Town or village · 2,070 m
Ghale Gaun
A Gurung hill village in Lamjung known for community homestays and wide views of the Annapurna and Lamjung Himal ranges.
Pokhara & Annapurnaबेसीशहर
Besisahar
Lamjung's district headquarters in the Marsyangdi valley and the traditional starting point of the Annapurna Circuit.
- Altitude
- 760 m*
- Best months
- Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Lamjung, Gandaki
- Permit
- Permit required
Why go
Besisahar is the headquarters of Lamjung district, strung along the east bank of the Marsyangdi river where the valley begins to narrow towards the Himalaya. For decades it has been the place where trekkers begin the Annapurna Circuit, and the town is built around that role, with lodges, gear shops, permit checks and jeep stands for the road up the valley. The surrounding hills are green and terraced, and on clear days the snow of Lamjung Himal and the eastern Annapurnas can be glimpsed to the north.
Since the road up the Marsyangdi was extended towards Chame and Manang, many trekkers now take a jeep from Besisahar and start walking higher up the valley. Others still walk from here or from Bhulbhule and Ngadi to enjoy the lower villages and the gradual change in landscape. Either way, Besisahar is where most people spend their first night in the mountains and organise the last details of the trek.
Beyond its trekking role, Besisahar is a working bazaar for the people of Lamjung, with offices, schools, markets and hydropower projects along the river. It is also the access point for the old Lamjung Durbar on the ridge above town and for Gurung homestay villages such as Ghale Gaun and Bhujung.
History and culture
Lamjung was the seat of a hill kingdom before the unification of Nepal, and its ruling family was closely related to the Shah dynasty of neighbouring Gorkha. The old palace complex of Lamjung Durbar stands on a ridge above Besisahar at Gaunshahar and can be visited on a steep walk or by road.
The Lamjung hills are home to large Gurung communities, as well as Magar, Brahmin-Chhetri and Dalit families, and many local households have members who served in the Gurkha regiments. Gurung culture, including the communal rodhi tradition and festivals such as Lhosar, is strong in the villages around the town.
Things to do in Besisahar
Prepare for the circuit
Check permits, buy last supplies and arrange a jeep or start walking up the Marsyangdi valley.
Lamjung Durbar
Walk or drive up to the old palace complex on the ridge above town for views and a sense of Lamjung's royal past.
Gurung villages
Use Besisahar as a base for visiting Ghale Gaun, Bhujung and other Gurung settlements in the hills.
Weather and the best time to visit Besisahar
Weather in Besisahar
Forecast for 760 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are the main trekking season, with clear skies and busy lodges.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is mild in the valley, though passes higher on the circuit can be snowbound.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April bring rhododendrons on the hillsides and the second trekking season.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, with frequent landslides on the Marsyangdi road and leeches on the trails.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthousesLodges
Many trekker lodges and small hotels along the main road, used to early starts.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Besisahar is reached by road from Dumre on the Prithvi Highway; buses run directly from Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Nearest hub: Pokhara
- roadKathmandu to Besisahar by local or tourist bus via the Prithvi Highway and Dumre, usually most of a day.
- roadPokhara to Besisahar by bus or car via Dumre, roughly half a day.
- jeepShared and reserved jeeps run from Besisahar up the Marsyangdi valley towards Chame and Manang.
Permits and fees
Permit required
Besisahar itself needs no permit, but trekkers continuing up the valley need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, and a trekking registration card may also be required.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Needed for the Annapurna Circuit beyond Besisahar; obtain in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Trekking registration (TIMS): Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Besisahar
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
The Marsyangdi valley road above and below Besisahar is cut by landslides in most monsoon seasons.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJul-Aug
Monsoon swells the Marsyangdi and its side streams, and flash floods can damage roads and trails.
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 enough cash for the circuit; ATMs higher up the valley are few and unreliable.
- Arrange jeeps the evening before; shared seats fill early in the trekking seasons.
- Keep permits handy for checkpoints on the way out of town and further up the valley.
- The valley floor is warm; pack layers for the cold higher up.
Questions about Besisahar
Is Besisahar the start of the Annapurna Circuit?
Traditionally yes; many trekkers now take a jeep from Besisahar and start walking higher up the valley.
How do I get to Besisahar from Kathmandu?
Take a bus along the Prithvi Highway to Dumre and on up the road to Besisahar; direct buses run, usually taking most of a day.
Do I need a permit in Besisahar?
Not for the town itself, but an ACAP permit is needed for the trek beyond.
What else is there to see around Besisahar?
Lamjung Durbar above the town and Gurung villages such as Ghale Gaun and Bhujung.
Nearby
Town or village · 3,519 m
Manang
A high stone village in the upper Marsyangdi valley below Annapurna III and Gangapurna, where Circuit trekkers stop to acclimatise.
National park or conservation area
Annapurna Region
Nepal's largest protected area, from Gurung hill villages and rhododendron forest to the dry valleys behind the Annapurna range.
Trek stop · 2,670 m
Chame
The district headquarters of Manang, a road-head town in fir and pine forest where most Annapurna Circuit trekkers spend a night.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Besisahar, Wikipedia, Lamjung District, Wikipedia, Annapurna Circuit, Wikipedia