Top places to visit in Sauraha (Chitwan)

• Chitwan National Park

  national_park · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate

  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_centre · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  riverfront · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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)

  wetland · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  cultural_museum · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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_centre · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A crocodile conservation centre at the Kasara park headquarters raising endangered gharials for release into the Rapti and Narayani rivers.

• Bachhauli Tharu Village

  village · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  pilgrimage_site · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Sauraha (Chitwan)

Airport: Sauraha (Bharatpur Airport) (BHR)

How visitors arrive in Sauraha (Chitwan)

• Tourist bus from Kathmandu By road from Kathmandu · common

  Direct tourist buses run from Kathmandu to the Sauraha bus park. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Tourist bus from Pokhara By road from Pokhara · common

  Direct tourist buses also run from Pokhara. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Fly to Bharatpur, then road By air from Kathmandu · common

  Bharatpur airport is described as the main tourist gateway to Chitwan National Park, with onward road transfer to Sauraha. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Public bus via Tadi Bazaar By road from Tadi Bazaar · possible

  Public buses on the Birgunj or Bhairahawa routes stop at Tadi Bazaar, where travellers change for Sauraha. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara

  Sauraha is the usual base for Chitwan and has regular bus links to Kathmandu and Pokhara. Tickets sold by hotels may be for local buses rather than tourist buses. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bicycle

  A bicycle tour to the Bishajari Tal lakes, known for birdlife, is a suggested outing from the village.

• Offroad Vehicle

  Jungle safaris around Sauraha can be done on foot or by jeep, alongside elephant-based options.

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Sauraha (Chitwan)

• Jan 23°C
• Feb 27°C
• Mar 33°C
• Apr 37°C
• May 39°C
• Jun 37°C
• Jul 33°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 30°C
• Nov 27°C
• Dec 24°C

More in Nepal

• Kathmandu
• Pokhara
• Bhaktapur
• Patan (Lalitpur)
• Lumbini
• Nagarkot

Frequently asked questions about Sauraha (Chitwan)

How many days do you need in Sauraha (Chitwan)?

A typical trip to Sauraha (Chitwan) is 2-3 days.

What are the main places to visit in Sauraha (Chitwan)?

Places covered in our Sauraha (Chitwan) guide include Chitwan National Park, Elephant Breeding Centre, Rapti River Sunset Point, Bishazari Tal (Twenty Thousand Lakes), Tharu Cultural Museum.

Where should I stay in Sauraha (Chitwan)?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Sauraha (Chitwan): Sauraha, Meghauli.

How do I get around Sauraha (Chitwan)?

Ways to get around Sauraha (Chitwan) covered in our guide: Bicycle, Off-road vehicle, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Sauraha (Chitwan)?

Scams reported to us for Sauraha (Chitwan) include Unlicensed safari & elephant activities. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Sauraha (Chitwan)?

Average daytime highs in Sauraha (Chitwan) run from 23°C in Jan to 39°C in May.

Which airport is nearest to Sauraha (Chitwan)?

The nearest airport to Sauraha (Chitwan) has the code BHR.