A Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan tour works best with a licensed Nepali operator who runs the trip locally rather than reselling it from abroad. Himalayan Social Journey (HSJ) is a Kathmandu-based, government-registered company that builds these itineraries day by day, with its own guides and vehicl
A Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan tour works best with a licensed Nepali operator who runs the trip locally rather than reselling it from abroad. Himalayan Social Journey (HSJ) is a Kathmandu-based, government-registered company that builds these itineraries day by day, with its own guides and vehicles on the ground. Below is what to check in any company, plus the itineraries we run ourselves.
What a Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan Trip Actually Covers
This is Nepal's classic "golden triangle": culture in Kathmandu, mountains and lakes in Pokhara, and jungle wildlife in Chitwan. Most companies, HSJ included, build it as a 5 to 11 day loop, depending on how much time you give each stop.
A typical flow looks like this:
| Stop | What you do | Usual time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath | 2 days |
| Pokhara | Phewa Lake, Sarangkot sunrise, Davis Falls, World Peace Pagoda | 2–3 days |
| Chitwan | Jeep safari, canoe ride, Tharu village, jungle walk | 2–3 days |
Travel between towns is either by domestic flight (20–30 minutes) or by road (5–7 hours, more if there are landslides in monsoon or roadworks on the Prithvi Highway). Flying saves a full day of driving on each leg but costs more and depends on weather.
HSJ itineraries that match this route
- Pokhara & Chitwan Tour – 8 Days – the full loop with comfortable time in each place.
- Nepal Tour: Kathmandu, Pokhara & Chitwan – our standard three-city itinerary for first-time visitors.
- Chitwan & Pokhara Tour – 5 Days – a shorter version if you've already seen Kathmandu or are short on time.
- Chitwan National Park (4 days) – a dedicated safari trip for travellers who want the jungle without the rest of the loop.
- Pokhara Tour (3 days) and Chitwan Tour (3 days) – stand-alone short trips to either destination, useful to bolt onto a trek or a longer Nepal holiday.
If you have two weeks and want to add Tibet, our Kathmandu – Pokhara – Tibet Tour runs 14 days: Kathmandu sightseeing, the Mardi Himal trek from Pokhara, then an overland crossing into Tibet to see Everest's north face and Lhasa.
How to Choose a Company for This Tour
Whoever you book with, check these five things before you pay a deposit.
- Is the company actually licensed in Nepal? Ask for the Nepal Tourism Board registration number. A real local operator will give it without hesitation.
- Who guides you on the ground? Overseas resellers often subcontract to whichever local agency is cheapest that week. A company that runs its own guides and drivers can tell you their names before you arrive.
- What's included in the quoted price? Park entry fees, safari activities, domestic flights, and the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan transport should all be itemised, not bundled into a vague "all inclusive" line.
- Can they show a day-by-day itinerary, not just a brochure? You should know which hotel, which meals, and which activities happen on which day before you book.
- What happens if a flight is cancelled? Kathmandu-Pokhara flights are sometimes delayed by weather. Ask how the company handles rebooking and whether it affects your Chitwan schedule.
Check your home government's current travel advice too — for UK passport holders, the FCDO Nepal page is a good starting point for entry rules and local conditions.
Is it better to fly or drive between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan?
Fly if your trip is 5 days or shorter — a Kathmandu-Pokhara flight takes about 25 minutes versus 6–7 hours by road, and the Kathmandu-Bharatpur (Chitwan) flight is a similar 20–25 minutes against a half-day drive. Drive if you have extra days and want to see the Trishuli valley and Nepal's hill terrace villages along the way, or if you want to combine the drive with a stop for rafting.
How many days do you need for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan?
Seven to nine days is the comfortable minimum: 2 nights Kathmandu, 2–3 nights Pokhara, 2 nights Chitwan, plus travel days. Five days is workable if you fly between cities and accept shorter sightseeing blocks. Four days or less means cutting one destination down to a single overnight, which rushes the safari in particular — a one-night Chitwan stay only gives time for one activity.
Costs to Budget For
These are the fixed government fees that apply regardless of which company you book with. Confirm current rates on the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation site and the Department of Immigration site before you travel, since fees can change.
| Item | Cost (foreign nationals) |
|---|---|
| Chitwan National Park entry | NPR 2,000 (~US$15) per person, per day |
| Chitwan entry, SAARC nationals | NPR 1,000 (~US$8) per day |
| Nepal tourist visa, 15 days | US$30 |
| Nepal tourist visa, 30 days | US$50 |
| Nepal tourist visa, 90 days | US$125 |
| Kathmandu–Pokhara flight (one way) | roughly US$90–145 |
| Kathmandu–Bharatpur (Chitwan) flight (one way) | roughly US$80–130 |
Indian citizens don't need a Nepal visa, and other SAARC nationals get their first 30 days free once a calendar year. Children under 10 enter Chitwan National Park free. Jeep safaris, canoe rides and guided jungle walks inside the park are priced separately from the entry fee — ask your operator to break these out rather than quote one lump sum.
