Nepalese Safari

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I had heard about this place; a place you can see rhinos and tigers and ride elephants. Why not? Chitwan is located almost equidistant from Kathmandu and Pokhara, to the south. The National Park borders with northern India.



After spending a few days recovering in Pokhara, right after having done the Annapurna Circuit, this seemed like a good place to go to on my way to Kathmandu. I didn't know much about the place and didn't really bother looking at the cheap options. I decided to buy a 3 day package tour with everything included. Went for the easy option.

If I had known better, I would've probably just bought a bus ticket to Chitwan (specifically a village called Sauraha), gone to the village, looked for a place to stay (there are innumerable options) and booked the tours separately in one of the again, innumerable tour operators in the town.

But this worked out fine anyway.



I went to the "tourist bus station" in Pokhara to be there at 7am (walking takes about 30 minutes from the main tourist area, but I took a taxi) and had breakfast there.

The bus ride was about 7 hours and when I got off, there was a jeep from the tour operator/hostel I was staying in (Rainbow Safari), waiting for me. So far, so good.

When I got to the hostel in Sauraha, I had a room to myself, pretty good size and bathroom included.



I had lunch there (3 meals a day included) and at 3pm I went to a government owned part of the park to see an elephant training center.

Elephants here are trained for about a month when they're between 2 and 4 years old. They are used in several activities, such as patrolling of the park, research activities, etc.

That day and the next 2 we were only 2 tourists; myself and a Japanese truck driver. Odd combination. We had a young local guide for the 3 days.



After seeing the elephants, we went for a walk along the park and then ended in by the river in the village. We were taken to see the sunset which was awesome. The sun looked pretty big from there and it turned dark red at sunset. One of the best I've ever seen. Great opportunity for photos while having a beer.

After that, it was back to the hostel and dinner time.

I was busy those days reading a book that I bought in Pokhara and one that I had been looking for a while: "Winter of the World".



The weather was hot and humid and I took it easy those days, allowing to be taken everywhere and spending the free time in the hostel. There wasn't much point on walking in the village; nothing special.



The second day, early in the morning, we had a canoe ride in a river in the park and then a "jungle walk". The canoes used are single tree trunk dugouts. There are numerous birds that can be seen along the way, as well as 2 different species of crocodiles. We saw more than a few of the latter.

The jungle walk was disappointing. It's about an 1 1/2 hour walk in which there's the possibility to see rhinos, elephants and sloth bears. We didn't see any of those.

In the park, there are also bengal tigers, pythons, etc. Most animals become active at night, so it's pretty hard seeing them during the day. It's a matter of luck.



After the jungle walk and before lunch, we went to the elephant breeding center. It's a similar place to the elephant training center, but here, of course there are calfs and the mothers.

After the breeding center, we walked to the edge of the river (very close to where we had seen the sunset before) and we went to see when they take elephants for a bath. Here, for 100 RS you can get on the elephant and into the river, where the elephant showers you. Then, if you want, the elephant will tumble on its side, throwing you in the river. It's a lot of fun and very recommendable. I loved this.



Back to the guesthouse, lunch at noon and then a good 3 hours break (perfect for a nap). At 3pm we went for the elephant ride. I think this was the highlight of Chitwan.

It was for at least a couple of hours. 4 people get to sit on the platform attached to the elephant. Here we got to see plenty of rhinos, crocodiles, white spotted deers, peacocks, baboons and tons of birds. Elephants go through the jungle, cross rivers, etc. This was definitely worth doing.

In the evening, after dinner we were taken to the "Tharu Culture House" to see typical dances of the "Tharu", the local people (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharu_people). I wasn't really looking forwards to it, but it was very good. Especially the "warrior" dances with sticks (sort of Filipino Kali) and the "Peackok dance" (a person in a peacock costume) which was pretty funny. It was a very good show.





In the last day there was supposed to be a birdwatching walk, very early in the morning. It was pouring rain at that time, so I skipped it.

I woke up in time for breakfast and then I was driven to the bus station to get back to Kathmandu.



The last 2 days in Kathmandu were very chilled. I stayed in the same hostel I had been the previous time and I got a good deal on a room, now that I was acquainted with the owner.

I met an Irish couple the first day, Quintin and Denise and I had dinner with them that night and drinks the next one.



And then it was time to fly to Bangkok.

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Comments

[Alfredo]

Daniel he leido relogiosamemte tu blog y no te imaginas la sana envidia que me da al dimensionar la trememda experiencia de vida Que estas ganando, sigue disfrutando bien merecido lo Tienes Un abrazo y manda fruta Alfredo Teixido

[Patiperro]

Gracias carreta!
Vale por el comentario Alfredo, un abrazo grande.

[Andres]

saludos desde Lonquen
Hola Dani, que buena arrancada al safari. Debe ser muy entretenido andar arriba de un elefante. Por aca estamos sin novedades. Hoy descubaremos el malbec (ya termino la fermentacion alcoholica) y levuraremos una cuba con uva tardía que cosechamos el 25 de mayo (lo estoy haciendo para hacer una prueba y ver como sale un vino con uva con hongos y pasas). Cuando vuelvas lo probamos. Todos bien por acá. un abrazo Andres