Chitwan (Nepal)

The name 'Chitwan' has several possible meanings, but the most literal translation of the two NEPALI words that make it up: chit or chita (heart) and wan or ban (jungle). Chitwan is thus 'the heart of the jungle'.

The beautiful Royal Chitwan National Park, located 166km southwest of Kathmandu and nearly 204km southeast of Pokhara, is the main attraction of Chitwan. The park sprawls across lushly wooded hills and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Chitwan offers great tiger and rhino spotting opportunities.

This is one of Nepal's largest forest regions, with wide range of wildlife. The rare great one horned rhinoceros, several species of deer, sloth bear, leopard, wild boar, fresh water dolphin, crocodile, more than 815 species of birds, and the elusive Royal Bengal Tigers roam here. Visitors to Chitwan may view game on elephant back, excursions, nature walks, and canoe trips, from windows and on jungle treks.

Elephant grass, five to six feet tall, provides excellent camouflage for animals. This grass serves as food for the gaur (a local bison), rhino and other herbivores. Once a year, local people are allowed into the park area to cut grass. The grass is dried, and used to thatch roofs or stored for food for the domestic animals during the dry season.

Places of Interest

Though one can visit neighboring Tharu villages in Chitwan, the major interesting focus of Chitwan is still the exploration of the Chitwan National Park.

The flora and fauna of Chitwan makes it a great place for nature lovers. Chitwan has over 50 different species of mammals, 400 different species of birds, and 65 different types of butterflies in its hardwood Sal forests, riverine vegetation, and "elephant grass" savannah. More than 70 different species of grass grow here.

The most famous wildlife in Chitwan is perhaps the single-horned Asian rhinoceros. A few decades ago, their number had fallen to less than 100, but recent count puts them at 400. These animals have thick armor like hide that is hard to penetrate even with a bullet.

A fully-grown animal can be as tall as 180cm. In spite of army protection for these animals and severe punishment for harming them, rhino poaching is still a problem as every organ of the animal carries some (probably superstitious) value. The horn fetches about US$10,000 per kilo and is believed to be an aphrodisiac. The dung can be a laxative, the urine cures tuberculosis and asthma. The blood can help cure menstrual problems. The hide keeps away evil spirits. And so on.

Chitwan has about 150 Bengal tigers left of the one time 3000 or so. Though poaching is a serious threat, the real threat for these majestic animals is the gradual loss of its habitat. A male tiger requires almost 60km space, and a female one requires a third of it. Chitwan is simply not big enough to handle many tigers. It is rare for one to actually see a tiger, though looking for one is an interesting part of the trip.

Other wild mammals one may see are leopards, various types of deer, monkeys, sloth bear, and antelope.

Excursion

Jungle walks
You get best animal sightings on foot at your own pace. You will be able to appreciate the smaller attractions of the jungle with our naturalists. Usually it is easy to see animals like Rhino, Deer and sloth bear. As animal prefer to live in less disturbed areas of the park, long day walks has access to get into wide areas of the park. 2. Elephant ride: - Elephant is the safest and most convenient way to get around in the jungle and observe the wild life.

Canoe Trip:
A float down to river by dugout canoe is the best way to see crocodiles basking at the riverbank. It is also a relaxing way to watch birds and wildlife species that frequently come to drink water and bath.

Jeep Drive:
A jeep drive is the fastest way to visit wide area of the park. A whole about 4 hour’s drive 45 km in the park passing all types of vegetation and wildlife habitats, so chances of seeing big games are high.

Bird watching:
Royal Chitwan national park is known as a paradise for birds and birdwatcher. Chitwan valley records over 450 species of birds. The eagle eyes of our naturalist will point out some of the migratory and globally threatened birds.

Culture Dance:
Chitwan is the region where many ethnic groups are met and their own culture and customs are still alive. Folk musical tradition vary among Nepal’s many ethnic groups. We will show you different type of dance what is make you real venture of travel.

How to get there

You can reach taking tourist bus or private car to chitwan national park from Pokhara or Kathmandu, bus form other part of Nepal to Sauraha chowk and fly to Bharatpur form Kathmandu. You will see our hotel guide and they escort to the Hotel.

By Road
depart form Kathmandu or Pokhara early in the morning for a 5 hour drive via Mugling and the Narayanghat Highway. Reach resort in the time for lunch.

By raft
leave Kathmandu or Pokhara at 7 am and enjoy breakfast in the bank of the Trisuli river before embarking. During the journey you can enjoy high and low water waves and water the surrounding scenery. At he end, vehicles will be waiting to take you our hotel

By air
there are several flights that can take you to Bharatpur our hotel vehicles will be waiting to drive you to hotel