Chitwan Jungle Safari

Max. Altitude

1,400m

Difficulty

EasyThe trip is easy and suitable for everyone, including children and older people. It does not require any skills in mountain climbing or traversing difficult terrain.

Best Season

Mar,Apr,May,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec

Transportation

Private Vehicle

Start / End

Kathmandu/Kathmandu

Accommodation

3-Star Hotel

Meals

Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Travel Distance

383KM/238Miles (Kathmandu to Kathmandu Drive)

If you think traffic in Kathmandu is wild, wait until you see a rhino casually crossing your jungle path. A Chitwan Jungle Safari is a wildlife tour in the subtropical lowlands of southern Nepal. This tour takes you deep into Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, crocodiles, and birdlife watching. In short, it’s the best way to experience Nepal beyond the mountains, where adventure, nature, and culture collide.

During your safari, you’ll ride through sal forests, open grasslands, and riverbanks either on a 4×4 jeep or by canoe. The adventure begins as soon as you enter the park. If luck is on your side, you might even catch a glimpse of a Bengal tiger! Besides wildlife, you can visit the elephant breeding center, where you can observe baby elephants with their mothers.

Per Person From

$170

3 Days

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Major Highlights of Chitwan Jungle Safari

  • Explore Chitwan National Park in a 4×4 vehicle with a trained guide.
  • Glide along the Rapti River in a traditional dugout canoe.
  • Visit the mud-and-thatch houses of the Tharu people and enjoy a stick dance performance.
  • Spot over 500 species of birds, including hornbills, kingfishers, and peacocks.
  • Stay in eco-friendly resorts or jungle lodges surrounded by nature.
  • Join programs where you can walk beside elephants, bathe them, and learn about conservation.
  • Discover local herbs and plants used by villagers for traditional medicine.
  • Cycle through nearby Tharu villages and buffer areas.

Chitwan Jungle Safari at a Glance

Distance, walking time and high point for each day
DayItineraryDistance / TimeAltitude
01Kathmandu To Chitwan164 km5 hrsN A
02Jungle Activities Tour In Chitwan National Park55 km6 hrsN A
03Chitwan To Kathmandu164 km5 hrsN A
On foot, across 3 trekking days383.0 km16 hrs0 m

Reviews from our Guests

From travellers who walked this exact itinerary.

★★★★★

This tour was a wonderful way to explore Nepal through wildlife and birdwatching. Bardiya National Park offered exciting jeep safaris, while the birdwatching days felt calm and relaxing. I enjoyed walking around the wetlands and observing birds quietly without pressure. Lumbini added a peaceful atmosphere, and Jagdishpur Taal was excellent for bird photography. Chitwan was another highlight, with diverse landscapes and wildlife sightings during the full-day safari. The visit to the vulture conservation area was meaningful and informative. Traveling between destinations felt smooth, and the overall pace allowed time to enjoy each place. The mix of forests, wetlands, and rural landscapes kept the journey interesting. I felt connected to nature throughout the trip and appreciated the care taken in planning each day by Himalayan 360. This experience gave me some of my best memories in Nepal.

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LG
Leonel GrantDecember 2025 · Guided by Ritesh Shrestha
★★★★★

This 12 day wildlife and birdwatching tour gave me a calm and meaningful way to explore Nepal. From Bardiya to Chitwan and Lumbini, every place felt different and special. The jeep safaris were comfortable and allowed enough time to observe animals and birds without feeling rushed. I enjoyed the early mornings, quiet wetlands, and changing landscapes, especially during birdwatching sessions. Lumbini felt peaceful, while Bardiya and Chitwan offered rich wildlife experiences. The visit to the vulture conservation site was interesting and educational. Koshi Tappu was a highlight for bird photography, with open views and a relaxed atmosphere. Everything felt well planned, with a good balance between travel, exploration, and rest. This trip helped me slow down, enjoy nature, and truly appreciate Nepal’s wildlife and scenery. I would happily recommend this tour to nature and photography lovers.

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LB
Lucas BennettDecember 2025 · Guided by Ramkrishna Tharu
★★★★★

My experience on this wildlife and birdwatching tour was rewarding from start to finish. The journey through Bardiya, Lumbini, and Chitwan showed me a side of Nepal that feels untouched and peaceful. I enjoyed watching birds in wetlands and forests and observing animals during jeep safaris. Each day felt different, with changing landscapes and fresh experiences. The birdwatching walks were calm and enjoyable, especially in Lumbini and Jagdishpur Taal. Chitwan offered great wildlife viewing, and the full-day safari allowed us to explore deep inside the park. Traveling back to Kathmandu through villages gave a nice ending to the trip. The pace was comfortable, and there was enough time to relax and enjoy each place. This tour gave me lasting memories and beautiful photographs, and it made my time in Nepal truly special.

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HM
Hannah MooreDecember 2025 · Guided by Ramkrishna Tharu
★★★★★

From the first day in Kathmandu to the last day in Chitwan, this trip was full of surprises. Lumbini felt peaceful, and the birds at Jagdishpur Lake were beautiful. I loved trying to spot rare birds and learning their names from our guide. Driving to Chitwan gave me a chance to enjoy the countryside and see small villages and farms along the way. Chitwan National Park was incredible. The jeep safari made me feel like I was really in the wild, and the walking tour gave a close-up look at the smaller animals and birds. The guide was patient and funny, always ready to answer questions and show the best spots for photos. I left this tour tired but happy, with lots of photos and amazing memories to share.

