The Nature and Wildlife of Nepal

15 days from £4980 per person

Tan coloured langur sitting on a branch in Bardia National Park, Nepal

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 Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve 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.

Route: Kathmandu – Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve – Kathmandu – Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu – Bardia National Park – Kathmandu

Itinerary Highlights

The wildlife reserve of Koshi Tappu is renowned for the range and diversity of its birdlife. Predominately marsh and mudflat, close to 500 bird species – many of them rare – have been recorded.

Chitwan is Nepal’s best known national park and has a beautiful setting. The reserve is rich in wildlife but is best known for its populations of one-horned rhinoceros, elephant and Bengal tiger.

Little visited, Bardia National Park is located in the far west of Nepal. Mammals in the reserve include elephant, tiger, leopard, rhinoceros and dolphin and there are over 400 species of bird.

Itinerary: The Nature and Wildlife of Nepal

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 Biratnagar – by air / Biratnagar to Koshi Tappu

After breakfast transfer to Kathmandu Airport and fly to Biratnagar. On arrival you will be met and taken by road to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Located in eastern Nepal, Koshi Tappu is an under-explored reserve that offers some of the finest birdwatching in the country. There is a huge range of habitats here including mudflats, marsh, reed-beds and open grassland and this evening take a walk to hopefully see stork, ibis, snipe and other waterfowl. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: Aquabirds Unlimited Wildlife Camp

Days 4 & 5 Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Over the next two days visit the reserve in the company of a naturalist. Over 450 different species of bird – waders, waterfowl and birds of prey – have been recorded in Koshi Tappu and highlights include watercock, white-tailed stonechat, swamp francolin, Bengal florican, pheasant-tailed jacana, greater adjutant, Palla’s fish eagle and the dusky eagle-owl. The reserve also supports numerous mammals including water buffalo, elephant, otter, civet cat and Gangetic dolphin. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: Aquabirds Unlimited Wildlife Camp

Day 6 Koshi Tappu to Biratnagar / Biratnagar to Kathmandu – by air

After breakfast return by car to Biratnagar Airport and return by air to Kathmandu. This afternoon visit the Pashupatinath temple complex, Nepal’s most important Hindu pilgrimage site and location of the Royal Cremation Ghats then continue to the nearby stupa of Bodhnath – one of the world’s oldest Lamaist shrines and a focus for Tibetan pilgrimage. (B)
Accommodation in Kathmandu: Dwarikas Hotel

Day 7 Kathmandu to Bharatpur – by air / Bharatpur to Chitwan – 35kms

This morning fly to Bharatpur. On arrival drive 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
Upgrade option: Taj Meghauli Serai

Days 8 & 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 & 13 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 14 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 15 Kathmandu to UK

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

**KEY: N = No meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's included

International flights from the UK
Private car with English speaking driver
Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
Wildlife viewing with local naturalist
Hotel accommodation and taxes

What's not included

Cost of visas
Travel Insurance
Expenses of a personal nature

Guide to Price

The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.