Bardiya Wildlife and Rara Lake Tour

Welcome to Kathmandu! As you land at the Kathmandu airport, one can receive a grand salutation in the capital city of Nepal with the colorful, crowded energies that stand high against the majestic backdrop of the giant Himalayas. Kathmandu City is located at an elevation of 1,400 meters, and it is a blend of ancient culture and modernity.

Shikhar’s representative will transfer you to the hotel. Rest of day at leisure to relax, acclimatize, and absorb initial impressions of this historic city; prepare for the adventure that lies ahead as tomorrow is a discovery of the rich tapestry of Kathmandu's culture.

Today, you will find many cultural treasures waiting for you in Kathmandu—or at least we are going to start right away. We will go and see Kathmandu Durbar Square, the ancient palace of hundreds of years housing numerous palaces, temples, and others. From here you will climb up to the hilltop of Swayambhunath, called the Monkey Temple, from where there are beautiful views of Kathmandu Valley.

The tour goes on with visits to the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu shrines, and Boudhanath Stupa, a very important center for Tibetan Buddhism.

As the evening falls, we connect with a flight to Nepalgunj; we hold at Nepalgunj for the night, preparing for the journey towards the remote corners of Western Nepal.

Early this morning, we set out through the undulating hills and the fertile green countryside of western Nepal to the serene landscapes of Kalikot.

Manma, the district headquarters of Kalikot, is at an altitude of 1,800 meters. It is certainly a beautiful drive with swirling roads that literally contour the hillside, providing views over the Karnali River and scattered villages perched on the slopes of the hills.

The air becomes colder as the elevation ascends, the terrain changing toward a ruggedness. In Manma, everything feels a world away from the pressures of city life.

Today is simply an awesome drive deep into the mountains down to the stunning Rara Lake lying at an elevation of 2,990m. Rara is the biggest lake in Nepal and is often called the 'Queen of Lakes'. Today's drive is torturous but rewarding as we pass through remote villages and thick jungle.

Reaching Rara Lake is a complete transmission of surroundings with a magical blend of the snow-capped peaks and lush pine forests. This will leave you speechless as you arrive—the brilliant blue waters of the lake against the high Himalayas. Tonight, we sleep right up close and personal to this tranquil lake, under a sky full of stars.

We will hike to Murma Top to have one of the best views of Rara Lake and the surrounding Himalayas. The hike is through pine forests and traditional villages, all uphill, to a height of about 3,600 meters. From the top of Murma Top, one can  witness  a stunning view of the azure-colored lake, dense forests, and snow-capped mountains.

Then after soaking in the breathtaking views, we start making our way back down, snake back to Rara Lake, and set base camp beside its shores for another peaceful night by the lake. This hike will not just bag great scenery; it will let one connect with the intact beauty of Nepal's wilderness.

We will bid goodbye to the serene beauty of Rara Lake today as we commence the return journey. Driving back to Rakam, we traverse the same diverse landscapes again; this will surely be a time to hark back to the beauty of the surrounding natural environment and what cultural variation we experienced yesterday.

Rakam is a small settlement beside the Karnali River at a lower altitude of about 1,500 meters. This drive is long, but it's always changing with the vistas of rural Nepal, from rugged mountains to lush valleys. We will spend the night in Rakam, preparing ourselves for the adventure that awaits at Bardiya National Park.

The journey continues as we head south towards Bardiya National Park, one of the most liked wildest treasures of Nepal. The place is located 8-9 hours away through the Terai region in its diversity of landscapes, contrasting with the hilly terrain behind us; Bardiya is located at an elevation of about 152 meters. After this long scenic drive, your perfect haven will be the lush jungle and peaceful surroundings. Your incredible wildlife experience will come alive tomorrow in the dense forests and wide grassland of this park with trekking.

The entire day will be spent exploring Bardiya National Park's diverse wildlife. Early morning drive into the jungle will be for a jeep safari, guided jungle walks, or even a river safari, depending on the season.

Bardiya contains a vast array of wildlife: Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, various species of deer, and different bird species. Diverse ecosystems, from grasslands to riverine forests, have been the perfect setting in which to sight these majestic creatures in their own habitat.

It is then time to lie on the banks of the river and watch the sun end another day while reflecting over all the happenings during the day in this paradise for wildlife.

Finally, after this exhilarating experience in Bardiya, we drive back to Nepalgunj, which takes around an hour. We take a flight from here to head back to Kathmandu; hence the whole adventure is complete.

Again, with this short flight, the last glimpse of Nepal's varied landscape—starting from the plains of the Terai, then ending at the towering peaks of the Himalayas.

On arrival in Kathmandu, you will have the evening to rest up and no doubt get around the city some more or do some last-minute shopping. Take a minute to reflect on what's really been an amazing journey through some of Nepal's more unknown treasures, from the limpid waters of Rara Lake to the jungles of Bardiya.

Today your trip to Nepal concludes. As per the flight schedule, you have some free time for final shopping or a short sightseeing trip around in case you are interested. Our team will then transfer you to the Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.

Take home, within your minds and in your memories, the last traces of Nepal's untouched wilderness, its warm hospitality, and the differing experiences that made this trip truly unforgettable. Have a good journey back home and we look forward to welcoming you back to these Himalayan adventures!