Nepal Cable Car Tour: Five Rides from Kathmandu to Chitwan
- Duration
- 5 days
- Max altitude
- 2,551 m
- Difficulty
-
Easy
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May) · Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $690.00
Overview
Nepal has been building cable cars since 1998, when the Manakamana line opened to carry pilgrims up from the Trishuli river to the wish-fulfilling goddess on the hill above. There are several more now, most of them climbing to a hilltop temple or a viewpoint, and five of them sit close to the road from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Chitwan.
This trip strings them together at an easy pace: Chandragiri on the rim of the Kathmandu valley, Manakamana, the new Bandipur line from Dumre, the Annapurna Cable Car from Phewa Lake up to Sarangkot, and Maula Kalika above Gaindakot. In between you sleep by the Trishuli, in the old hill town of Bandipur, by the lake in Pokhara and on the edge of Chitwan National Park. No trekking, no early flights, and every ride is included.
Every departure is private, with your own vehicle, driver and licensed guide, so the plan flexes to you and to the weather.
Trip highlights
- Chandragiri, 2,551 m above the Kathmandu valley, with the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple
- Manakamana, Nepal's first commercial passenger cable car, opened in 1998
- The Bandipur cable car from Dumre, then a night in the old hill town
- Phewa Lake to Sarangkot on the Annapurna Cable Car
- Maula Kalika above Gaindakot, and a night by Chitwan National Park
- Your own vehicle, driver and guide throughout
Day by day
The itinerary
-
Day 1: Chandragiri cable car, then down to the Trishuli at Kurintar 2,551 m 5-6 with stops hrs Resort
About an hour from the city to the lower station at Thankot, then roughly 2.4 km and ten minutes in a gondola up to Chandragiri hill at 2,551 m. At the top is the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple, and the view runs back over the whole Kathmandu valley and, on a clear morning, north to the Himalaya from the Annapurnas to Langtang.
Back down, and west on the Prithvi Highway along the Trishuli river to Kurintar, three to four hours, for a night at a riverside resort.
-
Day 2: Manakamana and Bandipur cable cars, night in Bandipur (1,030 m) 1,302 m 5-6 hrs Hotel B
An early ride on the Manakamana cable car, Nepal's first, about 2.8 km and ten minutes from Cheres beside the Trishuli at 258 m to the hilltop at 1,302 m. The temple of the goddess Manakamana is visited by people asking for a wish to be granted, and the queue on Saturdays and festival days can be long.
Then about an hour west to Dumre for the Bandipur cable car, opened in 2024, roughly 1.7 km and seven minutes up the ridge and back. From Dumre the road climbs to Bandipur itself, an old Newar trading town of tall brick houses on a car-free main street, where you stay the night.
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Day 3: Bandipur to Pokhara, Annapurna Cable Car to Sarangkot 1,600 m Hotel B
If you are up early, a short walk to the Thani Mai temple above Bandipur for sunrise over the mountains. After breakfast, about two and a half hours to Pokhara.
In the afternoon, the Annapurna Cable Car from the north end of Phewa Lake, about 2.3 km and ten minutes, up to Sarangkot. Stay for the late light on Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas, then ride back down to the lake for the night.
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Day 4: Pokhara to Gaindakot, Maula Kalika cable car, on to Chitwan 150 m 5-6 hrs Resort B
A morning on the lake if you like, then about four hours south via Mugling to Gaindakot on the Narayani river. The Maula Kalika cable car, about 1.2 km, lifts you to the temple of Maula Kalika on the hill above the town, with the river and the plains spread out below.
Then across the river to Sauraha, on the edge of Chitwan National Park, for the night. Sunset by the Rapti river is a good way to end the day.
-
Day 5: Chitwan to Kathmandu 1,400 m 5-6 by road hrs B
A free morning, which you can use for a jungle walk or canoe trip if you have added one, then five to six hours by road back to Kathmandu and a drop at your hotel.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $830.00 | Comfortfrom $979.40 |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load |
| Transfers | Shared | Private |
What's included
Included
- Included: Private vehicle with driver for all five days, from your Kathmandu hotel and back
- Included: Return tickets for all five cable cars: Chandragiri, Manakamana, Bandipur, the Annapurna Cable Car and Maula Kalika
- Included: Four nights' accommodation with breakfast in Kurintar, Bandipur, Pokhara and Chitwan, twin sharing
- Included: A licensed, English-speaking guide throughout, with their meals and accommodation
- Included: All government taxes and official charges
Not included
- Not included: Lunch and dinner
- Not included: Hotel nights in Kathmandu before or after the tour
- Not included: Temple offerings and donations
- Not included: Activities in Chitwan such as a jungle walk, canoe trip or jeep safari, which we can add
- Not included: Drinks and personal expenses
- Not included: Tips for your guide and driver
- Not included: Travel insurance, international airfare and the Nepal entry visa
- Not included: Anything not listed under what is included
Meeting & logistics
Getting there & back
west on the Prithvi Highway to Kurintar, Dumre and Bandipur, on to Pokhara, then south to Gaindakot and Chitwan. On the last day we drive back to Kathmandu in five to six hours and drop you at your hotel.
