- Address: Nepal, Chitwan National Park Narayani, 44200
- Area: 972 sq. M. km
- Date of foundation: 1973.
The National Royal Chitwan Park is one of the most interesting places in Nepal after the Kathmandu Valley and Himalayan tracks . The park is located in the southern part of Nepal. The Chitwan Reserve is relatively young. The nature of the park is diverse and colorful, so is its landscape. Here there is a rain forest and shrub thickets, meadows and fields, tall grass savannahs. Around a lot of water bodies: mountain rivers, deep ponds and backwaters, lakes and swamps.
Creature
Until 1950, the Chitwan National Park was the hunting ground of kings. Over the years, the monarchs of Nepal have been hunting for large game - rhinoceroses, elephants and tigers. In 1973 in Chitwan there were only 100 individuals of rhinoceroses and 20 tigers. The hunt was banned, and at that time the first National Park, Royal Chitwan, was established in Nepal. To date, the Royal Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biodiversity.
What to see?
This mysterious Nepalese region conceals in itself a huge variety of fauna:
- 40 species of mammals;
- 45 species of reptiles and amphibians;
- 450 species of birds.
The best way to get acquainted with the inhabitants of the jungle is from the back of the elephant. This is an inexpressible sensation - to look at everything from the height of a huge animal, slowly and measuredly swaying to the beat of his footsteps. Elephant smell interrupts the human, so predators and herbivores continue to behave, as if nothing had happened.
In Chitwan you will see families of rhinos that take mud baths or peacefully chew grass, buffaloes during bathing. If you are lucky, you will meet even the royal Bengali tiger. You can see a more bloodthirsty spectacle - a crocodile attacking a deer, who has lost his vigilance. Around there are many birds - peacocks and kingfishers.
Things to do?
The most interesting entertainment in Chitwan Park:
- Visit the village of Sauraha - there they grow elephants. Tourists like to observe and take part in bathing these beautiful animals. It happens every day and at certain hours - even for free. Bathing is really a joyful and exciting spectacle.
- Crocodile farm gives tourists the opportunity to get more adrenaline, because feeding the bloodthirsty reptiles on their own is not a job for the faint-hearted.
- A tour of the river Rapti by canoe - gives a chance to watch the marsh crocodiles and gavials. For about an hour the tourists swim down the river, and then return on foot with a guide.
- Jeep Safari tours are very popular. They last about 4 hours and are introduced to the farthest areas of the national park.
- Elephant Riding is a journey into the jungle in a basket on the back of an elephant. Ride on it is much more interesting and interesting: you do not feel tired, from a height of two meters you can see stunning views and no car shaking, only a measured rocking in a cozy basket.
- Elephant Breeding Center - this kindergarten little elephants, where you can learn to care for them. Near the center there is a football field, where the annual elephant championship is held.
Helpful information
Tourist costs in Chitwan are as follows:
- Hotel Rhino Lodge is located in the center of the village - $ 20 per room.
- The entrance to the National Park is 1500 rupees (slightly less than $ 15).
- A river excursion by canoe (40 minutes) and a walk for 3 hours - 800 rupees (or $ 8), the same for the whole day - 2 times more expensive.
- Safari in a jeep (4 hours) - 1200 rupees ($ 12); All day with lunch on the way for two - 16,000 rupees ($ 155).
- Walking on elephants (2 hours) - 1300 rupees ($ 13).
- Excursion to the "kindergarten" is loosened - 400 rupees ($ 4).
How to get there?
To come to Chitwan National Park is better in the periods of March-May or September-December. The park is near the capital of the country. You can get to Chitwan yourself, using public transport , and with an excursion from the capital or Pokhara . The road from Kathmandu to Chitwan is asphalted, it can be reached by buses in 6-8 hours. The distance is about 150-200 km. Although it is small, but a part of the road passes through the mountain serpentine, so traffic jams are not uncommon.
In Nepal there are two types of buses - Local Bus and Tourist Bus. The first stops at every desire and wave of the hand, so basically tourists choose the bus Tourist Bus, the fare is 500 rupees ($ 5).