Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan make up the backbone of most first-time Nepal itineraries, and after the August 2026 floods, understandably, people want a clear answer on all three at once rather than piecing it together destination by destination.
The short version: yes, you can still visit all three. None of them sat in the direct path of the flood. But each has its own small asterisk worth knowing before you travel, so here is the honest picture for each.
Nepal's capital was never near the flood corridor, which struck a river valley over 100km to the north. Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath are open and running exactly as they would in any other autumn. Hotels are fully staffed, and Tribhuvan International Airport is operating its normal schedule. If your trip begins and ends in Kathmandu, there is nothing to reconsider. See our Kathmandu Valley guide.
Pokhara sits well outside the affected districts and has run normally throughout, including Phewa Lake, the lakeside strip, and the Sarangkot sunrise viewpoint. The only related disruption reported was a brief highway closure in the days right after the flood, since resolved. The main thing worth knowing is that overland travel to Pokhara from Kathmandu currently needs a bit more planning - covered below. See our Pokhara Valley guide.
Sauraha and the main Chitwan National Park tourism zone were not directly struck by the flood, and hotels, guides, and lodges there continue to operate. Two details are worth understanding rather than glossing over. First, Chitwan district did experience downstream flooding along the Narayani River in towns like Bharatpur and Narayangadh in the days after the disaster, which is a separate part of the district from the Sauraha safari area. Second, in-park jeep and canoe safaris are currently paused - but that is Chitwan's routine annual monsoon closure that happens every year from around 1 July, not a flood closure, and the park is expected to reopen for safaris around Dashain in October, on schedule. Buffer-zone community forest activities continue in the meantime. Read our full Chitwan flood update for the complete picture.
This is genuinely the part that needs attention, more than any of the destinations themselves. The Prithvi Highway - the main road linking Kathmandu, Pokhara, and onward to Chitwan - has a landslide closure at a spot called Krishnabhir, caused by the same river system behind the August floods. The Muglin-Narayangadh road, another key link toward Chitwan, has also faced disruption.
Authorities are running alternative routes and building a bypass track around Krishnabhir, but travel times can currently be longer or less predictable than usual by road. Domestic flights between Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bharatpur (for Chitwan) are running normally and are currently the more reliable way to connect the three cities.
Keep your city and safari plans as booked - none of the three destinations need to be dropped from your itinerary.
Ask your operator which transport mode they're using for each leg, especially Kathmandu-Pokhara and Pokhara/Kathmandu-Chitwan, since flying is currently more predictable than driving.
Build in a flexible day around any road travel between the three, in case of delays at Krishnabhir or on connecting roads.
Time your Chitwan safari around Dashain in October if in-park jeep safaris are a priority, or enjoy buffer-zone activities if travelling earlier.
Can I still visit Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan after the floods?
Yes. Kathmandu and Pokhara were not in the flood's path and are operating normally. Chitwan's Sauraha tourism zone was not directly struck either, though Chitwan district did see downstream river effects along the Narayani River, separate from the safari area itself.
Is it safe to travel between these three cities right now?
Domestic flights between Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Bharatpur (for Chitwan) are running normally. Overland travel needs a little more planning, since the Prithvi Highway has a landslide closure at Krishnabhir and the Muglin-Narayangadh road has also seen disruption, so flying is currently the more predictable option.
Getaway Nepal Adventure runs classic Nepal itineraries covering all three destinations, and we track road, flight, and safari-season conditions daily so your trip runs smoothly. Tell us your travel dates, and we'll reply within 24 hours with current conditions and the best route between each stop. Visit www.getawaynepal.com to get started.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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