Sauraha (Chitwan), Nepal: travel guide
The gateway village to Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO site famed for one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, wild elephants and jungle safaris on the Terai plains.
- Country
- Nepal
- Currency
- NPR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kathmandu
- Nearest airport
- BHR
Top places to visit in Sauraha (Chitwan)
Chitwan National Park
Wildlife · about 6 h · entry NPR 2,000
Nepal's first national park (est. 1973) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Terai lowlands, home to one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, gharial crocodiles and wild elephants — explored by jeep safari, canoe and jungle walk.
Elephant Breeding Centre
Wildlife · about 1 h · entry NPR 100
A government-run breeding centre near Sauraha where visitors can see domesticated elephants and calves; reached on a short walk or canoe across the Budhi Rapti.
Rapti River Sunset Point
Nature · about 1 h
The sandy riverbank at Sauraha where visitors gather at dusk for a classic Terai sunset over the Rapti River, often with crocodiles basking on the far bank.
Bishazari Tal (Twenty Thousand Lakes)
Nature · about 2 h
A Ramsar-listed oxbow-lake wetland system in the Chitwan buffer zone, rich in birdlife and marsh crocodiles — a birdwatcher's haven reached by cycle or jeep.
Tharu Cultural Museum
Museum · about 0.8 h · entry NPR 50
A small community museum in Bachhauli documenting the traditions, tools, dress and lifeways of the indigenous Tharu people of the Chitwan Terai.
Gharial Breeding Center (Kasara)
Wildlife · about 1 h
A crocodile conservation centre at the Kasara park headquarters raising endangered gharials for release into the Rapti and Narayani rivers.
Bachhauli Tharu Village
Cultural · about 1 h
The traditional Tharu village adjoining Sauraha, where mud-and-thatch longhouses, stick-dance performances and homestays offer a window into Terai village life.
Devghat Dham
Temple · about 1.5 h
A sacred Hindu pilgrimage site at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trishuli rivers near Bharatpur, thronged with ascetics and especially busy at Maghe Sankranti.
Things to do
- Chitwan National Park Jeep Safari Wildlife · 8 h · from NPR 4,500 per person
- Dugout Canoe & Guided Jungle Walk Nature · 4 h · from NPR 2,200 per person
- Tharu Cultural Dance Evening Cultural · 1.5 h · from NPR 600 per person
- Chitwan Bird-watching Tour Nature · 4 h · from NPR 2,500 per person
- Sunset Canoe on the Rapti Nature · 1.5 h · from NPR 1,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Chitwan Full-Day Jungle Safari Package 10 h · from NPR 6,500
Where to stay in Sauraha (Chitwan)
- Sauraha about NPR 5,000 per night
The main gateway village to Chitwan National Park, packed with lodges, resorts and safari operators near the Rapti riverfront.
- Meghauli about NPR 20,000 per night
A quieter western gateway to Chitwan near the park's core, home to premium jungle lodges beside the river.
Hotels
- Hotel Parkland 2-star · NPR 3,000 to NPR 6,000 per night
- Green Park Chitwan 3-star · NPR 6,000 to NPR 12,000 per night
- Rhino Residency Resort 3-star · NPR 5,000 to NPR 10,000 per night
- Jungle Villa Resort 3-star · NPR 4,000 to NPR 8,000 per night
- Barahi Jungle Lodge 5-star · NPR 20,000 to NPR 38,000 per night
Where to eat
- KC's Restaurant & Bar Continental, Nepali, Bar · about NPR 900 per person
- Friends Café & Restaurant Nepali, Continental, Cafe · about NPR 500 per person
- The Grill Sauraha Barbecue, Nepali, Continental · about NPR 1,000 per person
- Café Sauraha Cafe, Continental, Nepali · about NPR 550 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Offroad Vehicle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unlicensed safari & elephant activities
Sauraha
Touts sell cut-price "jungle" packages that skip park permits or push ethically dubious elephant rides.
How to avoid it: Book through a registered lodge that includes national-park permits; choose jeep, canoe and walking safaris.