Delhi to Nepal by Road : In a Day!
Riding to Nepal always fascinates everyone, for a simple reason that it is across the border. However, Nepal is easier to reach than you may think.
In fact, you would be surprised to know that it can easily be a long weekend ride without any hassles. Indo-Nepal is an open border for Indians, which means you neither have to worry about visa nor the passport.
The image below shows the points through which you can enter Nepal with your own vehicle.
Here is the list of all the borders with names of Indian and corresponding Nepal towns.
1. Banbasa - Uttarkhand | Mahendranagar, Gaddachauki - Nepal
2. Mohana - Uttar Pradesh | Dhangadi - Nepal
3. Rupaidiya - Uttar Pradesh | Nepalgunj - Nepal
4. Sunauli - Uttar Pradesh | Belahiya - Nepal
5. Raxual - Bihar | Birgunj - Nepal
6. Pani Tanki - West Bengal | Kakarbhitta- Nepal
Let us now tell you, how Delhi - Nepal can be done in a day!
Out of all the six borders mentioned above, Banbasa /Mahendranagar is the shortest from Delhi. Also, this is the least commercial border as only two-wheelers can pass through. Hence, it is a jackpot for the riders.
Here on, all the points mentioned would be for Banbasa border. Distance / Route
The total distance is 320 km from Delhi.
From Delhi, you would be required to take Gajraula -Moradabad highway until Rampur. After Rampur, the main highway leads to Bareilly / Lucknow, whereas for Nepal you would need to take a left for Rudrapur. There are a lot of villages that you would cross before reaching the border. Note: It is advised to take a pit stop at Gajraula / Moradabad as you may not find many good options after that.
You can also check out our video to understand the route:
What to expect at the Indian border?
Just before the border, there is a dam, crossing for which is meant only for two-wheelers. Once you cross the dam you will see the Indian flag from a distance. That's when you are approaching the Indian check post. 1. Check Post
The security check is mandatory. The officials would ask you few questions, would check your paper, will make an entry and at times, they may ask you to open up the luggage too.
Just after the check post is the customs office on the right side, which Indians can skip, it is required only for foreign nationals.
Going forward, will be a facade with Indian emblem on it (as show in the image above), marking the end of Indian territory. 2. No Man's Land
After crossing the Indian Border, there is a patch of approx. 1 Km. which is called no man’s land, you may get confused that you have entered Nepal. There are e-rickshaw rides available in this area to take people from one border to another. This patch does not belong to any of the two countries. What to expect at the Nepal border?
Unlike at the Indian border, while entering Nepal border you will not find any facade which marks the beginning of Nepal. But you can make out the difference with the beginning of the tarmac road. 1. Entering Nepal
Few meters into Nepal territory you will see a check post, but unlike Indian security, they did not stop us.
Going forward on left you will find the immigration office, which is for foreign nationals. A little ahead, on right is the temporary import office. This one is for us and important too. 2. Temporary Import Office
You need a vehicle permit to ride in Nepal. For the permit, you will have to go to this office, show your driver’s license and bike’s insurance. You would be required to fill out of a form with all the necessary details. But this form would be in the Nepali language, and the government agents would fill it out for you.
Form looks like the one shown in the image below:
You would get a permit for a fee of about 52 Indian Rupees per day. Total fee would be calculated on the the number of days you need the permit for.
The fee would be in NPR (Nepali currency). But no worries in case if you have not got the money exchanged yet, as there is no need, the Indian currency is well accepted. Please note nobody is going to stop you and ask you to get the permits. As you have already entered Nepal, you may keep riding without taking permits as well. But you will get in trouble if you are caught by the cops, for which chances are very high as Indian number plates are easily recognizable (Nepal number plates are red). This pass is important to obtain, Indian vehicles without the pass are treated illegally smuggled. Your vehicle can be seized if you do not have the permits with you.
What to expect in Nepal? Currency
The Nepali currency is called NPR, which is also know as rupees and its 1.6 times cheaper than Indian Currency. Indian currency is popularly known as "IC" and is well accepted here. So we did not really feel the need to exchange the currency anywhere. You can withdraw the money from ATMs as well, most of the cards work here. There may be a small fee involved per transaction though. Note: You may face problem paying with 2000 Rs note, but smaller currencies are well accepted here. Liquor
Unlike India, Nepal sells liquor freely. You can find liquor even in the remotest places. Even the small shops have liquor stocked with them. So no need to carry your own booze in case you do ;) Note: Try Nepal’s locally brewed beer - Gurkha.
Have a great trip to Nepal!
