Potentially one of Nepal’s most unique trek, developed as recently as November 2005 and off the beaten trek, this easy to moderate trek will take you through the Nepal midhills into the Chitwan National Park.

Trip Type: Moderate walking
Price Range: GBP 320
Dates of operation: Mid September until early May

Designed in the new concept of sustainable tourism and being completely untouched by the earlier forms of tourism, this place is pristine, untouched and extremely beautiful. Home stays on both nights of the trek make the contact with the local population real and full of experience.

Even the food is local, making the contribution to the local economy maximum. Local guides and porters add to the sustainability of this trip. Magars, Gurungs and one of the disadvantaged ethnic groups in Nepal, the Chepangs live in this area. The home stays are in Magar and Gurung families and we will visit a Chepang family too. We also visit the Upardang fortress, used in earlier times by the government to collect tax in the old trade route. After two nights and three days of trekking, we continue on to one of Nepal’s best attractions, a jungle safari in the jungles of Chitwan.

A trip to Nepal is incomplete if you have not been on a jungle safari. While the mountains of the north boast some of the highest and most magnificent peaks in the world, the tropical jungles of the Terai still preserve some of the best wildlife habitat in the subcontinent. Some of these rich wildlife habitats are now protected and can be toured on elephant back, dugout canoe or on foot accompanied by a licensed guide. Nepal has sixteen national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas, occupying 16% of its total geographical area. Jungle safaris on elephant back or Jeep rides are offered at the Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Royal Bardia National Park, Royal Chitwan National Park and the Royal Suklaphanta wildlife reserve.

Royal Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the most popular destination for tourists wanting to have a good experience of the region’s wildlife. It was declared a National Park in 1973. In 1984, UNESCO designated Royal Chitwan National Park a Natural World Heritage Site. The Park offers protection to 56 species of mammals including the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Gangetic dolphin and wild bison. There are estimated to be 470 species of mammals, over 500 species of birds, 126 species of fish, 150 species of butterflies and 47 species of reptiles in the park! A recent study also points out that over a third of Nepal’s tigers are in Chitwan.

The Park is spread over an area of 932 sq kms and located in the lowlands of the kingdom. The forest cover is predominantly sal forest, interspersed with tall grasslands, small hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains. The best time to visit Chitwan is from October through February, when the temperature averages 25 degrees Celcius. The months of March, April and June can be extremely hot, while July-September is the monsoon season when rivers swell and parts of the park are inaccessible.

Please note:This trip can be extended in both the trekking and the jungle safari components as there are lots of trails in the area and lots to do in the jungle.

Itinerary:

Day 1
Early drive to trail head at Hugdi on the Kathmandu – Narayanghat highway. Breakfast along the way. Start trekking uphill to about 1400 meters at Hattibang. This moderate to strenuous trek is picturesque as you pass small villages and behind you is the awesome scenery of the Trishuli river and the mountains in the horizon. Homestay in Magar houses in Hattibang 

Day 2
Early rise to walk uphill for about 2 hours to reach Sirauchuli (the highest point in the Chitwan district) at 1945 meters to enjoy the 180 degree view of the Himalayas from Dhaulagiri to Gauri Shankar. Situated in the midhills, this spot also offers majestic views of the vast plains in the south. Locals have it that you can see right upto Mumbai in India (OK, that is a bit far away). After breakfast on the ridge, we walk down to visit the Chepang village of Jyanjala. After a short rest here, we start the up-down (so called Nepali flat) trail to Upardangadi which will take about 4 hours. We do this moderate trek through and excellent trail meandering through forests and grazing fields, with views varying between the Himalayas and the plains of the terai. By afternoon, after the last long descent, we arrive in the village for a well deserved rest. In the early evening we walk up to the Upardang fortress for a stunning sunset, before walking back to our homestays in this Gurung village which is highlighted by a cultural performance by the people of the village (if our group size justifies it).  

Day 3
After breakfast we bid goodbye to our hosts and start trekking the long walk down to the river and then along the river bed to Shaktikhor. This trek will take about 3 hours maximum. We then transfer to awaiting vehicles to drive to Chitwan. Upon arrival at the jungle lodge, the managers and naturalists will brief you on the activities they have planned. After lunch you will start your jungle activities such as elephant safaris for 2 hours deep into the jungle to experience the wildlife, flora and fauna of the park at close quarters or a bird watching tour will be organized. Dinner and overnight at the jungle lodge  

Day 4
Wake up call will be at 5:30 AM. Tea / Coffee will be served and there will be either an elephant safari or a nature walk. After breakfast canoe ride or a bird watching tour. Lunch at the lodge and after lunch an elephant briefing at the Elephant stables where naturalists will give a lecture on the Asian Elephant. Here you will have an opportunity to witness and participate in the bathing of an elephant. Dinner and overnight at the jungle lodge.  

Day 5
Wake up call at 5:30 AM. After Tea/ Coffee there will be an early morning elephant safari or nature walk. Breakfast and transfer to waiting vehicle for drive back To Kathmandu. 

We are a Nepali company and travel through this company makes a direct impact in the economy of Nepal. We also try to maximise its contribution to the local economy by hiring local guides and porters for these trips and staying in smaller lodges to spread the income.

The company does not vertically integrate and sub-contracts all support activities like transportation, lodging etc. so that the money gets spread in the economy. It conserves on paper minimising paperwork in the office and by giving out electronic brochures. When required, brochures are printed on both sides of the paper and are in a folder format so that only relevant inserts need be given.

We also have in place a development support system whereby 10% of its profits go to charities like the Joy Foundation Nepal who conduct free cataract eye camps in rural areas of Nepal and Antardristi Nepal, which is developing a fund to start an incest and rape care centre for minors. 10% of the company's profits also goes directly into employee benefits.

In the field, guides, porters and clients are all oriented in responsible travel. A zero litter policy is in place so that it minimises wastage in the region. We also only take out very small groups with a maximum of twelve participants per group. All trips also focus on culture.

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