Nepal is one of Asia’s premier wildlife destinations and this journey focuses on three of the country’s finest nature reserves. Despite its size, Nepal has an incredible range of landscapes and climates and this in turn supports a diverse array of animal and plant life.
Using Kathmandu as a base enjoy two full days of excellent birding in and around Pokhara then explore world-renowned Chitwan National Park with its resident tiger, rhinoceros and elephant populations. The journey ends in remote Bardia National Park, home to numerous endangered animals and over 400 recorded species of bird.
Kathmandu – Pokhara – Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu – Bardia National Park – Kathmandu
Trip Highlights
- Pokhara has a spectacular position with fine views of the snow-capped Himalayas
- Chitwan is best known for its population of one-horned rhinoceros, elephant and tiger
- Little-visit Bardia supports elephant, tiger, leopard, rhinoceros and rare Gangetic dolphin
- Birdwatchers are spoilt for choice in Nepal with hundreds of different species to spot
- Discover historic Patan, rightly considered the artistic centre of the Kathmandu Valley
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the Qatar Airways flight to Doha.
Day 2
Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive into Kathmandu where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon take a walking tour of the old city. Explore the regal palaces and ancient temples of Durbar Square and visit 2500-year-old Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the oldest and most important sites of worship in the city.
Yak and Yeti Hotel
Dwarika's Hotel
Day 3
Kathmandu to Pokhara – by air
After breakfast transfer to Kathmandu Airport and fly to Pokhara. Set 300 metres above the Pokhara valley, the lodge you will be staying for the next few nights overlooks three of the world's 8,000 metre peaks. Lying in the shadow of the Annapurna massif, Pokhara is one of Nepal's main trekking bases and has an idyllic location surrounded by small rural villages and stunning natural scenery.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Temple Tree Resort and Spa
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge
Day 4-5
Pokhara
Over the next two days enjoy the lodge and the surrounding area. With its isolated location and pretty setting, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is the ideal place for a range of day hikes. Birding in the valley is also popular and special bird-watching walks with trained guides can be arranged by the lodge. The area around the lodge is also known for its butterfly population with over 250 different species recorded.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Temple Tree Resort and Spa
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge
Day 6
Pokhara to Bharatpur – by air / Bharatpur to Chitwan National Park – 35kms
This morning transfer to Pokhara Airport in good time to catch your flight to Bharatpur. On arrival you will be met and continue on to Chitwan National Park and your hotel where you will stay for the next three nights. Located close to the Indian border, Chitwan lies at the heart of Nepal's lowland Terai, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the country's oldest reserve. A mixture of swamp, tall elephant grass and dense forest, the park supports a wide range of wildlife and recent conservation measures here have been increasingly successful.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Jungle Villa Resort, Chitwan National Park
Barahi Jungle Lodge
Day 7-8
Chitwan National Park
At Chitwan there is an impressive variety of flora and fauna and over the next two days explore the reserve with a naturalist. A natural habitat for tiger, Indian rhinoceros, leopard, elephant, sloth bear, sambar and deer, Chitwan also supports numerous reptile species including the marsh mugger and gharial crocodile. The park is also a bird watcher's paradise and is home to over 400 species from seasonal waterfowl and wetland species to colourful parakeets and birds of prey.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch,
- Dinner
Jungle Villa Resort, Chitwan National Park
Barahi Jungle Lodge
Day 9
Chitwan National Park to Bharatpur – 35kms / Bharatpur to Kathmandu – by air
Today return to Bharatpur Airport and fly to Kathmandu. In the afternoon drive outside of Kathmandu to visit the ancient city of Patan which was the capital of the Malla Kings. Patan is the artistic and architectural centre of the valley and the central square houses an astonishing 55 temples and 136 monasteries.
- Breakfast
Yak and Yeti Hotel
Dwarika's Hotel
Day 10
Kathmandu to Nepalgunj – by air / Nepalgunj to Bardia – 85kms
Today transfer to Kathmandu Airport and fly to Nepalgunj, located in the little-visited western Terai. On arrival continue by road to Bardia National Park, a two hour drive from Nepalgunj. Designated a national park in the 1980s, today Bardia is one of the most undisturbed wilderness areas in the Terai lowlands. Bordered by the Geruwa River and heavily forested Churia Hills, Bardia combines dense sal forest, riverine forest and pockets of open grassland.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge
Day 11-12
Bardia National Park
Bardia National Park is home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna and over the next two days explore the reserve with a naturalist. Take a safari which will be conducted by a combination of jeep, boat and elephant back. During your exploration keep your eyes peeled for the elusive leopard and more common hog, sambar, striped hyena and jackal. The reserve is also home to several endangered species including the Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros and Gangetic dolphin. There are also over 400 species of bird and a wide variety of reptiles as well as beautiful flora.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge
Day 13
Bardia to Nepalgunj – 85kms / Nepalgunj to Kathmandu – by air
Today return to Nepalgunj Airport and fly back to Kathmandu. Later visit charming Bhaktapur which is located outside of the city in the Kathmandu Valley. Capital of the valley between the 14th and 16th centuries, the highlight is Durbar Square and the Nayatpola Temple, the tallest pagoda-temple in Nepal, built by Newari artists and craftsmen.
