Siddha Gufa, Nepal: Guide to the Largest Cave in Nepal
Are you looking for information on visiting Siddha Gufa?
You’ve come to the right place as I live in Nepal and had an adventurous trip to Siddha Gufa. Here is all the information you need to have when planning your trip.
Siddha Gufa (or Siddha Cave) is the largest cave in Nepal and the second biggest cave in South Asia. It’s a limestone cave, about 50 metres high and 430 metres deep.
It is estimated that the cave is 3,500 years old but it was only discovered in 1988 by a group of hikers.
If you would like to visit the Siddha Cave, you can either hike there from Bandipur or walk up to the cave from Bimalnagar.
Looking for other things to do in Bandipur? Check out the best things to do in Bandipur.
Siddha Gufa, Nepal: A Quick Guide
Short on time? No worries, here is a quick guide to Siddha Gufa:
Siddha Gufa Opening Times: 10 am-7 pm every day
Siddha Gufa Entry Fee: Rs. 100 (+ optional: Rs. 100 for guide fees)
How to get to Siddha Gufa? Hike from Bandipur or walk from Bimalnagar.
What to Wear? Clothes you don’t mind to get dirty.
What to Take with You? Headlamp, although they will give you a torch.
Information for Visiting Siddha Gufa
- Opening times: every day: 10 am – 7 pm
- Entry fee: Rs. 100 (+ Rs. 100 for guide fees)
- Duration of the tour of the cave: about 45 mins
How to Get to Siddha Gufa
Hike from Bandipur to Siddha Gufa
There is a hiking trail from Bandipur to Siddha Gufa. The trail is all downhill and takes about 50 minutes to reach the cave.
The hike itself to Siddha Gufa is pretty adventurous but be careful as some parts of the trail are steep and slippery.
In the mornings, the weather is still a bit foggy on the trail but it clears around noon.
Walking from Bimalnagar to Siddha Gufa
Bimalnagar is a town near Dumre and you can also reach the Siddha Gufa from here.
Actually, it is much faster to reach the Siddha Gufa Cave from Bimalnagar. From Bimalnagar, there is a path made of stairs that go to Siddha Gufa. It takes about 20 minutes uphill stairs to reach the cave.
How to Get Back from Siddha Gufa to Bandipur
Hike Back to Bandipur
Hiking back the same way to Bandipur is one of the options.
The hike back will be uphill and more exhausting if you are already tired. If you feel too tired to hike back uphill, you can take the stairs downhill to Bimalnagar and take a bus from there.
Walk Down to Bimalnagar and Take the Bus
The way down to Bimalnagar is an easier and shorter option. There are stairs leading down from Siddha Gufa to Bimalnagar and it takes only about 20 minutes.
Once you get down to the main highway, take a bus from Bimalnagar to Dumre (5 minutes bus ride, costs Rs. 20), then take another bus from Dumre to Bandipur (30 minutes bus ride, costs Rs. 100).
Inside Siddha Gufa Bandipur
Route and Ropes
Once you start walking inside the cave, you will see how big the cave really is. A “route” was built inside the cave and people can go quite far inside the cave.
This route was established with the building of some stairs and by fixing ropes along the cave.
The sections where you have to use the ropes are really adventurous – I mean, it is one thing to go up but you will also have to come back down.
Limestone Formations
Inside the cave, you may also be able to spot various formations. If you have a guide with you, he will be able to point out the spots where the formations are.
Some of the formations include a lion’s head, elephant, chicken, old man’s face and broccoli-shaped formations.
There are also some bats inside the cave but it is not possible to spot as many as in the Bat Cave in Pokhara.
Overall, if you have only visited smaller caves previously, then this cave will really surprise you. I did not know how big it was going to be or that we will be able to go so deep inside the cave.
If you are in Bandipur, I definitely recommend to check out the Siddha Gufa Cave.
⭐ Explore Nepal’s biggest cave and book a private tour to Bandipur and Siddha Gufa here!
Sometimes, a Sadhu also stays inside the cave to perform prayers and meditations. They sit near the entrance, so if there is a sadhu there on the day of your visit, you will see him early on during your tour of the cave.
Things to Know Before Going
Is the Guide Worth it?
When you buy your entrance ticket to the cave, there is also an option to get a guide for Rs. 100.
If you are on your own and there are no other people at the cave when you arrive, it is best to go with the guide as the cave is big and dark, so it can be risky to go on your own.
If you are in a group (even if just 2 people), you are good to go without a guide.
I liked having the guide as he could point out the formations inside the cave that I would not have been able to spot otherwise.
Take a Headlamp with You
There are no lights inside the cave, although they will give you a torch, it is much better of you have a headlamp.
When you are climbing through some sections of the cave, you will have to use both of your hands to get up and down with the rope. If you have a headlamp, you will be able to use the ropes with both hands and be able to see better.
💡 Grab your headlamp now! (Useful both when trekking or visiting caves in Nepal)
What to Wear When Visiting the Siddha Cave?
Be prepared that your shoes and clothes may get a bit dirty as you adventure through the cave. So, it is best to wear something that you do not mind getting dirty.
Activities in Bandipur, Nepal
You came to this post to find information about visiting Siddha Gufa, however, if you are curious here are some additional activities that are great to do while in Bandipur:
- Hike up to the Thani Mai Temple and see the sunrise or sunset
- Hike from Bandipur to Ramkot
- Check out the Newari architecture of Bandipur
- Eat and drink in one of the cute cafes and restaurants in Bandipur
- Try Newari food
- Visit the Silkworm Farm (best time to visit between April to October)
Bandipur is a beautiful little town on the way between Kathmandu and Pokhara and is a popular destination to enjoy Himalayan views, go hiking or just chill at one of the cafes and restaurants.
Bandipur is famous for its well-preserved Newari architecture (wooden carved windows and red bricks). It is so charming with its architecture and restaurants on the main street that it is often compared to being in Belgium or France.
FAQs: Siddha Gufa, Nepal
Which is the largest cave in Nepal?
In Nepali, ‘gufa’ means ‘cave’. The largest gufa in Nepal is the Siddha Cave near Bandipur. It’s a limestone cave, about 50 metres high and 430 metres deep.
It is estimated to be 3,500 years old but was only discovered in 1988 by a group of hikers. The cave is located about 1 hour hike from Bandipur.
What is the second largest cave in South Asia?
The Siddha Cave in Nepal is the second largest cave in South Asia. It is located near the town of Bandipur and can be reached by a 50 minutes hike.
Siddha Gufa is a limestone cave, and is 50 metres high and 430 metres deep.
In which district in Nepal is the Siddha Cave located?
The Siddha Cave is located in the Tanahun District of Nepal. It is about half-way between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The closest towns are Bandipur and Bimalnagar.
It is a popular activity to hike from Bandipur to the Siddha Cave. The hike takes about 50 minutes downhill.
How tall is Siddha Gufa?
Siddha Gufa is 50 metres high and 430 metres deep. It make it the largest cave in Nepal, as well as the second largest cave in South Asia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, visiting the Siddha Gufa (Siddha Cave) is an adventurous half-day trip from Bandipur.
It can be reached either by a 50-minute downhill hike from Bandipur or by a 20-minute walk from Bimalnagar.
Siddha Cave is the biggest cave in Nepal and the tour inside the cave takes about 45 minutes. Inside the cave you can see various limestone formations and it is a pretty adventurous route inside with the support of ropes.
