🏛️Main Attractions
- ✓Chitwan National Park
- ✓Jungle Safari
- ✓Rapti River Canoe Ride
- ✓Tharu Cultural Village
- ✓Elephant Breeding Center
- ✓Bis Hazari Tal (20,000 Lakes)
Chitwan
Chitwan
Home to Nepal's first and most famous national park, Chitwan is a wildlife paradise in the subtropical lowlands. Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers incredible opportunities to see one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, elephants, and diverse birdlife in their natural habitat.
🌐Other Cities in Nepal
Recommended Hotels in Chitwan
Hand-picked hotels and accommodations from Agoda (20 properties)
🏨Recommended Hotels
- ★Kasara Resort
- ★Meghauli Serai
- ★Barahi Jungle Lodge
- ★Temple Tree Resort & Spa Chitwan
- ★Green Park Chitwan
- ★Sapana Village Lodge
- ★Hotel Parkland
- ★Rhino Residency Resort
- ★Chitwan Adventure Resort
- ★River View Jungle Camp
🍜Restaurants & Food
•KC's Restaurant & Bar
budgetInternational and Nepali cuisine, popular with tourists
•Jungle View Restaurant
budgetMulti-cuisine with garden setting
•Hotel Maya Restaurant
budgetTharu traditional dishes and dal bhat
•Jungle Safari Lodge Dining
includedIncluded with most lodge packages, buffet style
•Tharu Kitchen
budgetAuthentic Tharu cuisine and cultural dining experience
•Family Homestay Meals
budgetHome-cooked Nepali food at local guesthouses
🛍️ Shopping
- •Sauraha Bazaarmarket
Main tourist area shopping strip. Souvenirs, handicrafts, trekking gear, books, and local products. Limited selection compared to Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- •Tharu Handicraftscrafts
Traditional Tharu crafts including woven mats, baskets, woodcarvings, and colorful textiles. Purchase directly from artisans in villages.
- •Wildlife Photography Printsart
Local photographers sell wildlife and nature prints. Good souvenirs supporting local artists.
- •Community Forest Visitor Centercrafts
Sells handicrafts with proceeds supporting community conservation projects.
💡 Travel Tips
- • Book jungle safari packages in advance through reputable operators or your hotel.
- • Best wildlife viewing October-March (cool dry season). Avoid monsoon June-September when park areas close.
- • Bring binoculars for birdwatching and wildlife spotting from distance.
- • Wear neutral colors (khaki, green, brown) on safaris - avoid bright colors that spook animals.
- • Insect repellent essential - malaria prophylaxis recommended (consult doctor before travel).
- • Follow guide instructions strictly during jungle activities - wild animals can be dangerous.
- • Consider walking safaris or jeep safaris instead of elephant rides due to animal welfare concerns.
- • Bring sunscreen, hat, and light layers - Chitwan is hot and humid year-round.
- • Chitwan is much hotter than Kathmandu/Pokhara - temperatures 30-35°C even in winter.
🔗 Related Information
📋Quick Info
📅Best Season
October to March (cool dry season, best wildlife viewing, comfortable temperatures). Avoid June-September monsoon - park partially closed, hot, humid, leeches.
💰Daily Budget
$30-60 per day (includes jungle lodge packages with meals and activities - better value than budget guesthouses)/day
👥Popular With
Wildlife enthusiastsnature loversbirdwatchersphotographersfamiliesadventure seekers
🗓️Recommended Stay
2-3 days (minimum 2 nights for full experience - safaris, canoe ride, village tour, cultural show)
🌐Timezone
NPT (UTC+5:45)
💬Local Language
Tharu, Nepali, English in tourist areas
💱Currency
Nepalese Rupee (NPR) - Limited ATMs in Sauraha, bring cash from Kathmandu/Pokhara
📅Chitwan 3-Day Itinerary
Recommended plan for efficient sightseeing
Arrival and Jungle Introduction
🌅
Morning5-7h
📍
Travel from Kathmandu or Pokhara
💡 Tourist bus most common. Departs early morning (6-7am). Bring snacks and water for journey. Scenic drive through changing landscapes.
☀️
Afternoon2h
📍
Check-in and lunch at jungle lodge
💡 Most lodges include all meals in package. Rest after long journey. Orient yourself to Sauraha village.
☀️
Afternoon2h
🎭
Tharu village walk and cultural orientation
💡 Visit traditional Tharu houses, learn about indigenous culture. Respectful photography. Guide included with most packages.
🌙
Evening1.5h
📍
Sunset walk along Rapti River
💡 Beautiful riverside walk. Spot birds and possibly crocodiles basking on banks. Stay on designated paths near park boundary.
🌙
Evening1h
🎭
Tharu cultural dance performance
💡 Traditional stick dance performance by Tharu people. Usually included in lodge packages or NPR 200-300 entry.
💡Tips
- •All-inclusive jungle lodge packages (2N/3D) offer best value NPR 8000-15000 per person
- •Budget guesthouses cheaper but activities booked separately may cost more overall
- •Tiger sightings rare but rhino encounters almost guaranteed on safaris
- •Bring good camera with zoom lens - telephoto essential for wildlife photography
- •Malaria risk exists - consult doctor about prophylaxis before traveling