A 10-day wildlife journey combining cultural exploration in Kathmandu with an intensive wildlife experience in Bardia National Park – Nepal's wildest and least visited national park, with the country's densest Bengal tiger population. This itinerary is designed for travellers who are serious about wildlife and want the most authentic Nepal wildlife experience available: five nights in Bardia's wilderness with expert trackers, walking safaris on foot through tiger territory, river safaris for dolphins and crocodiles, and the extraordinary stillness of an undisturbed Terai forest. All of it in the comfort of a quality lodge with expert naturalist guides.
Bardia is chosen over Chitwan for this programme deliberately. Chitwan is excellent – and we recommend it for travellers who want a more accessible, well-rounded Nepal experience. But for wildlife specialists, Bardia offers something more: lower visitor numbers (no queue of vehicles at a sighting), deeper forest access, the most rewarding walking safaris in Nepal, and tiger-sighting odds that have become exceptional as the population grows. Five nights is the minimum time needed to experience Bardia properly, and this programme is built around that commitment.
Three nights in Kathmandu with a private licensed guide covering the valley's UNESCO heritage sites. Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square and Swayambhunath are all visited with sufficient time at each. A cultural orientation that provides context for the country you are entering before the wild landscape of the western Terai takes over.
Five nights at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge or our preferred Bardia partner property. Full-day jeep safaris penetrating the park's deep interior zones. Walking safaris with expert trackers reading pugmarks, scrapes and alarm calls through tiger territory. River safaris on the Karnali for Gangetic dolphins, gharial crocodiles and remarkable birdlife. Night-time wildlife camp by the riverbank. Cultural visits to Tharu villages on the park edge. Expert naturalist guides throughout – people who have spent years learning this specific landscape and the individual animals within it.
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights. Destinations: Kathmandu, Bardia National Park. Accommodation: Luxury hotel in Kathmandu; quality jungle lodge in Bardia. Fitness level: Easy to moderate – walking safaris involve 2–4 hours on jungle terrain. Best time: October–April; February–March is peak tiger activity season in Bardia.
On your arrival at Kathmandu International Airport you’ll be warmly welcomed by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore this historic and vibrant city. Enjoy a welcome dinner.
Visit Durbar Square, the epicenter of Kathmandu’s religious and cultural life. Some of the sights include Kal Bhairav, Hanuman Dhoka, Taleju Temple, Kasthamandap, and Kumari Ghar, which is home to the Living Goddess.
You’ll also visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, one of the world’s oldest Buddhist stupas. It sits high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. You’ll see Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and located alongside the holy Bagmati River. Boudhanath is also on the tour. This is a Buddhist stupa, known to be one of the largest in the world.
You’ll drive to Bandipur, a living museum of Newari culture that features stunning 18th-century architecture. Take short hikes to the area’s villages, temples, viewpoints, and mysterious caves.
After breakfast in Bandipur, you’ll take in scenic views of the hilly countryside on the drive along the Trishuli River.
At dawn you’ll hike up to the Sarangkot viewpoint to see the magnificent sunrise over the Annapurna range, turning the peaks from white to gold. After breakfast you’ll visit the deep and narrow gorge of the roaring Seti River and then drive to Devi’s Falls, Gupteswar Cave, and the Bat Cave. In the evening you’ll relax by Phewa Lake and go for a leisurely row on its sparkling waters.
From Pokhara the tour continues on to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. The spiritual heart of Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple where the Buddha was born under a Bodhi tree. Other sights here include the Ashoka Pillar, Buddhist monasteries, the World Peace Pagoda, and the Lumbini Crane Sanctuary.
From Lumbini you’ll head to Chitwan National Park, one of the most famous wildlife-viewing parks in Asia and listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. You’ll have an excellent chance of spotting 1-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys, leopards, wild elephants, royal Bengal tigers, and as many as 450 species of birds.
For watching wildlife, birds, and the rare species of flora and fauna you can take a 4WD jungle safari deep into the park, relax on a canoeing trip on the Rapti or Narayani rivers, or ride on an elephant, which is more thrilling than comfortable. You’ll also have a chance to explore the Tharu villages surrounding the park.
Enjoy the early morning drive to Nagarkot village that sits on a ridge and is just 32 kilometers from Kathmandu. This point offers one the broadest possible views of the Himalaya.
Watch the sun rise in Nagarkot and then take in the panoramic views from Dhaulagiri in the west to Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga in the east, on the drive to Kathmandu. The route takes you by Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Shisha Pangma, Dorje Lakpa and Gauri Shanker. You’ll enjoy a farewell dinner and be dropped off at the airport in time for your departing flight.
All of our holidays are completely tailor-made and prices will vary based on things like when in the year you will be travelling (High season, Low season), how far in advance you book, the number of people travelling in your group, the level of accommodation you choose etc. Please click on the next tab (INQUIRY/ BOOKING) and send us your inquiry. We will reply you with cost and other necessary details within 24 hours.
Not sure what you desire yet? Nepal offers a variety of possibilities throughout the country. We offer tailor-made travel programs for you and your travel group. Create your own exclusive trip, step-by-step with us. We plan, you relax. We design, you do so if you already have specific wishes, let us know.
Getaway Nepal Adventure (P.) Ltd.
Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977 98510 38 908
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