Days 1 and 2: Chitwan
Day 1: travel to Chitwan, either by road from Kathmandu or Pokhara, which takes most of a day, or by flying to Bharatpur. Settle in and spend a quiet evening by the river.
Day 2: a full day around Chitwan National Park. Wildlife is most active early and late, so start at dawn and rest in the heat of the day. Park activities are arranged locally with licensed guides; check current rules and options where you stay. The one-horned rhinoceros and a wide range of birds are among the animals people hope to see, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Day 3: Chitwan to Tansen
Head west along the East–West Highway to Butwal, then climb the Siddhartha Highway into the hills. Allow most of a day. The road up from Butwal alone takes roughly one and a half to two hours, and times vary with traffic, roadworks and, in the monsoon, landslides. Aim to arrive before dark.
At Bulbul Farm Retreat in Bartung, the evening is for unpacking, a home-cooked meal and perhaps a bonfire if the hosts have one planned.
Day 4: a slow day in Tansen
Spend the morning in town. Walk through the old bazaar, see the palace area, or climb towards Shreenagar Hill for views on a clear day. Our Tansen and Palpa guide has more ideas.
Come back for the afternoon. After Chitwan's early starts, an unplanned few hours in a hammock or on the garden swing is part of the point.
Day 5: onward
From Tansen, Pokhara is roughly four to five hours north and Lumbini around three hours south. Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa, with flights to Kathmandu, is roughly two to three hours away. If you have a spare day, add a second night in Tansen rather than squeezing in another stop. For a longer trip, see the ten-day itinerary.