Greetings from Nepal, the top of the world and the birthplace of Lord Buddha! Experience the serene beauty of Nepal, the friendly hospitality of the Nepalese, and everything you've read and viewed online. Flying over stunning mountain scenery, densely forested hills, and grassy fields, you will eventually arrive at the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. One of our staff members will be waiting for you at the airport to accompany you to the hotel in Thamel.

Once you've checked in at the hotel, you can explore Thamel, the main tourist area in Kathmandu. Restaurants offering a variety of cuisines are also available here.

On the second day, we will drive to Kathmandu airport to take a short flight of about 20-30 minutes to Bharatpur, Chitwan. Then a 40-minute drive to Green Park Resort where we will be staying for 3 nights. Upon arrival at the resort, a welcome drink will be served, a briefing on the next day's activities and facilities will be given, and the rooms will be assigned.

After lunch, we will go for a traditional dugout canoe ride down the Rapti River on the western side of the national park to view aquatic sunbathing crocodiles, birds, and animals on the river banks. Get closer views of the two rare species of crocodiles: the marsh mugger and a fish-eating gharial crocodile. Sometimes, you can spot even the Royal Bengal Tiger and the One-horned Rhinoceros at the rivver's edge that comes to the river to quench their thirst.

After that, we head to the Elephant Breeding Center 4 km west of Sauraha. Established in 1985 at Chitwan National Park. it is the only elephant breeding center in Nepal. Here, we will observe how the elephants are bred and trained, and how their meals are prepared and fed. You can also know the nature and habits of elephants as well. 

Later in the evening, enjoy the stunning sunset over Rapti River sipping the beverage of your preference. After sunset, you will participate in the dinner and Tharu cultural dance program at the hotel premises. This cultural program is experienced by most of the tourists visiting Chitwan National Park. Tourists get full entertainment from popular Tharu dances like Danda Nach( Stick Dance), Ago Nach ( Fire Dance), and Mayur Nach (Peacock Dance). Feel relaxed and refreshed after a long drive and multiple activities. 

Wake up with the sounds of nature and chirping birds. We begin with an early morning refreshing tea/coffee in the greenery surrounding the resort. 

After breakfast we will go on the jeep safari for the whole day covering the grasslands, forests, and wetlands of the park to explore the jungle and track the tigers and other wild animals and birds. The main tiger habitats covered by jeep safari are Kata, Dumre Chekpost, Tamor Tal, and Lamital. Tiger tracking is one of the most thrilling and adventurous activities one needs to experience for a lifetime in Chitwan National Park. Jeep safari takes you into the deep jungle covering the large areas of the park with chances of encountering rare wildlife.

On the way back, stop by Direct Aid Nepal to meet the elephant herd and watch them live in their chain-free corrals. You can also participate in ethical elephant activities such as bush walks with elephants, elephant wellness programs, and elephant baths (optional). 

Jeep Safari inside the national park is a great way to be familiar with the wildlife. On this day, we will explore the jungle on a jeep for encountering wildlife. A fast-moving jeep covers more area of the jungle. The more the areas more will be the chances of encountering wildlife. Jeep safari is a bit noisier which might sometimes threaten the wild animals and you cannot have sight of their natural state of them. So we will do a jungle walk instead, another best alternative way to explore the jungle and view the wild animals very closely.

Get off the jeep and start yet another adventure inside the wilderness. A jungle walk under the guidance of an experienced nature guide offers a great chance of spotting wildlife. At the same time, you will love the sound of your feet walking in the silent jungle with an added bonus of the sounds of chirping birds and cool air blowing and stroking in the trees. 

Also, visit the Crocodile Hatching Farm managed by the government for the Conservation of endangered Gharials or Mugars located at Kasara. In this facility, the eggs are hatched, brought up, and released into rivers.

The day starts with a 2-hour drive to CG Temple Shaswat Dham on the way to Lumbini. CG Temple is a religious and relaxing place to get some spiritual vibes and fresh air, and to escape crowded and busy cities for enjoying a peaceful environment. 

Shaswatdham is located on the Mahendra highway, approximately 25 kilometers west of Chitwan's center city. The Chaudhary Foundation Nepal owned by Nepal’s richest man Binod Chaudhary, the largest commercial group in Nepal built the site, which is spread across seven bighas, as a tourist attraction for both Nepalese and foreigners. 

After lunch, 6 hour drive to Lumbini, and in the evening, visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a World Heritage Site. This is the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage site that attracts many Buddhist devotees around the world.  Ashoka Pillar, a famous landmark was raised by the great Emperor Ashok in 250 BC and carries an old inscription confirming Lumbini as the birthplace of Nepal. Lumbini has a number of oldest temples, including the Mayadevi Temple, various new temples, many monuments, and monasteries funded by Buddhist organizations from various countries. Also, visit a museum and the Lumbini International Research Institute that lie within the holy site.

The road trip from Lumbini to Bardia National park is an interesting journey. The ride takes around 6-7 hours to cover approximately 262 kilometers passing through the plains of rural Terai, beautiful green forests, and rivers. Upon arrival at Bardia, transfer to the Babai resort for the 3 overnight stays. 

Rejuvenate yourselves by viewing the sunset over the Karnali River and sipping the beverage of your choice after the long drive. 

Visit the National Park's visitor center for more information about the flora and fauna of Bardia National Park, and get ready for a jungle walk.

Jungle Walk: The chances of encountering the animals are high if you spend a full day inside the jungle. Packed lunch and water will be arranged so that you don't have to go back to the hotel for lunch. You will also wait in a tower (Machan) for unobtrusive wild sightseeing, accompanied by our experienced naturalists and wildlife tracker. This is an excellent opportunity to see and photograph the Royal Bengal Tiger and a great many species of birds found in Bardia National Park.

During the jungle walk, you'll walk through Chitwal Machan (Deer Tower), Hatti Machan (Elephant Tower), Bagh Machan ( Tiger Tower), and Tinkune (Three Corner). 

Jeep Safari: Drive into the park in an open-top Jeep for wildlife encounters and bird watching. A great many species of birds are found in Bardia and of course, the majestic Royal Bengal tiger can be spotted during this safari into the wilderness of Bardia National Park. Also, visit the crocodile breeding center on the way back from the safari. 

Today we'll drive through Sal Forest, Bagaura Fanta, Rhino Tower, Laguna Tower, Balcony, Lamkoili Fanta, and Dhanes Taal. 

Dinner and Tharu cultural dance at the hotel premises by the Local Tharu Community program after sunset.

Village tour: In the morning take a Tharu village tour to know more about the fascinating culture and lifestyles of the indigenous community. Tharu people are the largest ethnic population group residing in Terai. They have their own culture and lifestyle. They have distinct archeological housing styles using natural materials like straw, wood, and mud.

While making a move from Bardia National Park stopover at the Babai river to see the crocodiles. Drive to Nepalgunj and fly back to Kathmandu. 

Once you reach Kathmandu we will check you in at the same hotel in the Thamel area. Self-exploring the narrow streets of this tourist hub for souvenir shopping and drinks is a good way to spend the rest of your day. Later in the evening, we will take you out for a farewell dinner and listen to your wildlife tour experiences. 

Depending on your flight schedule, we will drop you off at the airport 3 hours before on time to board a flight back home. In the near future, Tiger Encounter plans to take you on another thrilling wildlife safari in Nepal.