Things to do in Chitwan
Chitwan is well known for wildlife reserves and various safaris that can be done within National Parks. Chitwan means, the heart of the jungle, and thus has one of the largest National Park that is listed as a must-visit National Park in Asia. This National Park has lots of exciting activities to offer that would spellbind the travelers to make them want to stay more in Chitwan. Chitwan offers one of the top Jungle Safari, birdwatching, Canoe Riders, and a number of other jungle activities. In addition to these, you can spend quality time with your family by visiting the elephant and Gharial Breeding Centers. Furthermore, the local indigenous lifestyle of the Tharu people, their traditional mud houses, and their welcoming gesture, Chitwan will definitely will stay in your heart throughout your lifetime.
Here, we have listed different kinds of tours that could be done in Chitwan in the tabs alongside. Based on your timing and preferences, you could book any of these tours from beyul.
Chitwan all in one Day Tour (Duration: 8-10 Hours)
Highlights
- River safari on dugout canoe over Rapti river.
- Witness two rare species of crocodile, the Marsh Mugger, and Gharial
- Bird watching on jungle walk inside Chitwan National park
- Jeep safari, an excellent chance to see one-horned rhino, different species of deer, and Royal Bengal tiger
- Enjoy the sunset on the Rapti river
- Immerse yourself in Tharu cultural show in the evening
Background
Nepal is popular not only for its mountains, but it’s also home to the world’s finest forest and wildlife. Embark on a whole day trip with us to see one of the rarest wildlife in the world. Sighting one-horned rhino, 4 different species of deer, and a Tiger encounter is the major highlight of this tailor-made on day trip. All the logistics for this unique adventure is pre-booked by our ground staff to make sure the experience is as smooth as possible. You will start your day with a canoe ride on the Rapti river, followed by a Jungle walk and jeep safari. You will end your day watching the Tharu cultural show which you shouldn’t miss.
Itinerary
Time | Itinerary |
8:00 AM | – Drive to Riverside for a canoe ride |
9:00 AM | –Go for a jungle walk |
11:00 AM | -Head back to the hotel for lunch. Rest for sometime after lunch |
1:00 PM | -Start jeep safari from the hotel |
6:00 PM | -Watch the amazing Tharu cultural show |
*The above trip can be started from Kathmandu or Pokhara making it a 3 days trip
*You can also select either activity like Canoe ride, Jungle walk, Jeep safari or Tharu cultural show based on your need
Itinerary: Chitwan 3-day trip from Kathmandu/Pokhara/Lumbini
Day | Time | Itinerary |
Day 1 | 7:00 | –Drive from Kathmandu/Pokhara/Lumbini to Chitwan
-Have lunch at Kurintar -Reach Chitwan in the Afternoon -Sunset view over Rapti river in the evening |
Day 2 | 8:00 AM | – Drive to Riverside for a canoe ride |
9:00 AM | –Go for a jungle walk | |
11:00 AM | -Head back to the hotel for lunch. Rest for sometime after lunch | |
1:00 PM | -Start jeep safari from the hotel | |
6:00 PM | -Watch the amazing Tharu cultural show | |
Day 3 | 8:00 AM | – Drive to Kathmandu/Pokhara/Lumbini
(You can choose your time to return before 2:00 PM |
Chitwan Wildlife Breeding Center Tour (Duration: 4-5 Hours)
Highlights
- Support wildlife conservation initiative by the government of Nepal
- Very popular among any age group
- Visit the famous elephant breeding center.
- Learn about the daily life of an exceptionally smart creature Elephant
- Get a chance to see one and only elephant twins in Nepal
- Visit the elephant museum inside the elephant breeding center
- Visiting the Gharial breeding center lets you know about how fragile and endangered these rare species are
- Learn about the gharial lifecycle, what they eat and how they live and breed.
Background
This tour is a unique experience that is suitable for any age group. You will love the entire experience of visiting the most popular Elephant and Gharial breeding center located in Chitwan National park. Both the centers are initiatives by the government of Nepal, that help protect these rare species. The elephant breeding center rescues wild injured elephant babies and helps them raise them inside the center. These elephants are trained to help assist wildlife conservation initiatives by the Nepal government. Moreover, it’s a great opportunity to witness such majestic creatures away from zoos in an open area closer to nature and get to learn about them. A visit to the Gharial breeding center is always special, as you will learn how sensitive these animals are to their surroundings. Not all the gharial eggs make it to their babies as these beautiful creatures are very sensitive and fragile. Hence the center was established to maintain the diminishing population of gharial. The center located at Kasara has been successful to help conserve endangered Gangetic crocodiles popularly known as Gharials or muggers, hence your visit to the center helps conserve these endangered animals.
