7 Day Chitwan Jungle Wildlife Tour in Nepal

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival at the airport, your representative will be there to welcome you. Please look for someone holding a placard with your name on it. After meeting you, they will escort you to your hotel in a private car. The drive takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Once you arrive at the hotel, you will receive a briefing about your upcoming trip. After that, the rest of the day is free; you can choose to rest at the hotel or explore the area at your own pace.

• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
• Elevation: 1,400 meters / 4,593 feet

Day 2: Drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan

Start your day early with breakfast at your hotel in Kathmandu. Prepare for the scenic drive to Chitwan, a region famous for its wildlife, lush forests, and traditional Tharu culture. Depart Kathmandu for Chitwan (approximately five and a half to six and a half hours drive). You will depart from Kathmandu by tourist coach, heading southwest toward Chitwan National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Enjoy views of terraced hillsides, rivers, and small villages along the way. Rest stops will be made for refreshments and washroom breaks.

Upon arrival, check in to your jungle lodge or resort. You will be welcomed with a traditional drink and a short briefing about the scheduled jungle activities. Enjoy a welcome drink and some time to rest. Then enjoy lunch. Drift downstream on the Rapti River, reaching the western boundary of Chitwan National Park, where it meets the Himalayan Narayani River. In the evening, enjoy a Cultural Program showcasing local Tharu traditions and dances.

• Overnight: Hotel in Chitwan
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Elevation: 150 meters / 492 feet

Day 3: Activities in Chitwan

Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will go for a wilderness walk and bird watching in the national park. You will also pay a visit to the Tharu village and museum. Besides, you can also go canoeing on the Rapti River inside the national park. While canoeing, you get a close look at the Gharial and Mugger Crocodiles along with freshwater dolphins, otters, and a wide variety of water birds. In the evening, you will go to watch the Tharu cultural show.

• Overnight: Hotel in Chitwan
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Elevation: 150 meters / 492 feet

Day 4: Jeep wildlife tour in Chitwan National Park

On this day, after breakfast, you will go for a jeep wildlife tour to observe the wide range of fauna found in the national park. During the wildlife tour, you tour around the jungle and get a chance to spot deer, the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, along with other wild animals. If lucky, you will get to spot the rare Royal Bengal Tiger. Later, you take a walk in the forest.

• Overnight: Hotel in Chitwan
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Elevation: 150 meters / 492 feet

Day 5: Drive back to Kathmandu

The journey from Chitwan to Kathmandu by tourist bus typically takes around five to six hours, depending on road and traffic conditions. The trip begins from Sauraha or the main Chitwan tourist area early in the morning, usually between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., to avoid heavy traffic along the Prithvi Highway. You will travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned tourist coach with cushioned seats, large windows, and occasional stops along the way.

As the bus leaves the flat plains of Chitwan, it gradually climbs into the hills, offering scenic views of terraced farms, river valleys, and small hillside settlements. Midway through the journey, the bus typically stops at a roadside restaurant where you can stretch, use the washroom, and enjoy tea, coffee, or a Nepali-style breakfast or lunch. You arrive in Kathmandu around early afternoon and transfer to your hotel.

• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
• Meals: Breakfast
• Elevation: 1,400 meters / 4,593 feet

Day 6: Free day in Kathmandu

Today is a flexible, open day in Kathmandu, giving you the freedom to explore the city at your own pace or simply relax after your journey. This day can be fully customised based on your interests. If you wish, you can arrange a variety of sightseeing programs in and around Kathmandu upon request. Options include visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square.

You may also choose cultural tours, local food experiences, or guided walks through traditional neighbourhoods like Thamel, Ason Bazaar, and Bhaktapur. Let them know your interests and they will be happy to organise a customised itinerary for the day.

• Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
• Meals: Breakfast
• Elevation: 1,400 meters / 4,593 feet

Day 7: Departure

You are transferred to the airport three hours prior to your scheduled flight time.

About the wildlife tour

This journey is a dream for nature lovers, offering up-close encounters with rare and iconic species amidst lush forests, expansive grasslands, and tranquil rivers. From spotting elusive Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinos to listening to the calls of over 500 bird species, every moment here celebrates the raw beauty of nature. Your adventure combines thrilling jeep and walking wildlife tours, river boat rides, village walks, and cultural performances, ensuring a rich blend of wildlife, local culture, and conservation experiences. The main fact of the trip is a jungle wildlife tour for which you will get to choose between a jeep and foot, via which you desire to explore the national park.

Other activities such as boating, canoeing, photography, and bird watching can be performed here as well. There is a chance of spotting one-horned rhinoceros, four different species of deer, monkeys, wild boars, leopards, sloths, Bengal tiger (if you are lucky enough) and more than 500 species of birds. The area is most likely covered with trees, and therefore, you will be surrounded by greenery everywhere. It lies in the lowland of the inner Terai region. You can experience the Tharu culture and traditions with home-stay facilities as well. The best season for such a wildlife tour is from the beginning of March to the end of May and from the beginning of September to the end of December.

You can also observe about 126 species of fish, 590 species of butterflies, and 47 species of reptiles in the area. Experience an exotic journey to the UNESCO-listed oldest national park in Nepal with a Chitwan jungle wildlife tour. This tour introduces you to two of the most important cities in Nepal: the capital city, Kathmandu, the cultural hub, and the Chitwan National Park, home to some of the world's endangered wildlife. The seven-day Chitwan Jungle wildlife tour begins from the beautiful city of Kathmandu and heads towards the first-ever national park of Nepal, established in 1973.

Located in the southwestern part of Nepal, covering an area of 932 square kilometers and a sanctuary to endangered species like one-horned rhinos, Royal Bengal tigers, pangolins, and many more, Chitwan National Park was listed in the World Heritage List in 1976. The Chitwan jungle wildlife tour comprises an array of jungle activities like jungle wildlife tour, jeep wildlife tour, bird watching, canoeing, boating, and many more. One can choose their desired medium to explore the national park such as a jeep ride, on foot. During the wildlife tour, one can spot a wide range of animals and birds, such as one-horned rhinoceros, four different species of deer, monkeys, wild boars, leopards, sloths, and Bengal tiger (if you are lucky enough), and more than 500 species of birds.

It also houses 126 species of fish, 590 species of butterflies, and 47 species of reptiles in the area. If you are a green panther, you can also enjoy a jungle walk during dusk or dawn. Another exciting part of this trip is the Tharu cultural shows, where you can observe the distinct Tharu culture and enjoy the evening at Chitwan. This Chitwan jungle wildlife tour is absolutely easy. Apart from short walks during the tour, there are no strenuous walks involved. Anyone, irrespective of age and physical condition, can be a part of this wildlife tour. Experience the diverse wildlife in Nepal with the exotic Chitwan jungle wildlife tour.

• Jeep and walking wildlife tours: Explore deep into the national park in search of rhinos, wild elephants, swamp deer, and other fascinating wildlife
• Birdwatching paradise: Spot rare species such as hornbills, parakeets, peafowl, Bengal floricans, and migratory waterfowl across forests, wetlands, and grasslands
• River wildlife tours: Enjoy serene boat rides on the Rapti and Narayani rivers while spotting aquatic birds, gharials, and marsh wildlife
• Cultural immersion: Witness traditional Tharu and Kumal dances, and explore village life, connecting with local communities who live alongside the park
• Photography opportunities: Capture breathtaking landscapes, wildlife in action, and vibrant birdlife, ideal for enthusiasts and professional photographers alike