The lush greenery, Rapti River, and the anticipation to spot wildlife in their natural habitat tickles the thoughts as you get close to Sauraha, the western gate to the Chitwan National Park. [break]Once a hunting ground reserved for Nepal’s royals and nobles and their guests, it became the first gazetted nature reserve of Nepal in 1972 as the (Royal) Chitwan National Park, and is today one of the most sought-after destinations for Nepalis and foreigners.
Though summer is probably not the best time to visit Sauraha because of the heat and humidity, it has long been the escape destination for summer vacationers from South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka), from subtropical Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and even Hong Kong), and from southern Europe (France, Italy, Spain). The season is also a good time to grab competitive off-season bargains for vacation and/or weekend deals. For Nepalis, this can be a good reason to escape for a weekend’s respite, especially for those from chaotic Kathmandu.
Saturday – 1 pm: Hop on the horse cart
Seek some adventure right from the beginning. Get off the bus at Sauraha Chowk, although the bus will take you right into the periphery of your resort/hotel. Hop on a horse cart, locally known as tanga, that usually seats six people. A 45-minute ride costs Rs 40 per passenger, but you can reserve the entire cart for around Rs 200. Strike a conversation with the driver, and he’ll give you briefs on the places as you pass along. As the horse gallops, you can’t stop gazing at the rice fields, green trees and the traditional way of life in the area.
3:30 pm: Bike to the Elephant Breeding Center
After you’ve checked in at your resort or hotel, it’s time to get a close encounter with the biggies of Sauraha – elephants. You can get a close glimpse of the elephants at the Sauraha Elephant Breeding Center. Don’t forget to ask for Ram-Laxman, the twin elephants. The Center is a 45-minute bicycling from the main area where most of the hotels are concentrated. And if you don’t want to sweat or shed calories on the bike, take a bullock cart – another fun experience. Bicycles are in abundance and can be hired for around Rs 150 a day (rates might vary).
6:30 pm: Sunset at Rapti River
Though the temperature is still hot and humid, sitting on the banks of the Rapti River brushes off the warm feeling. There are many restaurants on the riverbanks. So grab a drink—hot or chilled—get off your shoes, relax, and watch the sky as it turns from blue to orange to a starry night as the sun sets on the horizon.
7:30 pm: Dining and dancing
Give the regular food a break for your night in Sauraha. Try the local Tharu cuisine and that too, not at a restaurant but inside the community. No dining table or plates. Enjoy the food on a banana leaf while you cross your legs and sit on the floor. It’s a diverse experience. And after the stomach is full, it’s time to out for jiving to Tharu music and dances. Learn those skills to impress your family and friends back home. The requirement for
dinner organized by Monalisa Guide Office in Sauraha is a minimum of four people, which costs Rs 350 per person. It’s best to contact a travel agency for dinner arrangement and cultural
program.
Sunday – 5:30 am: Expect the natural alarm
It’s not even dawn and you’re awakened, Sauraha style. It sounds as if the cuckoo is chirping right outside the window. Sit on your hotel porch or
balcony, admire the greenery, and listen to the birds – a good way to start off the day.
7 am: Into the jungle on an elephant
Jungle safari is synonymous to Sauraha, especially on an elephant. You can either opt for the safari inside the national park area or inside the Baghmara Buffer Zone Community Forest, the latter being more popular. And before getting on your ride, be courteous to ask the name of the elephant—they have some interesting names. The one-and-a-half-hour jungle safari is a chance to get close to nature. You hear the birds chirp as your guide tries to get the elephant close to some animals: deer, wild boars, and yes, of course, the one-horned rhinos. And if you’re lucky enough, a Royal Bengal tiger might just pass by.
The cost for the elephant costs Rs 450 per person, with an additional Rs 20 for the permit. The rate and permit differ for Indian and foreign nationals.
10:30 am: Water for elephants
This is a must, and it might be the Rs 100 most well spent. As the elephants are brought into the water for a dip, take a chance to bathe with them. Get on top of one from the shore and expect a shower of your life from the elephant’s trunk in the Rapti River – a great way to cool off the heat and enjoy something different.
Noon: Get a taste of Rajasthan
There’s the heat and the camels. However, this is not Rajasthan or Arabia but Sauraha. So if you want to get a desert-sort-of-feeling, it’s time for a camel ride. This can be one of the peculiar attractions in the area. A 15-minute ride costs Rs 120 per pax.
1 pm: Tutor of history and culture
The Tharu Cultural Museum gives you an opportunity to know more about the Tharus, one of the indigenous groups in the Terai lowlands of Nepal. The museum also brings you close to their culture, community, and lifestyle while the actual living examples of their community can be experienced in the nearby villages.
The museum is about 20-minute bike ride from where the hotels are situated, or you can
take a bullock cart or tanga for the experience.
If you plan to stay on
If you’re more on a vacation than a weekend getaway, there are plenty of other activities in Sauraha: bird watching, jeep safari, jungle walk, and rowing a boat on the Rapti River.
Getting there
All major domestic airlines fly to Bharatpur, after which you can take a cab to Sauraha. Prices can range from Rs 600 upward for vehicles.
However, the best way to reach Sauraha is by bus. Tourist buses leave from Kantipath in Kathmandu at 7 am daily, with tickets costing Rs 250 and above. Sauraha is approximately five to six hours from Kathmandu on a varying countryside drive.
From Sauraha, tourist buses leave at 9 am. However, you can take a tanga to Sauraha Chowk, hop on a local bus to Narayangarh for Rs 23, and take a bus or microbus to Kathmandu for Rs 200 if you don’t want to stick to an itinerary.
Since it’s off season in jungle safari tourism in Sauraha,accommodation is not a problem, and bookings are not mandatory. You can stroll around and find a hotel. A room on twin-sharing basis can be found for Rs 500 and upward for the night.
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