How to Plan a Comfortable Trip from Kathmandu to Manakamana Temple by Private Vehicle Rental (Car/Jeep/EV/Bus)?

Gorkha is one of the historical places of Nepal, having one of the biggest Hindu temple. The Manakamana Temple, where Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to visit Manakamana yearly. The Manakamana Temple is full of devotees during weekends and in major festivals like Dashain and Tihar.

107 km away from Kathmandu, the condition of the roads and unreliable local transportation make the travel more time-consuming and hectic. Vehicle rental is the best way to make your Manakamna trip easy, smooth and convenient. The proper planning of renting a vehicle not only gives you comfort but also assures your safety. Whether you travel Manakamana with your family,friends or children, hired vehicles are the best option of transportation. 

Here in this article, we will provide benefits of renting a Car or Jeep for Manakamana trip along with their features, cost of hiring, do's and dont's of the trip. 

Why rent a car and jeep for Manakamana trip?

Private vehicles offer unbeatable flexibility, comfortness and convenience. It gives you full freedom while travelling that public vehicles cannot provide.Here’s the list of some benefits of hiring a Car or Jeep for Manakamana Trip:

Comfortable: 

The very first benefit of hired vehicles is comfort. Without comfort, long distance travelling is very hard. Private cars and jeeps offer ample space, legroom and have air conditioning and travel at their own pace. 

Ideal for family:

Personal vehicles are ideal for family traveling.It gives extra comfort and safety for children or old age people. It also allows you to take frequent stops for rest, the easy access to wash rooms, as well as makes your holy journey hassle free and more easier. 

Flexibility:

Flexibility is one of the greatest benefits of hired vehicles. It gives you full freedom while travelling. You can take a break anywhere at any time on the highway at Malekhu or Mugling. You can enjoy the view of the rivers, take pictures, and even take a short nap on the way. 

Safe and dependable:

Rental vehicles come with professional drivers who know the road very well. They are well known for Highway rides, traffic and road conditions. This will give you peace of mind when you are travelling for the first time on the highway. 

Best for one day:

A personal car and Jeep are perfect for one day travelling. Even though it is not that far from Kathmandu, public vehicles take time and you can't make it in one day but renting a private vehicle is a perfect fit for a one day trip. With rental vehicles, you are able to plan your time properly and get back without being in a hurry.

Jeep superiority in monsoon season: Jeep very much recommended vehicles for trips like Manakamana temple.Jeeps are better at tackling rough paths and off  roads along with wet and steep slopes compared to ordinary cars. It has high ground clearance with powerful suspension, making your journey smooth even on rugged roads.

Route from Kathmandu to Manakamana

The Prithvi Highway is the most popular and practical route for Manakamana temple visit.  Through this highway you will see the beautiful villages, scenic landscape, rivers and hills. 

Route overview:

 Kathmandu → Naubise → Malekhu → Muglin → Kurintar (Manakamana Cable Car Station)

The cable car ride starts at Kurintar to Manakamana Temple where one can leave his vehicle and ride the cable car to the temple. Some people like hiking to the temple and it takes 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of visitors walking. 

Estimated Travel Time

Kathmandu to Kurintar by car/jeep: Depending on the road conditions, It takes 4 to 5 hours by Car/Jeep. 

Cable car ride: It takes around 10 to 12 min to reach the Manakamana temple. 

Best Time to go to Manakamana Temple

You should also consider timing when you go to Manakamana temple. A proper timing will make your journey more memorable. 

Best Months: October to April

Monthly, October to April are good because in these months the weather condition is favourable, and the conditions of roads are better.  

Best Days: Weekdays

Weekends are very crowded and visitors often have to wait in the line for long hours for darshan and cable cars. As far as possible, avoid weekends and go on weekdays to have a faster and more relaxed trip. .

During major hindu festivals like Dashain and Tihar, Manakamana Temple is so overcrowded so if possible try not to visit at that time. 

Rental Cost of Car or Jeep Hire (Kathmandu to Manakamana):

The rental cost of a vehicle for the Kathmandu to Manakamana trip depends on the types and model of the vehicles. Here’s the approximate cost breakdown of most common vehicle: but it may vary according to service provider :

Car (Sedan) 

Hiring price: NPR 8,000 to 10,000 (Round Trip)

Ideal for: 2-4 passengers

Comfort level: Highway driving good.

Affordable and economic friendly

Sedans are perfect for those travelers who want a budget friendly option without compromising on quality. Sedans give excellent comfort and smooth ride on the well-paved roads and are perfect for short distance travel. 

SUV

Rental cost:  NPR 10,000 to 13,000 (Round Trip)

An SUV has more space and is more ideal for rough roads.

Best for: 4-6 passengers

Comfort: A lot of luggage space, superior suspension.

The SUVs have a better suspension and comfort that makes long distance travelling more comfortable. It offers ample space for travelers' essentials and has great suspension. This Car is off road friendly and has the capacity to handle sand, mud and snow. 

Jeep (4WD) 

Rental Price: NPR 12,000 to 16,000 (Round Trip)

Best for: 4-6 passengers

Comfort level: Majority of rough and off roads.

A 4WD jeep is the best vehicle for every season, because it has the capacity to fit in any road conditions of Nepal. With high ground clearance and dependability, many travelers choose jeep as their travel partner for off road travelling. 

The best candidate in terms of maximum safety and comfort is jeeps, particularly during bad weather.

Tips for stress free travel manakamana temple distance

The total Manakamana temple distance from Kathmandu is 140KM. And you can reach within 3 to 4 hours from Kathmandu to Manakamana temple by road. If you are not prepared beforehand, problems may arise because it is located on the Prithvi highway. If you are planning to rent car in Nepal, here's some tips for easy and stress-free travel.

Start early in the morning:

Even though it's close to Kathmandu, it's better to leave early in the morning like around 5:00 to 6:00 A. After 6 AM, there are high chances to face traffic jams on the highway and cable cars become congested during the day time and you have to wait for long hours.  

Reserve your car and jeep in advance:

Do not forget to book your vehicles in advance mainly in peak time. Reserving in advance will give varieties of options at lower prices and you have lots of time to plan the trip. 

Choose expert drivers:

Always make sure that your driver has complete knowledge about highway driving. Because highways in Nepal have sharp turns, narrow and bumpy roads and ongoing road work in some places. A professional driver who understands the highway ensures a safe and peaceful trip. 

Reserve cable cars before:

If you are planning to visit Manakamana during weekends, holidays and festive seasons, always book your tickets in advance. The Manakamana cable car is quite congested and pre-preserving will help you to complete your trip on time without any rush and waiting hours. .

Avoid late night travel:

The night travel on highways is not advisable. Night travel is dangerous because there is low visibility at night time, constant road repair and lack of roadside facilities. So back to Kathmandu as soon as possible. 

Check weather conditions:

The weather condition of Nepal is very unpredictable. So always check the weather before travelling. Some parts of roads in Prithvi Highway are always muddy and have high chances of landslides. So avoid Manakamana trip if there is a chance of rainfall  

Car rent Nepal is one of  most comfortable and convenient modes of transportation for Manakamana temple trip. Whether you are travelling with the elderly ones or kids, a private vehicle will make your trip easy and tension free. It will allow you to move at your pace and you can have a break any time anywhere. A well maintained and planned trip with vehicle rental makes your spiritual trip memorable and enjoyable.