Travel style · Rhino, tiger, gharial and river dolphin
Wildlife and jungle in Nepal
Chitwan, Bardia, Shuklaphanta, Parsa and Koshi Tappu: the Terai parks where Nepal's greater one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger numbers have risen. Jeep drives, canoe trips and walking safaris with naturalists, matched to the season.
The Terai's parks run on seasons. Tall elephant grass is cut and burned in late winter, which opens the view from February to May, while the monsoon closes many tracks from June to September.
We pair each park with a lodge whose naturalists we trust and plan at least three activities a day. We do not book elephant rides; we explain why on our Chitwan guide pages.
Trips
Kathmandu Valleymax 1,600 mNepal first-timer: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan
The classic first trip to Nepal in nine nights: three in Kathmandu for the Durbar squares, stupas and Pashupatinath, three in Pokhara …
Pokhara & the Annapurnasmax 1,600 mPokhara, Lumbini and Chitwan Overland
Eight nights by road from the lakes to the plains: two nights in Pokhara, the Newar hill bazaar of Tansen on the …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 1,400 mChitwan and Bardia Tiger Journey
Eight nights across Nepal's two great tiger parks. Three nights at Meghauli in western Chitwan for rhino and big grassland, a night …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 1,400 mChitwan Jungle Safari from Sauraha
Three nights in Sauraha on the Rapti River, the easiest door into Chitwan National Park. A dugout canoe at dawn, a half-day …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 1,400 mChitwan Luxury Safari at Meghauli
Four nights in Meghauli, on the quiet western side of Chitwan, at Meghauli Serai or Barahi Jungle Lodge. Private jeep safaris with …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 1,400 mKathmandu and Chitwan Family Wildlife Trip
Six nights for families with children of about six and up. Two nights in Kathmandu for Swayambhunath's monkeys, Bhaktapur's potters and the …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 1,600 mKathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan Classic
The first-timer's Nepal in eight nights: two in Kathmandu for the durbar squares, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath; three in Pokhara for Phewa Lake …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 1,400 mBirding the Terai: Chitwan and Koshi Tappu
Seven nights for birders in Nepal's two richest lowland sites. Three nights in Chitwan for grassland and forest birds, with a day …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 1,400 mThe Terai East to West Overland
Twelve nights across the whole Nepal Terai by private car: from the wetlands of Koshi Tappu in the far east, through Maithil …
Chitwan & the Teraimax 160 mTharu Homestays in Barauli and Amaltari
Three nights with Tharu families on the western edge of Chitwan National Park: one night in Barauli and two in Amaltari, both …
Lumbini & the Buddha's Countrymax 1,400 mFamily Heritage: Lumbini and Chitwan
A six-night family trip across the plains of Nepal. Two nights in Lumbini to cycle between monasteries from a dozen countries and …
Eastern Nepalmax 2,100 mKoshi Tappu Birds and Ilam Tea
Six nights from the wetlands of Koshi Tappu, home to Nepal's last wild water buffalo and a great gathering of winter water …
Far West & Karnalimax 1,400 mBardia and Shuklaphanta Safari
Seven nights across the two national parks of Nepal's far western plain. Four nights at Bardia for tigers, the Karnali and Tharu …
Far West & Karnalimax 1,400 mBardia Tiger Safari
Four nights at Thakurdwara on the edge of Bardia National Park, Nepal's largest lowland park. Full-day jeep safari, a guided walk on …
Far West & Karnalimax 3,700 mFar West Grand Overland
Fourteen nights by private jeep from the grasslands of the far western Terai to Nepal's largest lake. Swamp deer at Shuklaphanta, the …
Places
Chitwan & the Terai150 mAmaltari
Tharu and Bote village on Chitwan's western edge
Chitwan & the Terai286 mBishazari Tal
Twenty thousand lakes: Chitwan's Ramsar wetland
Chitwan & the Terai165 mKasara
Chitwan's park headquarters and its gharial nursery
Chitwan & the Terai75 mKoshi Tappu
Wild water buffalo and winter birds on the Koshi floodplain
Chitwan & the Terai165 mMeghauli
Chitwan's quiet west, where the Rapti meets the Narayani
Chitwan & the Terai450 mParsa National Park
Sal forest and Churia hills on Chitwan's eastern flank
Chitwan & the Terai175 mSauraha
The Rapti riverbank where most Chitwan safaris begin
Mustang & Dolpo3,612 mShey Phoksundo
A turquoise lake behind a landslide dam in Nepal's largest park
Eastern Nepal4,870 mMakalu Base Camp
From rice terraces near 500 m to Makalu's south face at 4,870 m
Far West & Karnali152 mBardia National Park
Tiger forest on the Karnali, with Tharu villages at the gate
Far West & Karnali205 mGhodaghodi Tal
A Ramsar lake chain beside the highway, full of birds and crocodiles
Far West & Karnali174 mShuklaphanta National Park
The world's largest swamp deer herds on Nepal's western edge
Stays
jungle lodge165 mMeghauli Serai, A Taj Safari
A high-end safari lodge run by Taj on the Rapti riverbank at Meghauli, facing Chitwan National Park. Rooms and villas …
jungle lodge165 mBarahi Jungle Lodge
A comfortable riverside lodge at Meghauli on the edge of Chitwan National Park, with its own naturalists, jeep safaris, canoe …
jungle lodge150 mTiger Tops Tharu Lodge
A lodge on the edge of Amaltari village in Nawalpur, built in the style of Tharu longhouses with mud-plastered walls, …
resort165 mKasara Resort
A villa resort at Patihani on the edge of Chitwan National Park, close to the park headquarters at Kasara. It …
resort175 mGreen Park Chitwan
A well-run, comfortable hotel in Sauraha, a short walk from the Rapti and the park entrance, with an outdoor pool, …
jungle lodge152 mTiger Tops Karnali Lodge
A small safari lodge at Thakurdwara on the edge of Bardia National Park, about two hours by road from Nepalgunj …