Excited to see the mesmerizing Phoksundo Lake or planning to go for a comprehensive Upper Dolpo trek?
I’m pretty sure you’re frustrated trying to find the cheapest possible way to get to Dolpa, right?
Getting to Tallubagar is probably what you’ve been recommended the most.
But here’s a secret—you can reach Dunai within just 25-30 hours from Kathmandu, and there’s a DIRECT bus route too!
How amazing is that? Now, you no longer need to deal with the hassle of switching between multiple modes of transportation.
Stick with me until the end to learn the precise details of the bus service and some alternative modes you can consider.
Kathmandu to Dolpa Route Map
Option 1: Direct Bus From Kathmandu to Dolpa
| Distance | 850 to 900 km (approx.) |
| Time | 25-30 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy-Moderate |
| Route | Kathmandu – Pokhara – Baglung – Kankri – Rukumkot – Khalanga – Simli – Rimna – Chisapani – Radi – Tallubagar – Suligad – Dunai |
| Ticket Price | Rs. 6,000 per person (estimate) |
This is undoubtedly the #1 way to reach Dolpa. And I’m sure this is what most of you have been eagerly searching to discover.
Until recently, there wasn’t any direct bus service to any part of the Dolpa region. The usual hassle involved traveling to Tallubagar and finding a jeep to continue toward Suligad or Dunai.
Thankfully, that’s no longer necessary if you’re heading to Shey Phoksundo National Park or the headquarters of Dolpa district.
The ticket price is a bit steep—Rs. 6,000 per person. We tried negotiating, but the price remained the same, whether from Kathmandu or even Munglin.
The price drops slightly in Pokhara (Rs. 5,500).
Expect to reach Dolpa in about 30 hours. For us, it took 29 hours, despite a two-hour delay in Munglin. It’s a funny story—read about it here.
Option 2: Via Bike or a Private Vehicle
| Time | <30 hours (can increase if you decide to go slow) |
| Difficulty | Difficult |
| Preferred Route | Same as the bus |
Given the availability of a direct bus service, you can also consider taking your own vehicle.
The road conditions have improved slightly in recent years, but they’re still rough. You’ll need to cross the Thuli Bheri river multiple times, which carries its own risks!
If you’re planning to visit Dolpo during monsoon, taking a private vehicle might not be the wisest choice.
However, during peak season, many travelers opt for this method. Follow the same route as the bus for a faster journey instead of detouring through Nepalgunj or Surkhet.
Once you enter Tripurakot, reaching Dunai becomes a bit easy.
For those heading to Phoksundo Lake or Upper Dolpo, you can park your car or bike at the Suligad Army Check Post.
Option 3: Fly to Nepalgunj/Surkhet Then Bus/Jeep to Dolpa
| Time | 1 hour flight + 12-15 hours bus ride |
| Difficulty | Easy-Moderate |
| Route | Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Rimna – Chisapani – Radi – Tallubagar – Suligad – Dunai |
| Ticket Price | Rs. 5500 – 10,000 flight + Rs. 3000 – 3500 bus fare |
This option is more comfortable but comes at a higher cost.
You can book flights using digital payment platforms like eSewa, Khalti, Fonepay, or MyPay.
There are some tips to save money, which I’ll share in a separate travel tips article soon.
The main idea is to find the cheapest flight to Nepalgunj or Surkhet. From there, you can explore new bus services available in these areas—information you’ll uncover once you arrive.
Spend the night, explore the locality, and catch an early bus or jeep. This approach feels more relaxed compared to rushing through everything.
I’m not exactly sure, but based on my research, the bus ticket price from Nepalgunj to Dolpa should be around Rs. 3,000–3,500 via Dolpa Shey-Phoksundo Yatayat (source).
Option 4: Bus Ride to Nepalgunj/Surkhet/West Rukum Then Bus/Jeep to Dolpa
| Time | 2 days |
| Difficulty | Moderate-Difficult |
| Route | Same as option 3 |
If you’re looking to save on flights, switching vehicles twice is a solid alternative.
Some friends I met during my Phoksundo trip stopped at Solabang, West Rukum, stayed overnight, and then caught another bus to Dolpa.
Basically, there are multiple routes to reach Dolpa, and you can choose the option that suits you best.
But if you’re looking to minimize hassle, the first option is hands down the best on this list.
Option 5: Fly to Nepalgunj/Surkhet Then Fly to Dolpa
| Time | 1 hours flight + 45 mins flight |
| Difficulty | Easy (but Difficult to get the flight) |
| Ticket Price | Rs. 5,500 – 10,000 first flight + unknown (could be similar) |
This option requires a great deal of luck and high budget.
While flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj or Surkhet are easy to find, direct flights to Juphal aren’t available.
Even flights from Nepalgunj to Juphal are hard to come by due to local syndicates (at least that’s what I’ve heard).
So, for now, cross this option off the list and hope for more convenient flight options in the future.
Returning to Kathmandu From Dolpa
If you’re stuck in Dolpa, the same bus has got you covered. Head to the Dunai bus park and buy tickets for Pokhara or Kathmandu.
And note that the price is relatively cheaper when you return to Kathmandu. You should get the tickets in local price. While we can assist you on this as well, it’s better to contact the agents roaming around.
You’ll also find vehicles heading to Nepalgunj or Surkhet, where you can catch a return flight to Kathmandu.
For the direct bus service, it might take a little longer since the bus stops to gather passengers along the way. Expect a journey of about 30–35 hours back to the capital.
The ticket price remains the same. However, if you’re traveling in a large group, you might manage to bargain like we did and save around Rs. 500.
Final Words
Nepal’s road infrastructure is evolving gradually, and we can expect major improvements in the coming years.
As of 2025, though, the bus option stands out, and I highly recommend it.
Do you know of other transportation options? Share them in the comments below—we’d all love to hear them!
The most important thing is safety. Since you’ll be traveling such a long distance, I genuinely hope your journey is safe and smooth. Happy traveling!
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