06 Dec 2023
Before I go any further, I want to make it a point that once I arrived at Chitwan, All of the guides, drivers, and hotel staff were excellent, hospitable, friendly, and very much on points. The issue I have in this review is the fact that Viator has in the description that you will spend the second half of the first day Sightseeing, as well as a morning safari on the second day before taking the bus back to Pokhara. During my briefing, I was informed that all the buses depart in the morning, which would not allow for any activities the second day. Obviously, the tour operators and resort staff can’t control bus schedules, but these packages should not be advertised with any activities on the last day if it’s not possible. If I had known this, I would have Booked a 2 night/3 day package. For a For a 1 night/2 day package That’s about 40% Of the trip that I thought I was getting, but didn’t get. Also, when I arrived back into Pokhara, Nobody showed up to take me back to the hotel, and I had to hire a taxi.
My advice personally, is to Contact the hotel directly, and make your own way down to Chitwan Independently and book your excursions while you’re there, cutting Viator Out of the picture. That way you have more control over things and you know what you’re getting for what you’re paying.
It’s also worth noting that the bus ride to and from Chitwan is very rough. About 6 to 7 hours each way on a very bumpy road and an old bus. Obviously, neither Viator Nor the hotels or resorts have control over this either, but it’s important for the consumer to know for planning purposes. The last day is basically all devoted to the bus ride back.
However, many days you want to give yourself based on these Tour packages, give yourself one more, because like I said, before, they give you nothing on the last day.