The name ‘Chitwan’ has several possible meanings, but the most literal translation of the two NEPALI words that make it up: chit or chita (heart) and wan or ban (jungle). Chitwan is thus ‘the heart of the jungle’.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, cultivation in the valley was deliberately prohibited by the government of Nepal in order to maintain a barrier of disease-ridden forests as a defense against the invasion of diseases from the south. Then for the century between 1846 and 1950, when the Rana prime ministers were de facto rulers of Nepal, Chitwan was declared a private hunting reserve, maintained exclusively for the privileged classes. Penalties for poaching were severe – capital punishment for killing rhino – and the wildlife in the area thus received a measure of protection.
From time to time great hunts for rhino were held during the cool, mosquito-free winter months from December to February. The Ranas invited royalty from Europe and the Princely States of India, as well as other foreign dignitaries, to take part in these grand maneuvers, which were organized on a magnificent scale, often with several hundred leopards.
At the time of its establishment the park covered 210 square miles. After an extension in 1980, it now covers 620 square miles, and another enlargement, now proposed, and contains a wide variety of habitats, from the grassland and riverine forests of the valleys to the sal forest on the hills and the chir pine that grows along the ridges.
FEATURES
The Park consists of a diversity of ecosystems-including the Churia hills, Ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani Rivers. The Churia hills rise slowly towards the East from 150 m. to more than 800 m. The western portion of the Park is comprised of the lower but more rugged, Someshwor hill. The Park shares its eastern boundary with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
FLORA AND FAUNA
The Chitwan valley consists of tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forests cover 70 percent of the park. Sal leaves are used locally for plates in festivals and religious offerings.
Grasslands cover 20 percent of the Park. There are more than 50 different types of grasses, including the elephant grass (Saccharum spp), renowned for its immense height. It can grow up to 8 m in height. The park is home to more than 50 mammal species, over 525 birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. The endangered fauna found in the Park are: One-horned rhinoceros, Gaur. Royal Bengal tiger. Wild elephant, Four horned antelope, Pangolin, Golden monitor lizard, Python, etc. Bengal florican. Lesser florican, Giant hornbill, Black stork, White stork, etc.
FACILITIES
The Park offers interesting sites and activities. The display at the visitor centre at Sauraha provides fascinating information on wildlife and conservation program. The women’s user groups’ souvenir shop offers a variety of handicrafts and other local products for gifts and souvenirs.
Elephant safari provides opportunity to get a closer view of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. One may also get a glimpse of the exlusive Bengal tiger. The Elephant Breeding Center at Khorsor, Sauraha gives you information on captive elephant and the calves born there.
The museum at Kasara, the Park headquarters, has informative displays- near the HQ visitors can see Bikram Baba, a Hindu religious site of archival value. A short walk (1km) from the Park HQ will take you to the Gharial Breeding Center, which is also a home to the Marsh mugger, gharial crocodiles and other turtles.
HOW TO GET CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
By Road : Drive from Pokhara to Chitwan is about 4 hrs. It is nearly same distance as well as from Kathmandu.
By Plane: We have daily flights schedule to Chitwan from Kathmandu & pokhara. it’s just 15 minutes flying distance. from Both location Kathmandu & Pokhara.
POPULAR ACTIVITIES IN CHITWAN
CHITWAN ELEPHANT SAFARI
The elephant safari is one of the best ways to spot wildlife from up close. Because the elephants can come close to other animals without them noticing that there are people on the elephants back, you can come up to 1 meter from other animals.
During the trip, you are never alone. The rider sits in the front and next to him; you are always accompanied by professional guides and naturalists.
Tip: On the back of an elephant you can get very close to the wildlife. Beware that you have to be very quiet to do so! One sound and you will scare of the tigers, rhino’s, deer’s or one of the other animals.
JEEP SAFARI IN CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
One of the options to see the wildlife in Chitwan national park is to go on a jeep safari. During this trip you will sit in the back of an open jeep to see the animals. The driver will stop to show places and animals. You will have a great opportunity to get some good pictures this way.
During the trip, the guide will hang at the back of the vehicle to spot animals. He will also give information about the environment and the wildlife.
To do the Jeep safari you get two options:
The first option is a short safari. This will take about 4 hours and you are in the jeep with a maximum of 7 persons. With your back you will sit to the side of the jeep. This safari will start around 13.00 p.m. and finishes around 17.00 p.m.
The second option is a full day safari. The jeep is more comfortable as you have better seats and a private car. This trip will start early in the morning and you will finish around the same time as the short drive. With this trip you will go deeper in the jungle and here you will have more chance to see tigers. During this trip, the lunch will be eaten in the jungle itself.
Don’t be afraid, you don’t have to catch your own food.
Tip: During a jeep safari you should not wear bright colors. This will scare the animals so off white, Black, grey, dark green are preferred.
CANOE RIDE IN CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
If you came to Chitwan to relax, the canoe ride is a good way to do so. Also after a few days in the wild, this is great chance to become calm again.
