
Driving the amazing BP Highway in Nepal
Nepal, asia
158 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through eastern Nepal? You NEED to experience the BP Highway! Named after a former Nepali leader, this paved ribbon of road (also called H06 or the Banepa Bardibas Highway) winds for 158 km (98 mi) from Dhulikhel, just east of Kathmandu, all the way to Bardibas where it joins the East West Highway.
Construction started way back in 1996 and it finally opened in 2015. This route links the Kathmandu Valley to the Eastern Terai, carving its way through a landscape of rivers, hills, and valleys. Think picturesque bends and jaw-dropping viewpoints perfect for soaking in those majestic mountain vistas.
Budget around 4 hours for the drive – without stops, that is! You'll definitely want to pad that time to pull over and enjoy the scenery.
Now, a word of caution: locals will tell you this road is a bit spicy. It's in good shape, but super narrow with tons of curves and hairpin turns – sometimes barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Larger public vehicles are banned, and speeding is a real problem. Plus, the road is prone to flooding, earthquakes, and landslides, and some of the bridges have seen better days. Drive carefully and keep those eyes peeled!
Where is it?
Driving the amazing BP Highway in Nepal is located in Nepal (asia). Coordinates: 28.9755, 84.3121
Road Details
- Country
- Nepal
- Continent
- asia
- Length
- 158 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 28.9755, 84.3121
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