Itinerary
Time | Itinerary |
8:00 AM | – Drive to the Elephant breeding center. The elephant breeding center tour starts at 8:15 am |
10:00 AM | –Drive to the Gharial breeding center located in Kasara |
11:00 AM | -Reach gharial breeding center. Guided tour inside the center |
12:00 PM | -Finish the tour, and drive to the hotel. |
1:00 PM | -Reach hotel |
*The above trip can be started from Kathmandu or Pokhara making it a 3 days trip
*You can also add activities like Canoe ride, Jungle walk, Jeep safari, Tharu cultural show, and Tharu museum visit based on your requirement
An immersive experience at Elephant Camp and an exclusive visit to Vulture restaurant (Duration 1Night 2 days)
Highlights
- Support wildlife conservation initiatives by locals
- Allow yourself some time to be around the elephant and learn from them
- Walk with an elephant to the jungle for food collection
- Elephant sundowner watching elephant cool down and relax on Narayani river
- Visit Vulture restaurant lets you see different species of these endangered creatures
- Watching them feed is an immersive restaurant
Background
Overnight stay at Elephant and visiting a vulture restaurant is in itself a truly immersive experience. Located on the edge of the southwestern edge of Chitwan National Park, visit Elephant Camp offers you an intimate stay with the herd of Asiatic elephants. The idea is to provide an immersive and forward-thinking elephant experience to our valued guests. This allows you to connect with the elephants in a more personalized, profound, and unobtrusive way. Guests can enjoy a range of elephant activities or simply spend time with the herd throughout the day to get to know their individual personalities, behavior, and habits.
Upon arrival at the camp, you will be escorted to your camp where you will be spending the night amongst the elephants. The tents are surrounded on three sides by corrals, so you are truly immersed in the daily routine of our herd. You can even help the mahouts make elephant food called Kuchi. During the day, the mahouts will take the elephants to the jungle and river to supplement their diet by grazing, providing them with an opportunity for natural exercise, and letting them have a swim in the river. Accompanied by an experienced naturalist in all activities, you will learn about the elephant’s routine, their relationship with their mahouts, and their interaction with their environment. Enjoy the sundowner watching elephants enjoying their bath. The next morning, go for a short drive to Vulture restaurant, which is a conservation site for endangered vultures. Watching these endangered species have their food is a unique experience that you will get nowhere else in Nepal. Your visit helps the organization conserve these species and habitats. Be part of the change by visiting the vulture restaurant.
Itinerary:
Day | Time | Itinerary |
Day 1 | 11:00 AM | –Arrival at the elephant camp |
12:00 PM | -Lunch at the elephant camp. Spend your day around the elephant | |
3:00 PM | –Walk with the elephant to collect food for the elephant | |
5:00 PM | -Sundowner with elephant | |
Day 2 | 8:00 AM | -After breakfast visit to vulture restaurant |
11:00 AM | -Checkout from the elephant camp |
*The above trip can be started from Kathmandu or Pokhara making it a 3 days trip.
*If needed visit to vulture restaurant only can be organized
*You can also add activities like Canoe ride,Jungle walk, Jeep safari, Tharu cultural show, and Tharu museum visit based on your requirement
*You can also extend your stay based on your requirement
Live with the locals in Chitwan. Experience the Tharu lifestyle and culture
Highlights
- Work in local organic farm
- Taste the local Tharu cuisine made from vegetables from the local farm
- Support wildlife conservation initiatives by locals
- Jungle walk inside Chitwan National park
- Sighting of Rhino and different species of deer
- Tharu cultural show in the evening
- Learn to cook like a local from your host
Background
Live like a local is a theme that we as travel operators highly support and endorse. One can learn the local culture and lifestyle of indigenous Tharu people by staying overnight at Community run Homestays. The homestay also provides a source of income for the host to run their daily life. In most cases, the Homestays are run by women, so it provides them a way of income and financial independence. The homestays are located on the edge of Chitwan national park so the guests can enjoy wildlife as well as cultural activities with the hosts. Spotting Rhinoceros at the nearby buffer zone is common. You will be treated with warm Tharu hospitality in the evening with the local dinner and Tharu cultural show.
Moreover, homestays are considered to be an excellent way of providing you with the opportunity of getting a better local experience and learning firsthand about indigenous culture and lifestyle. This cannot be doubted since tourists will be living with a family of the village and having their meals with them as well, which is sure to invite closer interaction.
