Pokhara to Chitwan
Your options
Ways to make the journey
4–5 h
The road runs east from Pokhara through Damauli and Dumre to Mugling, then turns south along the Narayani River to Narayangarh and Bharatpur. It is busy with trucks but generally in fair condition, with river views for much of the way. We leave after breakfast, stop for tea near Bandipur or Mugling, and arrive at your Chitwan lodge in time for an afternoon canoe or jeep drive.
4–5 h including connection
Flying Pokhara to Kathmandu and then Kathmandu to Bharatpur is possible but rarely quicker once check-in, connection time and transfers are added, and it doubles the weather risk. We suggest it only when road conditions are poor, for example after heavy monsoon rain, or when a traveller cannot manage a long drive. A private car meets you at Bharatpur for the onward transfer.
45 min
A private helicopter charter can link Pokhara and Chitwan in under an hour, subject to weather and landing permissions near your lodge. It is expensive but turns a half-day drive into a short scenic hop over the Mahabharat hills. We arrange it through established operators with strict luggage limits, so it suits couples or small families travelling light.
Worth a stop
- Bandipur
- Mugling at the Trishuli–Marsyangdi confluence
- Devghat at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long does it take from Pokhara to Chitwan?
About 4–5 hours by private car for roughly 150 km, via Dumre, Mugling and Narayangarh. Allow longer in the monsoon or on festival travel days. Meghauli Serai and the lodges on the western side of the park add up to an hour beyond Bharatpur. We plan a mid-morning departure with a tea stop, arriving in time for an afternoon activity.
Is there a flight from Pokhara to Chitwan?
There is no regular direct flight between Pokhara and Bharatpur, the airport for Chitwan. You can fly via Kathmandu, but connection times and the extra weather risk usually make it slower than driving. The practical choices are a private car, about 4–5 hours, or a private helicopter charter of under an hour for those who want to save time.
Is the road from Pokhara to Chitwan safe?
It is one of Nepal's main highways and is used daily by thousands of vehicles. The real hazards are heavy trucks, occasional reckless overtaking and, in the monsoon, landslides near Mugling. We use experienced private drivers who know the road, avoid night driving and adjust timings in bad weather. Seat belts are fitted in all our vehicles.
What can I see between Pokhara and Chitwan?
The drive passes terraced hills, the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers and the confluence town of Mugling. A short detour climbs to Bandipur, an old Newar trading town with a car-free bazaar, and Devghat, a sacred confluence near Narayangarh, has temples and ashrams. We build these into the day if you have time and interest.