Major Attractions

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan Natioanal Park is the first and most famous park in South Asia situated in the inner terai lowland of Chitwan. Chitwan National Park (formerly called Royal Chitwan National Park) covers 932 square km of sub-tropical lowland, wedged between two east-west river valleys at the base of the Siwalik range of the outer Himalayas.

The rocks of this range are predominantly composed of sandstones, congolmerates, quartzites, shales and micaceous sandstones. The altitude varies from 150 to 760 m. Monsoon rains, when nearly 2,000mm fall between June and September, cause dramatic floods, large changes in river character and often significant changes in the river courses.

Seasonal climatic changes are profound, and in the winter, dry northerly winds reduce temperature and humidity considerably. Royal Chitwan National Park was officially established in 1973 and included as World Heritage Site in 1984.

Transport is available according to taste and need. Elephants and jeeps are most suitable for those interested in looking at the animals. Crocodile enthusiasts and anglers can go on canoes down the river. There are nature treks to see and enjoy the many different birds in the park. Some elephants also reside in this National Park.

Staying in Chitwan National Park, going on the elephant back safaris and being a part of the elephant bathing there were definitely highlights of the trip. Seeing the rhinos, crocodile and monkeys were a lot of fun, and so was seeing Mt. Everest.

The park is dominated by almost monotypic stands of sal forest which occupy 60% of the total area and is a remnant of the lowland Terai. Riverine forest and grasslands form a mosaic along the river banks maintained by seasonal flooding. On the hills are pines and scattered palms, and moister slopes support bamboos.

The park contains the last Nepalese population of the endangered great one-horned Indian rhinoceros which is the second largest concentration of this species to occur after Kaziranga in India. Chitwan is also one of the last strongholds of the Royal Bengal tiger. Other threatened mammals occurring in the park include leopard, wild dog, gaur, and the sloth bear.

Other mammals include sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, wild pig, monkeys, otter, porcupine, yellow-throated marten, civet, fishing cat, jungle cat, jackal, striped hyena and Indian fox. Aquatic species include the gangetic dolphin, the mugger crocodile and the endangered gharial. Over 350 reported bird species including greater hornbill, Sengal florican, peafowl, crested serpent-eagle, Himalayan grey-headed fishing eagle and white-back vulture. Ruddy shelduck and bar-headed goose winter on the rivers. The threatened Indian python also occurs within the park, and some 99 fish species inhabit the rivers and oxbow lakes.