Posted by Marino on May 30, 2000 at 11:18:37:
Here's an update as at early May of this route. It took us 6 hours of hot but relatively simple flat/downhill trekking to get from Tatopani to Galeshor. This is a nicer spot for lunch as Beni is too busy/crowded for my liking, especially after trekking through small villages.
From Galeshor, you can charter an old Toyota Landcruiser (which acts as a bus) for 20-30 rupees per person to take you to Beni via a rough road. The bus takes 10 minutes with 10 minutes waiting for locals to fill the 'Cruiser so you may wish to walk the 1 hour to Beni instead.
From Beni the local Tata bus leaves at 2pm or 3-30pm to Pokhara (95rp) - we just missed the 2pm which was frustrating. Getting the 2pm is the key to just a long day and arriving at Pokhara in daylight (instead of a very long day if on the 3-30pm and a nightime arrival). The road from Beni to the 'highway' is still in bad condition and takes 1 hour although not as bad and bumpy as I'd read from posts here 6 months ago.
The bus timetable may of course change from now to the next trekking season. There are other times for buses to Pokhara but I don't remember these.
After the highway it's about 3 hours of tedium to Pokhara. The bus stopps at Naya Pul for about 15 minutes whic felt weird as this was our departure point 10 days previously.
Our bus was delayed an hour due to rain and a minor accident and so arrival at Iceland in Pokhara was not till 9pm - bedtime for trekkers!!!