Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour Package by Private Vehicle

Trip Glance

The Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan tour package is a seven-day, six-night round trip from Kathmandu, with two nights in the capital, two in Chitwan, and two in Pokhara. The vehicle covers about 600-650 km, including three highway days and local sightseeing. The lowest point is Sauraha on the edge of the Terai, under 250 metres above sea level, and the highest is the Sarangkot viewpoint at 1,592 metres, so altitude is not a concern. No trekking is required, and no road permits are needed. All roads are paved, though some sections are under widening, so a comfortable vehicle and a careful driver matter more than four-wheel drive. Read our guide Explore Nepal Your Way for more ideas on travelling Nepal by road.

How This Tour Differs from Our Other Nepal Tours

We offer several multi-day road tours, and it helps to know which one suits you best.

• This 7-day Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara loop covers the three classic destinations with two nights in each, visiting Chitwan before Pokhara and adding Bandipur on the way.
• Our 9-day Nepal holiday tour adds Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace, for travellers with more time.
• Shorter Kathmandu and Pokhara tours suit travellers with only four or five days who want mountains rather than wildlife.
• The Nepal tour from Gorakhpur starts and ends at the Indian border, ideal for visitors arriving overland from India.
• The Nepal Nekhor Tour focuses on Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Route Overview: Kathmandu to Chitwan

The first highway leg is about 16- 175 km. From Kathmandu, the road climbs to the valley rim at Nagdhung, then descends to Naubise, the start of the Prithvi Highway. It then follows the Trishuli River for about 85 km through Galchhi, Gajuri, Malekhu, Benighat and Kurintar to Mugling, the busy junction where the Trishuli meets the Marsyangdi. From Mugling, the 36 km road to Narayanghat runs through the Narayani gorge, a widened section on Nepal’s smoother mountain. At Narayanghat, the river becomes the Narayani, one of the country’s great rivers, and the landscape changes to flat farmland and sal forest. Bharatpur, the district centre, has an airport and large hospitals. From there,e the East-West Highway leads east to Tandi, also called Ratnanagar, and a short road south reaches Sauraha. Lodges in the park’s western sector, around Meghauli, use a different turn-off. For a shared seat on this route, see our Kathmandu to Chitwan bus.

Route Overview: Chitwan to Pokhara

The second leg retraces the road north through Narayanghat and the gorge to Mugling, then turns west along the Prithvi Highway for about 95 km to Pokhara. Along the way you pass Anbu Khaireni, the junction for the historic hill town of Gorkha; Dumre, the junction for Bandipur and for Besisahar, the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit Trek; and Damauli, the headquarters of Tanahun district. The final stretch crosses rolling hills into the Pokhara valley, where the Annapurna range appears ahead on a clear afternoon. Budget travellers sometimes take the Pokhara-to-Chitwan bus the other way, but it cannot stop at Bandipur. Travellers who want to spend a night in the hill town can split the drive with the Bandipur-to-Pokhara car.

Route Overview: Pokhara to Kathmandu

The last leg follows the Prithvi Highway east from Pokhara to Naubise (about 174 km), then climbs the final 26 km into the Kathmandu Valley. You see the Trishuli Valley again, this time with the morning light behind you. The Manakamana cable car station at Kurintar makes a good stop roughly halfway. This leg follows the same route as our Pokhara-to-Kathmandu car and private Scorpio hire services.

Kathmandu Valley Highlights on This Tour

The two days in Kathmandu are short, so it helps to know what makes each site special before you arrive.

Swayambhunath. The stupa crowns a hill on the city’s western edge. Legend says the hill rose from the lake that once filled the valley, and a lotus bloomed here, casting a light that drew saints and pilgrims. The Buddha’s painted eyes on the tower look out in all four directions.

Kathmandu Durbar Square. The coronation square of the old kings, full of multi-roofed temples, stone statues and carved wooden windows. The Kumari, a young girl worshipped as a living goddess, lives in the carved palace on its southern side and sometimes appears at her window.

Patan Durbar Square. Patan, also called Lalitpur, the city of beauty, has been a centre of fine metalwork and woodcarving for centuries. Its square is one of Asia’s most harmonious temple complexes, and the Patan Museum in the old palace is among the region’s best museums.

