From Pokhara
South along the Siddhartha Highway through the hills. A good way to break the journey from Pokhara to Lumbini.
Tansen, Palpa.
Time to look around.
Bring curiosity to your Nepal travels. Explore Tansen at your own pace, then return to the gardens of Bulbul Farm Retreat in Bartung for a quieter part of the day.
THE TOWN & ITS SURROUNDINGSOld streets.
Old streets.
Fresh perspective.
Tansen is the headquarters of Palpa District. Its old bazaar has cobbled streets and traditional Newari houses; Shreenagar Hill is another place to explore. Beyond town, Rani Mahal stands beside the Kali Gandaki River.
These highlights are described in the Nepal Tourism Board’s guide to Tansen and Palpa. Use that overview to choose what interests you, then check current access and practical arrangements before setting out.
You need not see everything in a single day. Choose one outing, leave space for a meal, and enjoy the discoveries between planned stops.
AN IDEA, NOT A SCHEDULEA slower day
A slower day
around Tansen.
A flexible suggestion to adapt to your interests, energy and local conditions.
- 01 / BEGIN
Ease into the morning.
Give yourself time at the farm before heading out. Discuss your route with the hosts and decide how much walking feels right. A simple plan leaves room to linger.
- 02 / EXPLORE
Choose one thread to follow.
Spend time around the old bazaar, or plan a separate outing to a place that catches your interest. Ask locally about arrangements for Shreenagar Hill or Rani Mahal instead of trying to fit every stop into one afternoon.
- 03 / RETURN
Leave something for tomorrow.
Return to Bulbul for garden time and a rest. Ask about meal arrangements ahead of time, browse your photographs, and let the next day take shape without rushing it.
From Bhairahawa & Lumbini
Gautam Buddha International Airport has flights from Kathmandu. Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace, is nearby.
From Kathmandu
A long overland journey. Many travellers fly to Bhairahawa or Pokhara and continue by road.
A BASE IN BARTUNGCome back
Come back
to the garden.
See photographs of the retreat and meet the idea behind Bulbul before you enquire. Our farmstay in Nepal guide can help you decide how a quieter stop fits your holiday, and our short Nepal travel guides cover routes, seasons, food and customs.
Planning your visit
Where is Bulbul Farm Retreat?
Bulbul is in Bartung, on the Bartung–Tansen Road in Tansen, Palpa, Lumbini Province, Nepal. Use the map and agree the final arrival directions with the hosts.
How do I get to Tansen?
Tansen is on the Siddhartha Highway in the hills between Pokhara and Butwal. By road it is roughly four to five hours from Pokhara, about two hours from Butwal and around two to three hours from Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. Times vary with the season and road conditions.
Are these guided tours offered by the retreat?
These are independent trip ideas, not a tour package. Discuss your interests and any transport or guiding needs with the hosts before making arrangements.
How should I plan arrival and sightseeing?
Leave room for the journey and avoid a tight arrival-day schedule. Check current transport, weather and attraction access locally, then choose plans that suit your time and mobility.
A LITTLE EXPLORING. A LITTLE REST.Make Palpa
Request your dates