Nepal vision | 09/04/2023
Chitwan is a beautiful valley located in West Nepal which is widely known for its warm weather. The weather in the place exceeds 30 degrees on average. Chitwan is widely known for its national parks, wildlife, and cultural heritage. Besides, the place is also known for its worldwide popular jungle safaris and cool atmosphere as surrounded by forests everywhere. Chitwan must be included in your itinerary if you are traveling around the typical places in Nepal for the first time. If you are visiting to explore the beauty of Chitwan, find out the best things to do in Chitwan in this travel guide for beginners.
When is the best time to visit Chitwan?
The best time to visit Chitwan is mostly from October to March. These months have clear skies and warm temperatures with a comfortable trip. These months are neither too hot nor too cold. Also, most of the animals are seen in the season which makes the safari around the Chitwan National Park even more interesting. Besides, the month of January to March, a little cold season during these months is the best time to witness the rare wild animals. You still have a chance to see animals in other months too.
How to get to Chitwan?
There are various options to get to Chitwan. Let's check some of them:
- Tourist Bus:
Tourist Bus has been one of the most popular methods of transportation to Chitwan. You can take the bus directly from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Bus service can be affordable, commodious, and secure. The trip takes about 7 hours from Pokhara and about 6 hours from Kathmandu by bus. Chitwan vehicles are rarely fully occupied!
- Flight:
Besides road transport, transportation by plane is also one of the most famous options. It will only take about twenty minutes flight from Kathmandu to reach Bharatpur, Chitwan. If you are taking the flight from Pokhara it will also take about 20 minutes.
How Long Should I Stay In Chitwan?
Chitwan is a charming region with a few activities to do The activities in Chitwan will be long enough to keep you occupied for three to four days. The list of activities is not long enough to take a week long. About three nights would be the ideal duration to explore the beauty of Chitwan. If you wanted to take it easy, you could spread it out over 4 evenings, or if you needed to get everything done quickly, you could do it in 2.
9 Best Things To Do In Chitwan
Jungle Safari (by Jeep or by Foot)
Explore the jungle of Chitwan National Park with an experienced naturalist by foot or by jeep. On your trip to the jungle, you can ask questions and learn as much as you can on your trip as a naturalist will be there to help you who is extremely knowledgeable about the animals and the history of Chitwan National Park. Besides, you’ll also have a great chance to see multiple wildfires. On the trip to the Chitwan Jungle Safari, you can witness the variety of deers which includes spotter, hog, barking, and sambar deers. Also, different species of birds, monkeys, and endangered one-horn rhinoceros are found in Chitwan. There's always the chance of glimpsing the leopard, sloth bear, and Royal Bengal Tiger if you are lucky enough.
Watch Crocolides on the river bank
Rapti River surrounds the Chitwan National Park, which is home to many animals. You can see the number of crocodiles on the river bank. Chitwan National Park is home to two species of crocodiles, the march crocodile and the gharial. Mostly, the marsh crocodile is found in the river and wetlands of the park and is a predator that feeds on fish, small mammals, and even livestock sometimes. The gharial is a critically endangered species of crocodile that is only found inside protected areas. You can get a view of both species of crocodiles.
Bird Watching
Nepal is also regarded as a haven for bird watchers. Nepal has been home to amazing 848 species recorded. To explore the birds in Nepal, you can join a bird-watching trip that’ll be led by a knowledgeable naturalist to recognize species from grassland, farmland, forest, and aquatic habitats. You can also take an opportunity for understanding how important birds are to Nepal's diverse ecosystems as well as the ability to identify various species, their whistles, and alarm cries.
Canoeing with the river safari
River rafting is a popular way to experience the forest. Both the Narayani and Rapti rivers are great options to explore the rivers. Crocodiles, birdlife, and possibly the threatened fish-eating gharial crocodile and its more ominous cousin, the marsh-mugger, can all be seen from the river. You can also pause along the riverbanks and go for a quick stroll through the jungle in the middle of your canoe ride. Canoe rides can be a great experience for any nature lover enthusiast. A native guide and driver will be with you as you paddle in a hand-carved wooden canoe.
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