How to Get from Kathmandu to Manakamana Temple (By Bus, Minivan)
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET FROM KATHMANDU TO MANAKAMANA TEMPLE?
I’ve got you covered! I live in Kathmandu and although I don’t follow the Hindu religion, I was curious to visit the Manakamana Temple. The Manakamana Temple is a sacred Hindu site and you can visit it as a day trip from Kathmandu.
Manakamana is 73 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by frequent, daily buses and minivans.
The minivans (Hiace) go from the Lotse Mall (Gongabu Bus Park) in Kathmandu to Makanamana. It takes 4-5 hours to get from Kathmandu to Manakamana by minivan and costs Rs. 600.
The tourist buses leave from Sorhakhutte (near Thamel) and costs between Rs. 1,200-1,600. The tourist buses go from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan but they also pass by Manakamana. If you want to travel on a tourist bus with more comfortable seats, then this is a good option.
Here is how to get from Kathmandu to Manakamana!
How to Get from Kathmandu to Manakamana Temple
Kathmandu to Manakamana Distance
Manakamana is 73 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by bus and minivans in about 4-5 hours.
Kathmandu to Manakamana Minivan (Hiace)
The minivans to Manakamana leave from the Lotse Mall (next to Gongabu Bus Park) in Kathmandu. The minivans (also called as Hiace) leave about once an hour from 5-6 in the morning.
Most of the minivans continue onwards to Gorkha or Pokhara but you can just get off at Manakamana. It takes about 4-5 hours from Kathmandu to Makanamana by minivans.
Kathmandu to Manakamana Minivan Ticket Price
The price of minivan ticket from Kathmandu to Manakamana is Rs. 600.
A lot of people seem to just buy the ticket in the morning on the spot. If you want to be able to pick your seat, it is better to buy the ticket one day before.
If you show up in the morning, you will not have options left on which seat to pick.
Where to Buy the Minivan Tickets to Manakamana?
There is a ticket counter for minivans by the Lotse Mall (Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu). The ticket counters are inside the parking lot and you will see a couple of ticket booths.
Each ticket booth is selling tickets to different locations but once you get there, someone will ask you where you are going and they will point you to the right ticket counter.
Kathmandu to Manakamana Bus
The tourist buses that operate between Kathmandu-Pokhara and Kathmandu-Chitwan all pass by Manakamana.
The tourist buses are more comfortable than the minivans, however, it is only a 4-5 hour drive. (Bus travel in Nepal can many times take up the whole day, so in this case, 4-5 hours does not count as too long).
The tourist buses leave from Sorhakhutte near Thamel around 7-8 in the morning and you can get the tourist bus ticket from a travel agency in Thamel about 2 days before the trip.
Kathmandu to Manakamana Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket price from Kathmandu to Manakamana is between Rs. 1,200-1,600. This is usually the price of a ticket from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan.
You will have to pay for the full fare as if you were going all the way from Kathmandu to Pokhara/Chitwan as it is not possible to pay less even if you get off halfway at Manakamana. This is just how the tourist buses work in Nepal.
Where to Buy the Bus Tickets to Manakamana
You can buy the bus tickets at one of the travel agencies in Thamel. They will sell you the same ticket as if you were going to Pokhara or Chitwan, just you will get off halfway at Manakamana.
Bus Vs Minivan in Nepal: Which One is Better for You?
The bus generally tends to be a more comfortable way of travel in Nepal as opposed to jeeps or minivans.
The minivans can often get crowded, and you have less space for your legs. If you prefer a more comfortable way of travel, it is better to go by bus.
Manakamana Cable Car
The Manakamana Cable Car was built in 1998 and it was the first cable car in Nepal.
The Manakamana Cable Car was primarily built to transport people to the Manakamana Temple as beforehand, it was only possible to get to the temple by hiking.
The hiking route is still an option form Aanbhu Khaireni, but most people prefer to take the cable car to the Manakamana Temple.
The Manakamana Cable Car covers 3 kms in 10 minutes and the ride itself is fun and scenic.
Manakamana Cable Car Opening Times
8 am – 5 pm (with a break at 12-13:30 pm)
Manakamana Cable Car Ticket Price
- Rs. 770 for Nepali citizens (two-way)
- Rs. 1,000 for Indian citizens (two-way)
- Rs. 2,700 for foreigners (two-way)
Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana Temple is a sacred Hindu site where thousands come each year to perform prayers and offer animal sacrifices (goats).
It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati and was built in pagoda style in the 17th century. ‘Mana’ means ‘heart’ and ‘kamana’ means ‘wish’, and it is believed that if you make a wish here, the wish will come true.
