Nepal itinerary: 5, 7 or 10 days with Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan
Three routes that keep the driving sensible, with times and prices.
For a first trip to Nepal, 7 days is enough for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan: two days in Kathmandu’s old cities, three in Pokhara and two in the jungle at Chitwan. With 5 days, keep to Kathmandu and Pokhara; with 10, add Lumbini, Bandipur or a short trek such as Poon Hill. The drives between them take 4 to 8 hours, so the order matters: Kathmandu, then Pokhara, then Chitwan and back to Kathmandu is the loop that works best.
Nepal in 5 days: Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Day 1: KathmanduArrive, settle in, and walk to Kathmandu Durbar Square and the old bazaars in the late afternoon.
- Day 2: Kathmandu valleySwayambhunath on its hill, Patan Durbar Square, then Pashupatinath and the great stupa of Boudhanath at dusk.
- Day 3: to PokharaFly in 25 minutes, or drive 6 to 8 hours via the Prithvi Highway with stops (our car between Kathmandu and Pokhara: NPR 15,600). Evening by Phewa Lake.
- Day 4: PokharaSunrise at Sarangkot, Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave, the World Peace Pagoda and a boat to Tal Barahi. See our 1-day plan.
- Day 5: back to KathmanduA morning flight, or the drive back, in time for an evening or next-day flight home.
Nepal in 7 days: Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan
- Days 1 and 2: KathmanduThe Durbar Squares of Kathmandu and Patan, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
- Day 3: to PokharaBy road, with lunch at Bandipur or a ride on the Manakamana cable car, or by a short flight. Our car: NPR 15,600 one way.
- Days 4 and 5: PokharaThe north one day (Sarangkot sunrise, the caves, the old town), the south the next (Davis Falls, the Peace Pagoda). See our 2-day plan.
- Day 6: to ChitwanAbout 4 to 5 hours to Sauraha by the edge of Chitwan National Park (NPR 13,200 by car). Sunset by the Rapti river.
- Day 7: Chitwan and backAn early jeep or canoe safari, then the drive to Kathmandu, usually 5 to 7 hours, or a flight from Bharatpur.
In Chitwan, our Chitwan jungle safari (US$ 350 per person for two, 3 days from Pokhara) includes the jeep safari, a canoe trip, a jungle walk and a Tharu cultural programme with two nights in a lodge.
Nepal in 10 days: add Lumbini, Bandipur or a short trek
- Days 1 and 2: KathmanduThe old cities and the great stupas.
- Day 3: BandipurStop a night in the Newar hill town of Bandipur on the way west. Our Bandipur overnight trip from Pokhara: US$ 120 per person.
- Days 4 and 5: PokharaSunrise, lakes, caves and the Peace Pagoda.
- Days 6 to 9: a short trekThe Poon Hill trek, 4 days (US$ 300 per person), or 2 days at Australian Camp and 2 more days in Pokhara.
- Day 10: Chitwan or LumbiniChitwan for the jungle, or Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, 6 to 7 hours from Pokhara (NPR 18,000 by car), with flights to Kathmandu from nearby Bhairahawa.
Our tip: Two more days? Add the Muktinath and Mustang jeep tour from Pokhara: the Kali Gandaki gorge, Kagbeni and the temple of the 108 spouts. See Pokhara to Muktinath.
A pilgrim’s route through Nepal
Many families from India come for the holy places. A route of 8 to 10 days: Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, the Manakamana temple by cable car on the way west, Pokhara with Bindhyabasini and Tal Barahi, two or three days by jeep to Muktinath (NPR 39,600 for a 3-day jeep), then south to Lumbini and out at the Sunauli border. Read Nepal trip from India for documents and money.
The best order, and how to travel between places
Nepal’s hill roads are slow, so plan a loop and avoid going back and forth. Kathmandu to Pokhara is the long one (6 to 8 hours); Pokhara to Chitwan is shorter (4 to 5); Chitwan to Kathmandu is usually 5 to 7. Flying saves the most time between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
| Trip | Carup to 4 people | SUV / jeepup to 6 people | Tourist van10 to 15 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokhara to KathmanduTransfer | NPR 15,600 | NPR 20,400 | NPR 26,400 |
| Pokhara to Chitwan (Sauraha)One way | NPR 13,200 | NPR 16,800 | NPR 20,400 |
| Pokhara to LumbiniTransfer | NPR 18,000 | NPR 24,000 | NPR 30,000 |
| Pokhara to BandipurOne way | NPR 10,800 | NPR 13,200 | NPR 15,600 |
| Pokhara to Sunauli / BhairahawaTransfer | NPR 16,800 | NPR 21,600 | NPR 27,600 |
Guide prices in Nepali rupees, per vehicle with a driver, VAT excluded. We confirm the final price in writing before you book. All 36 routes and prices
Our prices are from Pokhara, one way, per vehicle with a driver. For a pickup in Kathmandu, ask us.
Before you go
- Most visitors can get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival or apply online; check the current rules with Nepal’s Department of Immigration. Indian citizens need no visa.
- Kathmandu’s airport has the most international flights. Pokhara now has a daily flight from Dubai with flydubai (since September 2026), handy if you fly via the Gulf.
- The best seasons are October to November and March to April. See the best time to visit Pokhara.
- Leave a spare day before your flight home: roads and mountain flights can be delayed by weather.
Plan your trip with us
- Send your datesArrival and departure dates, how many people, and what you would like to see, on WhatsApp.
- Get a plan and one priceWe reply with the order, the vehicles, our packages and hotels if you want them, and the total in writing.
- ConfirmA small advance, around 10 to 20 percent, may be asked for some trips. There is no online payment.
Ask on WhatsAppQuestions people ask
How many days do you need in Nepal?
For a first trip, 7 to 10 days: Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan in 7, and Lumbini, Bandipur or a short trek in 10.
Is 5 days enough for Nepal?
Enough for Kathmandu and Pokhara: two days in Kathmandu, two in Pokhara and a travel day. Fly between them to save time.
What is the best order for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan?
Kathmandu, then Pokhara, then Chitwan and back to Kathmandu. It is a loop, so you never drive the same road twice.
How long is the drive from Pokhara to Chitwan?
Usually 4 to 5 hours to Sauraha. Our private car is NPR 13,200, NPR 16,800 by SUV.
Can we fly directly to Pokhara?
From Kathmandu, yes, in about 25 minutes. Since September 2026 flydubai also flies daily from Dubai to Pokhara.
Can you arrange the whole trip?
We arrange the vehicles, our packages from Pokhara, bus and flight tickets and hotels, and send one written price. Our base is in Pokhara.