Pashupatinath. Hindus from across Nepal and India come here to worship Lord Shiva. Visitors of other faiths can walk through the outer complex and watch the rituals by the river, while Hindus use the main temple.

Boudhanath. The great stupa is the spiritual centre of Nepal’s Tibetan Buddhist community. In the evening, monks, families, and pilgrims walk clockwise around it, spinning prayer wheels and chanting, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Road Condition and Safety

All three highway legs are paved two-lane roads, but they are busy mountain and lowland roads rather than motorways. Average speeds on the Prithvi Highway are usually 25 to 40 km per hour because of bends, trucks, and road widening, and slightly faster on the straight roads of the Terai. Where widening is finished, the road is wide and smooth; where it is still underway, expect gravel, dust in dry weather, mud after rain, and occasional one-way traffic control. Driving times on this page are therefore given as ranges.

The monsoon season increases landslide risk between Naubise and Mugling and can flood low roads in the Terai. Our office checks road reports daily and adjusts departure times or routes as needed. Winter mornings bring dense fog in the Chitwan plains and the river valleys, which can slow early starts. During the main festival holidays, traffic leaving and entering Kathmandu is very heavy.

Our drivers are licensed for tourist vehicles, drive these roads every week, never overtake on blind bends,s and rest every two to three hours. We service vehicles on schedule and check them before every multi-day tour; every seat has a seat belt, and we avoid highway driving after dark. Read more in our article on safe transportation during Nepal tours.

Vehicle Options for the Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour

Choose the vehicle by group size, luggage and comfort on three long highway days.

Car. A private sedan or hatchback for one to three travellers with normal luggage, quiet and comfortable on paved highways. Couples and solo travellers usually book a private car with driver.

Jeep and Scorpio. A Mahindra Scorpio or similar jeep for four to six travellers, with higher seats, firmer suspension and more ground clearance for construction zones and the steep roads to Sarangkot, Pumdikot and Bandipur. Our Kathmandu to Pokhara private Scorpio page shows the same vehicle on a single transfer. See the full jeep hire in Nepal fleet.

Hiace. The Toyota Hiace seats seven to thirteen travellers, with a high roof, large windows, air-conditioning and space for luggage in the rear or on a roof carrier. It is the most popular choice for groups. See the Hiace page and our note on Nepal vehicle rental with roof luggage space.

Coaster bus. A Coaster for fifteen to twenty-five travellers, with reclining seats and a luggage area, small enough to reach most hotels in Lakeside and Sauraha.

Bus. A full-size tourist bus for thirty to forty travellers. In narrow lanes, the bus stops at the nearest permitted point, and the group walks the last few minutes.

The same vehicle and driver normally stay with you for the whole tour, and very large groups can be split between vehicles.

Service Options: Private, One-Day, Two-Way and Shared

Private hire. This package is a private hire: the vehicle is reserved for your group alone, and you plan from start to finish.

One-day hire. A vehicle for a single day, such as a day of Kathmandu sightseeing or a single transfer between two cities. Some guests book only individual legs, such as Kathmandu to Chitwan by private car or Pokhara to Chitwan by private car.

Two-way hire. A round trip between two places in the same vehicle. This seven-day loop is effectively a multi-stop round trip from Kathmandu.

Shared. Individual seats on tourist buses between the three cities, available through our Kathmandu to Pokhara bus tickets and Chitwan to Kathmandu bus pages. Shared seats suit flexible solo travellers but cannot offer sightseeing days, Bandipur, sunrise drives or hotel-door service.

To discuss any of these options, send your dates and group size through our contact page.

Pickup and Drop Options

The tour normally begins and ends at Tribhuvan International Airport, but it can start from any hotel in the Kathmandu Valley. Guests flying into Pokhara can start there with a Pokhara airport transfer, and those arriving by air in Bharatpur can start in Chitwan. Visitors entering Nepal overland from India at Sunauli can start with the Sunauli to Pokhara car or, in reverse, the Kathmandu to Sunauli car, adapting the loop to begin and end at the border.

