Chitwan Wildlife Extension

This morning, a transfer takes you from your hotel to Chitwan National Park, 170 kilometres/105 miles away. The drive will take around six hours, including stops. To arrange your transfers, please provide your Kathmandu hotel or preferred airport at the time of booking, as this information is required to confirm your pick-up and drop-off.

Your home for the next three nights sits on the tranquil banks of the Rapti River, at Jungle Villa Resort - a peaceful retreat where wildlife sightings can often be enjoyed right from the lodge's viewing deck.

On arrival, a welcome lunch will be served before you choose how to begin your Chitwan experience this afternoon.

One option is a cultural visit to a nearby village, home to the indigenous Tharu people. Believed to be among the original inhabitants of the region, the Tharu have a deep-rooted connection to the forests of the Terai and are often referred to as the 'people of the forest'. During your visit, you'll gain insight into their traditional way of life, their relationship with the jungle, and their enduring cultural heritage, followed by a stop at the local museum.

Alternatively, you may prefer to head straight into the wilderness on a guided jungle walk with an expert naturalist - an excellent introduction to the rich biodiversity of Chitwan National Park.

This evening, you can deepen your understanding of the region's wildlife with a short presentation, Chitwan: A Wildlife Paradise, or enjoy a vibrant Tharu cultural dance performance.

Please note that this is a stand-alone extension, available to book on any date (subject to availability). While it has been designed to complement several of our group tours, this isn't a group experience -you're unlikely to be travelling with other Explore customers. As the trip is unescorted, there will be no tour leader accompanying you. The excursions will be shared with other members of the lodge.

Rise early this morning for a serene start on the Rapti River, setting out in a traditional 'patela' canoe alongside an expert naturalist. As you drift quietly along the river, the banks of Chitwan National Park begin to come alive with wildlife.

Keep watch for the critically endangered Gharial, as well as mugger crocodiles basking in the shallows and a rich variety of birdlife overhead. During the warmer months, the riverbanks may also attract chital deer and even the iconic one-horned rhinoceros, drawn to the water's edge for a morning drink.

After your canoe safari, return to the lodge for some free time - relax, enjoy the riverside setting, and reflect on the morning's sightings before your next adventure.

Later, set out on an afternoon jeep safari, venturing deep into Chitwan's diverse landscapes of grassland, riverine forest, and dense woodland. One of the park's greatest conservation successes is the recovery of the endangered one-horned rhino, now thriving here thanks to decades of protection, with Chitwan National Park home to the majority of the world's population.

As you explore, look out for wild boar, sambar deer, langur monkeys and sloth bears. And if you're very lucky, there's always the possibility of encountering the elusive Royal Bengal tiger.

This evening, unwind with a BBQ dinner served on the outdoor deck (weather permitting) - the perfect way to end a day immersed in the sights and sounds of the jungle.

An early morning guided jungle walk marks the beginning of another day in Chitwan. The walk will be led by an expert naturalist guide who will introduce you to the smaller species you might not have spotted on the jeep safari. The walk also gives you the chance to learn more about the unique ecosystem in Chitwan.

Returning to the lodge, you'll have a few hours to relax by the pool, read a book or catch up on sleep, before we embark on our second jeep safari covering the community forest within the buffer zone of the park.

It's time to big farewell to Chitwan this morning after breakfast. You'll be transferred from our lodge to your hotel in Kathmandu - a journey of six hours including stops.

After arriving back to the capital around late afternoon, the rest of the day is free for you to explore. You might like to visit the Boundhanath Stupa when the setting sun highlights the golden spire, or visit the UNESCO-listed Patan Durbar Square. Alternatively, seek out some famous Nepalese momo dumplings before calling it a day.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kathmandu.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Kathmandu at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel.

If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), which is around 15 minutes from the hotel.