If you are looking for an adventure with luxury, then Chitwan is the right place to choose. We begin this trip by driving to the Chitwan National Park about 5 hour drive from Kathmandu passing through some beautiful views. We stay at Island Jungle Resort one of Chitwan’s best in providing sound accommodation and opportunity to view wildlife in probably the best natural habitat. After a traditional Nepali lunch we explore the park on an elephant back. We can also take a canoe ride on the Budhi Rapti river to see marsh mugger crocodiles and gharials basking under the sun or see some of the river dolphins jumping in and out of the water. Even jungle walks accompanied by well trained guides can be taken. A visit to the Tharu village nearby provides a great opportunity to see the natives of Terai and the richness in their culture. After all this adventure we return to the hotel for a wonderful Nepali dinner. The next morning after a beautiful sunrise over the placid jungle we fly back to Kathmandu.

The first and the best known accessible national park in Nepal is ‘ The Royal Chitwan National Park ‘ about 120km(75miles) southwest of Kathmandu. Officially gazetted in 1973, this park is situated in the Rapti valley in the subtropical lowlands of Terai. It covers an area of 932 sq. km of dense tropical Sal forests, oxbow lakes, floodplains and tall grasslands. Home to 56 sp. of mammals and many more species of birds and reptiles, it is one of the richest national park in terms of biological diversity. It is one of the last strongholds of the elusive Bengal tiger and the only place in Nepal where the great one horned Rhinoceros can be found. Also protected here are the endangered species of wild elephants, Gaur, Dolphins and the Gharial crocodile.

In addition to its abundant natural life, it also provides various jungle activities that make it even more thrilling. One of the most loved is of course the ‘ elephant-back ride ‘ in the heart of the jungle to look for the different species of deer, leopard, boar, birds and if luck favors you may even spot the tiger which by nature is a shy animal usually on the prowl at night in search of its prey. This safari will take you through the various parts of the jungle, from the dense rainforests to the grasslands covered with thick tall grasses and also across the several small rivers in the middle of the jungle. Other programs include the canoe ride down the Budhi Rapti river to see the marsh mugger crocodile lazing under the sun on the riverbanks. Then there are the elephant breeding centers and also a gharial breeding center for the survival of this amazing but endangered species. Its conservation effort has well paid off in many areas that is why it is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Chitwan is equally a paradise for the bird watchers with 526 sp. of birds including the six endangered species and also the migratory birds seen here between September and November and February and April for a spectacular show of the diversity of birds found here. For those who prefer cultural study to nature study, there are tharu villages nearby that gives an opportunity to see the unique culture and lifestyle of Tharu people who happens to be the ancient of all the other Terai inhabitants.

Chitwan is a natural paradise and for those who want to escape the frenzied pace of the city life this is the place to be where the only sounds you will hear is the chirping of the birds, the rustling of the leaves and an occasional noise of an animal in the jungle.

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