Best Time for a Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour

The tour runs year-round, and each season brings something different to the mountains, the valley, and the jungle.

Autumn is the peak season. After the monsoon, skies are clear, the Annapurna range stands out sharply above Phewa Lake, and the great festivals of Dasain and Tihar fill Kathmandu with colour. In Chitwan,n the grass is still tall early in the season, so wildlife can be harder to see until it is cut.

Winter brings cool, clear days in Kathmandu and Pokhara and pleasant weather in Chitwan, with excellent bird watching as migratory species arrive. Thick morning fog often blankets the Terai until mid-morning, delaying early safaris and departures.

Spring is warm, with rhododendrons on the hills and long evenings by the lake. In Chitwan, locals cut and burn the tall grass early in the season, making rhinos deer-like and other animals much easier to spot. Late spring is hot in the lowlands, and haze can hide the mountains by midday.

Monsoon turns the whole country green and brings the fewest visitors. Mountain views are limited, landslides can delay the highways, and some jungle activities are restricted during the heaviest rains. A private vehicle is the most flexible way to travel in this season, and we build extra time into each driving day.

Places to See and Stops Along the Way

A private vehicle lets you enjoy the journey between the cities as much as the destinations.

• Roadside stalls beside the Trishuli, famous for fried river fish.
• Kurintar and Manakamana. The cable car to the wish-fulfilling temple of Manakamana Devi, a popular stop on the return to Kathmandu.
• The meeting point of the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers and of the three highways of this tour.
• The Narayani gorge. The river cuts dramatically through the last line of hills before the plains.
• A quiet pilgrimage site near Narayanghat, where the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers meet, and elderly Hindus traditionally come to spend their final years.
• The car-free Newari hill bazaar, ideal for lunch on the way from Chitwan to Pokhara.
• The Seti and Madi confluence and the Vyas cave.
• Bis Hazari Tal. The Twenty Thousand Lakes wetland near Sauraha, rich in birdlife.

Life in Chitwan Beyond the Safari

Chitwan is more than a national park. The Tharu people have lived in the Terai for centuries. They are known for their malaria resistance, distinctive painted houses, and stick dance, performed every evening in Sauraha. A walk or bicycle ride through a Tharu village shows traditional fishing methods, rice farming and homes decorated with clay reliefs. The Tharu Cultural Museum in Sauraha explains their history and customs. Many families now run homestays, which offer a closer look at village life. At sunset, the riverbank at Sauraha fills with visitors watching the sky turn orange over the Rapti, sometimes with a rhino grazing on the far shore.

Entry Fees, Park Activities and Permits

No trekking or road permit is needed for this tour. Foreign visitors pay entry fees at heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, at several attractions in Pokhara, and at Chitwan National Park. Inside the park, you book and pay for each activity, such as the jeep safari, canoe ride, jungle walk, and bird watching, separately, usually through your lodge, and a licensed nature guide must accompany you. These fees are not part of the vehicle hire and change over time, with different rates for foreign, SAARC, and Nepali visitors, so carry Nepali rupees in cash. Your own vehicle cannot enter the park itself; safaris use the park’s registered open jeeps.

Adventures and Onward Treks

From Pokhara. Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna region. Short treks such as the Muldai View Trek and the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek take four to six days, while the Annapurna Base Camp Trek takes about ten. Our trailhead transport includes Pokhara to Nayapul transport, the Pokhara to Ghandruk jeep, the Pokhara to Ulleri private jeep, and the Pokhara to Ghorepani Poon Hill jeep hire. For a half-day thrill, try the Kusma bungee jump or the Annapurna helicopter tour. Read our guide on booking a hotel in Pokhara before you go.

From Kathmandu. For a close look at the highest mountains without trekking, take the Mt Everest by helicopter tour. Trekkers with two weeks can join the Everest Base Camp Trek, or choose the comfort of the Everest Base Camp luxury trek. The Langtang Valley Trek starts with a day’s drive north on our Kathmandu-to-Syabrubesi jeep transfer.

From Chitwan. Wildlife lovers with more time can continue west to the wilder Bardia National Park or east to the wetlands of Koshi Tappu. River enthusiasts can raft the Trishuli on the way from Kathmandu with our sister company’s Trishuli River rafting trip.

