Dolphin Watching in Karnali River

  • 7 Days
  • 6 Nights

A seven-day wonderful wildlife and water adventure in Nepal’s Tigerland, Bardia National Park to witness the rarest mammals
of the world.

Trip Highlight

  • Explore the largest national park of Terai Region; Bardia National Park with rich bio-diversity.
  • Rafting adventure in the longest river of Nepal; Karnali.
  • Witness the endangered Gangetic Dolphin in its natural habitat.
  • Experience unique and captivating Tharu culture and cuisines.
  • Insight to the Lifestyle of nomadic fisherman.
  • Add fishing to your water adventure.

Trip Facts
  • Trip Profile : 7
  • Trip Type : Safari and Rafting
  • Trip Duration : 7
  • Preferred Seasons : winter months of November to February.
  • Transportation: Aeroplane and jeep

Dolphin Watching in Karnali River is a seven-day wonderful wildlife adventure in Nepal’s Tigerland, Bardia National Park. Nature lovers, naturalists, wildlife photographers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts will love this trip. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience deep within Nepal’s wilderness.

Delve into the amazing world of dolphin watching in the Karnali River. Enjoy the rafting adventure on the Geruwa River, a channel of the Karnali River, to see rare Gangetic river dolphins. These rivers are the best places to find dolphins in Nepal and for fishing as well.

Along with dolphin watching, you will get to see the endangered mugger and gharial crocodiles sunbathing on the river bank. And also various birds flying above the river while rafting. You will witness the variety of wildlife and birdlife in Bardia. Bardia National Park is a wildlife wonderland, the prime habitat of the Royal Bengal Tigers, the Asian Elephant, the Greater One-horned Rhinos, Leopards, Deers, otters, and 500 species of birds.

On this amazing wildlife-watching trip, you will participate in one of our most effective initiatives. This trip aims to preserve Nepal’s endangered dolphin population and raise awareness for its conservation.

The best time to see dolphins in Bardia National Park in Nepal is the winter months of November to February. Rivers are ideal for dolphin watching with relatively low water levels and good visibility. Schedule your trip during these months to increase your chances of an entertaining dolphin encounter.

Tour Plan

1

 Arrival in Kathmandu

As you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, our office representative will warmly welcome you and take you to your respected booked hotel at Thamel. After settling into the hotel, a briefing will be provided about the tour plan. In the evening, you can wander around the most happening streets of Thamel.

2

Fly to Nepalgunj and drive to Bardia National Park

This morning, we will drive to the airport and take a 40-45 minutes flight to Nepalgunj. The right side seat on the flight offers the panoramic Himalayan ranges ranging from Jugal, Langtang, Manaslu, Annapurna, Dhaulagri to the vast highlands of Dolpa region. Don’t forget to get the seat with the view! Once we land at the Nepalgunj airport, we will drive about 2 hour to reach the resort nearby the Bardia National Park.  There, we will meet our expert nature guide who will explain about our plan in the next day. In case of buffer time, do visit the Elephant Breeding Centre and the Sunset Point nearby by the Giruwa River to enjoy the sunset.

3

Full Day Jeep Safari

Today is the day of the real excitement and the thrilling adventure in the wilderness of the Bardia National Park. We engage in a full-day jeep safari with a packed lunch tracking the highlighted animals in the park mainly the tiger, elephants, rhinos, leopards, deer, and a variety of protected birds. We will be driving to the hotspots of these animals where they are frequently visible.

4

Full day rafting for dolphin watching

This day is the day to watch the rare aquatic animals, Gangetic River Dolphins, only visible in South Asia including Nepal. After a delicious breakfast, we go rafting on the Karnali River and patiently search for these amazing creatures.

 

5

Full day rafting for dolphin watching

We will spend an additional day tracking dolphins. We will come across aquatic animals including crocodiles, fishes, and sometimes the rhinos and tigers that come to the riverside to drink water. In the evening we enjoy a delicious lunch with the Tharu cultural show.

 

6

Fly back to Kathmandu

Drive to Nepalgunj then fly back to Kathmandu. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, we will check you into the same hotel in the Thamel area. Self-exploring the narrow streets of this tourist hotspot for souvenir shopping and drinks is a fun way to spend the rest of your day.

7

Final Departure

We will drop you off at the airport three hours before the time you need to board a flight home, depending on your flight schedule. Tiger Encounter is ready to take you on another exciting wildlife safari in Nepal soon.

 

Cost Detail

Trip Includes
  • ​​​International and domestic airport transfers as per the itinerary by private vehicle
  • Two night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu twin/single with breakfast at 4/5 stars hotel 
  • Flight from Kathmandu - Nepaljung - Kathmandu both ways
  • 4 nights of luxury accommodation in a resort at Bardia National Park 
  • Full board Veg/Non-veg basis accommodation in the entire Bardia jungle safari (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea & Coffee) 
  • Pack Veg/Non-veg lunch during safari and rafting, every day 
  • Nepaljung - Bardia National Park - Nepaljung transportation by private vehicle
  • All entrance and National Park fees 
  • All activities as mentioned in the itinerary are included; private jeep safari, private rafting, bird watching, village walk, sundown, etc.
  • All ground transport inside & outside the national park during the tour.
  • Professional government license holder English-speaking expert nature guide entire the safari trip – guides have a minimum of 15 years of experience and work for conservation
  • Necessary assistant guide during private jeep safari, jungle walk & rafting 
  • All salary, allowance, food & accommodation for guides
  • Insurance for Nepalese staff. (Guide and driver)
  • Government Tax and office service charge
  • Tiger Encounter Souvenir - t-shirt/ photography jacket
Trip Excludes
  • International airfare to/ from Nepal.
  • Entry Visa fees - at present $30 for 15 days, US$ 50 for 30 days, and US$ 125 for a three-month visa on entry into Nepal.
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu  
  • Insurance covers medical, emergency evacuation, loss, etc.
  • Beverages, alcoholic drinks, mineral water, and boiled water during the red panda tour.
  • All food and beverages are other than on the itinerary. 
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
  • Personal gear and expenses.
  • Tips and gratitude are provided to staff.

Just Fill and Book

This is a pre-booking form for the lead traveler. We would send you the actual booking form after the confirmation


    Frequently asked questions

    • Is dolphin found in Nepal?
      The only dolphin found in Nepal is the Ganges River Dolphin. It lives in the rivers Karnali, Geruwa,  Koshi, Narayani, Bhada, and  Mohana.
    • What are the features of Gangetic Dolphin?
      The IUCN Red List lists the Ganges River Dolphin as endangered. It is among the world's oldest warm-blooded animals. It hunts by making ultrasonic noises and is basically blind. Being a top predator, its presence suggests that the aquatic ecosystem is in good health.
    • How many dolphins are there in Nepal?
      The estimated number of dolphins in Nepal ranges from fewer than 100 to less than 20 adults.
    • What is the nickname of Gangetic dolphin in Nepal?
      In Nepali, it is also referred to as Shons or Su-su because it makes the similar sound.

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