhaka is, how the handwoven cloth is used for Dhaka topi caps and shawls, and how to choose and buy a piece thoughtfully in Tansen.
Read the guidePalpali Karuwa: Tansen's Traditional Brass Vessels
Why Palpa is known for the karuwa, a traditional brass water vessel, how it is used in Nepali homes and rituals, and tips for buying and carrying one.
Read the guideSitalpati, Tansen: The Pavilion at the Heart of Town
Sitalpati is the small pavilion in Tansen's central square. Learn what a pati is, why people gather here and how to spend an unhurried hour nearby.
Read the guideAmar Narayan Temple, Tansen: A Visitor's Guide
A visitor's guide to Amar Narayan Temple in Tansen: the tiered pagoda's history, its carved woodwork, temple etiquette and how to fit it into a walk.
Read the guideBhairabsthan Temple, Palpa: The Hilltop Shrine
Bhairabsthan is a hilltop temple near Tansen known for its very large trident. What to expect there, how to plan the outing and how to visit respectfully.
Read the guideSatyawati Lake, Palpa: A Pilgrimage Lake in the Hills
Satyawati Lake is a pilgrimage lake in the hills of Palpa. What draws pilgrims, when it gets busy and how to plan a respectful outing from Tansen.
Read the guideRidi Bazaar, Palpa: The Pilgrim Town on the Kali Gandaki
Ridi Bazaar sits on the Kali Gandaki where Palpa meets Gulmi. Learn why pilgrims come, what the January festival is like and how to plan the trip.
Read the guideBaggi Dhoka: Tansen's Great Palace Gate
Baggi Dhoka is the grand gateway to Tansen Durbar. Here is what the gate is, the story behind its size and how to see and photograph it well.
Read the guideHimalayan Views From Tansen: When and Where to Look
When you can see the Himalaya from Tansen, which ridges give the best view, what season and time of day to choose and why clouds so often win.
Read the guideWinter Mist in Tansen: Mornings Above the Clouds
Why winter mornings in Tansen often begin with valleys full of mist, where to watch it from, how to dress for the cold and how fog can affect travel.
Read the guideTansen Weather by Season: What to Expect Year-Round
A season-by-season guide to the weather in Tansen at around 1,350 metres: clear autumns, cool winters, warming springs and the summer monsoon.
Read the guidePlanning your trip
Pokhara to Tansen: How to Make the Journey
How to travel from Pokhara to Tansen by road along the Siddhartha Highway, how long it takes and how to break the trip in Palpa's hills.
Read the guideTansen to Lumbini: Getting There by Road
How to get from Tansen to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha: the road via Butwal and Bhairahawa, rough travel times and day trip or overnight.
Read the guideKathmandu to Tansen: Road and Air Options
Kathmandu to Tansen takes a full day by road. Compare the two main routes, flying to Bhairahawa or Pokhara, and good places to break the journey.
Read the guideBhairahawa Airport to Tansen: Arriving by Air
Flying to Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa is a quick way to reach Tansen. How the drive up works and how long to allow.
Read the guideChitwan and Tansen Itinerary: Jungle to Hills
A five-day outline pairing Chitwan National Park with a slower stay in the hills of Tansen, with realistic pacing and options for the onward journey.
Read the guideOne Week in Western Nepal: Pokhara, Tansen and Lumbini
A seven-day itinerary from Kathmandu through Pokhara, Tansen and Lumbini, flying home from Bhairahawa, with realistic travel times between stops.
Read the guideTen-Day Nepal Itinerary With a Farmstay
A ten-day Nepal loop through Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini, Tansen and Pokhara, built around three unhurried nights at a farm stay in the hills.
Read the guidePokhara to Lumbini: Breaking the Journey in Tansen
Pokhara to Lumbini is a long day by road. Why Tansen makes a natural halfway stop, how many nights to plan and how to time each leg.
Read the guideButwal Travel Hub: Gateway to Tansen and Lumbini
Butwal is where the Siddhartha Highway meets the plains. What to expect when changing transport there and how it links Tansen, Lumbini and Chitwan.
Read the guideGetting Around Nepal by Road: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to road travel in Nepal: buses, shared jeeps and private cars, why journeys take longer than the map suggests, and how to plan.
Read the guideBest Time to Visit Nepal: A Season-by-Season Guide
When to visit Nepal, season by season: clear autumn skies, cool winters in the hills, warm springs and the green, wet monsoon, and what each means for you.
Read the guideMonsoon Travel in Nepal: What to Expect
What travelling in Nepal during the monsoon is really like, from rain patterns and road delays to what to pack and why the hills can be a good choice.
Read the guideTravelling During Dashain and Tihar in Nepal
Dashain and Tihar are Nepal's biggest festivals. What they involve, when they usually fall and how they affect transport and opening hours.
Read the guideMoney and Payments in Nepal: Cash, Cards and ATMs
How money works for travellers in Nepal: the Nepalese rupee, where ATMs and cards are useful, why cash matters in smaller towns and what to check.
Read the guideSIM Cards and Internet in Nepal for Travellers
How to stay connected in Nepal: buying a local SIM from Nepal Telecom or Ncell, what ID you need, mobile coverage in the hills and Wi-Fi.
Read the guideNepal culture & food
Dal Bhat Explained: Nepal's Everyday Meal
What dal bhat is, what comes on the plate, when Nepalis eat it and how to enjoy it as a guest, from second helpings to eating with your hand.
Read the guideNepali Tea: A Guide to Chiya and Tea Culture
How Nepali milk tea, or chiya, is made and served, where to drink it, the other teas you may be offered, and why accepting a cup matters.