Extend Your Journey

• Add one or two days to visit the birthplace of the Buddha, drive from Chitwan to Lumbini by private car and return to Kathmandu, or continue to Pokhara.
• Finish with a night on the valley rim for a Himalayan sunrise, using our Kathmandu to Nagarkot vehicle or the early-morning Nagarkot sunrise tour.
• Muktinath and Mustang. Pilgrims continue from Pokhara with the Pokhara to Mustang jeep, following our Muktinath Yatra plan, and may later join the Upper Mustang Trek or the Upper Mustang luxury lodge tour.
• The city of Sita lies east of Chitwan, reached with the Kathmandu to Janakpur car.
• Bhutan and Tibet. Our sister companies arrange the Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour, the Luxury Nepal Bhutan Tour and the Lhasa Tibet Tour.
• Luxury trekking. For upgraded lodges on the trail, browse Alpine Luxury Treks’ luxury treks and short scenic treks.

A Typical Day on the Road

Knowing the rhythm of a highway day helps you plan meals, rest and sightseeing.

Early start. On each of the three long driving days, breakfast is usually around 6:30 am and departure around 7 am. Hotels can prepare packed breakfasts if you prefer to leave even earlier.

Morning stop. After two to three hours, the driver stops for tea, snacks and a toilet break, often at a riverside restaurant in Malekhu, Kurintar, or Mgling.

Lunch. Lunch is served around midday at a clean tourist restaurant on the highway, or in Bandipur on the Chitwan-to-Pokhara day. Nepali dal bhat, fried rice, noodles and simple Western dishes are widely available.

Afternoon arrival. Most legs end in the early or mid-afternoon, leaving time to check in, rest and enjoy a sunset walk by the Rapti River or Phewa Lake.

Sightseeing days. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, a vehicle is available for a full day of sightseeing, usually from about 8 or 9 am until late afternoon, plus the pre-dawn drive to Sarangkot.

Choosing Hotels and Lodges

Hotels aren’t included in the vehicle package, so you can choose where you stay. In Kathmandu, Thamel is lively and close to restaurants, while Lazimpat, Patan and Boudha are quieter. In Sauraha, jungle lodges range from simple guesthouses to riverside resorts, and many offer activity packages. In Pokhara, Lakeside has the widest choice of hotels, cafes and shops, while hotels on the hills offer mountain views and peace. Please tell us where you plan to stay, and the driver will know the best route to your door. We can also recommend places that suit your budget and style.

Who This Tour Suits

First-time visitors. In one week, you can experience Nepal’s culture and wildlife, including monkeys at Swayambhunath, rhinos in Chitwan, boats on Phewa Lake, and caves in Pokhara, keeping children excited every day. The driver stops whenever needed, and child seats are available on request.

Senior travellers. No trekking or high altitude; drives include regular stops, and the vehicle drops you close to each site.

Couples and honeymooners. Jungle lodges, lakeside evenings and Himalayan sunrises make a romantic combination.

Groups and corporate teams. A Hiace, Coaster or bus keeps everyone together on one schedule.

Photographers and nature lovers. Temple architecture, wildlife, birds, rivers and mountains offer a remarkable range of subjects in a single week.

Packing and Preparation Tips

• Pack for three climates: cool mornings in Kathmandu and at Sarangkot, mild days in Pokhara, and warm, humid weather in Chitwan for much of the year.
• Wear neutral colours such as green, brown and khaki for jungle activities, and bring insect repellent.
• Bring a warm layer for the Sarangkot sunrise and a light rain jacket in every season.
• Comfortable walking shoes are essential for temple squares, caves and jungle walks.
• Keep a small day bag in the cabin with water, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and any medicine you need during the drives.
• If you suffer from motion sickness, take your usual remedy before the winding sections and ask for a front seat.
• Carry cash in Nepali rupees for entry fees and park activities.
• Binoculars are very useful in Chitwan for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Tour

• Leave by 7 am on highway days to avoid the heaviest traffic and leave time for stops.
• Book Chitwan activities in advance during the peak season, as jeep safaris fill up.
• Tell us your hotels and lodges before the tour so the driver can plan the best approach roads, especially in Sauraha.
• Keep the final day relaxed, with a generous buffer before your international flight.
• In winter, expect fog in Chitwan until mid-morning and plan safaris for later in the day.
• In the monsoon season, keep one flexible half-day in case a landslide delays a transfer.
• If you continue to high-altitude treks after the tour, read our notes on altitude sickness.