Best Time for a Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan Tour
Two windows work well for all three destinations together:
- October to November — clearest mountain views from Sarangkot and Pokhara's lakeside, comfortable daytime temperatures, and grass in Chitwan has just been cut, which makes wildlife easier to spot.
- March to April — warm, mostly dry, with rhododendrons blooming around Pokhara. Mountain views can be slightly hazier than autumn.
The Nepal Tourism Board lists similar seasonal guidance for all three regions. Avoid June to September if wildlife viewing and mountain views matter to you. The monsoon brings heavy rain, muddy jungle tracks that make jeep safaris difficult, and cloud that hides the Annapurna range. December to February is cooler but still workable, and this is actually the best window for tiger sightings in Chitwan since animals come out to warmer, open areas.
Why Travellers Choose HSJ for This Route
HSJ is based in Kathmandu and has run treks and tours across Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India for years. For a Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan trip specifically, that means:
- Local guides in each city, not a single guide stretched across three regions.
- Itineraries built around your dates and pace — longer or shorter versions of the loop, with or without domestic flights.
- Straightforward combination with a short trek (Mardi Himal or Ghorepani Poonhill from Pokhara) or a jungle safari extension in Bardiya National Park if you want more wildlife time than Chitwan alone offers.
- Clear, itemised quotes covering permits, park fees, transport, and accommodation, so there's nothing to negotiate at the gate.
Browse the full jungle safari and wildlife tour listing or the sightseeing tours category to compare lengths and routes side by side, then ask us for a custom day-by-day plan.
Extending the Trip
If a week in Nepal isn't enough, two directions are common for travellers who've done the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan loop:
- Add a short trek. The Ghorepani Poonhill Trek or a few days in the Annapurna foothills from Pokhara pairs naturally with this route and needs no technical experience.
- Add Tibet. Our 14-day Kathmandu-Pokhara-Tibet itinerary keeps the same Kathmandu and Pokhara days, then crosses overland to see Everest's north face and Lhasa's monasteries before returning.
FAQs
How many days should I spend in Chitwan National Park?
Two full days is the minimum to get a jeep safari, a canoe ride and a jungle walk in without rushing. One night only allows a single activity, usually a short walk or a sunset canoe ride.
Can I visit Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan in one week?
Yes, if you fly between cities. A 7-day plan typically runs 2 nights Kathmandu, 2 nights Pokhara, 2 nights Chitwan, with the Kathmandu-Pokhara and Pokhara-Chitwan legs flown rather than driven.
Do I need a separate permit for Pokhara or Kathmandu sightseeing?
No. Kathmandu's main UNESCO sites (Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath) each charge their own small entry ticket, but there's no regional permit like the ones required for trekking areas. Pokhara sightseeing has no permit requirement either.
Is it cheaper to book Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan separately or as one package?
A single package with one operator is usually cheaper and simpler, since transport and guide handovers between cities are arranged for you. Booking each city separately can work if you're combining very different trip types, such as a long trek plus a short Chitwan add-on.
What's the difference between booking with a Kathmandu-based company and an overseas agency?
A Kathmandu-based, licensed operator runs the trip directly with its own guides, vehicles and local contacts, and can usually adjust the itinerary on short notice. Overseas agencies often resell the same ground arrangements through a local partner, adding a layer of cost and communication delay.
Is Chitwan safe for a family with young children?
Yes. Jeep safaris and canoe rides are suitable for most ages, though some parks set a minimum age for jungle walks and elephant-adjacent activities. Check the specific activity age limits with your operator when booking.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I spend in Chitwan National Park?
Two full days is the minimum to fit a jeep safari, a canoe ride and a jungle walk in without rushing. One night only allows a single activity.
Can I visit Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan in one week?
Yes, if you fly between cities. A 7-day plan typically runs 2 nights Kathmandu, 2 nights Pokhara and 2 nights Chitwan, with flights replacing the longer road legs.
Do I need a separate permit for Pokhara or Kathmandu sightseeing?
No regional permit is needed. Kathmandu's UNESCO sites charge their own small entry tickets, and Pokhara sightseeing has no permit requirement.
Is it cheaper to book Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan separately or as one package?
A single package with one operator is usually cheaper and simpler, since transport and guide handovers between cities are arranged for you.
What's the difference between a Kathmandu-based company and an overseas agency?
A licensed Kathmandu-based operator runs the trip with its own guides and vehicles. Overseas agencies often resell the same ground arrangements through a local partner, adding cost and delay.
Is Chitwan safe for a family with young children?
Yes, jeep safaris and canoe rides suit most ages, though some activities set a minimum age. Check specific age limits with your operator when booking.
