Kathmandu to Chitwan by Car: Getting to Sauraha and the National Park

Chitwan is where Nepal flattens out into the Terai: rice fields, sal forest and a national park home to rhinos, elephants and, if you are lucky, a tiger. From Kathmandu it is roughly 150 to 170 km to Sauraha, the small town at the park edge where most visitors stay, and the drive takes five to six hours.

The route

Follow the Prithvi Highway west out of Kathmandu to Mugling, the same way you would go to Pokhara. At Mugling, turn south onto the road that follows the Trishuli River down to Narayangarh (also written Narayanghat), the largest town in the region. From Narayangarh head east along the East-West Highway to Tandi, then turn south for the last few kilometres into Sauraha.

Road conditions

The Mugling to Narayangarh stretch runs through a narrow gorge and has seen long periods of widening work. Expect dust, one-way sections and delays. In the monsoon it is also prone to landslides. Once you reach the plains the road is flat and straightforward, though you will share it with tractors, bicycles and livestock.

Timing your trip

October to March is the best season for Chitwan: dry, clear and good for wildlife spotting. April and May get very hot in the Terai. During the monsoon some jungle activities are limited and roads are slower. Try to arrive in Sauraha before dark; the final stretch has little street lighting.

Combining Chitwan and Pokhara

A popular loop is Kathmandu to Chitwan, Chitwan to Pokhara, and Pokhara back to Kathmandu. Chitwan to Pokhara takes about five hours via Narayangarh and Mugling. With a rental car you can do the loop at your own pace instead of fitting around tourist bus timetables.

Which car to take

A sedan is fine in the dry season. If you plan to explore village roads around the park or travel in the rains, choose an SUV. Tell us your plan and we will suggest the right vehicle and confirm the quote.