With a canoe you will slowly pass the shores of the rivers which are full with amazing crocodiles and beautiful birds. During the trip you are accompanied by a guide who will tell you about the animals. Off course you don’t have to peddle yourself as a boatman joins the ride.
CHITWAN JUNGLE WALK
If experiencing the wild plains of Nepal and bird watching interests you, we suggested that you take a Jungle walk with our naturalist. This walk provides you with the ideal situation of viewing the wild animals very close. Bird Watching is always best on foot. Our specialists will help you spot identify the different varieties of birds, both local and migratory, that are found in Nepal.
Tip: During a jungle walk you should not wear bright colors. This will scare the animals so off white, Black, grey, dark green are preferred.
Village Walk
The jungle Scenery, birds and animals alone do not make up the unique features of Chitwan National Park. The indigenous local people, the Tharus, are also of immense interest. A professional guide/expert naturalist will accompany you through the area and help you gather insights into the Tharu way of life.
CHITWAN BIRD WATCHING TOUR
Chitwan National Park , a habitat of 555 approx. species of birds has been considered as one of the perfect place for bird watching in Nepal . All around the 932 Sq. KM of national park and its buffer zones these various , migrating as well as all season birds chirp and fly all around and there is when we can spot them , there varieties , do there characterization . The different species of birds found in Chitwan National park which can be varieties of kingfishers , Peacocks, Storks, Bulbul Bird, Eagles, Ruddy Shelduck.
These varieties of birds are often sighted during the jungle safari activities. The Chitwan bird watching tour is organized where an experienced Nature Guides will assist our guests. Normally for birdwatching tour , we go insIde the Jungle , River banks , the plain grass lands where there is higher chances of spotting birds.
VISIT ELEPHANT BREEDING CENTER
Next to the wild adventures in the national park, Chitwan National Park has a second major attraction; the elephant breeding center. This was installed because the elephant population is becoming endangered in Nepal. The elephant breeding center is unique as it is one of the only 2 in the world.
You can have the opportunity to visit this center and see the elephant cows with their calves. Next to this, you can learn more about the efforts to increase the pachyderm population at the center.
Day 01 :Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Excursion like Pasupatinath, Swoymbhunath, Boudhanath & Kathmandu Darbar Square.
Day 03:Kathmandu-Chitwan. By tourist bus or Plane.
Upon arrival, there will be a short briefing on the program and our facilities.
15:00 PM: Elephant back safari/ Jungle drive by jeep: Guests will ride on elephant to explore jungle and wildlife the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. These exciting rid lasts for 2 -3 hours.
Slide Presentation: One of our jungle experts will introduce background data and history of the Royal Chitwan National Park as well as some other topics relating to wildlife. Dinner .
Day 04 : 6.00 AM: Wake-up call followed by tea or coffee, and then proceeds on a Nature walk. This encounter on foot with these environments will introduce the main features of eastern Chitwan. Sal forest, open grassland and revering jungle. Our guides will help you identity some spices of birds, plants and other wildlife that you may encounter.
8.00 AM: Breakfast.
9.00 AM : Elephant briefing program: Learn more about these fascinating animals during a visit to our elephant stables. (For the brave ones there is even a crash course in riding and leading the elephant.)
13:00 PM : Lunch, Remaining hours before the afternoon program is free for rest or relax.
16.00 PM : Canoeing : A traditional dugout canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti river to view aquatic birds and the animals of the riverbanks. Back to the Resort through the Jungle.
19:00 PM : Tharu stick dance , Farmers of the nearby villages will show some of their traditional skills and dances.
8.00 PM : Dinner around the campfire.
Day 05: 06.00 AM : Wake up call and early breakfast to proceed to a whole day walk to the Churia hill when the pine vegetation exists. The introduce different vegetation of the Park and this is the habitat of the Wild Bison.
Arrive Machan at 17.30 PM. & Evening entertainment and dinner.
Day 06: 5:30 AM : Bird watching ( or another elephant ride ) after early morning tea/coffee.
8:00 AM : Break fast
10:00 AM : Drive to village, our naturalist will brief you about the social and cultural aspect of the villagers and will show you their lifestyle.
1:00 PM : Lunch
19:00 PM : Dinner after evening program.
Day 07 Chitwan- Pokhara.
5:00 AM : Wake up called followed by tea or coffee, then proceed on a jeep drive to deep inside the sale forest where you may encounter different spices of deers and other animals.
8:00 AM : Breakfast.
9:00 AM : Departure to the Pokhara by plane or tourist coach.
14:00 Pm, onward Pokhara valley sightseeing including World peace pagoda, Devi’s fall, Gupteshor cave, Tibetean camp, Seti River George, Bindabasini temple, Int’l mountain museum, old bazzar etc.
Day 08: Plane/Tourist coach from Pokhara- Kathmandu. O/N at hotel.
Day 09: Final Departure
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