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Multi-Day Route · Nepal's Most Popular Drive

Kathmandu to Pokhara Car Hire

Nepal's most popular long-distance route — Trishuli river gorge, Annapurna panorama on arrival, Phewa Lake sunset. Same driver both ways. Car 60 USD · SUV 75 USD per day. Fuel & tolls included.

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Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range in Pokhara, Nepal
Distance~200 km
Drive time6–7 hours
Car / dayNPR 8,10060 USD
SUV / dayNPR 10,12575 USD
Rates

Kathmandu to Pokhara car hire price

VehiclePassengersOne wayReturn (2 days)Includes
Car (Toyota Corolla)Up to 4NPR 8,10060 USDNPR 16,200120 USDDriver, fuel, tolls
SUV (Mahindra Scorpio)Up to 6NPR 10,12575 USDNPR 20,250150 USDDriver, fuel, tolls
Hiace VanUp to 10NPR 13,500100 USDNPR 27,000200 USDDriver, fuel, tolls

Driver overnight allowance 10 USD / NPR 1,500/night when staying in Pokhara  ·  Peak season (Mar–May, Sep–Nov) surcharge may apply — quoted upfront

The drive

What to expect on the Kathmandu–Pokhara route

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Prithvi Highway

Nepal's main east-west artery. Well-maintained two-lane highway, widened in recent years. Follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi river valleys.

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Annapurna arrival

On clear days you see the Annapurna massif 40 km from Pokhara. Arrive to a full Himalayan panorama — Machapuchare (Fishtail), Annapurna I, II, III, and IV.

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Trishuli gorge

The middle section hugs spectacular river gorges and terraced hillsides. Your driver knows the best photo stops along the way.

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Lunch stop

We stop at a clean restaurant midway (~3.5 hrs from Kathmandu). Popular stop: Mugling, famous for fresh fish dal bhat by the Trishuli river.

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Best departure time

Leave Kathmandu by 7–8 AM. Avoids heavy city traffic and gets you to Pokhara by early afternoon with time for Lakeside and Phewa boating.

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Return & circuit

Return trip or full circuit (Pokhara → Chitwan → Kathmandu). Same driver throughout. We quote the whole loop at one fixed price.

FAQ

Kathmandu to Pokhara car hire questions

How much does it cost to hire a car from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
60 USD (NPR 9,000) for a car (up to 4 passengers) and 75 USD (NPR 11,250) for a Mahindra Scorpio SUV (up to 6 passengers) per day. A Hiace van for groups of up to 10 is 100 USD (NPR 15,000). All prices include driver, fuel, and highway tolls.
How long is the drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Approximately 200 km via the Prithvi Highway, taking 6–7 hours with a lunch stop. We recommend departing by 7–8 AM to arrive in Pokhara in the early afternoon.
Is the same driver used for the whole trip?
Yes. Your driver stays with you for the entire trip — out and back, plus any days in Pokhara. This means consistent service from someone who already knows your schedule.
Can we stop along the Kathmandu–Pokhara route?
Yes. Common stops include Kurintar (base of Manakamana cable car), Abu Khaireni, and viewpoints along the Trishuli gorge. Tell us your interests before departure.
Can I add Chitwan to the Pokhara trip?
Yes. The Kathmandu → Pokhara → Chitwan → Kathmandu circuit is very popular. Pokhara to Chitwan is about 150 km (~3–4 hours). WhatsApp us your full itinerary and we quote one all-inclusive price for the whole loop.
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Book your Kathmandu–Pokhara car

WhatsApp us your travel date and group size — fixed price, confirmed in minutes.

Customise your tripNeed stops along the Prithvi Highway, extra days in Pokhara, or a Pokhara → Chitwan → Kathmandu loop? Send your itinerary — we quote one all-inclusive price.
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