Chitwan National Park (932 sq km.)

Chitwan National Park established in 1973 was declared UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1984. The park that includes in its area a part of the shivalik hills is covered with deciduous forest overlooking the floodplains of Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers and offering a wilderness of rick ecosystem that incldes mammals, birds, reptiles and water animals of several kinds. There are around 600 plant species, 50 mammals, 526 birds and 49 amphibians reptiles found in this park. The highlights, of course, are the 500 Asian one-horned rhinoceros and some 100 nocturnal Royal Bengal tigers that live in the dense forest of the park. Sharing home in these is other annimal like rhesus moneky, grey langur, deer, leopards, white stockinged gaur, wild boar, wild dogs and wild cats. Among reptiles are different kinds of snakes including the python, while the river arieas breed amphibians like the endgangered snouted gharial poplularly known as Gangetic Crocodile and marsh crocodiles. The forest is alive during summer with the arrival of migrant birds paradise flycather, indian pitta and parakeets, while winter birds include waterfowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails, bar headed geese cormorants and migratory birds from Siberia. Other bird varietes are woodpeckers, hornbills, peacocks, peahens, floricans and redheaded trogons. A rare attraction of the park is the world's fresh water dolphin varietysometimes seen in River Narayani. Another factor adding a distinct touch to the Chitwan experince is the colorful Tharu culture. These are also sites of religious and historical importance importance at Devghat, Pandavnagar, Balmiki Ashram and Kabilaspur.

Activites: Jungle Safari on elephnat back, jungle walk, canoe ride, jeep drive and observation of Tharu culture.

Accommodation: Resort hotels and lodges

Access; The park headquarter's at Kasara is a 21-km drive from Bharatpur, which is 20 minutes by air or 146 km by road from Kathmandu

Best Time: Oct-Feb (average temperature 25 degree celsius), Mar-jun (hot upto 43 Degrees), july-Sep (Rainy)

See our: Where to stay in Chitwan

Source: "World Heritage Sites in nepal" by Nepal Tourism Board