Travelling to WordCamp Nepal 2026 and keen to make the most of your time in Butwal?
This guide helps you plan simple things to do before or after the sessions, without overthinking it.
WordCamp Nepal 2026 will take place on 23–24 January 2026, hosted at Manigram Bishram Batika, Butwal.
Whether you’ve got one free evening or a full extra day, you’ll find easy picks in the city and a few great short trips nearby.
Quick Planning Box
Best Time Windows
- Thu 22 Jan (evening): Arrive, check in, quick city stroll.
- Fri 23 Jan: Explore before sessions, or after Contributor Day.
- Sat 24 Jan: Explore after Conference Day (great for dinner + a short outing).
- Sun 25 Jan (if you stay an extra day): Best time for a proper day trip.
How Far Can You Go?
- 2 hours Free: Stay inside Butwal. Pick one spot, keep it simple.
- Half-Day Free: Choose one nearby attraction, then come back in time to rest.
- Full Day Free: Do a bigger loop, but start early and plan your transport the day before.
January Weather (What to Pack)
- January is one of the coolest times in Butwal. Expect warm-ish days and cooler mornings/nights.
- Typical temps sit around 22–23°C in the day and ~12°C at night, so a light jacket is handy.
- Always check the forecast for the week you travel, as temperatures can swing a bit.
Top things to do in Butwal
If you’ve got a spare hour or two around the event, these are places you can visit.
Manimukunda Sen Park (Phulbari)
A mix of gardens, viewpoints, and local history. The park is a major attraction in Butwal, featuring the ruins of King Manimukunda Sen’s palace. Give yourself 60–90 mins for a relaxed walk and photos.
Jit Gadhi (Butwal Gadhi)
A quick stop with real historical weight. This fort in Butwal was used in the Anglo-Nepalese War, including the Battle of Jitgadhi (1814) led by Ujir Singh Thapa. There’s also a war museum nearby, so plan 45–75 mins.
Siddha Baba Temple (Dobhan area)
A short trip that feels like a proper change of scene. It’s in Dobhan-5, Palpa, around 2 km from Butwal, on the left bank of the Tinau River along the Siddhartha Highway. Great for a calm visit.
Tinau River (sunset walk)
Good when you want a break without “doing an attraction”. Butwal sits beside the Tinau River, and the river flows through the town area before heading towards India. The best time is late afternoon for photos and cooler air.
Batauli Bazaar (old market area)
If you want something local and lively, this is it. Batauli Bazaar is described as Butwal’s oldest residential area, on the western bank of the Tinau River, and it’s even where the city name comes from. Go for a wander, grab snacks, and shop small. Aim for early evening when it’s busy but not too late.
Day Trips
Lumbini (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Worth the time, but not a quick in-and-out visit. Driving distance from Butwal is about 37 km (around 37 minutes each way in good conditions). The site itself includes the Maya Devi Temple remains, the Ashoka pillar, and other archaeological features inside the conservation area.
What to prioritise if you’re short on time:
- The Maya Devi Temple zone and the core heritage area first.
- Then pick a small handful of monasteries, not all of them.
Tansen (Palpa)
A hill-town day trip with views and a different vibe. The bus trip from Butwal is commonly quoted at around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Rani Mahal (Ranighat Palace)
Best added on if you’re already doing Palpa. It’s a historic Rana-era palace on the Kali Gandaki River in Palpa.
Things to do that aren’t “just visiting places.”
Here are more ideas besides the ones we already listed:
- Cafe-hop (and get some work done): Butwal has a decent cafe scene, so you can grab coffee, a snack, and chill for an hour.
- Do a proper night out: Hit a bar/pub with music and food.
- Try a “local snack challenge”: Add Fulki to your must-try list (it’s often called out as a Butwal favourite).
- Street-food crawl (pick 3–5 stops): If you want a simple route idea, there are Butwal street-food tours that people follow and share.
- Watch a movie at the cinema: iNi Cinemas has a location in Butwal City Center for an easy evening plan.
- Go for a “view + tea” mini drive: Jordhara (towards Palpa/Pokhara) is a popular hillside stop for views and warm snacks like batuk and pakoda.
- Souvenir hunt (if you’re doing the Palpa/Tansen side): Spend 30 minutes picking up Dhaka fabric items (topi, bags, purses) as proper take-home gifts.
Choose Your Own Mini Itineraries
Pick one based on how much free time you actually have. (And leave a bit of buffer. Traffic and queues happen.)
1. If you have 2 hours: Phulbari + Tinau Riverside
Best for: quick views, a light walk, easy photos.
- 60–90 mins: Manimukunda Sen Park (Phulbari). It’s a major Butwal attraction, with the ruins of King Manimukunda Sen’s palace inside the park.
- 30–45 mins: a short walk by the Tinau River for a reset before your next session. The Tinau flows through the Terai plain at Butwal.
2. If you have half a day (3–5 hours): Jit Gadhi + Siddha Baba
Best for: local history + a meaningful temple visit.
- 90 mins: Jit Gadhi. It’s tied to the Anglo-Nepalese War, and the site commemorates Col Ujir Singh Thapa.
- 60–90 mins: Siddha Baba Temple (Dobhan). It’s about 2 km from Butwal, on the left bank of the Tinau River.
- Food break: Keep it simple. Eat near Butwal before you head back.
3. If you have a full day: Lumbini (plus a quick monastery loop)
Best for: the “I came all this way, I should do it properly” day.
- Morning: Start at the Sacred Garden area. Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with key remains linked to the birthplace tradition, including the Ashoka pillar.
- Midday: prioritise Maya Devi Temple and the core heritage zone. Maya Devi Temple is the main temple at Lumbini, next to the sacred garden and pool.
- Afternoon: do a small loop of a few monasteries, then head back.
- Don’t try to see everything in one go. You’ll enjoy it more.
Practical Tips for Visitors
1. Getting around
Taxi / private car
- Best if you’re in a group, short on time, or doing a day trip.
- It’s the easiest option for places outside the city.
Local transport
- Butwal has buses, microbuses, taxis, and rickshaws. Local transport is cheaper, but it can be busy and less predictable.
2. What to wear in January?
Butwal is cooler in January. Days are usually around 22–23°C, and nights can drop to about 12°C.
Pack simple layers:
- T-shirt + light jumper for daytime
- Light jacket for mornings and evenings
- Closed shoes for cooler nights
- Socks (handy for temples, because you’ll remove shoes)
3. Respect at temples and heritage sites
- Remove shoes (and hats) before entering temples or sacred spaces.
- Dress modestly. Cover shoulders and knees, especially at temples.
- Keep your voice low. Ask before taking photos in sensitive areas.
4. Safety and basic travel common sense
Nepal has a low rate of serious crime, but petty theft can happen.
- Watch for pickpockets, especially on buses and in crowded places.
- Be careful walking at night, especially in poorly lit areas.
- Carry only what you need, and keep valuables secured (hotel safe if possible).
See you at WordCamp Nepal 2026.