Butwal

Area Code: 071
Butwal was once on the trade rote to Tibet. The old part of town on the west bank of the Tinau River is worth seeing. It is south of Pokhara and north of Sonauli.

Where to Stay and Eat
There are several budget hotels at Traffic Chowk, near the bus stop, in the center of town on the main road.
One of the better budget places is the Hotel New Gandaki (40928) which has really basic rooms with common bath for Rs 140 and Rs 225 with bath.
Santosh Guest House, a few blocks west of Traphik Chowk, is one of the best budget places.
Hotel Siddhartha (40380), Traphik Chowk, has clean, comfortable rooms with bath and hot water for Rs 400/450. It has a good restaurant.
Hotel Kandara (40380), Traphik Chowk, is a modern place with a pleasant, small garden. It has clean rooms with bath for Rs 300/450, with hot water and a carpet for Rs 450/750, and with A/C for Rs 1250. Most rooms have a TV and air-cooler. The rooms in the front can be noisy. It has a decent restaurant.
Hotel Sindoor (40381, 40189), a little south of the bus stand, is a modern quiet place with clean rooms for $24/35. It is a bit overpriced. You may get a discount. It is the best place in town.

Travel
Long distance buses depart from Traffic Chowk, on the main road. The government Sajha Yatayat booking office a little down from Traffic Chowk, across from the modern traditionally-designed temple. There are morning buses to Kathmandu (Rs 145) and Nepalganj (Rs 140).
There regular buses to Bhairawa/Sunauli (23km).
You book private night buses at shop with a red sign (in Nepali), next to Fedee Restaurant at Traffic Chowk. Private day buses are booked at the office (has a red sign in Nepali) between the Siddhartha and Samrat hotels.
There are buses to Birganj (Rs 120), Gorkha (Rs 100), Janakpur (Rs 195), Kathmandu (Rs 150), Mugling (Rs 140, night), Narayanghat (Rs 59, all day), Nepalganj (Rs 150, day and night) and Tansen (Rs 110, morning).

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides