Chitwan Archives – Himalayan Circuit

Kathmandu Diary: 10-Day Kathmandu & Chitwan Tour Experience

Posted on February 9, 2025 - by HC Team

Nepal is a land of captivating history, culture, and wildlife, and if you’re looking to explore it all without trekking, the perfect combination of Kathmandu and Chitwan National Park awaits you. In this Kathmandu and Chitwan 10-day itinerary takes you through the spiritual and historical heart of Kathmandu and then immerses you in the natural beauty and wildlife of Chitwan. Whether you’re a history buff, wildlife lover, or simply looking to experience Nepal’s best, this journey has it all.

Day 1-3: Explore the Heart of Kathmandu

Kathmandu, the vibrant capital of Nepal, is a treasure trove of ancient architecture, sacred temples, and lively markets. As the starting point of your adventure, Kathmandu offers a chance to immerse yourself in Nepal’s rich cultural heritage.

Must-Visit Cultural Sites in Kathmandu

Pashupatinath Temple: As one of the holiest Hindu temples in Nepal, Pashupatinath is located on the bank of the Bagmati River and draws thousands of pilgrims each year. The intricate temple architecture and the spiritual ceremonies make it a must-visit spot. It’s an unforgettable place for anyone interested in Hindu culture and rituals.
Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple): Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, is perched on a hill offering panoramic views of Kathmandu. Surrounded by monkeys, prayer flags, and statues of Buddha, this site gives you insight into Nepal’s Buddhist culture. The serenity of the place makes it a peaceful stop on your journey.
Boudhanath Stupa: This massive stupa is one of the largest in Nepal and a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site. It’s a beautiful spot for reflection, with visitors walking around the stupa while chanting mantras and spinning prayer wheels. The site is lively, spiritual, and visually stunning.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to historic palaces, temples, and courtyards. Despite the damage caused by the 2015 earthquake, the square still holds immense cultural value, offering insight into the grandeur of Nepal’s royal past.

Day Trips to Patan and Bhaktapur:

Patan: A short trip from Kathmandu, Patan is known for its stunning temples, the grand Durbar Square, and traditional Newari architecture. Patan Museum, located in the square, is home to exquisite collections of religious art.
Bhaktapur: This medieval city, famous for its well-preserved architecture, is perfect for history enthusiasts. Explore the narrow alleys, temples, and pagodas that make Bhaktapur feel like stepping into the past. Don’t miss the iconic Bhaktapur Durbar Square and its beautiful brick architecture.

Day 4-6: Wildlife Adventure in Chitwan National Park

Next, it’s time to head south to Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the southern Terai plains, Chitwan offers one of the best wildlife safaris in Asia, known for its incredible biodiversity and thrilling wildlife encounters.

Wildlife Adventures in Chitwan National Park

Jeep Safaris: Explore Chitwan’s wildlife-rich jungles on an exciting jeep safari. You’ll have the opportunity to spot the rare one-horned rhino, Bengal tigers, wild elephants, deer, and a variety of birds. A knowledgeable guide will take you through the park, sharing fascinating details about the park’s ecosystem.
Canoe Rides: A canoe ride on the Rapti River is a peaceful way to observe the park’s wildlife. Glide along the water and catch glimpses of crocodiles sunbathing on the banks, as well as various bird species. It’s a tranquil experience that complements the thrilling jeep safaris.
Cultural Visit to Tharu Villages: Chitwan is also home to the Tharu people, an indigenous group with a unique culture and way of life. Visiting a Tharu village offers a chance to see traditional dance performances, sample local food, and understand their ancient customs. It’s an enriching cultural experience that adds depth to your Chitwan visit.

Day 7-10: Return to Kathmandu & Scenic Views of the Himalayas

After your wildlife adventure in Chitwan, return to Kathmandu for a relaxing end to your trip. You can spend a few more days soaking in the city’s energy or take a scenic day trip to Nagarkot.

Optional Day Trip to Nagarkot

For a stunning view of the Himalayas, a trip to Nagarkot is highly recommended. Located just 32 kilometres from Kathmandu, Nagarkot offers breath-taking sunrise views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest on clear days. The views of the snow-capped peaks in the morning light are the perfect way to wrap up your Nepal journey.

Why You Should Visit Kathmandu & Chitwan

This 10-day Nepal itinerary offers the perfect mix of culture and adventure. From the temples of Kathmandu to the wildlife safaris in Chitwan, you’ll experience the best of both worlds. This trip is ideal for travelers who want to dive into the country’s rich cultural heritage and explore its natural beauty, all without needing to trek.

