Guide
10-Day Nepal Road Trip Itinerary by Car
A 10-day Nepal road trip: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Bandipur and Pokhara, with daily driving times, what to see and where to break the journey.
By DriveRentalNepal ·
Ten days is enough to see Nepal’s three best-known regions by road without rushing. This itinerary keeps driving days to a comfortable length and builds in time to explore.
Days 1 to 3: Kathmandu Valley
Arrive and rest. Spend two days on the heritage sites: Swayambhunath, Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. On day three, drive to Bhaktapur and continue to Nagarkot for sunset and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Nagarkot to Chitwan
An early mountain sunrise, then a long drive back through the valley and out along the Prithvi Highway to Mugling, then south to Chitwan. Allow six to seven hours.
Days 5 and 6: Chitwan
Jeep safari, canoe ride, jungle walk and a visit to a Tharu village. Rest the car; most activities are arranged locally.
Day 7: Chitwan to Bandipur
Drive north to Mugling and west to Dumre, then up the hill to Bandipur. About four hours. Spend the evening in the car-free bazaar.
Days 8 and 9: Pokhara
A short two-hour drive to Pokhara. Sunrise at Sarangkot, a boat on Phewa Lake, the Peace Pagoda and a day trip to Begnas Lake.
Day 10: Back to Kathmandu
About 200 km on the Prithvi Highway, six to eight hours. Leave early, and do not book an international flight the same day.
Make it your own
Add Lumbini for a western loop, or swap Nagarkot for Dhulikhel. Send us your plan and we will suggest the right car, or a driver for the long legs.