Introduction: Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is in Sauraha, which lies in the Chitwan district in the western region of Nepal. The national park is located in the Terai region of Nepal; hence, it is marked by lowlands and plains. Traveling across the plains of Chitwan allows visitors to view the agriculture and animal farms along with dense forests, flowing rivers, and grasslands.
Chitwan, which translates to the heart of the jungle, is home to different animals and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chitwan National Park, with an area of 952.63 km2 (367.81 sq mi), has been the habitat for almost 50 mammals, 525 birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. This place is a gem for nature and wildlife lovers.
Entering Chitwan National Park allows visitors to see some endangered and rare animals and birds. Some of the wildlife that exists in the national park are the one-horned rhinoceros, the gaur, the Royal Bengal tiger, the wild elephant, the four-horned antelope, the pangolin, the golden monitor lizard, the python, and other animals. The Bengal florican, Lesser florican, Giant Hornbill, Black Stork, and While Stork are other birds in the area.
Similarly, the Tharu people, natives of the area, have lived in Chitwan for ages. The unique and vibrant culture of the community is open for visitors to gain some insights into the way of life of the Tharu people. The traditional music and dances are a way of offering hospitality to visitors who come to the Tharu society. Similarly, the local cuisine and culinary specialty delight visitors as they savor the unique and local flavors.
Another highlight of the national park are the jungle safaris. Tourists around the globe visit Chitwan solely intending to go on a jungle safari. Thus, the safari in the Chitwan jungles is the location's primary attraction. Jungle safaris can be done in a private jeep or an elephant back, each providing a unique adventure. Everyone will equally be able to explore the natural habitats with the thrill of encountering wildlife in a natural setting.
Various other activities that can be done in the national park include canoeing in the Rapti River, which is another thrilling adventure. Similarly, butterfly watching, bird watching, sunrise or sunset viewing, visiting the Elephant Breeding Centre, photography, and nature walks are also recommended.
So come together with Holiday Tours Nepal to wander along the dense vegetation of Chitwan National Park while immersing yourself in the lap of nature and witnessing some of the marvelous flora and fauna. This comprehensively planned Chitwan National Park 3-night/4-day package will be a well-rounded and enjoyable experience for traveling solo, in groups, with families with elderly or children, and with your loved ones.
Why go towards Chitwan National Park?
As mentioned earlier, Chitwan National Park is home to various flora and fauna. For this reason, people from around the globe come here to take a chance at encountering these wild animals. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts visit the park to savor the memories of exotic animals and birds, including the Red Panda and Royal Bengal Tiger.
Similarly, due to the abundant availability of animals like one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, musk deer, wild boar, Bengal fox, Honey Badger, Large Indian Civet, Indian Grey Mongoose, Blue Bull, and antelopes, the jungle safari can never be a tedious experience. As there are about 525 bird species, including the Great Hornbill, Pied Kingfisher, Himalayan Swiftlet, Spotted Owlet, White-throated Kingfisher, and many other species, Chitwan National Park is also favored by many bird watchers.
The national park is also a popular choice among butterfly watchers. The Jungle is home to 206 different species of butterflies, thus enabling one to view varieties of butterflies in the same area. Some species of butterflies in and around Chitwan National Park are Autumn Leaf, Bamboo Forester, Baronet, Chocolate Pansy, Commander, Common Crow, Chestnut Tiger, Lemon Pansy and many more.
Similarly, as the Tharu community is settled amidst the Jungle, the local cuisines and culinary flavors are a unique experience for food enthusiasts. Tharu dishes like hongi (snail), sidra (fish), Bahamas Sadako (roasted soybean), sikarni (yogurt with sugar, cardamom, and fruits like mango or banana), and the tass set (boneless lamb slices marinated with Nepali herbs and spice) are available on the menu.
Various cultural dances, music, and performances are hosted by the Tharu community, including Danda Nach (Stick Dance), Ago Nach (Fire Dance), and Mayur Nach (Peacock Dance). Which is the most popular dance in Thai culture? Some may ask. The Sakhiya dance performed during the Dashian and Tihar festivals is popular in the Tharu community. Thus, the dance performance will be another delight for the visitors and another reason to visit Chitwan National Park.
Besides spending time in the jungle, other popular activities that can be done in Chitwan are fishing, canoeing in the Rapti River, cycling, river rafting, elephant baths, and many more.
What are the activities to do in the Chitwan National Park trip?
So here is a short list of the activities that can be done in Chitwan National Park:
- Elephant Jungle Safari
- Elephant Bathing
- Jeep Jungle Safari
- Canoeing
- Birdwatching
- Butterfly watching
- Tharu Village Tour
- Sunset and Sunrise views
- Rafting
Is Chitwan National Park safe?
Yes, it is safe to visit Chitwan National Park. The Chitwan National Park area is well-protected and patrolled. It is mandatory to walk in the jungle with experienced guides and rangers. Holiday Tours Nepal ensures a skilled ranger guide who will walk you through the safety trail and omit the danger zone, following all the necessary precautions and safety procedures.
The risk of animals is shallow; however, walking through the jungle with live wild animals must be cautious. Although cases of animal attacks do exist in Chitwan, they are rare. Suppose an individual does follow the instructions given by the guide with an awareness of the potential risks. In that case, the risk factor is negative. Similarly, exploring the jungle on an elephant's back or in a private jeep has no possible danger from the wild animals.
What are the permits for Chitwan National Park?
As Chitwan National Park is a protected area, a park entry permit is required according to the regulations. The park entry permit can be paid for in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, while Holiday Planner Nepal can bring them from Bhirkutimandap, comforting you from the hassle. The entry fee for Chitwan National Park is according to nationality.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and drive to Chitwan
Day 2: Full day in Chitwan National Park
Day 3: Full day in Chitwan National Park
Day 4: Drive to Kathmandu (5 hrs.) Pokhara (4 hrs.) and Lumbini (4 hrs.)
