The narrow strip of flat and fertile land wedged between the Indian border and the mountains is called the Terai. Home of the Bengal tiger and the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
From the 19th century, the Chitwan Valley was a centre for Royal hunting trips, but 1973 it was proclaimed to be a National Park and from that day on the wildlife is protected. This National park is also the home of lots of monkeys, deer, crocodiles, snakes, bears and beautiful birds.
Many of the park lodges are closed during the May to August monsoon months when visibility is very poor, the ground is muddy and the flooding rivers make the park inaccessible. In September the lodges begin to re-open, although at first the rivers will be still to high for 4WDs and transfers to the lodges can only made by elephant. The best time to visit Chitwan in from October to February when the average daily temperature is about 25 degrees Celsius. For more information check the "Climate"chapter.
Chitwan National Park is 150 km south-west of Kathmandu. By car it will take about 6 hours to get there. A flight will take only 30 minutes. Just outside the park near the entrance of the Royal Chitwan national Park is the small village of Sauraha. This village can only be reached by car, jeep, bicycle or elephant.
Highlights
- Jungle safari by elephant
- Traditional Tharu stick dance
- Elephant breeding centre
- Early morning walk to watch birds
- Village walk or village tour by ox-chart
