Getting there
Getting to west Nepal: flights, highways, buses and jeeps
Almost every journey into the west runs through one of two doors: a small plane out of Nepalgunj or Surkhet, or a long day on a mountain highway. These pages cover both, with the schedules, fares and road seasons dated to the day they were checked.
10 pages in this section
Nepalgunj: the airport hub for flights into west Nepal
Nepalgunj guide for west Nepal: Ranjha Airport, flights from Kathmandu, onward flights to Jumla, Simikot, Dolpa and Mugu, climate and the new terminal.
Getting thereFlights to Jumla: Nepalgunj and Surkhet schedules and airport facts
Flights to Jumla from Nepalgunj and Surkhet: the Nepal Airlines October 2026 timetable, other operators, Jumla Airport facts and past incidents.
Getting thereFlights to Simikot: Nepalgunj and Surkhet schedules for Humla
Flights to Simikot, Humla: the Nepal Airlines October 2026 timetable from Nepalgunj and Surkhet, other operators, airport facts and the way on to Hilsa.
Getting thereFlights to Talcha: the airstrip for Rara Lake from Nepalgunj and Surkhet
Flights to Talcha airport for Rara Lake: Nepal Airlines October 2026 timetable from Nepalgunj and Surkhet, flight times, the walk to the lake, incidents.
Getting thereFlights to Juphal: Nepalgunj to Dolpa for Phoksundo and Dolpo
Flights to Juphal airport in Dolpa: the Nepal Airlines October 2026 timetable from Nepalgunj, operators, airport facts, the walk to Dunai and weather closures.
Getting thereKarnali Highway: route, dated closure reports and safety record
Karnali Highway (NH58) from Banke to Hilsa: the route, how it opened, dated landslide and collapse reports from 2025 and the July 2026 accident figures.
Getting thereBuses and jeeps to Jumla and Mugu: the Karnali Highway road
Road transport to Jumla and Mugu: the Karnali Highway, direct buses, fares, journey times, night driving ban and the accident and landslide record.
Getting thereMonsoon road closures in west Nepal: dated landslide and highway reports
Dated record of monsoon landslides and closures on the Karnali Highway and the roads from Kathmandu, 2025 to 2026, with what authorities told travellers.
Getting thereKathmandu to the far west by road: Mahendra Highway buses to Mahendra Nagar
Kathmandu to Mahendra Nagar and Dhangadhi by road: the Mahendra Highway stages, a deluxe bus timetable seen October 2026, and Dashain 2026 disruption.
Getting thereBest time to visit west Nepal: Rara, Khaptad and the Karnali roads by month
When to go to Rara, Khaptad and the Karnali roads: season ranges from the Nepal Tourism Board and operators, the monsoon, winter snow and dated closures.