The Nature and Wildlife of Nepal

14 days from £4980 per person

Route: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu – Bardia National Park – Kathmandu

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.

Day 1 Depart UK

Today depart the UK on the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul where you will connect on to Kathmandu. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Kathmandu

Arrive into Kathmandu where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon visit the 2500 year old Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the oldest and most important sites of worship in the city. (N)
Accommodation in Kathmandu: Dwarikas 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. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Pokhara: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Days 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. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Pokhara: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge

Day 6 Pokhara to Chitwan National Park – 160kms

Leaving Pokhara, today drive south to Chitwan National Park. 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. (B/L/D)

Accommodation in Chitwan National Park: Barahi Jungle Lodge (or similar)

Upgrade option: Taj Meghauli Serai (or similar)

Days 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. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Chitwan National Park: Barahi Jungle Lodge
Upgrade option: Taj Meghauli Serai

Day 9 Chitwan 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. (B)
Accommodation in Kathmandu: Dwarikas 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 area 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. (B/D)
Accommodation in Bardia National Park: Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge

Days 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. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Bardia National Park: 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. (B)
Accommodation in Kathmandu: Dwarikas Hotel

Day 14 Kathmandu to UK

Today transfer back to Kathmandu Airport to catch the Turkish Airlines flight via Istanbul to the UK. (B)

The Nature and Wildlife of Nepal

14 days from £4980 per person

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Itinerary: The Nature and Wildlife of Nepal

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