Where is Manakamana Temple Located?
The Manakamana Temple is in the Gorkha District of Nepal, about halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. There are many buses and minivans that pass by Manakamana.
The buses and minivans drop you near the bottom station of the Manakamana Cable Car. From there, the cable car takes about 10 minutes to get up to the Manakamana Temple.
Best Time to Visit the Manakamana Temple
The best time to visit the Manakamana Temple is between October-May. On a clear day, there are great views of the Himalayas from the Manakamana Temple.
When Not to Visit the Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana Temple and Cable Car gets extremely busy on public holidays, with up to 2-3 hours of queues to get on the Manakamana Cable Car.
As you need the Manakamana Cable Car to get up to the Manakamana Temple, it is best to avoid visiting the Manakamana Temple on public holidays.
If you really wish to visit the Manakamana Temple on a holiday, arrive as early as possible and be prepared for a long queue.
Day Trips from Kathmandu
Not sure about visiting Manakamana? There are many other places near Kathmandu that are great for a day trip, including waterfalls, hiking trails, and heritage sites.
Here are some of the best day trips from Kathmandu that can be also extended to 2-3 days, if you have more time:
- Bhaktapur
- Chandragiri Hills and Cable Car
- Kakani
- Nagarkot
- Sundarijal
- Changu Narayan
🌸 For more places near Kathmandu, check out the best day trips from Kathmandu!
Kathmandu Valley Transport Guides
Looking for information about public buses in and around Kathmandu? Check out my Kathmandu transport guides:
- Best Taxi Apps in Kathmandu
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel
- How to Get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Godawari
Nepal Transport Guides
Want to know how to get to other destinations in Nepal? Check out my Nepal transport guides:
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- How to Get from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- How to Get from Pokhara to Chitwan
- How to Get from Chitwan to Pokhara
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan
- How to Get from Chitwan to Kathmandu
- How to Get to Bardia National Park
- How to Get to Bandipur
- How to Get to Janakpur
- How to Get to Tansen (Palpa)
- How to Get to Lumbini
- How to Get to Gorkha
- How to Get to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
FAQs: How to Get from Kathmandu to Manakamana
How do I get from Kathmandu to Manakamana?
To get from Kathmandu to Manakamana you can either take a bus or minivan. Both the buses and minivans go frequently every day to Manakamana. Manakamana is 73 km from Kathmandu and takes 4-5 hours to get there.
Which day is Manakamana closed?
The Manakamana Temple and Cable Car is open every day between 8 am – 5 pm (with a break at 12-13:30 pm).
How far is Manakamana from Kathmandu by flight?
There is no airport in Manakamana, thus there is no flight between Kathmandu and Manakamana.
The closest airport to Manakamana is the Kathmandu Airport, so after arriving in Kathmandu, you can take a bus or minivan from Kathmandu to Manakamana.
Which day is good to visit the Manakamana Temple?
The best time to visit the Manakamana Temple is on a regular week day. On weekends (Saturdays) and public holidays, there are so many visitors going to the Manakamana Temple that there can be up to 2-3 hours queues to the Manakamana Cable Car.
The Manakamana Cable Car is the best way to get to the Manakamana Temple, so in case you decide to visit on a public holiday, make sure to arrive early and be prepared for a long waiting time.
What is the price of the Manakamana Cable Car?
The price of the Manakamana Cable Car varies depending on the nationality. As of 2024, the following prices are applied:
- Rs. 770 for Nepalese (two-way)
- Rs. 1,000 for Indian citizens (two-way)
- Rs. 2,700 for foreigners (two-way)
What is Manakamana famous for?
Manakamana in Nepal is famous for the Manakamana Temple. The Manakamana Temple is a sacred Hindu site and thousands of people visit it every year from Nepal and India to perform praying ceremonies.
‘Mana’ means ‘heart’ and ‘kamana’ means ‘wish’ and it is believed that if you make a wish at the Manakamana Temple, then the wish will come true.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting from Kathmandu to Manakamana is very easy as there are many buses and minivans that go to Manakamana every day.
Manakamana is 73 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by frequent, daily buses and minivans.
The minivans (Hiace) go from the Lotse Mall (Gongabu Bus Park) in Kathmandu to Makanamana. It takes 4-5 hours to get from Kathmandu to Manakamana by minivan and costs Rs. 600.
The tourist buses leave from Sorhakhutte (near Thamel) and costs between Rs. 1,200-1,600. The tourist buses go from Kathmandu to Pokhara or Chitwan but they also pass by Manakamana. If you want to travel on a tourist bus with more comfortable seats, then this is also an option.
