Lake · 2,890 m
Gupha Pokhari
A small ridge-top lake in the Tinjure-Milke rhododendron hills, with views of the eastern Himalaya on clear days.
बसन्तपुर
Basantapur
A high ridge bazaar on the Koshi Highway and the usual start for walks into the Tinjure-Milke rhododendron hills.
This is Basantapur, the hill bazaar on the Koshi Highway in Terhathum district, not Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Terhathum, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Basantapur is a cool, often misty bazaar on the Koshi Highway north of Hile, set high on a ridge where the road begins to wind towards Sankhuwasabha. For travellers it is above all a starting point: trails lead north from here along the Tinjure, Milke and Jaljale ridges, an area celebrated in Nepal for its rhododendron forests, and on towards Gupha Pokhari and the Kanchenjunga foothills.
In spring, from about March to April, the ridges above Basantapur turn red, pink and white as many species of rhododendron flower, and Nepali walkers come in growing numbers. In autumn the same ridges offer clear views north to the high peaks of eastern Nepal, including the Makalu and Kanchenjunga ranges on good days.
The bazaar itself is a line of shops, eateries and simple lodges along the road, serving bus passengers, traders and walkers. It is a practical place to spend a night, stock up and find a guide or porter before heading onto the ridges.
History and culture
Before the highway reached it, Basantapur was a well-known stage on the walking route from Dhankuta and Hile towards the Arun and Tamor valleys, and trekking parties bound for the Kanchenjunga and Makalu areas often started here. The road has since pushed further north, but the trail network along the ridges remains in use.
The surrounding hills are home to Limbu, Rai, Gurung, Sherpa and other communities, and the area lies on the edge of Limbuwan. Small Hindu shrines and Buddhist prayer flags are both common along the ridges.
Things to do in Basantapur
Rhododendron walk
Walk the ridge trails north of the bazaar in March and April when the forests are in flower.
Trek to Gupha Pokhari
Follow the ridge for a few days to the small lake at Gupha Pokhari, staying in simple lodges and homestays.
Day hike
Climb a nearby high point at dawn for mountain views on a clear morning.
Weather and the best time to visit Basantapur
Weather in Basantapur
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November have the clearest mountain views.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cold and often foggy on the ridge; occasional snow on higher trails.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are the rhododendron season and the main walking season.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, misty and leech-ridden on the forest trails.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHotelsHomestays
Simple lodges and hotels along the highway in the bazaar; homestays and teahouses on the ridge trails.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Basantapur is on the Koshi Highway beyond Dhankuta and Hile; buses and jeeps from Dharan pass through.
Nearest hub: Dharan
- roadFrom Dharan, take a bus or jeep up the Koshi Highway via Dhankuta and Hile to Basantapur; allow most of a day.
- flightThe nearest airport with regular flights is Biratnagar, then road via Dharan.
- trekWalking trails lead north from Basantapur along the Tinjure ridge towards Gupha Pokhari.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed for Basantapur or the Tinjure ridge walks.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Basantapur
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain from June to September brings landslides and slips on the Koshi Highway between Dharan and Basantapur, and journeys can be delayed for hours or days.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Feb
Winter on the ridge is cold and foggy, and nights in simple lodges can be chilly.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Carry rain gear and warm clothes in any season; weather on the ridge changes quickly.
- Hire a local guide for the ridge trails, where paths branch through forest.
- Carry cash for lodges on the trail.
- Spring weekends can be busy with domestic walkers; plan accommodation ahead.
Questions about Basantapur
Where is Basantapur?
On the Koshi Highway in Terhathum district, beyond Dhankuta and Hile, in eastern Nepal.
When do the rhododendrons flower?
Mainly in March and April, varying with altitude and the year.
Can I walk from Basantapur to Gupha Pokhari?
Yes, ridge trails lead there over a few days, with simple lodges and homestays on the way.
Is this the same as Basantapur Durbar Square?
No, that is the old royal square in Kathmandu; this is a hill bazaar in Terhathum.
Nearby
Town or village
Myanglung
The ridge-top headquarters of Terhathum, a Limbu town known across Nepal for its hand-woven dhaka cloth.
Town or village
Hile
A cool ridge bazaar on the Koshi Highway above Dhankuta, known for its hill food and mountain views.
Town or village
Dhankuta
A tidy ridge-top town on the Koshi Highway above Dharan, and a pleasant base for the eastern hills.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Terhathum District, Wikipedia, Koshi Highway, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board