We left
with the 7:30am Tourist bus to Chitwan. The direct bus will take us 6 hrs to
arrive but due to the rain, the road condition was bad. Our bus was not full so
the bus driver took the opportunity to pick up locals along the way. By the
time we reached Chitwan, it was already 2pm. We were picked up by the hotel
staff.
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| Tharu House |
Chitwan
National Park is the first national park in Nepal. It was established in 1973
and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of
932 km2. It is a great place for nature lovers. The most famous wildlife in
Chitwan is the single-horned Asian rhinoceros. A few decades ago, their number
had fallen to less than 100, but recent count puts them at 400.
We stayed
at Jungle Sunset Camp, a hotel by the river side with great view of sunset over
the park and Rapti River. We were the only guest in the hotel. A dedicated
guide brought us for a walk to the village and briefs us about the local Tharu
culture. Even though the tourism industry has changed the little village into a
small town with hotels, resorts and restaurant, we can still see mud and daub
huts and houses.
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| Sunset over Chitwan National Park |
At night we
went to watch the local Tharu cultural show. It’s at a small hall that looks
like a church with wooden chairs and stage. It was a 1 hour show with just
group of boys dancing. At the end the tourist were asked to join on the stage
to dance as well. I asked the guide why there were no ladies, he said that the
ladies are normally busy with house work and they are not allowed to spend too
much time outside.
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| Canoe in Rapti River |
On the 2nd
day, we went for canoing in Rapti River. The canoe is long and narrow, made by
wooden tree trunk, we just need to sit and enjoy the life around the river
bank. It is advisable not to move too much in the canoe because it is very
unstable. We flow down river with the current, along the river bank we spotted
crocodiles, kingfishers, peacock and monkeys. The canoe then drop us on the
park side of the bank where we went for a 2 hours jungle trekking, the path was
muddy and bushy. We only saw 2 types of deer. They were too shy and kept a distance away from us.
We then visited the Elephant
breeding center, there were about 10 to 15 elephants chained up under a covered
roof. All of them are female and babies. They look pitiful. :-(
Back to the hotel, it was elephant bathing time, basically you get to sit on the elephant with her trainer that will brings you into the river bank, the elephant will shower you with his truck and then dunk you into the river. :-) We chose just to watch. The elephant usually get a scrub from the trainer once a day.
Back to the hotel, it was elephant bathing time, basically you get to sit on the elephant with her trainer that will brings you into the river bank, the elephant will shower you with his truck and then dunk you into the river. :-) We chose just to watch. The elephant usually get a scrub from the trainer once a day.
In the
afternoon, we went for the elephant back safari. It was my first time riding on
an elephant. Each elephant can take up to 4 passengers on her back. As she
walk, we were rocking from left to right front to back banging into each
other’s back.
We first crossed the Rapti River which was about 2m deep. I was holding on so tight afraid that the elephant will trip and fall into the river. :-( Then she has to climb up the 1m high river bank, oh gosh I was afraid that the rack that we sat on will fall off. We spent 1.5 hour on the elephant back crushing thru some open path in the forest. We spotted some wild boars, deers and monkeys. We didn't see any rhino. They said it is because of the rain, they can find water in the jungle so they don't need to come to the river bank. Not so lucky! That ends our day of activities.
We first crossed the Rapti River which was about 2m deep. I was holding on so tight afraid that the elephant will trip and fall into the river. :-( Then she has to climb up the 1m high river bank, oh gosh I was afraid that the rack that we sat on will fall off. We spent 1.5 hour on the elephant back crushing thru some open path in the forest. We spotted some wild boars, deers and monkeys. We didn't see any rhino. They said it is because of the rain, they can find water in the jungle so they don't need to come to the river bank. Not so lucky! That ends our day of activities.
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| Elephant back Safari |
On the 3rd
day, we packed up to return to Kathmandu. Generally I didn’t find the trip
amazing. I could see the same and more back home unless if I see a rhino.
Accommodations
Jungle Sunset Camp (http://www.junglesunsetcamp.com/)
Transportations
NA
Recreations
3D2N package @ Jungle Sunset Camp - US$72.5
Includes :-
- All transportation from Hotel to bus terminal, from Pokhara to Chitwan and Chitwan to Kathmandu
- 2 lunch, 2 dinner and 2 breakfast
- All activities-canoeing, cultural show, jungle trek, elephant safari, visit elephant breeding center and elephant bathing
- Local guide
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