Kathmandu Valley and Bardia National Park Wildlife Tour

Kathmandu Valley and Bardia National Park Wildlife Tour

Trip Introduction

Kathmandu Valley and Bardia National Park Tour is a combination of cultural tours and wildlife activities. Our 8-day journey begins in the Kathmandu Valley with visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the Phulchowki at 2,756 metres hills of the Kathmandu Valley for nature walk and birdwatching. Here, we can admire a grand collection of architectural masterpieces, ancient traditions and excellent wood craft. A little further away is the the Phulchowki hill, a popular place for birdwatching. Next, we visit the sub-tropical jungles of Bardia National Park which is the largest national park of Nepal. While here, we engage ourselves in a number of fun jungle activities including nature walk, elephant-back safari, bird-watching and float safari. During our stay at the Bardia National Park we also get acquainted with the authentic Tharu culture of western Nepal.

Kathmandu Valley and Bardia National Park Wildlife Tour
Trip Itinerary 

Day  01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300 m/4,264 ft)

Upon our arrival in Kathmandu, Sacred Himalaya will arrange to pick us up from the airport. We will then be transferred to Hotel Moonlight. In the evening, there will be a welcome dinner hosted by Sacred Himalaya. For dinner, you will be served excellent Nepalese cuisine which will introduce you to the country’s food culture.
Included meals: Dinner

Day 02: Kathmandu Birdwatching Phulchowki, at 2,756 metres.

Today we will spend birdwatching on the forested slopes of Phulchowki, at 2,756 metres the highest
peak in the valley. Phulchowki is a wonderful spot for birds and plants located in the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu valley. The variety of laughingthrushes, fulvettas, bulbuls, flowerpeckers, sibia, flycatchers, sunbirds, tits and warblers is tremendous. We will drive up Phulchowki in the early morning. Here we should get good views of the snow-clad Great Himalayan range, including the Annapurna range, Langtang, Manasalu and many of Nepal’s other high peaks (provided the weather is clear!). We will then spend the rest of the day walking down the mountain through its fine temperate forest, with a picnic lunch en route. Some of the many highlights should include Himalayan Bluetail, Fire-tailed Sunbird, White-collared and Grey-winged Blackbirds (in winter months), Long-tailed Minivet, White-tailed Nuthatch, Buff-barred Warbler, Orange-bellied Leafbird and many more. More elusive species include Himalayan Cutia, Kalij Pheasant, Red-billed Leiothrix and Black-faced Warbler.

At the base of Phulchowki hill. Within this mixed broadleaf patch we hope to find some of the lower altitude species such as the spectacular Blue-whstling Thrush, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Lemon-rumped Warbler, Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Fantail and perhaps the elusive Spotted Forktail.

Mammals are, of course, more elusive. However, stealthy progress may reward us with views of some of the more common diurnal species. The cheeky Rhesus Macaques that scavenge a living around the villages are far from shy than their far more elegant cousins, the Grey Langurs, are more wary, and more likely to be encountered at Chitwan National Park. The reclusive Assamese Macaque is still more wary and infrequently encountered. Higher up the mountain, the Orange-bellied Squirrel is the most likely mammal to be found, preferring the oak and rhododendron forests. The exquisite Yellow-throated Marten is also worth looking for, being regularly seen here; whilst the Indian Muntjac, though regularly heard on the mountain, is less easy to see. Such animals as Leopard have been seen on rare occasions in the past by our groups but you should consider yourself very lucky to encounter this sought-after species!

Day 03: Sightseeing in Kathmandu: Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square

After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing tour by visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Durbar Square showcases Nepalese art and architecture at its best. The architecture is typical of the Malla dynasty who ruled over Nepal from the 12th to the 18th century. Swayambhunath Temple is popular among the foreigners as the Monkey Temple owing to the large monkey population residing in the area.
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Fly to Nepalgunj, drive to Bardia National Park (300m/1000ft): 1 hour flight; 90km, 2 hours drive

Early in the morning, we enjoy amazing views of the sunrise amidst the Himalayas. After breakfast we drive to the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu and fly to Nepalgunj, located in western Nepal. From here, we drive to the Bardia National Park and check-in to our resort. After lunch, we take a tour of an authentic Tharu village. The Tharus are believed to be the original inhabitants of the local jungle area. We will also visit the Bardia National Park visitor center and tour its crocodile farm. Overnight in Bardia National Park.
Included meals:B.L.D.

Sacred Himalaya is recommended by the Himalayantravel guide
series of books