Chitwan National Park Safari - 3 Days

If you wish to see wildlife in their own habitat, surrounded by lush greenery, you should visit the first National Park of Nepal - Chitwan National Park. Inside the national park, you can enjoy elephant safari, canoeing, jungle walking, bird watching, elephant bathing, or watching the sunset.

Chitwan National Park lies in the south-central part of Nepal and extends into four districts, Nawalparasi, Parsa, Chitwan, and Makwanpur. Chitwan is linked with Kathmandu by road as well as by air. Sauraha, located in Chitwan, is a famous destination in the national park. The park lies at an average elevation of 415 m (1,362ft) and covers an area of 932 km2 (360 sq mi).

The literal meaning of Chitwan is the heart of the jungle. In the past, Chitwan National Park used to be a dense forest, famous among the royal family for hunting wildlife. However, after its establishment as a national park, hunting is banned. 

The national park is home to a wide range of animal species, including rhinos, Bengal tigers, Indian Rock Pythons, Rhesus monkeys, wild boars, deers, alligators, gharial, and about 543 species of birds, including spotted eagles, kingfishers, storks, egrets, babblers and many more. Furthermore, Chitwan National Park includes Beeshazari Lake - a Ramsar site known for bird watching.

The trip to Chitwan National Park is an amazing experience for travel enthusiasts. We will begin our drive from Kathmandu, passing through twists and turns of hills among mesmerizing natural beauty.

Upon reaching Chitwan in the afternoon, our staff will inform you about the trip, and then you will get to the observation tower to watch the beautifully colored sunset. 

The following day, you will ride on an elephant's back or a jeep to enter the dense Chitwan forest full of wildlife. Lastly, we will take you to the elephant breeding center in the park. 

On your third day, early morning, we will take you to Beeshazari Lake for bird watching before returning to Kathmandu. We will ensure that your journey is enjoyable and refreshing throughout your trip.

1. day 1

   Drive to Chitwan (815m / 2,674ft) from Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,593ft)

   After early morning breakfast, you will start your journey to Chitwan, which lies 175 kilometers south of Kathmandu and lies in the flat plains. You can go there on a tourist bus or in a private car. Within 4-5 hours, you will descend to Chitwan, enjoying the meandering Trishuli river flowing by the side of the road. 

   After arriving at the hotel, you will meet our staff, who will brief you on the plan for the next two days and provide refreshments. After freshening up in your room, you can stroll around the bank of the Rapti river. When it gets time for sunset, you can visit the observation tower and enjoy the hypnotic views of the sunset. Finally, to end the day, Tharu ethnic group will perform a cultural program reflecting the tribal dance of Chitwan for you to enjoy.

   • Overnight at a hotel in Sauraha (room with attached bathroom)
   • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
2. day 2

   Elephant Safari, Canoe ride, nature walk, elephant breeding center

   Today, after breakfast, you will go for a canoe ride along the Rapti river on the western side of the national park. There you will see a variety of bird species and get closer views of two rare species of crocodiles - Marsh Mugger and Gharial. 

   You will return to your hotel for lunch and then ready yourself for an elephant safari or jeep safari. For an elephant safari, you will mount on an elephant that walks through the dense forest as we look around to observe one-horned rhinos, different types of deer, rhesus monkeys, peacocks, and wild boars. If you are lucky, you can come across the Royal Bengal tiger.  You can also enjoy elephants bathing themselves while bearing you on their back. In the evening, we will take you to the elephant breeding center. You will also visit the elephant breeding center in the evening.

   • Overnight at a hotel in Sauraha (room with attached bathroom)
   • Included standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
3. day 3

   Bird watching and drive to Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,593ft) from Chitwan (815m / 2,674ft)

   Early in the morning, we will take you to the Beeshazari lake, a Ramsar site, for bird watching. In the Beeshazari Lake area, you will see several bird species, especially water birds. It is a not-to-miss site for passionate photographers and bird watchers. Then you will return to your hotel, have breakfast, and head to Kathmandu.

   • Included standard meal (Breakfast)

• Two-night hotel accommodations in Chitwan
• All standard meals (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners)
• Activities: elephant ride, jungle walk, canoe ride, visit the elephant breeding center, bird watching, village tour, and Tharu cultural program.
• Transportation to and from Kathmandu/Pokhara to Chitwan and vice-versa
• Safari guide service charge. Guide salary, insurance, lodge food salary, etc
• Highly experienced, government-licensed safari guide during the trip.
• Chitwan National Park entrance fee.
• All government and local taxes

• International flight airfare
• Accommodation and meals in Kathmandu
• Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival, late departure, early return
• Personal expenses - shopping, snacks, bar bills, bottled or boiled water, Wi-Fi, laundry, telephone call, etc
• Additional costs caused by circumstances beyond management control, for example, landscape, weather conditions, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies, strikes, etc