Responsible Travel on This Route

A few simple choices help keep Nepal’s heritage sites, wildlife and communities healthy for future visitors.

• In Chitwan. Keep a quiet distance from wildlife, follow your nature guide’s instructions at all times, and never feed or approach animals. Choose activities that respect animal welfare, such as jeep safaris, canoe rides, walks, and birdwatching.
• At temples. Dress modestly, walk clockwise around stupas, remove shoes where asked, and ask before photographing people, especially at Pashupatinath and during ceremonies.
• On the road. Carry a refillable water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles, and take your rubbish with you to dispose of in town.
• In villages. Buy handicrafts, honey and local produce directly from makers, and consider a Tharu homestay or community-run activity in Sauraha so that tourism income reaches local families.
• With your driver. Our drivers are happy to switch off the engine while waiting and avoid unnecessary idling, which helps keep the air cleaner in the busy valley.

These small steps make a real difference in a country where tourism supports so many households.

Why Choose Nepal Vehicle Hiring Pvt Ltd

Nepal Vehicle Hiring Pvt Ltd is a Kathmandu-based tourist transport company, and our drivers know the Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara triangle route best. Learn more about us on the About Us page.

• One vehicle, one driver. The same team for all seven days, from airport pickup to airport drop.
• A full fleet. Cars, jeeps, Scorpios, Hiaces, Coasters, and buses, all from one company.
• Experienced highway drivers. Licensed, courteous and familiar with every rest stop and alternative road.
• Flexible itineraries. Reverse the loop, add Lumbini or Nagarkot, or extend your stay in Pokhara.
• Clear written plans. A day-by-day itinerary that lists exactly what is included and what is not.
• Trek and tour partners. Through our sister companies,s we can add treks, safaris, luxury holidays and journeys to Bhutan and Tibet.

Our article on quality transport in Nepal explains the standards we follow.

Related Vehicle Hire Services

• Kathmandu to Pokhara car for a one-way transfer to the lake city.
• Chitwan to Kathmandu private car for a short jungle break from the capital.
• Lumbini to Chitwan by private car for the pilgrimage route.
• Kathmandu to Bandipur by private car for an overnight stay in the hill town.
• Kathmandu to Pokhara by bus and Pokhara to Kathmandu by bus for shared tourist bus seats.
• Kathmandu to BesisbyAhar by private vehicle to start the Annapurna Circuit.
• Kathmandu to Soti Khola by jeep for the Manaslu Circuit Trek.
• Kathmandu one-day tour and one-day jeep hire in the Kathmandu Valley for an extra day in the capital.
• Our complete list of trekking transport services and the Nepal Vehicle Hiring blog for more route guides.

How to Book

• Step 1: Send your details. Share your arrival and departure dates, flight times, group size, hotels and preferred vehicle through the Plan a Trip form, by email or on WhatsApp at +977 9814227196
• Step 2: Receive your plan. We reply with a day-by-day itinerary and booking details for your group.
• Step 3: Confirm. Confirm the booking, and we reserve the vehicle and driver for your dates.
• Step 4: Travel. We’ll send yourdriver’ss name and phone number before you arrive, andhe’llemeets you at the airport on Day 1.

Book Your Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Tour Package Today

Ancient temples and stupas, rhinos in the morning mist, a hill town lunch above the clouds and sunrise over the Annapurna range: this is Nepal at its very best, all in one week. Reserve your Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan tour package with Nepal Vehicle Hiring Pvt Ltd and travel the whole route with one trusted driver. Message us on WhatsApp at +977 9814227196, email [email protected], or fill in the Plan a Trip form, and your car, jeep, Scorpio, Hiace, Coaster or bus will be waiting when you land.