Group joining Chitwan Safari Tour

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park one of the most famous and visited parks of Nepal, located the Mid-South of the country within flatland or Nepal is known as the Terai belt with a warmer sub-tropical climate. Where deep green jungles are found where Chitwan National Park covers an area of 932 sq.kms, Chitwan situated within a driving distance from Kathmandu of five hours or Pokhara and one can reach the park premises taking a short flight of 20 minutes.

Chitwan a popular wild-life destination due to its short and easy accessibility by surface or air flights, the park was designated as World Heritage Site since 1984 and regarded as best Asia’s National Park for wild-life safari and in the comfort of hotels, lodge and resorts from the budget, standard to deluxe class.

Chitwan National Park home for more than 43 species of mammals also famous  for endangered and elusive “Royal Bengal Tiger” with one horned Indian Rhinoceros, fresh water Gharial crocodile along with many other common species such as gaur (Asian bison) wild elephants, four horned antelopes, striped hyenas, pangolins, Gangetic dolphins, monitor lizards and pythons. Other animals found in the park include sambars, Chitals (spotted deer) barking deer, sloth bear, palm civets, Languor and rhesus monkeys. The park is also famous for over 450 species of birds and the best time for bird watching is around March and December months.

Chitwan National Park is also an educational field for botanists and zoologists alike. The park is actively engaged in scientific studies and research concerning several species of wild fauna and flora. Chitwan also is reached by the ultimate way with a surge of adrenaline and scenic floats rafting on Trisuli River.

Jeep Safari:Jeep Safari on the four-wheel drive on roofless vehicle seated or standing to view the surrounding on the lookout for wild animals and exotic birdlife, on jeep safari takes you to the deep jungle where road exists with dirt tracks.Accompanied by naturalist and jungle guides where one has to dress accordingly as informed and briefed by the guide on arrival.

Elephant ride: One of the main highlights of the trip on Jungle Safari, where most of bigger hotels and lodge have their own elephant stable or with the community and Government-run, kept elephants. Elephant safari with a proper seating arrangement than on steps to elephant platform to reach the top of elephant back which is well and secure saddled known as Howdah, after comfortable seating where elephant driver on the front and the neck of the elephant. As ride leads you into thick bushes and tree lines (where visitors have to dress accordingly full sleeved shirts or light jackets, long pants or trouser, hats to keep the dead leaves and pest away where one can carry your own Binoculars or use Camera Zoon lens for closer views of animals and bird life. The ride either in the morning before breakfast or in late afternoon time duration of 2-3 hrs ride with grand views of Sunset from the elephant backs.

Cultural Dance: Cultural Dance a native Tharu cultural activities on joyous moments and celebrations during festivals, marriage or other events an interesting dance of traditional cultures. Some of the dances are of planting and harvesting crops, some as with self defense against wild animals when they go in the jungle to gather fire wood, grass or fishing or hunting in the early days.

Canoe trip: Canoe trip for an hour or less seated on a small stool in the boat of dug-out canoe made from the wood of Kapok (Silk Cotton) tree or Sal trees (Shorea Robusta). Floating downstream Rapti River maneuvered by the local boatmen from the end of the boat, an interesting quiet ride to observe water birds with many endangered birds like Bengal florican, Giant Hornbill, Lesser Florican, the Black Stork and White Stork. Common birds seen are Peafowl, Red Jungle fowl, and different species of Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers, and Woodpeckers. The best time for bird watching is around March and December.

Elephant breeding center: Elephant breeding and stable located within the Sauraha area a short drive from the hotel to see the elephant breeding center, where one can observe elephant from male to females with young recently born infants. Elephant breeding and stable are large covering much ground due to elephant size and habitations, the breeding center was established during the 1980s where you can watch elephants on their own habitations. Most of the elephants used for commercial jungle safari ride are female which is easy to tame and domesticate, here watch elephant at its habitats where elephant men and workers making foods for the animals and feeding them. Elephant while not at work are chained on the foot, hardly lies down and sleeps while standing due to its heavy weights. An interesting place to learn more about Indian species elephant which slightly different to African ones much larger than Asian elephants in size and tusks, where mostly Asian elephants especially do not have large tusks, only the male with long tusks, while African both have long tusk with precious ivory.

Elephant bath: Elephant bath is exciting and interesting to watch as well to join in scrubbing the elephants’ backs, where a short walk takes you to the bank of Rapti River where most of the washing and bathing of an elephants takes place. Elephant loves to cool in the pool of water or in rivers, watch elephant drivers commanding the elephants into some positions for wash one can bathe the elephant and can cool yourself with a spray of water from the elephant trunks.

Bird watching: Bird watching is another excellent place in Chitwan National Park outside around farm areas and villages also including rivers and ponds. Chitwan famous for over 450 different species of exotic bird life, with endangered

birds Bengal florican, the Giant Hornbill, Lesser Florican, Black Stork and White Stork. The most common birds seen are Peafowl, Peacock, Red Jungle fowl, and different species of Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers, the best time for bird watching is around March and December. Chitwan is also famous for water birds like ducks, pochard and storks some migrates as far from Siberia and Tibet to escape the cold winter visiting at warmer areas of Chitwan.

Sun Set: Sun Set from elephant backs with amazing views to watch while on late afternoon elephant safari, and from Machhan (observation towers) or from the river banks a different setting and beauty to observe while in Chitwan.

Village tour: While in Chitwan not to be missed is a village tour of Tharu community an indigenous ethnic tribe of Nepal low land known as Terai with warm sub-tropical temperatures, enjoy walk around the village where most Tharu lives in a hut

made from bamboo or elephant grass stalks. Observe interesting painting on houses with impressive local favorite symbols of chilies and other designs. Tharu were nomads and hunters before they settled in one place where at present they are engaged in agriculture and fishing. Visit Tharu museum to gather more information on these interesting people the Tharu of Chitwan and of Nepal Terai belt.