Chitwan National Park

Situated in the central Terai region of Nepal, Chitwan is the oldest of the country’s national parks and was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in the mid 1980’s. It covers an area of 932 square kms of beautiful marshland, sal forest and open grassland and is arguably the best known wildlife reserve in Asia. This is a hugely important reserve that has helped to protect a huge variety of wildlife species including the iconic Bengal tiger.

• Relax and contemplate the stunning views of Machapuchare’s fishtail
  
• Head out for a cruise on Phewa Lake in a brightly painted doonga boat
  
• Watch the setting sun turn the snowy peaks gold at Sarangkot
  
• Hike up to the World Peace Pagoda – the perfect warm up for a longer trek
  
• Get an incredible  bird’s eye view of Pokhara and beyond from a paraglider

Today the river plains and steaming jungle of Chitwan are home to one of the largest populations of the rare Bengal Tiger, along with the one-horned rhinos, leopard and Asiatic elephant. There is also a large variety of other wildlife including sloth bear, marsh-mugger crocodiles, the endangered Gharial crocodile, wild boar, monkeys and four species of deer. The park is a favourite place for birdwatchers with almost 500 bird species that can be seen here.

Activities include game viewing by 4×4 jeep, boat trips along the Narayani River, bird walks, fascinating village visits and it is also possible to spend time with the mahouts who look after the domesticated elephants and you can head out in the morning to the grasslands to fetch grass for them to eat and also watch the elephants enjoy their daily refreshing swim in the river. 

On a clear day you also have the magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya beyond, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.