Chitwan National Park (932 sq km)

Owing to its rich adornment of nature, Chitwan National Parks 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 forests overlooking the flood plains of Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers and offering a widerness of fich ecosystem that includes mammals, birds, reptiles and water animals of several kinds. There are around 600 plants species, 56 mammals, 539 birds and 49 amphibians and reptiles found in the park. The highlights are the 408 Asian one-horned rhinoceros and 65Royal Bengal tigers that live in dense forest of the park. Sharing home with these are other animals like rhesus monkey, langur, deer, leopards, gaur, wild boar, wild dogs and wild cats. Among reptiles are different kinds of snakes including the python, while the river area breed reptiles link the endangerd long snouted gharial popularly known as Gangetic crocodile and marsh crocodiles.The forest is alive during summer with the arrival of migrant birds like paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and parakeets, while winter birds include waterfowl, are woodpeckers, hornbills, peacocks, peahens, floricana and redheaded trogons. A rare attraction of the pakr is the world’s fresh- water dolphin sometimes seen in River Narayani. Another factors adding a distinct touch to the Chitwan experience is the colourful Tharu culture. There are also sites of religious and historical importance at Devghat, Pandavnagar, Balmiki Ashram and Kabilaspur.

Activities: Jungle safari on elephant-back, jungle walk, canoe ride, jeep drive, experience of Tharu culture

Accommodation: Resort, hotels and lodges

Access: The park headquarters at Kasara is a 21-km from Bharatpur which is 20 minute by air or 146 km by road from Kathmandu

Best Season: Oct-Feb (average temperature 25 degree Celsius); Mar-Jun (hot, up to 43 degrees), Jul- Sep (rainy)

Park Headquarter: Kasara, Tel: 056-529405

Contact Details:
Wed Sites:http://www.markerstone.com
Personal Site:http://www.suraj.markerstone.com
Email:info@markerstone.com