We pick you up from your hotel in Kathmandu after breakfast with your own vehicle, driver and guide. The Chandragiri lower station at Thankot is about an hour away.
Know before you go
Suitability & requirements
Cable cars stop for high wind, storms and maintenance, and each keeps its own hours; Manakamana, for example, usually pauses briefly around midday. If one is closed on the day, we change the order or refund that ticket. Manakamana and Chandragiri are busiest on Saturdays and public holidays, so we plan around them where we can.
The mountain views from Chandragiri and Sarangkot are clearest from October to March. In spring haze often softens them, and in the monsoon cloud usually hides them.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $830.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $690.00 | $140.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $650.00 | $180.00 |
| 7 or more | $605.00 | $225.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)Cold and quiet, with the clearest skies of the year at lower altitude. High passes and very high routes are best avoided.
Questions
Asked about this trip
Which cable cars are included?
Five: Chandragiri, from Thankot up to Chandragiri hill; Manakamana, from Cheres to the Manakamana temple; Bandipur, from Dumre; the Annapurna Cable Car, from Phewa Lake to Sarangkot; and Maula Kalika in Gaindakot. Return tickets for all five are included.
Can I add Kalinchowk?
Yes. Kalinchowk is in Dolakha, east of Kathmandu, about six to seven hours by road, and its cable car climbs to the Kalinchowk Bhagwati temple at around 3,750 m, with snow in winter. It needs two days of its own, so we add it before or after this tour.
Is it suitable for older travellers or children?
Yes. There is no trekking, and the walking is short, from the upper stations to the temples and viewpoints, usually on steps. Tell us about anyone with limited mobility and we will plan the stops around them.
What happens if a cable car is closed?
Cable cars stop for wind, storms and maintenance. If one is closed on the day, we change the order of the trip or refund that ticket.
How does booking confirmation work?
Instantly. Your booking is confirmed as soon as your payment or deposit goes through, and the confirmation email follows straight away. We then get in touch to confirm your pickup and to introduce your licensed guide before you travel.
Can I pay a deposit and settle the balance later?
Yes. Choose the deposit option to secure your dates, and we will send a secure payment link for the balance before departure, or you can settle by bank transfer.
What is the cancellation policy?
If you cancel before departure, we refund what you paid, minus the payment provider's transaction fee, which they do not return to us, and the cost of any bookings already made for you that cannot be refunded. Full terms are in our cancellation policy.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Good to know
FAQ & policies
Which cable cars are included?
Five: Chandragiri, from Thankot up to Chandragiri hill; Manakamana, from Cheres to the Manakamana temple; Bandipur, from Dumre; the Annapurna Cable Car, from Phewa Lake to Sarangkot; and Maula Kalika in Gaindakot. Return tickets for all five are included.
Can I add Kalinchowk?
Yes. Kalinchowk is in Dolakha, east of Kathmandu, about six to seven hours by road, and its cable car climbs to the Kalinchowk Bhagwati temple at around 3,750 m, with snow in winter. It needs two days of its own, so we add it before or after this tour.
Is it suitable for older travellers or children?
Yes. There is no trekking, and the walking is short, from the upper stations to the temples and viewpoints, usually on steps. Tell us about anyone with limited mobility and we will plan the stops around them.
What happens if a cable car is closed?
Cable cars stop for wind, storms and maintenance. If one is closed on the day, we change the order of the trip or refund that ticket.
How does booking confirmation work?
Instantly. Your booking is confirmed as soon as your payment or deposit goes through, and the confirmation email follows straight away. We then get in touch to confirm your pickup and to introduce your licensed guide before you travel.
Can I pay a deposit and settle the balance later?
Yes. Choose the deposit option to secure your dates, and we will send a secure payment link for the balance before departure, or you can settle by bank transfer.
What is the cancellation policy?
If you cancel before departure, we refund what you paid, minus the payment provider's transaction fee, which they do not return to us, and the cost of any bookings already made for you that cannot be refunded. Full terms are in our cancellation policy.
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