In Kathmandu, explore ancient temples, royal palaces, and vibrant squares that will leave you in awe of Nepal’s spiritual and architectural heritage.
In Chitwan, embark on an unforgettable safari through dense jungles and enjoy sightings of endangered species in one of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves.

Whether you’re capturing the stunning architecture of Kathmandu or spotting wildlife in Chitwan, this adventure will offer you a truly diverse and enriching Nepalese experience.

Best Wildlife Resort in Nepal

Posted on June 19, 2024 - by HC Team

Couple having dinner in luxury hotel and elephant is beside them

The Himalayas, majestic temples, and unspoiled hilly villages of Nepal make the country one of the most beautiful in the world. There is also another side to Nepal’s beauty – and that is its diverse flora and fauna. The adventurous wildlife tours in Nepal are suitable for travelers of all ages.

Some of Nepal’s most popular national parks are always a top choice for travelers seeking adventure safari tours in the world. The wildlife tour in Nepal is perfect for vacationers looking for fun and diverse experiences. If you’re looking to see Nepal’s wildlife up close and personal, a wildlife resort is an ideal destination.

You can get a real close-up experience of Nepal’s wildlife at these 5 best wildlife resorts in Nepal if you’re interested in exploring the country’s wildlife. Let’s take a look at some of the best wildlife resorts in Nepal in this blog:

Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge

Tharu Lodge

Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge offers a perfect combination of comfort and adventure in the Chitwan National Park, the world’s largest national park. This resort is built in the traditional Tharu style and is surrounded by lush greenery.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy lunch, relax in the afternoon, and have a bonfire with friends at night. There are mango trees that shade the resort’s al fresco dining area, a pool that refreshes you, and hammocks for you to sway in as you eat.

The lodge provides comfortable rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving tasty local cuisine. You can enjoy jungle safaris, bird-watching tours, domestic elephants, and authentic cultural experiences.

Karnali Lodge

Tigertops Karnali

A relaxing escape in the natural environment awaits guests at Karnali Lodge in Bardiya National Park with its peaceful setting and knowledgeable wildlife guides. The hotel uses local architectural styles, has its own farm, and is dedicated to organic farming as part of its environmental practices.

The Karnali Lodge combines calming, soothing escapes with expert wildlife guidance to offer you an unforgettable experience. The lodge’s rooms are designed to complement the local architecture, produce organic produce on-site, and it is environmentally friendly.

The Karnali Lodge allows you to unwind amid the tranquility of the jungle and immerse yourself in nature. You can experience the ultimate river rafting, jungle safaris, and bird watching tours organized by the lodge’s experienced staff on foot, by jeep, or at the river put-in point.

Temple Tiger Jungle Resort

Green Jungle Resort

Temple Tiger Green Jungle Resort is an excellent place to explore the wide variety of flora and fauna found in the Himalayan subtropical broad-leaf forest. Temple Tiger has been providing pleasant accommodations and jungle safari experiences at Chitwan National Park for more than 25 years.

Spanning across a number of acres, the resort’s well-appointed cottages offer stunning views of the surrounding forests. The resort also organizes a number of activities, such as nature walks, bird watching, and elephant safaris, as well as outdoor swimming pools and nature trails.

The Bardia Forest Resort

The Bardia Forest Resort, located near the Karnali River in Bardia National Park, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the riverside view. You can view rich wildlife in the wild with time and patience, whether you’re an amateur naturalist or a serious naturalist.

The luxurious resort offers a perfect blend of comfort and adventure in Bardiya National Park, making it a wonderful wilderness retreat. A variety of accommodations are available, the local cuisine is delicious, and you can take part in a variety of activities while you’re there.

Located within the lush green forests of the Bardiya National Park, you can take jungle safaris, nature walks, birdwatching tours, and cultural tours within this magnificent park filled with exotic and endangered species.

Barahi Jungle Lodge

Barahi Jungle lodge

Located on the banks of the river, Barahi Jungle Lodge offers luxury bungalows with thatched roofs, breezy decks, an open-air pool, and spectacular jungle views.

This lodge is surrounded by lush green forests and a variety of wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.

While staying at the lodge, you’ll enjoy jungle safaris, nature walks, bird watching tours, and cultural tours, which are all organized by the lodge’s experienced staff.

The Himalayan Circuit Treks offers a comprehensive wildlife tour package for you to enjoy your exotic holiday in Nepal. You will have a great opportunity to discover and see some of the best wild life tour destinations in the world.

