Chitwan Travel Diary - Nepal Beyond the Temples and Mountains

When we were planning our Nepal trip, Chitwan wasn’t the place everyone was talking about. Most people usually recommend Kathmandu 🏛️ for temples and history, or Pokhara 🏞️ for lakes and adventure. But we wanted to explore a side of Nepal that felt a bit more raw and close to nature.

So we included Chitwan in our plan - and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip. It was calm, untouched in many ways, and offered a completely different experience from the other cities.

The pace here is slower, the surroundings more peaceful, and the wildlife is truly something else.

If you enjoy being close to nature 🌿, spotting animals in the wild 🐾, and spending some quiet time away from the crowds 🌅 - Chitwan is 100% worth adding to your itinerary.

We flew from Kathmandu to Bharatpur Airport, and honestly - it’s probably the smallest airport we’ve ever seen 🏠. Just one small building, barely any crowd, and everything felt peaceful from the moment we landed.

The flight took around 25 minutes, and we were out of the airport in no time.

From there, it was a short drive to Sauraha, the main town where most travellers stay for Chitwan National Park. The drive itself felt refreshing - surrounded by open fields and greenery.

The moment we reached, it already felt like we’d stepped into a slower, calmer side of Nepal.

🛬 Getting There - A Tiny Airport & A Quiet Welcome

You can also reach Chitwan by bus or private taxi, but the journey takes around 7-8 hours, and the roads aren’t in great condition - not the most comfortable option if you're short on time.

Taking the flight felt way easier and helped us start the trip fresh.

We stayed in Sauraha, the main gateway to Chitwan National Park - and honestly, the vibe here was completely different from the rest of Nepal. It’s a small, peaceful town with wide open roads, local shops, and greenery all around.

There’s no rush, no traffic, and everything moves at its own slow pace. It felt like the perfect place to take a breather and enjoy the calm before the safaris.

In the evening, we went to see the Tharu Cultural Show 🎭 - a traditional dance performance by the local Tharu community. There were folk dances, drum beats, fire stunts, and lots of energy on stage.

It lasted about an hour, and while it wasn’t very grand or flashy, it felt local, real, and was a nice way to end the day.

🏡 Sauraha - A Peaceful Town by the Jungle

We chose a full-day combo that included canoeing, a jungle walk, and a jeep safari — and it turned out to be the perfect way to explore the park from different perspectives.

We skipped the elephant safari, as it involves practices that are often harmful to the animals, and many travellers now prefer more ethical ways to experience wildlife.

We didn’t book anything in advance. After reaching Sauraha, we just spoke to a local tour provider, compared a few options, and booked on the spot.
The total cost for 2 people was 10,000 NPR, and everything — from guides to permits — was included.
It was quick, easy, and more budget-friendly.

🐾 Choosing the Right Safari - What We Did (and Skipped)

Chitwan offers four main types of safaris:

1. 🛶 Canoe Safari

2. 🌲 Jungle Walk

3. 🚙 Jeep Safari

4. 🐘 Elephant Safari

Our day started early with the canoe safari - and it was the perfect way to ease into the jungle vibe.

We sat in a long wooden canoe that quietly drifted down the river, with dense greenery on both sides and mist still hanging in the air. Within minutes, we spotted our first gharial crocodile 🐊 resting near the bank, followed by a few marsh muggers not too far away.

The water was still, the jungle was waking up, and there was a quiet thrill in just watching nature do its thing - no noise, no rush.

Though the ride lasted only about 30-40 minutes, it was peaceful, scenic, and felt like the perfect introduction to the wild side of Chitwan

🛶 Canoe Safari - Calm Waters & Crocodile Eyes

After the canoe ride, we stepped straight into the forest for our guided jungle walk - and this turned out to be the most thrilling part of the day.

Before entering, the guides gave a short safety briefing, casually mentioning things like “if a rhino charges, try climbing a tree” 😅 - that’s when it hit us how real this was going to be.

We walked for around 5 km over 2.5 hours, in complete silence, with one guide per person and eyes constantly scanning the forest.

And then it happened - we saw an injured rhino 🦏, just a few meters ahead. It was both scary and exciting, but the guides stayed calm, and the rhino eventually moved on.

The entire walk felt raw, real, and was easily one of the most unforgettable parts of our Nepal trip.

🌲 Jungle Walk - Quiet, Wild, and Unforgettable

After a quick lunch break, we hopped onto an open jeep for the final stretch of our safari - and this one was all about covering more ground and spotting more wildlife.

Unlike the silent jungle walk, the jeep safari felt fast-paced and full of sightings. Within minutes, we were seeing rhinos 🦏, monkeys 🐒, deer 🦌, peacocks 🦚, and loads of birds.

But the highlight? Two sloth bears 🐻 that came surprisingly close to our jeep - something even the guide got excited about!

The entire ride was about 3-4 hours, and honestly, we weren’t expecting it to be this engaging.
It was the perfect high-energy end to our day in the wild.

🚙 Jeep Safari - Non-Stop Action in the Wild

We also visited:

• 🐘 Elephant Breeding Center – calm, clean, and informative

• 🐊 Gharial Breeding Center – lots of baby crocs and conservation stories

🐣 Bonus: Breeding Centers

Pathao was available in Sauraha, but only for tuk-tuks - and honestly, we found it easier to just talk to drivers directly.

Rates were fair, drivers were helpful, and it saved time compared to waiting for an app ride.
Local negotiation worked better and gave us more flexibility during our stay.

🛺 Local Travel & Tips

Chitwan turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of our Nepal trip.
It may not be as popular as Kathmandu or Pokhara, but it offers something different - a closer connection to nature, peaceful surroundings, and real adventure.

✍️ Final Thoughts

If you want to slow down, explore the wild, and see a different side of Nepal -
Chitwan is a hidden gem that’s totally worth discovering.