Town or village
Dhankuta
A tidy ridge-top town on the Koshi Highway above Dharan, and a pleasant base for the eastern hills.
पाख्रिबास
Pakhribas
A hill town in Dhankuta known for its long-running agricultural research centre and quiet farm landscapes.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Dhankuta, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Pakhribas is a hill settlement in Dhankuta district, a short way off the Koshi Highway corridor in the area around Dhankuta and Hile. It is best known in Nepal for its agricultural research station, which has worked for decades on hill farming, livestock and fruit growing, and the surrounding countryside is a patchwork of terraces, orchards, pasture and forest.
For travellers, Pakhribas is a quiet stop rather than a headline sight: a place to walk country lanes, see how farming in the eastern middle hills works, and enjoy views across the Dhankuta hills. It fits easily into a few days spent between Dhankuta, Hile and Basantapur, especially for visitors interested in rural life or with links to the region.
The settlement has grown into a municipal centre with a small bazaar, schools and local services, but it keeps a rural character. Expect simple local eateries and limited accommodation, and plan to base yourself in Dhankuta or Hile if you want more choice.
History and culture
The Pakhribas research centre was set up with British support in the 1970s, partly to help retired Gurkha soldiers and hill farming families in eastern Nepal, and it later became part of Nepal's national agricultural research system. Its work on improved livestock breeds, fodder, and fruit trees has influenced farming across the eastern hills.
The communities around Pakhribas include Rai, Limbu, Magar, Brahmin and Chhetri households, and many families have relatives who served in the Gurkha regiments of the British and Indian armies. Kirat festivals and Hindu festivals are both celebrated.
Things to do in Pakhribas
Farm landscape walk
Walk lanes between villages, orchards and terraces for a view of hill farming.
Combine with Hile
Visit as a half-day trip from Hile or Dhankuta.
Local bazaar
Stop in the small bazaar for tea and local produce in season.
Weather and the best time to visit Pakhribas
Weather in Pakhribas
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 usually clear and dry after the monsoon, with the best chance of mountain views and the Dashain and Tihar festivals.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and generally dry; mornings can be cold and misty, but days are often bright.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March and April are mild, with rhododendrons flowering on the higher ridges; haze often builds by late morning.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet and green; cloud hides the views and hill roads are prone to landslides.
Where to stay
GuesthousesHomestays
Very limited simple lodging and homestays; most visitors stay in Dhankuta or Hile.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Pakhribas is reached by local road from the Dhankuta and Hile area on the Koshi Highway.
Nearest hub: Dhankuta
- roadDrive or take a local bus or jeep from Dhankuta or Hile; the road is a short hill drive.
- roadFrom Dharan, follow the Koshi Highway north to Dhankuta first.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed. Visits to the research station itself may need permission from the centre.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Nepal Tourism Board.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Pakhribas
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 local roads around Pakhribas and the Koshi Highway, and journeys can be delayed for hours or days.
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
- Ask permission before entering research farms or fields.
- Carry cash; banking services are limited compared with Dhankuta.
- Local transport is less frequent than on the main highway; start early.
Questions about Pakhribas
What is Pakhribas known for?
Mainly for its agricultural research centre, established with British support in the 1970s, and its farming landscape.
Is Pakhribas worth visiting?
It suits travellers interested in rural life and hill farming, as a short trip from Dhankuta or Hile.
How do I get to Pakhribas?
By local road from Dhankuta or Hile on the Koshi Highway.
Nearby
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
Basantapur
A high ridge bazaar on the Koshi Highway and the usual start for walks into the Tinjure-Milke rhododendron hills.
Town or village · 310 m
Dharan
A lively foothill city where the plains meet the Mahabharat hills, with hilltop temples, Gurkha heritage and the road up to Bhedetar.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Dhankuta District, Wikipedia, Dhankuta, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board