Chitwan National Park (Before 2015 earthquake)
Note: After the 2015 earthquake, some of the sights or accomodation may have been damaged
Overview
This is the most famous
National Park in Nepal and said to be one of the best place on Earth to
spot a one-horned rhino, besides being home to hundreds of birds, sloth
bears, elephants, spotted deers, monkeys, crocodiles, bisons, leopards… and
tigers, although these are quite difficult to see.
In addition, it is one of the only places of the world in which you can have a walking safari, that is, being you and your guides walking in the jungle with the only protection of a bamboo stick. If you have previously been to other safaris in Africa or somewhere else, don’t expect to see anything spectacular unless you’re lucky. The thing here is more about walking in the jungle, seeing some animals from time to time and probably some tiger footprints as we did, if not the real animal.
We were walking for 7 hours and we got to see two rhinos, a few monkeys, 4 or 5 crocodiles, peacocks, spotted deers, buffalos from far and several birds. It was ok but nothing memorable, so think twice if you want to have the painful ride from Kathmandu or Pokhara down to Chitwan. Anyway, if you decide to do so, you will probably enjoy.
In addition, it is one of the only places of the world in which you can have a walking safari, that is, being you and your guides walking in the jungle with the only protection of a bamboo stick. If you have previously been to other safaris in Africa or somewhere else, don’t expect to see anything spectacular unless you’re lucky. The thing here is more about walking in the jungle, seeing some animals from time to time and probably some tiger footprints as we did, if not the real animal.
We were walking for 7 hours and we got to see two rhinos, a few monkeys, 4 or 5 crocodiles, peacocks, spotted deers, buffalos from far and several birds. It was ok but nothing memorable, so think twice if you want to have the painful ride from Kathmandu or Pokhara down to Chitwan. Anyway, if you decide to do so, you will probably enjoy.
Sightseeing
There are quite a few activities to do in Chitwan, being the most popular and the reason everybody comes here the safaris. Besides safaris, elephant rides, visiting the elephant stables, walking along the river and attending the Tharu festival are the most popular activities and the ones we did.
You have to buy an entrance ticket to the National park which costs 1796 rupees and it’s valid for one single day. To this, you have to add the price of the safari or the elephant ride or whatever activity you do within the park limits. If you intend to do both a safari and an elephant ride, do the safari one day and the following morning go for the elephant, as the ticket will still be valid, otherwise you’ll have to pay for another ticket.
-Safari: There are two types of safaris: jungle walk and jeep safari. We opted for the jungle walk, which consists on walking in the jungle for some 7 hours spotting as many animals as you can. We searched around a bit and finally we booked it through the lodge for approximately 1200 rupees including lunch and one hour of boat.
It is mandatory to go with two guides. You start around 7 in the morning with a one-hour boat ride on the river. Then you get off the boat and after some explanations by the guide you start walking.
In the end, and as you only see animals rarely, it is quite boring, but, of course, it depends on your luck, you cannot pretend to see hundreds of animals in one day in Chitwan.
Reccommended if you have never been to any animal safari and especially because of the fact you are walking in the jungle.
-Elephant Ride: A touristry thing we would not recommend at all. We gave it a try because that way we could make the most of the entrance ticket. The ride lasts for an hour and a half and there are hundreds of tourists (mainly Chinese) waiting to ride the animals. You are then taken into the jungle and can spot quite a lot of animals (peacocks, monkeys, deers, crocodiles…) but the whole thing looks like a circus with some 20 elephants loaded with people at the same time. Even if the views are nice and so on, don’t do it. 1000 rupees.
-Tharu Festival: Every evening at 7pm there’s a traditional festival taking place in the center of Sauraha. 100 rupees. It lasts one hour and local people perform traditional dances and stuff. It’s more a touristry thing than anything else, but if you’re interested in traditional dances you can give it a try. Otherwise, it is perfectly missable.
-Elephant Stables: If you walk through the gate just in front of Chitwan Gaida Lodge and you walk for a couple of minutes, you’ll get to the elephant stables. This is the place where the Government run elephants live. Basically there are a few houses and stables with or without elephants. Sometimes they are chained there and sometimes they are free wandering around or eating. Nothing special, just to have a close up of the animals.
-Riverside: One of the nicest things to do (besides the safari) in Chitwan. From where the boats are (next to Jungle Pub) take the path heading left along the river. You can walk on your own freely and get to the elephant stables. The landscape is really nice and locals say it is a good area to spot rhinos, although we didn’t see any.
There’s also an elephant breeding center a few kilometers far from Sauraha which we didn’t visit.
