The road from Charaali on the Mechi Highway up to Phidim is one of the better drives in eastern Nepal — six hours of winding mountain road through subtropical forest, terraced farms, and a dozen river crossings. The route climbs steadily from the Terai lowlands into the hills, passing through cardamom-growing country and small Limbu settlements.
If you have the option, sit on the left side of the bus for the uphill journey to catch the best views of the valleys dropping away to the south. Local jeeps ply the route as well and cover the distance faster, though road conditions vary significantly with the season — the monsoon makes certain sections dicey.