The route down to the plains
The first part of the journey is the slowest. From Tansen, the highway winds down through forest and small settlements to Butwal, which takes roughly one and a half to two hours. The road can be busy with trucks and buses, and roadworks or monsoon landslides can add time.
At Butwal you leave the hills behind. The rest of the drive crosses the flat Terai, past fields and roadside towns, to Bhairahawa and then on to Lumbini. This stretch is easier going, though town traffic can be slow.
Day trip or overnight
A day trip from Tansen is possible, but it means around six hours on the road there and back, which leaves limited time at a large site. Many travellers prefer to spend a night in Lumbini, or to visit on the way to somewhere else, such as a flight from Gautam Buddha International Airport near Bhairahawa.
If you do go and return in one day, leave early, take water and plan to be back on the hill road before dark.
What to expect in Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of the Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The heart of it is the Sacred Garden around the Maya Devi Temple, and a wide monastic zone holds monasteries built by Buddhist communities from many countries. Distances between sites are long, so ask on arrival about current ways to get around.
The plains are much hotter than the hills, especially from late spring into the monsoon. Carry sun protection and dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered. Our guide to visiting Lumbini covers the site in more detail.
Which way round
Coming from Pokhara, it often makes sense to stay in Tansen first and drop down to Lumbini afterwards. Arriving from the south, the order simply reverses. Either way, ask the Bulbul hosts how the road has been recently when you plan your departure.