CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION

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1 CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION On elephant safari in Chitwan National Park

2 CHITWAN EXTENSION If you are looking for a complete change from the mountains why not consider the option of travelling to the south of Nepal for a visit to the jungle in Chitwan National Park? To get to Chitwan National Park you will fly for an hour and half to Bharatpur airport and then drive for about an hour to reach your lodge. It is also possible to drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan, this journeys takes around five to six hours. Chitwan is one of the few remaining undisturbed parts of the Terai and has a rich flora and fauna including Bengal tiger, single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros, wild elephants, leopards and the rare gangetic dolphin. Once you get to Chitwan your lodge s resident naturalist will meet to discuss your plans and what activities you would like to do throughout your stay. As part of your package the following activities are normally included: elephant safari, jungle drive in a jeep, bird watching, nature walk, canoeing, ox cart ride, village tours and bathing with an elephant. In the evenings most lodges will organise a cultural show with traditional local Tharu dances and slide shows about Chitwan National Park. The lodges located inside Chitwan National Park were closed down in July Over the last few years several high quality lodges have been constructed outside the Park mainly in the area further west along Rapti River. In Chitwan we use four lodges depending on your budget: Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge (high end), Machan Country Villa and Jungle Island Villa (mid-level) and Narayani Safari Camp (budget).

3 CHITWAN EXTENSION Holiday type Nepal Extension Grade Total number of days Accommodation Easy 3 days 2 nights at Chitwan lodge/ hotel Minimum group size 2 THE FOLLOWING IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE TRIP Return flight from Kathmandu Bharatpur Kathmandu. Private transfers including airport collections. Twin share rooms at all locations, full board in Chitwan. Jungle activities in Chitwan with safari guide. DETAILED ITINERARY It is our intention to keep to the day by day itinerary detailed below, although there might be some flexibility due to local conditions or other factors beyond our control. Day 1. Fly to Bharatpur, transfer your lodge in Chitwan National Park- 1 hour driving. We arrange your transfer to domestic terminal at Kathmandu airport for the flight to Bharatpur. On arrival you will be met by a representative from the lodge for the drive to Chitwan. After a briefing at the lodge, in the afternoon you will have jungle activities i.e jungle drive, elephant safari or a jungle walk.

4 Chitwan National Park, about 190km southwest of Kathmandu, covers about 932 square km of sub-tropical lowlands of sal forest, tall grasslands, oxbow lakes and is recognised as a World Heritage Site. It is a superb bird habitat with over 300 species recorded. It is also one of the few remaining areas with the endangered Asian one-horned rhino. Other notable species include tiger, leopard, gharial, sloth bear and Indian bison. Overnight at Chitwan lodge (B,L,D). Day 2. Activities in Chitwan National Park. In the morning you will go on an elephant ride. In the afternoon, you have a choice of activities from elephant rides, bird watching to jungle walks. Overnight at Chitwan lodge (B,L,D). Day 3. Fly back to Kathmandu. After morning jungle activities you will be driven to Bharatpur for your flight back to Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival to Kathmandu and transferred to your hotel. Please note your Kathmandu hotel is not included in the cost of this extension, if you require an additional night s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu we can arrange this for you. CHITWAN ACCOMMODATION HIGH END HOTELS Kasara Resort is a new property in Chitwan built by the Yeti group of companies owners of Yeti airlines and Ker & Downey luxury lodges in Annapurnas. Kasara Resort has been designed as simple luxury with a blend of contemporary style and Nepalese architectural heritage. This property has been constructed using local materials and is set in a lush, natural setting in Chitwan National Park. Kasara offers 35 rooms and villas as well as two VIP villas. Their regular villas are spacious at 55 sq meters and have a private water-garden courtyard, a private garden, an indoor-outdoor bathroom space and a sun deck. The rooms are air conditioned and have complementary wifi. The restaurant uses locally supplied food and also organic from their vegetable garden. Their bar is well stocked with international

5 wine selection. For more information please take a look at their website: Tiger Tops Tharu Village Tharu Lodge is lodge is operated by Tiger Tops/ Tiger Mountain known for their high level of service and they have knowledgeable naturalist guides on hand to help organise your stay. As with all Chitwan accommodation the lodge is in traditional style, there are twelve rooms with solar heated showers, swimming pool and tennis court. For more information on Tiger Tops Tharu Village please take a look at their website: MID-LEVEL HOTELS Machan Country villa Machan Country Villa is a new resort from the well-established Machan Wildlife Resort. Machan Country Villa is located in northwest Chitwan located near the Tharu village of Gochhada on the banks of Narayani River. This property has been built in a village setting with six individual Huts and a Long House with ten Rooms. The rooms have AC, wifi and en suite bathroom and well decorated with contemporary feel with wonderful Mithila paintings on the walls. There is a bar and restaurant on the premises. For more information on Machan Country Villa please take a look at their website: Jungle villa resort Jungle Villa Resort is located near to the Chitwan National Park headquarters, Kasara, on the banks of the Rapti river. The resort is is between two community forests and the National Park is on the other side of the river. Accommodation at the resort includes a cluster of cottages having well-furnished rooms equipped with modern amenities. All cottage rooms overlooking the picturesque Rapti river and Chitwan National Park. For more information on Jungle Villa Resort please take a look at their website:

6 BUDGET HOTELS Royal park Royal Park Hotel is located in the town of Sauraha the main tourist hub for Chitwan. The rooms are basic but functional and situated around a large garden. There is a restaurant and Jungle bar on the premisesfor more information on Royal Park please take a look at their website: Green mansions Green Mansions is located at the outskirts of Sauraha the main tourist hub of Chitwan and is close to the Community Forest Reserve. This property has been constructed on the lines of a tribal village and the rooms are housed in 12-room blocks with Air Conditioning, each room with its own private verandah. The large central building houses the dining room, bar and reading corner. For more information on Green Mansions please take a look at their website: