3-Day Chitwan Jungle Safari from Pokhara: Rhinos and Tigers

Hunt for rhinos and tigers through dense jungle, then paddle a river at dusk

A 3-day safari tour from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park with accommodation in Sauraha, an English-speaking guide, and daily jungle activities. After a scenic 6-7 hour drive and a Tharu dance performance on day one, you spend day two on a Jeep safari through grasslands and riverbanks, then canoe and walk the park on foot. Day three is the return drive to Pokhara.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Chitwan and cultural program

• Depart Pokhara for Chitwan
• Arrive and check in hotel
• Enjoy lunch at hotel
• Attend traditional Tharu dance
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 2: Jeep safari and jungle activities

• Breakfast at hotel
• Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park
• Lunch at lodge
• Canoeing and jungle walk
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 3: Return drive to Pokhara or Kathmandu

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to bus station
• Scenic bus drive back

The experience

The drive from Pokhara takes 6-7 hours through changing landscapes, dropping from the hills into the Terai plains where Chitwan sits. You arrive in Sauraha, the park's gateway town, settle into your 2-star hotel, and that evening watch a traditional Tharu dance performance: a window into the indigenous culture that has lived alongside this jungle for generations. Dinner and overnight rest prepare you for the wildlife ahead.

Day two is the core: a Jeep safari with your guide through dense jungle, grasslands, and riverbanks where over 700 species live. One-horned rhinos are the park's signature. Royal Bengal tigers are elusive but possible. You'll also spot leopards, crocodiles, and birds like kingfishers and hornbills. After lunch at the lodge, you trade the vehicle for a canoe on the river, then walk the park on foot with your guide, learning the flora and fauna as you move through it. The evening brings you back to the lodge for dinner under the stars.

On the final morning, breakfast and a transfer to the bus station send you back to Pokhara by tourist bus, completing the loop. The whole package (accommodation, park entry, guide, transport between cities, and all jungle activities) is bundled. You bring only yourself and your camera.

What’s included

• Accommodation at a 2-star hotel in Sauraha.
• English-speaking nature guide.
• national park entrance fees.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara.
• Jeep safari, canoeing, and jungle walks.
• Tharu cultural dance performance.
• all meals at the lodge.
• round-trip tourist bus transfer.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00 and 06:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (9 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Pokhara Adventure Nepal (PAN)

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Pokhara with hotel pickup included, so you don't need your own transport or a separate arrangement to reach Chitwan. The fixed 3-day schedule fits the safari and cultural experience into a single trip without the flexibility of a longer stay, making it ideal if your time in Nepal is limited.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 8 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What animals am I most likely to see on the Jeep safari in Chitwan?

One-horned rhinos are the park's main attraction and you have a strong chance of spotting them. Royal Bengal tigers are present but elusive. Leopards, crocodiles, and numerous bird species like kingfishers and hornbills are more commonly seen during the safari.

How long is the drive from Pokhara to Sauraha?

The scenic drive takes 6-7 hours, moving through changing landscapes from the hills into the Terai plains as you approach Chitwan National Park.

What happens on the first evening when I arrive in Sauraha?

After settling into your hotel and enjoying lunch, you'll watch a traditional Tharu dance performance in the evening, which showcases the indigenous culture of the local Tharu community living in the region.

Do I paddle or walk in the jungle, or both?

You do both on day two. After the Jeep safari and lunch, you canoe on the river, then go for a guided jungle walk to explore the park on foot and learn about the local flora and fauna.

What is included in the tour price?

The package includes accommodation at a 2-star hotel in Sauraha, an English-speaking nature guide during jungle activities, national park entrance fees, hotel pickup and drop-off in Pokhara, all jungle activities as listed in the itinerary, and round-trip transport by tourist bus.