Don’t wait any longer. Book your trip with The Himalayan Circuit Treks at the best wildlife resort in Nepal today, and you’ll never want to leave.

Holi Festival Tour in Nepal

Posted on March 17, 2024 - by HC Team

Holi is the festival of colors, love, and joy that brings people together and reminds us that life is beautiful. Come together and celebrate Holi this year, forgetting our differences. Let’s celebrate Holi with the colors of love, friendship, and happiness.

The festival of Holi is the festival of color celebrated throughout Nepal that symbolizes unity and integrity among people regardless of their caste, creed, gender, or religion. During this festival, people splash each other with different colors.

The Holi Festival celebration Tour in Nepal will be one of the most exciting experiences for you, since you will be able to experience the vibrant culture and way of life of the people. The festival will take place over two days based on geography, since Nepal is divided into Hills and Tarai (Plain).

Nepal’s streets will be filled with laughter and joy during the Holi festival. There are many Holi celebrations organized by various event companies where you can participate and be a part of the celebration.

The Holy festivals in Nepal are celebrated with great enthusiasm and are a wonderful time to explore the country’s rich culture and natural beauty. In addition to the main festivities, there are a number of other activities and trekking options that you can combine with your trip.

Treks to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang Valley, Upper Mustang, and Khumbu Region can be combined with the Holy Festival. To learn more about trekking during Holi, you can check out our blog Trekking during the Holi Festival in Nepal.

Take part in the Holi festivities and enjoy traditional Holi delicacies. Enjoy delicious local foods and drinks. You can also try bhang, a green paste that is made from cannabis, lassi, and other spices, if you are interested.

We can arrange your trip in a way that will allow you to enjoy Holi not only in Kathmandu (Thamel, Basnatapur, and Patan), but also in Pokhara (Lakeside area), Bhotekoshi, and Chitwan.

Tour Highlights:

Enjoy the vibrancy of colors and splashes of water at popular places in Kathmandu.
Witnessing the richness of culture and values in Nepal is a perfect cultural escapade.
A good time to plan high-altitude trekking and day trips in Nepal is before or after Holi.
Learn about the customs and traditions of local communities through visits to historic temples and other cultural sites.
Hiking, sightseeing, and shopping are all possible activities during the tour.

Why is Holi Celebrated?

Holi Celebration

Nepal has a rich cultural heritage heavily influenced by Hinduism, and many of the festivals and celebrations there have Hindu roots. The Hindu festival of Holi commemorates the victory of good over evil, specifically Lord Vishnu over Hiranyakashyap as well as the arrival of spring and the end of winter.

“Holi” is also known as the “festival of colors” or the “festival of love.” A celebration of Holi typically occurs in late February or early March and involves throwing colored powder and water, as well as lighting bonfires. Furthermore, Holi is a time for Nepalese people to come together and celebrate with family and friends.

What to expect at Holi Festival?

Nepali culture celebrates Holi in a variety of ways, including traditional festivals, concerts, and live music in restaurants and pubs. One of the best places to witness Holi celebrations is Basantapur Durbar Square.

Holi is a wild festival with big crowds, colored dye, water guns, and lots of music, dancing, and partying. The Holi festival is enjoyable and you can participate if you are okay with crowds, colors, and getting wet.

The best places to visit in Nepal during Holi festival:

Kathmandu Valley:

Holi celebration Basantapur

The best places to visit in Nepal during the Holi festival are Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. There are many historical sites and temples in these cities that are renowned for their rich cultural heritage. There is great enthusiasm in these cities for the festival, and you can see colorful and vibrant street celebrations.

Holi is celebrated in Kathmandu & Patan in the traditional way by playing with colored powder, water, singing, and dancing. Similarly, Bhaktapur is also a great place to visit during the festival since it is known for its traditional Newari culture and people still follow age-old customs and traditions.

Pokhara:

Holi Celebration

Pokhara celebrates Holi with vibrant and colorful displays of traditional music and dance performances, singing, dancing, as well as playing with colored powder and water.

You can see people smearing colored powder on each other and drenching each other with water on the streets. The streets are decorated with flowers and colorful lights, and you can dance to traditional music.

Visiting Pokhara during Holi is a great idea, since you can enjoy the colorful and vibrant celebration and experience the unique culture of the region at the same time.

Chitwan:

Tharu Culture

A major attraction of the Holi festival in Chitwan is the Tharu Cultural Dance performed by the indigenous Tharu people. It is an opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions of the Tharu people through the colorful and vibrant display of traditional music and costumes.