- Breakfast
Yak and Yeti Hotel
Dwarika's Hotel
Day 14
Kathmandu to UK
Today transfer back to Kathmandu Airport to catch the Qatar Airways flight to Doha. On your arrival connect onto the onwards Qatar Airways flight to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Little-visited, the far east of Nepal is one of the most important habitats for the endangered red panda. Here stay at Habre’s Nest, both a research centre and a guesthouse, where there will not only be an opportunity to see red panda but also enjoy fabulous birdwatching.
Extend your holiday and travel via Kolkata to Kaziranga National Park in Assam. One of India’s finest wildlife reserves, UNESCO protected Kaziranga is widely considered to be one of the best places to see one-horned rhinoceros in the wild.
Ranthambore National Park is easily reached from Delhi and is one of the subcontinent’s most popular reserves. Predominantly hilly forest and grassland interspersed with waterholes, Ranthambore famously supports a healthy tiger population.
Guide to Price
14 days from £4395 - £5825 per person
What's Included
- International and domestic flights
- Private car and driver
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
- Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
from £4395 - £5825
Travel Information
Getting There
It's not currently possible to fly directly from the UK to Nepal. There are a range of alternative options, flying with airlines including British Airways, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airlines from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. The most common connecting flights to Nepal with these carriers are Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Delhi.
Flying Times From UK
The average flight times between the UK and Tribhuvan International Airport, located six kilometres outside of Kathmandu, is 12 hours, although this depends on the length of your stopover.
Time Zone
Nepal is +5¾ hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
Visitors can obtain a 15, 30 or 90 day single-entry tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and at some land borders. Visas can be paid for by card but it is advisable to carry cash as this is preferred. Check the exact cost before you travel as it is subject to change. You will need to fill in an arrival card and application form on arrival as well as provide a passport photograph. Visas, including multiple-entry visas, can also be obtained in advance from the Nepalese Embassy in London.
Do’s & Don’ts
When visiting temples and other holy places, you should dress respectfully. Women are advised not to wear shorts or sleeveless tops when visiting these sites.
Do ask permission before taking photographs, particularly of older people and parades or ceremonies.
Always remove your shoes before entering someone’s home, a monastery or temple. You should also remove all leather items before entering a Hindu temple.
When eating, only the right hand should be used. Nepalese culture considers the left hand to be unclean.
Money
The currency of Nepal is the Nepali Rupee (Rs), with denominations of one, two, five and ten rupees available as both coins and notes. Notes are also available in 20, 50, 10, 500 and 1,000 rupee denominations. Since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, all notes are printed with an image of Mount Everest. Be aware that may be difficult to change 1,000 rupee notes with smaller traders, including rickshaw drivers, or in rural areas so it is always advisable to carry smaller denomination notes.
Tipping
Tips are generally accepted in Nepal to recognise good levels of service. It’s not necessary to tip for short taxi rides. A guideline for tipping drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Nepal’s cuisine is a fantastic blend of the flavours of its neighbouring countries. Generally, Nepalese food is considered to be healthier than other South Asian cuisines as it focuses less on cooking with oils and fats and instead uses chunky vegetables, meats and pickled dishes. Lentils, potatoes and yoghurt are common staples across Nepal, along with a wide variety of spices which give the dishes a complex, subtle flavour. Considered Nepal’s national dish, Dal Bhat is a must-try. Expect to receive a variety of side dishes around a rice, roti or mixed-grain centre. These side dishes can include curries, fish dishes, chutneys and pickles, with an almost unlimited amount of combinations possible. For something more hearty and warming, why not try some Gorkhall lamb? This delicious dish combines slow-cooked lamb with chunky onions, potatoes and an array of spices to create an intense curry that is best served with roti or rice.
Accommodation
Hotels in Nepal tend to be smaller rather than larger and most have a noticeable Nepali character. Accommodation in the capital Kathmandu is varied but, on whole properties are larger in size and more modern than elsewhere in the country. There are a few international hotels in Kathmandu too. In keeping with Nepal’s well-earned reputation as a leading wildlife destination lodges, especially at Chitwan and Bardia, are authentic, comfortable and in keeping with their natural surroundings. Hotels in Pokhara are mostly located in the area surrounding the town and take full advantage of the region’s spectacular mountain backdrop. If on a lodge trek, Kerr & Downey’s properties are of a high standard but accommodation on alternative treks is likely to be simpler. The small town of Bandipur also offers the unique chance to stay in restored Newari homes.
Shopping
Visitors can pick up many unique items including clothing and textiles, jewellery, tea and incense. Singing bowls are also a popular souvenir. These metal bowls are rubbed in a circular motion to produce sound, with the vibrations said to have healing powers.
Suggested Reading
For a good introduction to visiting Nepal, you cannot go wrong with a Footprint or Rough Guide. ‘Traveller's Tales Nepal: True Stories of Life on the Road’ by Rajendra Khadka contains some fascinating true accounts of traveller’s experiences in Nepal. Other interesting personal accounts include ‘Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt Everest Disaster’ by Jon Krakauer and ‘The Strict Economy of Fire’ by Ava Leavell Haymon. If you are looking for novels set in Nepal, there are plenty to choose from including Holly Robinson’s ‘Sleeping Tigers’ on one woman’s journey to Nepal or the action-packed ‘Kathmandu’ by Gerry Virtue.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Nepal the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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