Itinerary:
Day | Time | Itinerary |
Day 1 | 11:00 AM | –Arrival at the Tharu homestay |
12:00 PM | -Lunch at homestay | |
1:00 PM | –Interaction with the host throughout the day | |
4:00 PM | -Go for a jungle walk for a Rhino sighting | |
6:00 PM | -Tharu cultural show | |
7:00 PM | -Learn to cook Tharu cuisine with the host | |
Day 2 | 8:00 AM | -After breakfast, tour around the village and farm |
11:00 AM | -Depart from the homestay |
*The above trip can be started from Kathmandu or Pokhara
*You can also add activities like Canoe ride, Jungle walk, Jeep safari, and Tharu museum visit based on your requirement
*You can also extend your stay based on your requirement
* The activities time (except Tharu cultural show) can be modified based on your requirement
Overnight at Jungle tower inside Chitwan National Park
Highlights
- Overnight stay at watchtower inside Chitwan National Park
- Witness sighting of wildlife in their natural habitat
- Canoeing on the Rapti river
- Guaranteed wildlife sighting
- Birdwatching from the deck of the watchtower
- Support wildlife conservation initiatives by locals and security personnel
Background
This is the perfect getaway for adventure enthusiasts, those who wish to explore the popular Chitwan National Park. This unique experience offers an extravagant night’s stay at the well-built wooden tower and includes basic amenities like toilet and shower facilities. During the quiet night stay in the tower, you will have the opportunity to witness varieties of wild animals like wild boars, 4 different types of deer, one-horned rhinos, a myriad of exotic native birds, wild elephants, and with patience and good luck, you could even get to witness a tiger.
Our experienced Naturalist will pick you up from any location in and around Chitwan. The adventure starts once you take a canoe ride over the Rapti river to reach the tower. You will be witnessing a number of local and migrating birds along the riverbanks, and also see crocodiles and gharials. About half an hour later you will disembark and hike for an adventurous 20 minutes to get to the tower. You will get an opportunity to see many wild animals’ tracks and prints, and may even get a chance to witness them while you are in the safe company of our jungle experts. Tonight you will stay in the tower, and you will get to witness a true jungle experience. The next morning you will take a hike around the forest with our experienced naturalist. After having lunch you will be dropped to Sauraha.
Itinerary:
Day | Time | Itinerary |
Day 1 | 11:00 AM | –Arrival at Rapti river. Canoe ride starts |
11:30 AM | -Start your hike to the jungle tower | |
12:00 PM | –Reach jungle tower, have lunch, and rest | |
2:00 PM | -Jungle walk led by our experienced naturalist to the heart of the jungle. | |
6:00 PM | -Cultural show in the evening (Availability Depends on group size) | |
Day 2 | 8:00 AM | -After breakfast morning hike around the forest |
11:00 AM | -Checkout from the tower and drop to Sauraha |
*The above trip can be started from Kathmandu or Pokhara or Lumbini making it a 3 days trip.
*If needed visit to vulture restaurant only can be organized
*You can also add activities like Jeep safari, Tharu cultural show, and Tharu museum visit based on your requirement
*You can also extend your stay based on your requirement
Birdwatching tour in Chitwan National Park
Highlights
- Sighting of endangered and rare bird species
- Morning walk along the Rapti river is something you should not miss to see the birds and other animals
- Sighting of Rhino at the community forest
- Sunset River safari on dugout canoe over Rapti river.
- Visit Bish-Hazari lake, which is the hotspot for bird sighting
Background
Nepal is home to the world’s finest forest, birds, wildlife, and wetland areas. Chitwan National Park is one of the best habitats for native and migratory birds, with birds that arrive from as far as Siberia during winter. To date around 450 species of birds have been recorded in Chitwan National Park. For bird watchers, Chitwan is the most popular destination in Nepal, which covers numerous wetland areas within. This special trip has been solely designed to cater to your birdwatching thirst. Embar on one full day trip to explore all the birds-watching hotspots of Chitwan National Park.
After having breakfast you will be picked up by our Naturalist from your hotel. Early morning walk along Rapti river is a must view many species of birds like Asian Hornbill, Paradise Flycatcher, Lesser FLorician, Black-crested bulbul, bar-headed Goose, Kingfisher, and many more. You will further drive to the nearby community forest to see a wide range of birds in the community forest. The experience is surreal, make sure to capture the moments with your camera. After lunch, you will be driven to Bis Hazari Tal (20000 lake). The bird species commonly found in this area are Bengal Florican, the vulnerable lesser adjutant, Grey-crowned Prinia, swamp francolin, and many more. After visiting the lake, you will take a sunset canoe ride on the Rapti river, which is the best time to see birds returning to their habitat. Sighting of birds like Ruddy Shelduck, Peacock and gharial is common. This is the golden hour to take breathtaking pictures of birds in their natural habitat. After the canoe ride, you will be dropped to your hotel.
