An elephant crossing a river in the Terai jungle

Chitwan and Lumbini Tour

Jungle safari and the Buddha's birthplace, in one lowland loop.

South of the hills the land flattens into the Terai, and two of Nepal's great lowland draws sit a few hours apart: Chitwan National Park, with its rhino and jungle, and Lumbini, where the Buddha was born. This trip joins them into one unhurried loop from Pokhara.

Two nights at a jungle lodge in Chitwan and a night by the monastic gardens of Lumbini, with private transport throughout.

Highlights

Chitwan safari drive and canoe
The Maya Devi temple and monastic zone at Lumbini
Two great Terai sights in one loop

A typical 5-day shape

One of several ways to do it. We tailor the days, pace, and stops to you, nothing here is fixed.

Day 1By road
Pokhara to Chitwan
A drive south into the Terai to your jungle lodge in Sauraha, with an afternoon Tharu village walk and sunset on the Rapti river.
Time
4–5 hours drive
Stay
Jungle lodge, Sauraha
Meals
Lunch, dinner
Day 2By road
Chitwan safari
A full day in the park: a safari drive for rhino and deer, a dugout canoe on the Rapti, and a guided jungle walk.
Time
Full day
Stay
Jungle lodge, Sauraha
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3By road
Chitwan to Lumbini
A morning drive west across the Terai to the sacred gardens of Lumbini, settling in near the monastic zone.
Time
4–5 hours drive
Stay
Hotel, Lumbini
Meals
Breakfast
Day 4On foot
The sacred garden
A full day at the Maya Devi temple, the sacred pond and Ashoka pillar, and the monasteries built by nations around the world.
Time
Full day
Stay
Hotel, Lumbini
Day 5By road
Return to Pokhara
A quiet morning at the site, then the drive north back to the lake.
Time
5–6 hours drive
Stay
Back in Pokhara
Meals
Breakfast

Getting there

Road transfers link Chitwan, Lumbini, and back over the loop, four to six hours between stops. How you travel them, shared or private, follows the comfort level you choose. All park and site transfers are arranged.