Spotted Deer © Per Daugaard

Boat Safari © Barahi Jungle Lodge

Greater on-horned rhino © Mads Mathiasen

Elephant Camp tent © Tiger Tops

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The Best of Chitwan – 5 Days

Nepal’s lowest altitude is under 100m above sea level and we take you down to the tropical, flat, low lands for a contrast to the hills that surround the Kathmandu Valley. You’ll stay river-side in an air-conditioned bungalow opposite the jungle.

Spending some time on safari, you’ll have a great chance of seeing rhino, various types of monkeys and deer and perhaps even a tiger (although it is rare to see a tiger in Chitwan these days, it is still possible if you are in the right place at the right time). You will also spend a night at the elephant camp, where elephants live chain-free.

Starts In: Kathmandu
Ends In: Kathmandu
Duration: 5 Days
Difficulty Grade: Easy

Highlights

Stay in a couple of Nepal’s best safari lodges
Drift down one of Nepal’s biggest rivers while spotting wildlife
Soaking up the peacefulness of the jungle
Spot the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
Spend time with the elephants at Tiger Tops Elephant Camp

Itinerary

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Day 01: Fly from Kathmandu to Chitwan

This morning after breakfast, we drive back into Kathmandu to the domestic airport where you will board your plane for the short flight to the famous Terai region of Nepal and the Chitwan national park.

The landscape and culture is totally different from that which you have experienced so far and from the high, alpine regions of the Himalayan range. The name the ‘Terai’ refers to the extensive plains in the southern part of Nepal – this area is the most northern extension of the great Gangetic plains of India, land that was won and lost in decades of struggle and shares both Indian and Nepali characteristics and culture.

From the airport we have an hours drive to our amazing jungle lodge where we will spend the next couple of days, the Barahi Jungle Lodge. Spreading over 12 hectares, the lodge offers 35 deluxe boutique guest rooms, built as individual and two-in-one private villas. The sedulous efforts of Tharu artisans can be closely felt in spacious rooms. Each room opens to a private balcony from which the shriveling canopies of Chitwan and waters of Rapti.

Accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Forest sunset © Mads Mathiasen

Day 02: Safari in jeeps and on foot

This is a day never to be forgotten – a full day of safari action! All wildlife activities are escorted by an experienced naturalist who will astound you with knowledge of all things big and small. Wildlife in Chitwan National Park includes the greater one-horned rhinoceros, spotted deer, hog deer, sambar deer, barking deer as well as a wide variety of birdlife. With a bit of luck, there is even the chance of glimpsing a leopard, sloth bear and Royal Bengal tiger.

You have the advantage of your resort being right on the river and at times you can even see animals come right to the edge of the river to drink and bathe!

Accommodation: Barahi Jungle Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rhino and calf © Mads Mathiasen

Day 03: Boat safari down the river to Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge

This morning after breakfast, we have an amazing experience for you. We will walk down to the boat ramp on the river and get in the traditional longboat for not only your transfer to Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge but this is also an incredible opportunity for bird spotting, seeing the crocodiles, Rhino and we even spot tigers from the boats from time to time.

We will land not far from Tiger Tops a bit before lunch and drive to the lodge. Nestled beside the lush forest and overlooking idyllic Terai landscapes, Tharu Lodge is the perfect place to unwind. Dine al fresco under the shade of a mango tree, take a refreshing dip in Tharu’s garden side pool, play a spot of tennis, or simply sway gently in a hammock in the afternoon breeze. At night, enjoy nothing but the sounds of the forest that is just meters from your window.

In the afternoon you can spend time in the jungle or go for a bullock cart ride into the Tharu village near the lodge to explore the local culture of this part of the Terai.

Accommodation: Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Gharial crocodile © Jacob Gøtzsche

Day 04: A Day with the Elephants

This morning after breakfast you’ll be transferred over to Tiger Tops Elephant Camp to spend the rest of the morning with the mahouts learning how to make Kuchis (elephant sandwiches), and hang around the elephant corrals. Lunch will be ready around noon, and you might wish to relax and be lazy just like the elephants during the hot midday hours. In the late afternoon, when the temperature is pleasant, go for a walk in the jungle with the elephants and their mahouts. You will be walking alongside the elephants, watching how they move, what they eat, and listening to their communication, rumbling and trumpeting. On the way, our naturalist will show and tell you about the surrounding eco-system as you move through jungle, grassland, and wetland with the elephants. You will most likely encounter tiger tracks, deer, various species of birds, and maybe a rhino or two, depending on the route.

As a guest at the Elephant camp, you will literally be surrounded by elephants living chain-free in spacious, naturalistic corrals and you will be immersed in the elephants’ daily life from sun up to sundown. Even after dark, the elephants’ presence will be felt as their verbal and infrasonic communications fill the night air.

Accommodation: Tiger Tops Elephant Camp
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05: Fly from Chitwan to Kathmandu

This morning you may have a chance to fit in one last jungle or village activity before your transfer to the Bharatpur airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. The flight takes just 20 minutes, there’s also the option to drive overland, which takes 5 – 6 hours, depending on road conditions.

Meals included: Breakfast

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Gallery

Included In Price

Transfers as per the itinerary transfer to your hotel plus all other transfers for domestic flight, as mentioned in the itinerary above, in a private vehicle
Hotel nights in the hotels specified in the itinerary; based on double/twin share rooms on bed and breakfast plan
Meals as per the itinerary (all meals in Chitwan)
Domestic return flights from Kathmandu to Chitwan including airport tax and airport transfers
Jungle and village activities in Chitwan

Not Included In Price

Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy – please ask us if you would like any advice about gear to bring/buy/rent
International Flights to and from Kathmandu
Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes
Any excess baggage charges
Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and rescue evacuation should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
Rescue/evacuation costs (to be covered by your insurance)
Additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours outside the detailed itineraries above
Single supplement
Personal expenses (eg mineral water/soft drinks/bar bills, entrance/photography fees at monasteries, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, etc)
Any extra charge that tea house owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) and charging of batteries
Tips for your trekking crew, city guide, hotels, restaurants, etc (please ask if you would like guidance about appropriate tips)
Costs incurred due to unforeseen events (eg caused by natural disasters, adverse road conditions/flight delays, labor strikes, fuel shortages, extreme exchange rate changes, etc)

Adventure travel: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in the mountains, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of fellow travelers can all contribute to changes. We will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy- going nature will be an asset!