Itinerary
Time | Itinerary |
8:00 AM | – Pick Up from the hotel and Drive to Rapti Riverside for birdwatching |
10:00 AM | –Drive to the community forest for bird watching. Your experienced Naturalist will make sure that you get to see as many birds as possible |
12:00 AM | -Lunch near the forest |
1:00 PM | -Drive to Bish Hazari Tal(Lake) for amazing sighting |
5:00 PM | -Canoe ride over Rapti river |
6:00 PM | -Drop at hotel |
*The above trip can be started from Kathmandu or Pokhara making it a 3 days trip
*You can also select either activity like Jungle walk or Jeep safari or Tharu cultural show based on your need
Whitewater Rafting trip to Trisuli river (Duration: 8-10 hours)
Highlights
- Rafting in Trishuli river is an adventure of a lifetime
- Learn paddling techniques from certified river guides
- Scenic drive from Chitwan to Charaudi
- Exciting rapids along Trisuli river
- Perfect place for first-time rafters
- The raft passes through typical Nepali village and farmland
- Visit to Jalbire waterfall shouldn’t be missed
Background
During your stay in Chitwan, if you’re done with regular jungle activities, pump up your adrenaline by joining a full-day rafting trip on the Trisuli River. The river originates in Tibet, further running down to Chitwan parallel to Prithivi Highway, which connects Kathmandu and Chitwan. The river passes through rocky cliffs, steep valleys, forests, small villages, and farmland.
After having an early morning breakfast, you will drive North from Chitwan to a place called Charaudi (Start point), which takes a 2-3 hours drive from Chitwan. Upon arrival, you will be served tea and some snacks. Your river guide will give you a detailed briefing on rafting techniques, gears, and different grades of rapids along the river. After the briefing, you will hit the river for rafting. Nothing can beat this ultimate experience of playing with the waves of water with amazing scenery in the backdrop. On the way, you will get the opportunity to witness the amazing landscapes and vegetation along with small villages. After completion of the trip, you will be served lunch at riverside camps before you head back to Chitwan. If you are interested, we can do a short stop at Jalbire waterfall on the way back to Chitwan.
Itinerary
Time | Itinerary |
7:00 AM | – Leave Chitwan for Charaudi |
10:00 AM | – Arrival at the start point, briefing on safety measures. Have some snack |
11:00 AM | -Hop on the raft with a life jacket on for the adventure of a lifetime |
1:00 PM | -Lunch at Fishing after the end of the rafting trip |
2:00 PM | -Drive to Chitwan. Stopover at Jalbire waterfall |
5:00 PM | -Reach Chitwan |
*The above trip can be started from Kathmandu or Pokhara making it a 3 days trip
*You can also select either activity like Jungle walk or Jeep safari or Tharu cultural show based on your need
*You can also spend the night at a riverside camp
*You can also enjoy canyoning at Jalbire located on the way back to Chitwan
Day Trip to Lumbini-Birth place of Gautam Buddha
Highlights
- Scenic drive from Chitwan to Lumbini
- Visit the Mayadevi temple where Buddha was born
- Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit numerous temples/monasteries built by different countries around the world
- Learn about the religious and cultural significance of Lumbini
- A spiritual journey to Buddhism
Your stay in Chitwan will not be complete unless you visit Lumbini- the birthplace of Budhha. The tour takes you to the lowland of western Nepal, where Buddhist ideology was born. The Buddha is believed to live between 563 and 483 BCE. Lumbini is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site, which is one of 4 important places to visit by Buddist followers. The other 3 places are Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar. Lumbini is also popular for its archeological discoveries scattered in the Kapilvastu district. Mayadevi Temple, an ancient bathing pond, Ashoka Pillar, and Bodhi tree are the major attractions one should not miss when visiting Lumbini.
After having breakfast you will be picked up by our experienced guide from your hotel. It takes 3-4 hours to reach Lumbini. The highway passes through small towns, forests, paddy fields, and hills before reaching your destination. You will have lunch at Bhairahawa before entering Lumbini. Visit must-visit places like Mayadevi temple, Ashoka Pillar, Bodi Tree, Peace Flame, different Monasteries built by different counties, and not miss the World Peace Pagoda. You will be amazed to see different Buddhist architectural masterpieces built by many counties around the world. Below is the list of places you will visit:
- Buddha’s Birthplace – Mayadevi Temple (main attraction)
- Ashoka Pillar
- Korea Temple
- Chinese Temple
- Singapore Temple
- Japan Temple
- India Temple
- French Temple
- Sri Lanka Temple
- Thai Monastery
- Vietnam Monastery
- Nepal Monastery
Itinerary:
Time | Itinerary |
7:00 AM | – Leave Chitwan for Lumbini |
10:30 AM | – Arrival at Lumbini. 3 hours of a tour of Lumbini. Lunch in between |
2:30 PM | -End of Lumbini tour. Head back to Chitwan with multiple pit stop on the way |
6:00 PM | -Reach Chitwan |
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