Biratnagar
P
op: 210,000 Area Code: 021
Biratnagar, 200km east of Janakpur, is the second largest city in
Nepal and is an industrial city. Even so, it is not such a bad place.
There is nothing to do here. The countryside is nice in the area.
The only real reason to come here is to get a flight or bus some where
else.
There are various groups of people in the area, including
the local Danuwars and Tharu people. The Danuwars are similar to the
Tharus, but the women wear a unique embroidered sari.
The border crossing at Jogbani, 5km south of town, is closed to foreigners.
The Nepal Bank exchanges money (Sunday to Thursday 10
am to 2 pm, Friday 10 am to noon). The higher end hotel will change
money for their guests.
Where
to Stay and Eat
The places near the bus stand and on Main Road are often noisy.
Hotel Geetanjali (27335), on Malaya Rd near the bus station, has rooms
with common bath for Rs 250 and Rs 300 with bath. It is a nice garden.
Dhankuta Lodge, across from the bus station, is a decent place with
clean rooms with common bath for Rs 120/140 and Rs 175/225 with bath.
The front rooms are noisy.
Kathmandu Guest House, near Traffic Chowk, has dark, quiet rooms with
bath for Rs 140/200. It has a decent restaurant. It is one of the
best budget places.
Hotel Namaskar (21100; fax 25988, 21199; fax 23499), near Traffic
Chowk on Main Rd, is a 15 minute walk from the bus stand. There are
a range of clean rooms with bath beginning at Rs 400 and rooms go
up Rs 1100 for a room with A/C and a sitting room. It has a good restaurant.
It is a good place.
Hotel Swagatam (24450; fax 22299) is a friendly place with clean rooms
for Rs 600. It can be noisy because it is next to the highway.
Hotel Xenial (27303; email: xenial@ccsl.com.np), has good facilities
and has A/C room are $50. It has a pool. It has a pool and a very
good restaurant.
Travel
Air There are flights to Kathmandu for $85 on RNAC
(25576) daily, Necon Air (25987) twice daily, and Buddha Air (24683)
four times daily. The airport is 4km north of town (Rs 175 by taxi).
Flights can be booked at the travel agencies in town.
There are flights to Bhojpur (3 weekly, $45), Calcutta
(3 weekly, $120), Lamidanda (3 weekly, $60), Phaplu (2 weekly, $75),
Rumjatar (1 weekly, $65), Taplejung (4 weekly, $70), Tumlingtar (5
weekly, $50).
Bus There are regular buses to Kathmandu, Janakpur
and Kakarbhitta. Day buses depart to Kathmandu at 5 am (12 hr, Rs
290) and at 5 pm (Rs 325). There are buses to Janakpur (5 am to noon,
Rs 125), Kakarbhitta (3½ hr, 6 am, Rs 75), Birganj (8 hr, Rs
190), Dharan Bazaar (numerous, Rs 27), and Dhankuta (6 am to 3 pm,
Rs 85).
The bus station is southwest of the town center. The Kathmandu–Kakarbhitta
buses that go on the Mahendra Highway, do not go through Biratnagar,
but go through Itahari, 23km north.