A popular Holi festival activity in Chitwan is elephant safari, where you can see one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, and other wild animals. Additionally, you can take nature walks, observe birds, and go on a jungle safari, which is organized in the park.

A colorful and lively celebration of the festival takes place in the Chitwan National Park, where you can experience the beautiful natural scenery and experience the local culture as well.

Chitwan is an excellent place to visit during the Holi festival, as you can experience the colorful and lively celebration as well as the region’s unique culture and natural beauty.

Participating in the Holi festival celebration in Nepal will be a unique experience for you. The Himalayan Circuit offers a guided Holi festival day tour to experience one of the unique ways to observe and celebrate Nepali Holi.

Wildlife Photography Tour in Nepal

Posted on September 16, 2023 - by HC Team

The art of wildlife photography combines a love of photography with an appreciation for nature, offering photographers the chance to capture breathtaking images of animals in their natural habitat. The incredible diversity and wildlife of Nepal make it an unforgettable destination for wildlife photography.

Nepal is known for its magnificent mountains and breathtaking landscapes. Nepal is an ideal destination for wildlife photographers due to its high mountains and lush valleys. A wildlife photography journey in this breathtaking Himalayan country is like walking into a wildlife archive.

A wide variety of wildlife can be found in Nepal, including many endangered and elusive species. With a unique biodiversity, Nepal is a popular destination for wildlife tourists, offering photographers a wide range of wildlife in its unique habitats, from the tropical Terai plains to the magnificent Himalayas.

A wildlife photography trip to Nepal is like stepping into a history book filled with rare and exotic animals in a breathtaking environment. This blog aims to provide an exploration of Nepal’s wildlife, a guide to the best spots for photography, and some tips for capturing these life-changing experiences.

Top Destinations for Wildlife Photography:

Chitwan National Park:

The Chitwan National Park is one of the most famous wildlife parks in Asia. The dense forest covered an area of 952 square kilometers, with 729 square kilometers reserved for buffer zones.

Chitwan’s subtropical climate offers an ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including the Big 3 of Nepalese wildlife: Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, and Greater One-Horned Rhinos.

The region is also home to several animal species, including wild water buffalo, four-horned antelopes, swamp deer, and spotted linsangs. This safari trip allows you to photograph and view wildlife from a large safari vehicle.

Bardia National Park:

The Bardia National Park in Nepal, which covers 968 square kilometers, was established in 1976 and later declared a protected area. It encompasses a total of 507 square kilometers. The Babai River crosses the area and this area is surrounded by grasslands, forests, and rivers.

The park is home to over 435 resident and migratory birds and 642 species of animals. The unspoiled wilderness around Bardia National Park is famous for bear chases, Rajbang tigers marking their territory, and elephant sightings. There is a majestic royal Bengal tiger living among the untamed wildlife in its natural habitat.

The wildlife safari experience will thrill you and fill your camera with wildlife photos. Designed specifically for those who love wildlife photography, this trip gives you the chance to capture everything through your camera lens.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve:

Wildlife photography is a passion for many, and what better way to satisfy this passion than to take a hike in nature? The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary, located in eastern Nepal, offers a unique photographic and wildlife experience.

The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary covers an impressive 175 square kilometers and is Nepal’s oldest wildlife sanctuary. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse birdlife and biodiversity on the Saptakoshi River plains.

Koshi Tappu is a paradise for bird watchers and photographers, with more than 500 species of birds, including migratory birds from Siberia and Tibet. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including wild water buffalo, whales, dolphins, and the elusive Bengal tiger as well as an abundance of birds.

Sagarmatha National Park:

The Sagarmatha National Park is situated in the heart of the majestic Himalayas, making it a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife photographers alike. With some of the world’s most famous and endangered species at its doorstep, the Sagarmatha National Park offers a unique chance to discover their magnificent natural world.

Located in the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal, Sagarmatha National Park offers breathtaking scenery and a variety of wildlife, ranging from dense plain forests to towering Himalayan peaks. This habitat is home to a wide variety of wildlife and flora, providing a haven for wildlife photographers.

Trekking through Everest National Park for wildlife photography promises to be an unforgettable experience. With its fascinating biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, the park provides an ideal backdrop for capturing the wild beauty of the Himalayas.

A wildlife photography trip in Nepal is a dream come true for every avid wildlife photographer. Nepal offers some of the most unique creatures in the world, with diverse wildlife, beautiful scenery, and knowledgeable guides.

Wildlife photography tours in Nepal provide a unique opportunity to see natural wonders up close. Prepare yourself to capture unforgettable moments when you visit this incredible country with the Himalayan Circuit Treks.