Culture & Wildlife Tours

Nepal is more than mountains. In a single trip you can watch a one-horned rhino from a canoe in Chitwan, stand where the Buddha was born in Lumbini, and catch sunrise over the Annapurnas from Poon Hill. Our culture and wildlife tours combine these experiences, mostly by road, with only short walks or an easy trek. They suit first-time visitors, families, couples and anyone who wants to see the whole country rather than one trail.

Culture and Wildlife Tours at a Glance

Chitwan Jungle Safari

Chitwan National Park, in Nepal's southern lowlands, is the country's best-known wildlife destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's home to the greater one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, sloth bears, wild elephants, gharial crocodiles and more than 500 species of birds.

The Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour is a three-day trip from Kathmandu, about six hours each way by road. You spend a full day in the park with a canoe ride on the Rapti River, a guided jungle walk and a safari, and a visit to the elephant breeding centre. In the evening you'll see a traditional Tharu cultural show and visit a Tharu village. It's an easy add-on before or after a trek.

Combine a Trek With a Jungle Safari

If you want a taste of both the Himalaya and the jungle, these two tours fit them into ten days.

The Poon Hill Trek & Chitwan Tour includes a three-day trek from Birethanti through Ulleri and the rhododendron forests of Ghorepani, up to the Poon Hill viewpoint at 3,210 m for sunrise over Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. After a day in Pokhara on Phewa Lake, you head south to Chitwan for two days of wildlife. The trek is graded easy and suits anyone who walks regularly.

The Poon Hill Muktinath Chitwan Tour adds Muktinath, one of the most sacred temples for both Hindus and Buddhists, high in the Mustang district. After sunrise at Poon Hill, you travel by jeep up the Kali Gandaki valley to Muktinath, then return to Pokhara and continue to Chitwan. This tour is popular with Indian pilgrims and families travelling across generations.

Nepal Cultural Tour: The Complete First Visit

The Nepal Cultural Tour covers the country's main highlights in eleven days, with no trekking. You start with the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu and the medieval city of Bhaktapur, watch sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot, and spend two days in Pokhara by Phewa Lake.

From there you travel to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, to visit the Maya Devi Temple and the monasteries built by Buddhist countries from around the world. The tour ends in Chitwan with jungle safaris and Tharu village visits. If you want one trip that shows you Nepal's temples, mountains and wildlife, this is it.

Rara Lake and Bardiya: Wild West Nepal

For travellers who have already seen the usual highlights, the Rara Lake & Bardiya Tiger Safari heads into the far west, where very few tourists go. You fly to Nepalgunj and travel by 4x4 through the hill valleys of Karnali, passing the Sinja Valley, once the centre of the medieval Khasa kingdom.

Rara Lake sits at 2,990 m and is Nepal's largest lake, ringed by pine forest and snowy ridges. After time at the lake, you drive down to Bardiya National Park, one of the best places in Nepal to look for wild tigers. Safaris on foot and by jeep are led by experienced naturalists, and the Karnali River is home to rare Gangetic dolphins. Bardiya is much quieter than Chitwan, which makes wildlife watching feel far more personal.

Which Tour Is Right for You?

• Only a few days to spare: Chitwan Jungle Safari Tour.
• Mountains and wildlife with a short, easy trek: Poon Hill Trek & Chitwan Tour.
• A pilgrimage to Muktinath plus wildlife: Poon Hill Muktinath Chitwan Tour.
• The best all-round introduction to Nepal: Nepal Cultural Tour.
• Tigers, remote lakes and very few tourists: Rara Lake & Bardiya Tiger Safari.

When Is the Best Time to Go?

October to March is the most comfortable time for jungle safaris in Chitwan and Bardiya, with mild days and cool nights. February to April is often best for spotting wildlife, as the tall grasses are cut back and animals gather near water. From May the lowlands get very hot, and during the monsoon (June to September) some safari activities are limited and roads can be disrupted. For tours that include Poon Hill or Rara Lake, October to November and March to April give the best mountain views.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I see a tiger in Chitwan?

Possibly, but tigers are shy and sightings are never guaranteed. You have a very good chance of seeing one-horned rhinos, deer, crocodiles and many birds. For the best chance of a tiger, Bardiya National Park is usually a better choice than Chitwan.

Chitwan or Bardiya: which is better?

Chitwan is easier to reach, has more activities and suits a short trip. Bardiya is more remote, much quieter and better for serious wildlife watching, especially for tigers. If you have time, Bardiya is the more rewarding experience.

Can I add a Chitwan safari to my trek?

Yes. Chitwan is about six hours by road from Kathmandu or Pokhara, so it's easy to add two or three days after your trek. Contact us and we'll fit it into your itinerary.

Are these tours suitable for children and older travellers?

Yes. Most of these tours involve little or no trekking, and we travel by private vehicle with comfortable hotels. The Poon Hill trek is graded easy and suits active children and older travellers.

Where was the Buddha born?

The Buddha was born in Lumbini, in southern Nepal, around the 6th century BC. The site of his birth is marked by the Maya Devi Temple and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our Nepal Cultural Tour includes a visit.

Plan Your Culture and Wildlife Tour

Tell us how many days you have and what you'd most like to see, and we'll suggest the right tour or build one around you. We can combine any of these with a trek, a day trip or a stay in Pokhara. Contact us to start planning.