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HT
Haruto TanakaOctober 2025 · Guided by Ram Chaudhari

Chitwan Jungle Safari Day By Day Itinerary

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Day 01: Kathmandu To Chitwan

Itinerary Details
Itinerary FactDetails
Time:09:00-17:00
Trek Distance:N/A
Travel Duration:5Hours
Travel Distance:164KM/101.9Miles
Highest Altitude:N/A

On your first day, you’ll start early from Kathmandu and drive southwest towards Chitwan. Most tourist buses leave Kathmandu around 7:00 am from your hotel. The drive follows the Prithvi highway and offers views of the Mahabharat Range, which is over 2,500 m. Tourist buses often have air conditioning and stop for lunch and refreshment along the way.

Upon arrival at Sauraha, a representative from your jungle lodge will manage your accommodation. You will be greeted with a welcome drink and have a briefing with a naturalist guide about your safari program. A traditional lunch will also be served at your hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll take a cultural tour of a Tharu village. An expert guide will walk you through the village, introduce you to the indigenous Tharu people and their traditional mud-and-thatch houses. You’ll also be guided to the banks of the Rapti River to enjoy a sunset view. After sunset, you’ll be taken to your hotel, where the Tharu people will perform their traditional Tharu drumming and the stick dance (Lathi Nach). This performance is a lively reflection of the local Tharu lifestyle.

Note: For a quick trip, take a 20-minute flight from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to Bharatpur Airport, followed by a short drive to your lodge.

Itinerary Details
Itinerary FactDetails
Meals:Lunch,Dinner
Accommodation:3-Star Hotel

Day 02: Jungle Activities Tour In Chitwan National Park

Itinerary Details
Itinerary FactDetails
Time:09:00-17:00
Trek Distance:N/A
Travel Duration:6Hours
Travel Distance:55KM/34.1Miles
Highest Altitude:N/A

Your day begins with a wake-up call and a cup of tea or coffee at the lodge. A naturalist guide will take you for a ride in a traditional hand-carved canoe. This is the best way to observe the riverbank, where you can spot endangered gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles sunning themselves. If you’re a birdwatcher, then you can enjoy spotting various aquatic birds, such as kingfishers, herons, and egrets.

The canoe ride often concludes near the Elephant Breeding Center at Khorsor. Here, you’ll learn about the conservation efforts of the center and can observe baby elephants with their mothers. This government-run facility focuses on protecting and increasing the population of the Asian elephant.

After the visit, a guided jungle walk begins. The walk takes you along marked trails inside the forest. where you can spot deer, monkeys, and other wildlife. The guide explains the local flora and fauna with full safety. After returning from the walk, you go back to the hotel for lunch and a two-hour rest.

In the afternoon, around 2:00 PM, you head out for a jeep safari inside Chitwan National Park. This is the most adventurous part of the day. Accompanied by a naturalist and driver, you’ll venture into the core jungle areas and grasslands to increase your chances of spotting larger wildlife. Keep an eye out for one-horned rhinos, several species of deer, wild boars, elephants, and, if you’re very lucky, a Royal Bengal tiger.

The safari lasts about 4-5 hrs, ending before sunset. You’ll then be driven back to your lodge to freshen up before dinner.

Itinerary Details
Itinerary FactDetails
Meals:Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Accommodation:3-Star Hotel

Day 03: Chitwan To Kathmandu

Itinerary Details
Itinerary FactDetails
Time:09:00-17:00
Trek Distance:N/A
Travel Duration:5Hours
Travel Distance:164KM/101.9Miles
Highest Altitude:N/A

On this day, after breakfast, you’ll start the drive back from Sauraha, Chitwan, to Kathmandu. The route moves north through Hetauda, following the Prithvi Highway. You’ll cross the Rapti River again and pass through small towns and farmlands. The journey takes approximately 5-6 hrs, and you can stop briefly at roadside viewpoints to observe the rivers and surrounding hills.

You’ll arrive in Kathmandu in the afternoon. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is free for relaxation or optional sightseeing in the city. This concludes the Chitwan Jungle Safari tour, with memories of rivers, forests, wildlife, and local culture along the route.

Itinerary Details
Itinerary FactDetails
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Hotel

Chitwan Jungle Safari Included/ Excluded

Cost Includes

Cost Excludes

Transfer

  • Confirmable private vehicle for tour as per group size and itinerary only
  • International Airfare

Accommodation

  • 2Nights in 3star hotel as per mentioned named in itinerary
  • Meals as per Itinerary mentioned
  • All drinks and food expect mentioned in itinerary
  • Extra night except mentioned in itinerary

Expense

  • All entrance fees as per itinerary mentioned places
  • All personal expenses

Others

  • All internal taxes
  • 1Bottle/days of water during tour
  • NOTE: all the jungle activities will be Group join basis.
  • All the services out of the list from Including services
  • Single supplementary

FAQs for Chitwan Jungle Safari

Chitwan Jungle Safari Information

Difficulty

Easy

Best Season & Packing List

Mar,Apr,May,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec

0 of 23 packed

Clothing

Accessories

Health & Hygiene

Optional Items

Weighing It Against the Alternatives

If you are still deciding, this is how Chitwan Jungle Safari sits against the trips people most often weigh it against — on days, distance, difficulty and cost.

This trip compared with the alternatives
TripDays / DistanceDifficultyFrom
Chitwan Jungle Safarithis trip3 daysEasy$170
Island Peak Climbing from Chhukung3 daysStrenuous$780
Lobuche East Peak Climbing from Lobuche3 daysStrenuous$780
Lumbini Tour Nepal3 daysEasy$320
Singing Bowl Sound Healing and Therapy Course3 daysMediumOn request

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