Read the guideSimple Nepali Phrases for Travellers
Useful Nepali words and phrases for travellers, written in Roman script with plain meanings, from greetings and thanks to food, prices and polite address.
Read the guideNepal Etiquette: A Practical Guide for Visitors
Practical Nepal etiquette for visitors: greetings, shoes, hands and feet, sharing food, dress and photographs, with tips for staying in homes.
Read the guideVisiting Temples in Nepal: Etiquette and Tips
How to visit Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas in Nepal respectfully: what to wear, shoes and leather, walking clockwise, offerings and photographs.
Read the guideNewar Heritage in Tansen: A Visitor's Guide
How Newar merchant families shaped Tansen's old bazaar, what to look for in its brick houses and carved windows, and how to explore it respectfully.
Read the guideSeasonal Fruit in Nepal: What to Eat and When
A rough guide to Nepal's fruit seasons, from mangoes and lychees in early summer to winter oranges, with tips for buying and eating fruit well.
Read the guideVisiting Lumbini, Birthplace of the Buddha
A practical guide to visiting Lumbini: the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka pillar, the monastic zone, how to plan your day and getting there from Tansen.
Read the guideThe Kali Gandaki River: A Guide for Visitors
Where the Kali Gandaki River comes from, why it matters in Nepal, and how to see it near Tansen at Ridi Bazaar and below Rani Mahal in Palpa.
Read the guideNepal's Middle Hills Explained for Travellers
How Nepal divides into the Terai plains, the middle hills and the high mountains, what each band is like to visit, and where Tansen fits in.
Read the guideWhat to Pack for a Nepal Farm Stay
A practical packing list for a farm stay in Nepal's hills: clothes for each season, footwear, rain gear, a torch and the small extras worth bringing.
Read the guideResponsible Travel in Rural Nepal: Simple Ways to Help
Simple ways to travel responsibly in rural Nepal: respecting farms and homes, cutting plastic, spending locally, photographing with care and giving well.
Read the guideSlow Travel in Nepal: How to Plan a Calmer Trip
How to slow down on a Nepal holiday: fewer bases, realistic road times, spare days and small daily habits that let you get to know a place.
Read the guideFarmstay or Homestay in Nepal: Which Suits You?
The difference between a farmstay and a homestay in Nepal, what each is usually like, and the questions to ask so you choose the stay that suits you.
Read the guidePhotography in Palpa: Light, Views and Etiquette
Tips for photographing Tansen and Palpa: the best light by season, morning mist and mountain views, the old bazaar, people, temples and drones.
Read the guideLife at Bulbul
A Day at Bulbul Farm Retreat in Tansen
How an unhurried day at Bulbul Farm Retreat in Bartung, Tansen might unfold, from garden mornings and farm breakfasts to evening bonfires.
Read the guideFarm-to-Table Food at Bulbul Farm Retreat
What farm-to-table means at Bulbul Farm Retreat in Tansen: home cooking with farm vegetables, fresh eggs and seasonal fruit, served outdoors.
Read the guideMeet the Farm Animals at Bulbul Farm Retreat
Ducks and ducklings, goats, hens, a rooster, a turkey and two golden dogs: who you will meet at Bulbul Farm Retreat and how to be a kind visitor.
Read the guideBonfires and Stargazing at Bulbul Farm Retreat
Evenings at Bulbul Farm Retreat can end by a bonfire under the stars. When the skies over Tansen are clearest, what to wear and how to see more.
Read the guideCamping at Bulbul Farm Retreat in Tansen
Camping at Bulbul Farm Retreat is possible on request. What to ask the hosts, which seasons suit a tent in Palpa's hills and what to pack.
Read the guideHammocks, Swings and Quiet Corners at Bulbul
Where to slow down at Bulbul Farm Retreat in Tansen: hammocks, a garden swing, a shaded pavilion, colourful murals and views towards the hills.
Read the guideThe Bulbul Bird: A Garden Songbird of Nepal
Bulbuls are a family of lively songbirds. How to recognise the red-vented bulbul, common in Nepal's lower and middle hills, and where to look.
Read the guideBirdwatching Around Tansen: A Beginner's Guide
Practical birdwatching tips for Tansen and Palpa: when birds are most active, what to bring, common middle-hills species and how to watch kindly.
Read the guideA Family Farm Stay in Nepal: What to Know
Planning a family farm stay in Nepal? What children enjoy at Bulbul Farm Retreat in Tansen, what to ask the hosts and what to bring with you.
Read the guideWorking Remotely From a Farm Stay in Nepal
Thinking of working remotely from a farm stay in Nepal? What to check with the hosts about Wi-Fi and space, and how to prepare for power cuts.
Read the guideThe Make Memories Handprint Wall at Bulbul
Guests at Bulbul Farm Retreat can leave a handprint on the Make Memories wall. What the wall is, how to take part and tips for a good photograph.
Read the guideA Nepali Welcome: Greetings and Hospitality
What a traditional Nepali welcome can involve, from namaste to a tika or a garland, and how to receive it gracefully when you arrive at Bulbul.
Read the guideA Weekend Getaway From Butwal to Tansen
A short hill escape from Butwal or Bhairahawa: how to reach Tansen in about two hours, when to go and how to spend a slow weekend at Bulbul.
Read the guideGroup Stays and Celebrations at Bulbul Farm Retreat
Planning a birthday, family gathering or trip with friends at Bulbul Farm Retreat in Tansen? What to tell the hosts and how to plan a group stay.
Read the guideYour First Stay at Bulbul: What to Expect
First time at Bulbul Farm Retreat? How booking works, arriving in Bartung, what the room has and the small things that make a stay go smoothly.
Read the guide