Chitwan Explorer[ Print this itinerary ]

You will be received by our representative on arrival at Kathmandu airport who will help you settle into your hotel. We will spend the next two nights in Kathmandu. Be sure to get a good night’s rest as tomorrow we embark on an exciting journey into the wilderness of Nepal!

• Meals: No meals

• Accommodation: Hotel Shanker

Today we drive to Muhan Pokhari after breakfast. Muhan Pokhari, which is the entrance to Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve, is a thirty minute drive from Kathmandu. Our hiking expedition begins at the southern boundary of the reserve!

Shivapuri, situated in the north of Kathmandu, is the second highest hill in the valley. It is home to Sloth Bears, Leopards, Muntjacs, Pallas’s Cats, Large Indian Civets, Himalayan Yellow Throated Martens, Indian Pangolins, Wild Boars, Gorals, Indian Porcupines, Common Langurs and a variety of birds.

We hike for about two hours along a rugged yet motorable road through pine and cherry forests up to Nangi Gompa, a Buddhist nunnery. Beyond the nunnery, the trail ascends steeply through oak, rhododendron and bamboo forests. Hiking on this route will take another three hours. On reaching the crest of the valley’s northern rim, you will be rewarded with a view of the scenic Ganesh Himal, Langtang-Lirung and Dorji Lhakpa peaks!

After a three hour journey downhill to Budhanilkantha, we will drive back to Kathmandu.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
• Category of Hike : Moderate
• Route: Kathmandu to Shivapuri.±2563 meters

• Travel time: ±30 minutes

After breakfast, we drive for about six hours to Chitwan National Park. We aim to reach the park around noon. The next four days will be spent exploring Chitwan’s wilderness!

Chitwan National Park is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of south central Nepal. The park is known for its population of endangered One-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger and Gharial Crocodile, along with many other species of animals.

On arrival at Chitwan, we check in and settle down for a scrumptious meal and an afternoon of relaxation! You will then be taken on a late afternoon Elephant Safari in the forests within the buffer zone. The safari takes us deep into the forest cutting through thick labyrinth of elephant grass and bamboo.

At dusk we wind up and return to our lodge. In the evening you have a chance to witness a local cultural program.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Machaan Paradise View
• Route: Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park

• Travel time: ±6 hrs

Day four starts early with a morning safari. The safari begins with a visit to the Gharial Crocodile Breeding Center located inside the park. Here, we will be told about the conservation efforts that are being undertaken to protect the Gharial Crocodile.

After the visit, we will continue on our safari and explore the varied landscape of Chitwan. Look out for the One-horned Rhinoceroses, Tigers, Leopards and the rich array of bird life that inhabits the park. We return to the lodge for breakfast.

In the afternoon we will once again be taken on a game drive to view the wildlife of the park. Be sure to have your eyes peeled for the animals! The day ends in the evening followed by dinner at the lodge.

On day five we will be taken to those sections of Chitwan that we have not yet covered during our stay here. Keep your cameras handy during the game drives to capture the best Chitwan has to offer!

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

• Accommodation: Machaan Paradise View

On the morning of day six, we drive to the banks of the river Rapti. Here we embark on a canoe ride. The river serves as a natural boundary that separates the park from human settlements. The canoe ride lends us an opportunity to sight Rhinoceroses and other animals on the banks of the river. We drive back to our lodge for breakfast.

After lunch, we leave for an afternoon safari in order to explore new sections of the park. At dusk we return to the lodge and enjoy a relaxed evening by a bonfire. Dinner is served marking an end to another fascinating day!

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Machaan Paradise View

• Route: Chitwan National Park

Today, you can spend the morning relaxing at the lodge. After an early lunch we drive to Bharatpur, where we board our flight to Kathmandu. You will be received at the Kathmandu airport and will be taken to your hotel. The next two nights will be spent in Kathmandu. Rest and a good night’s sleep is recommended for the exciting activities lined up the next day!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
• Route: Chitwan National Park to Kathmandu.

• Travel time: Drive,±45 minutes; Flight,±20 minutes

On day eight, after breakfast, we take a two hour drive through the countryside to reach the National Botanical Garden. Our hike to Phulchowki hill begins here. This hill is at an elevation of 2,760 meters and in the highest one can reach within the Kathmandu Valley. This route provides a wide variety of flora!

A gradual ascent should be made along the rugged motorable road through sub-tropical thick forest. In about four hours, we would be at the top of the hill. The view on top would be spectacular with the Himalayas,standing tall at a distance, and the Kathmandu valley beneath!

We start back by descending to National Botanical Garden, which would take us roughly two hours and thirty minutes. We drive back to our hotel from National Botanical Garden and spent the rest of the day in leisure.

The Phulchowki area is blessed with some notable species which include Spinny Babbler, Cutia, Silver-earred Measia, Mrs. Gould Sunbird, Rufus-bellied Woodpecker and Grey-sided Laughingthrush.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel Shanker
• Category of hike : Moderate
• Route: Kathmandu to Phulchowki hill

• Travel Time: Drive to National Botanical Garden, Godavari,±2 hrs; Ascent,±4 hrs; Descent,±2 hrs 30 minutes

This is the last day of your tour and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

• Meals: Breakfast

Please Note: Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice. The accommodations listed in this dossier are our preferred suppliers, but sometimes due to availability issues, we are unable to make use of the properties listed in this dossier. If we cannot use an accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards.