A place you should never miss while visiting Nepal.

Located about 155 kilometre far from the capital.

The origin of the name “Chitwan” comes from sanskrit words like “chitt” means heart and “wan” means jungle . So, Chitwan is also known as “heart of Jungle”.

Nepal is divided into 3 main regions which is : Himalaya region, Hilly region and Terai region( low land region). Chitwan belongs to Terai Region(low land).

Different from the himalaya region, it is a place where you will find different landscape and culture. Population of Chitwan is 579,000 (2014) and it is the second largest city by its area after kathmandu.

Famous for

National park

Best wildlife-viewing national park and it is the best national park around Asia where you will get chance to spot endangered one horned Rhino, mugger crocodile ,Bengal Tiger and other 545 species of birds.

Agriculture and industry

Chitwan is also famous for its excellent agriculture and mass production of mustard oil in Nepal. It is a place where you can find biggest rice mills. People of chitwan are mostly envolved in cultivation of food and cash crops like: rice, wheat, mustard, beans, lentils and vegetables.

Things to do in Chitwan

Chitwan National Park

Elephant Safari

Chitwan National Park is the best wildlife-viewing national park in Asia. Where you will have chance of spotting endangered One-horned rhino, Bengal Tiger, reptiles and 543 species of birds.

Elephant Safari is one of the attractions of this park where tourist come from different countries every year. Beside Elephant Safari, Jeep Safari is another popular program guest can enjoy during their stay in Chitwan.

price– $10 per person per entry

  Chitwan National Park was a hunting site for Royal Family of Nepal previously which is been converted to a preserved park from 1973 and listed in UNESCO heritage site in 1984.

River safari by wooden canoe

Take a canoe ride in the Narayani river. The river has been there as a natural compound for the Chitwan national park

Early morning canoe ride and back by jungle walk. The trip will offer you exotic wildlife on the park and Close view of marsh crocodiles, rhinos, peacocks and different species of birds.

The boats will take you to the rustic hideaway around lunchtime. You could spend rest of the day there watching around wet lands, farms and edges of the park or continue with the river safari.

image source : Google images

Explore local villages

Villages in Chitwan lies inside the park boundary. There are few rural villages inside the park where you can take time to visit those villages, people and their traditional way of life.

Elephant river walk and bathing

You could end your day with short walks on the bank of Narayani river while watching elephants. Elephants are let loose in the river to relax after whole day ride.After your day at elephant/jeep safari in the park you can enjoy looking at sunset and elephants entertaining themselves and also you can sit down for picnic with your loved ones.

You can try bathing elephants by taking permission with the owner or the tour guide ( if you are not scared :D)

How long should i stay in chitwan?

To explore the lowland region of Nepal, local villages their unique culture and for sightseeing wildlife of Chitwan National park you will need 3 nights as per my experience.

Accomodation and other expenses:

1. Premium hotels: $265 – Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari – Chitwan National Park
2. Medium range hotel: $90 – Park Safari Resort
3. Normal rooms : $12
4. National Park entry : $10

Tips!

Dont forget sunscreen and a Hat!

Consume water regularly during visit because the weather in Chitwan is really hot!

references:

Chitwan National Park, About Chitwan National Park, Chitwan National Park Nepal. (n.d.). Jungle Safari Lodge. Retrieved 22 August 2020, from http://junglesafarilodge.com/chitwan-national-park/

Next blog: Langtang National ParkStay Tuned! 🙂