Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Hotel/ Resort
Easy
Wildlife Safari, Bird Watching
A paradise for every bird watcher!!
The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 175 sq km and is in the eastern Terai region of Nepal. It lies on the flood plains of the Sapta Koshi and is for the most part, enclosed within the 8 metres high embankments of the Koshi Barrage, which has been designed to minimize the destructive annual floods. It is a beautiful and fascinating aquatic environment and is home to an astonishing variety of water birds that flock to its ponds full of flowering plants.
From Kathmandu, the Reserve is about 10 hours, 450 km drive along the Mahendra Highway. It is also possible to fly to Biratnagar, from where it is a 50km journey by road.
The reserve provides an important habitat for a variety of wildlife but, in particular, water birds, including several migratory species such as the sarus crane from Siberia. In all, a total of 280 different species of birds have been recorded and these include many varieties of ducks, ibis, storks, egrets and herons, as well as the endangered swamp partridges and Bengal floricans. Koshi Tappu is also home to the last surviving population of wild water buffalo and its other inhabitants include blue cows, various species of deer, Gangetic dolphins and gharial crocodiles.
You will take an hour-long flight to Biratnagar and from there you will drive to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Upon reaching at Koshi Tappu first you will check-in into your designated forest lodge and then you will begin your brief bird watching session in the nearest areas of the park. In the evening, you will return back to your hotel for the dinner and go for the well-earned rest.
Today you will wake with dawn and begin your fresh morning nature walk in the close by neighborhood. Then after the breakfast you will begin your rafting session at Saptakoshi River to witness the various marine and jungle wildlife including the water birds. At some point you will enjoy the picnic lunch at the bank of river. Post lunch, you will drive to Koshi Barrage to view the bird life and freshwater dolphins. Koshi Tappu is the home of more than 485 species of birds including water-cock, Indian nightjar, dusky eagle-owl and critically endangered species like Bengal florican. After the long bird-watching trip for a full day you will return back to your hotel.
With the early morning wakeup call, you will wake to begin the birding tour in the nearby woods. After the couple of hour’s bird watching tour, you will return to your hotel for the breakfast. Rest of the day, you have boat & vehicle ride. While having excursion of Koshi river, you will also have your packed lunch in between. We may see the wild buffaloes along the sand banks and the rare gangetic dolphins in the water. In the evening, you will enjoy barbeque dinner.
You are free in the morning. You can either have a village walk/bird-watching around the resort or simply relax. After breakfast, you will depart from the Lodge.
GETTING TO KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE
By air
There is a daily one-hour fight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. Soon after arriving at airport, a representative from a resort that you have booked will drive you to the resort enlightening you with the mystiques of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
By road
There are several overland routes available to reach the park. You can either reserve a private transport or use local bus for your travel destination. From Kathmandu, the reserve is about a 10 hours, 450 km drive along the Mahendra Highway.
WILDLIFE SAFARI PACKAGE TOURS
The itineraries and activities are similar to Chitwan and Bardia National Parks in character, but activities may vary between seasons. The number and course of your safari activities are determined by the number of nights you book for. Two nights – three days programs could include activities like jungle walk, bird watching, dugout canoe rides on the river etc. In the evening a cultural show of the traditional Terai dances are a must.
WHAT TO BRING
Your booking of this trip will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of $300 and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.
If you cancel your booking, the following scale of charges will apply: • 2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (US$ 500) • 29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost • 10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost • Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost
The itinerary is taken only as a guideline. We cannot be held responsible for any delays caused by International or domestic flights, strikes, Government regulations, weather or natural casualties etc. In such cases, Explore Himalaya shall provide suitable alternatives which will be decided upon mutual agreement. If you have any questions regarding this trip, please feel free to contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com or directly by phone: +977-1-4518100. We answer all enquiries within 24 hours.
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