You have to buy an entrance ticket to the National park which costs 1796 rupees and it’s valid for one single day. To this, you have to add the price of the safari or the elephant ride or whatever activity you do within the park limits. If you intend to do both a safari and an elephant ride, do the safari one day and the following morning go for the elephant, as the ticket will still be valid, otherwise you’ll have to pay for another ticket.
-Safari: There are two types of safaris: jungle walk and jeep safari. We opted for the jungle walk, which consists on walking in the jungle for some 7 hours spotting as many animals as you can. We searched around a bit and finally we booked it through the lodge for approximately 1200 rupees including lunch and one hour of boat.
It is mandatory to go with two guides. You start around 7 in the morning with a one-hour boat ride on the river. Then you get off the boat and after some explanations by the guide you start walking.
In the end, and as you only see animals rarely, it is quite boring, but, of course, it depends on your luck, you cannot pretend to see hundreds of animals in one day in Chitwan.
Reccommended if you have never been to any animal safari and especially because of the fact you are walking in the jungle.
-Elephant Ride: A touristry thing we would not recommend at all. We gave it a try because that way we could make the most of the entrance ticket. The ride lasts for an hour and a half and there are hundreds of tourists (mainly Chinese) waiting to ride the animals. You are then taken into the jungle and can spot quite a lot of animals (peacocks, monkeys, deers, crocodiles…) but the whole thing looks like a circus with some 20 elephants loaded with people at the same time. Even if the views are nice and so on, don’t do it. 1000 rupees.
-Tharu Festival: Every evening at 7pm there’s a traditional festival taking place in the center of Sauraha. 100 rupees. It lasts one hour and local people perform traditional dances and stuff. It’s more a touristry thing than anything else, but if you’re interested in traditional dances you can give it a try. Otherwise, it is perfectly missable.
-Elephant Stables: If you walk through the gate just in front of Chitwan Gaida Lodge and you walk for a couple of minutes, you’ll get to the elephant stables. This is the place where the Government run elephants live. Basically there are a few houses and stables with or without elephants. Sometimes they are chained there and sometimes they are free wandering around or eating. Nothing special, just to have a close up of the animals.
-Riverside: One of the nicest things to do (besides the safari) in Chitwan. From where the boats are (next to Jungle Pub) take the path heading left along the river. You can walk on your own freely and get to the elephant stables. The landscape is really nice and locals say it is a good area to spot rhinos, although we didn’t see any.
There’s also an elephant breeding center a few kilometers far from Sauraha which we didn’t visit.
Accomodation
There are a lot of “resorts” in the area, all pretty much offering the same conditions: cheap rooms, a restaurant and a garden where to chill out. We stayed at Chitwan Gaida Lodge for 1000 rupees per night. It is a good option, walking distance from Sauraha and in front of the elephant stables. You can also book all the tours and tickets you want there, although some of them a bit pricey.
Just be aware that if you’re having your meals at the lodge, besides taking an average of one hour to prepare it, your final bill will be quite high, as the prices stated in the menu don’t include the 10% service charge, so better have a few meals here and there.
Anyway, we recommend Gaida Lodge if you plan to visit Chitwan.
Just be aware that if you’re having your meals at the lodge, besides taking an average of one hour to prepare it, your final bill will be quite high, as the prices stated in the menu don’t include the 10% service charge, so better have a few meals here and there.
Anyway, we recommend Gaida Lodge if you plan to visit Chitwan.
Food & Drink
There are a lot of options to eat and drink in Sauraha and surroundings most of them offering the same menu and price (Nepali, Chinese and Western food). We mostly ate at the lodge but went for a beer to one of the lodges facing the river. Try any of them for a relaxing time!
Transportation
From Kathmandu, to get to Chitwan you have to board a bus to Sauraha at 7 in the moning. The trip cost us 400 rupees for a 6 hour ride including stops for breakfast, toilet and lunch. The journey, being Nepal, is a pain in the ass.
The ticket was booked at our hostel in Kathmandu and the bus stop was right next to it (North of Thamel) but there are many more options.
The ticket was booked at our hostel in Kathmandu and the bus stop was right next to it (North of Thamel) but there are many more options.
Safety
The obvious danger in Chitwan are the wild animals. We didn’t have any bad experience but we heard reports of rhinos walking freely at night next to the lodges, so be aware of that.
During the walking tour, the danger is ever present as you are walking in the middle of the jungle and the only protection you have is a bamboo stick the guide is carrying. Nothing happened but, of course, there have been some accidents.
During the walking tour, the danger is ever present as you are walking in the middle of the jungle and the only protection you have is a bamboo stick the guide is carrying. Nothing happened but, of course, there have been some accidents.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
