Trek Plus Chitwan Jungle and Trishuli Rafting in One Trip: The 8 and 9 Day Combinations Compared

Last updated 14 October 2026.

Short answer: We run three versions of this trip, all Kathmandu to Kathmandu. The Mardi Himal Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari, 9 Days is the one I would pick for most fit walkers: two days in the jungle, then the ridge to 4,500 m, from USD 1,530 per person on Budget for two to four guests. The Poon Hill version, 8 days, is easier and starts at USD 1,460. The 9-day version with Trishuli rafting is the Mardi trip with a river day added at the start, from USD 1,750. Rafting adds USD 220 on Budget and Standard and USD 250 on Luxury, and it does not add a day.

I am Shreejan. People ask me for mountains and animals in one trip, and now and then for a day on the river as well. This page compares the three side by side, using the live itineraries and prices as I read them on 14 October 2026.

What are the three combinations at a glance?

What does each day look like?

What do the extra days buy?

The Mardi version is one day longer than the Poon Hill one, and that day is a real mountain day: the full day up to 4,500 m and back to High Camp. You also sleep 720 m higher (3,580 m against 2,860 m). Poon Hill gives you the sunrise over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range from 3,210 m. Mardi gives you a narrow forested ridge, fewer people and a hard finish, because day 7 is a six to seven hour descent to Siding. My Poon Hill versus Mardi Himal guide goes into the choice, and the Mardi Himal guide has the ridge in detail.

The rafting does not buy an extra day. It sits inside day 1, and that is the catch. You drive about three hours to Charaudi, raft, have lunch on a sandy beach, and then drive on to Chitwan. It is a long day. If it looks too tight for your group, tell me and we can move the rafting to a separate day. That needs one more night in Kathmandu, which you can add.

How are the trek and the safari split?

I put the jungle first on purpose. The Chitwan days are flat and warm, and they give your legs two easy days before the steps and the climbs. Then you drive to Pokhara, sleep in a hotel, and start the trek fresh.

Our Chitwan days are a jeep safari, a dugout canoe on the Rapti, a walk at the forest edge with a naturalist, a Tharu cultural evening and birds. We do not offer animal rides of any kind, and my page on why we do not sell them explains why. Rhinoceros sightings are common on a jeep safari, but no sighting is ever guaranteed, and tigers live in the park but are rarely seen. Read things to do in Chitwan.

What is the Trishuli rafting like?

You raft from Charaudi on the Kathmandu to Pokhara highway to the Jholungepul suspension bridge. The rapids are Class II and III, so no experience is needed, and our rafting guide gives a safety briefing and teaches the paddling commands first. I suggest ages 10 and over. River levels decide, and the guide makes the call on the day. If the river is not safe, we tell you before you leave and move the rafting or your dates. Our page does not give the hours on the water, so ask me if it matters for your plan. To weigh this river against another, read Trishuli or Bhote Koshi.

How do you get between the places?

Everything is by private vehicle, then one flight. Kathmandu to Chitwan is five to six hours on the Poon Hill and Mardi trips, along the Trishuli river. Chitwan to Pokhara takes most of a day. The trailhead is a short drive away: Kande for Mardi, Nayapul for Poon Hill. After the trek, your vehicle meets you at Siding (Mardi) or Ghandruk (Poon Hill) and takes you to Pokhara, and the next morning you fly to Kathmandu. Pokhara flights can be delayed by cloud, so keep a spare day before your international flight. Our trailheads are on the Pokhara to Baglung road, which lost about 150 m at Sahasradhara on 27 September 2026. Repairs began on 29 September, and that was the latest position when I wrote this. We check 48 hours before departure, and if the road is not open we move your dates free of charge.

What does each combination cost?

Prices are per person, the same whether you travel privately or in a group of that size, and I read them from the live package pages on 14 October 2026. Our website prices hold for 2027.

At two to four guests, Mardi costs USD 70 more than Poon Hill on Budget, USD 135 more on Standard and USD 295 more on Luxury. Adding the rafting costs USD 220 on Budget and Standard and USD 250 on Luxury. Budget has no porter and your trek meals are yours to pay. Standard has all meals, private rooms and one porter for every two trekkers. A solo Standard trekker has no porter, and the guide carries up to 10 kg. Luxury has a dedicated porter for each trekker, deluxe lodges and all meals with fruit, nuts and soft drinks. An extra porter costs USD 25 a day plus 13 per cent VAT and the 3.5 per cent bank charge. For the stand-alone cost of a safari, see the Chitwan safari cost guide.

When is the best time to go in 2027?

Rain figures are Pokhara averages from 1991 to 2020, and the notes on the ridge come from our guides. They are not forecasts.

Chitwan is best from October to March, rafting is best from October to December and from March to May, and Mardi is best in November, the second half of October and late March to April. November suits all three. In 2027 Dashain is expected around 6 to 10 October and Tihar around 29 to 31 October, though the government confirms the dates each year, so book early if you want those weeks. My Chitwan seasonal guide has the wildlife side.

Which combination should you choose?

If you would like rafting on the Poon Hill version, there is no listed package for it. Ask me and I will price it as an extra. Buy your insurance at home, covering trekking to 5,000 m, white-water rafting and helicopter evacuation, and not in Nepal.

Questions people ask

Can you do a trek and a jungle safari in one week? Yes. The Poon Hill and Chitwan trip takes 8 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, with two nights in the jungle and four days of walking.

Is Poon Hill or Mardi Himal better with Chitwan? Poon Hill is easier and cheaper. Mardi Himal is harder, higher and quieter. If you have never trekked above 3,000 m, take Poon Hill.

Do I need rafting experience? No. The Trishuli is Class II and III, and your guide teaches you the paddling commands before you start.

Is the first day of the rafting trip too long? It is long: about three hours by road, the rafting, lunch on the river and the drive on to Chitwan. We can move the rafting to its own day for one more Kathmandu night.

Will we see a rhino or a tiger? Rhinos are common on the jeep safari. Tigers live in the park and are rarely seen. We cannot promise any sighting.

Are park fees and permits included? Yes. The Annapurna Conservation Area permit, the TIMS card and the Chitwan National Park entry are in every price.

Can I do it solo? Yes. Solo prices are in the table, and a licensed guide is with you throughout.

What are the terms for these trips?

Group size is 1 to 20, and you can also trek solo. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and whether you want the rafting. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.