Discovering Terai: The Hidden Gem of Nepal
When to Go to the Terai
The best time to visit the Terai is during the cool winter months from November to February. For lovers of wildlife, it's best between the end of January and the end of March—the most likely time to see animals at Chitwan National Park with the tall elephant grass cut. Avoid April and May when the weather is scorching hot and the monsoon season from the beginning of June to mid-September.
How much time do you need?
Spend two full days for a visit to Chitwan National Park for wildlife spotting, besides one day each way for travel to and from Kathmandu or Pokhara. With a week, you will have ample time to explore Chitwan, make a side trip to see Lumbini (the birthplace of Buddha), and to enjoy a safari to Bardia National Park. Overland travelers to India can combine the visit to the Tea Estates of Ilam, Chitwan en route to Patna or Lamini en route to Varanasi.
Getting There and Away
The Terai can be reached by air from airports in Siddhartanagar (Bhairawa), Bharatpur, Nepalganj, Dhangadhi, and Biratnagar. Local buses are numerous, but seldom what you'd term comfortable. Better then are air-conditioned tourist buses, or renting a car with a driver. Bicycles are excellent for the Lumbini area. A few guided walking options have been established in national parks.
Best Things to Do in the Terai
1. Chitwan National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chitwan avails the opportunity for sighting one-horned rhinos, wild Asian elephants, and Bengal tigers. Have a walk through the park, take a canoe, or indulge in a 4WD safari. Stay locally with the Tharu community at the Barauli Community Homestay.
2. Lumbini: Go to the Maya Devi Temple area claiming to be the birthplace of Buddha. One can stroll around to see the monasteries, those all built by Buddhist countries, and engage in some workshops on meditation or peaceful meditation.
3. Bardia National Park: It is less well known than Chitwan, and this park is an excellent place to spot tigers and rhinos, along with the leopards. Enjoy the jungle walks, 4WD safaris, or birding along the Karnali River.
4. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: For the bird lovers, Koshi Tappu provides an opportunity to see more than 500 species of birds. Walk through the 6 km trail, and see the rare and migratory birds.
5. Janakpur: Janakpur is said to be the birthplace site of Sita and where she tied her wedding knot to Ram in the Ramayana. Travelers can visit the Janaki Mandir and sight the Mithila art at the Janakpur Women's Development Centre.
6. Exploration: Hike through tea plantations in Ilam, visit the Newari hill town of Tansen, or trek to Khaptad National Park in the far west.
My Favorite Terai Experience
Strolling through Chitwan National Park can sometimes be heady stuff: with a knowledgeable guide, with the possible added escort of an elephant depending on the situation. Drift along the river in a traditional dhunga (dugout canoe) for a fly-on-the-wall experience of river wildlife. Finish in style at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge.
The Terai caters to all budgets. Budget hotels range from $10 to $20, while luxury lodges can cost around $200 per person, per night, including meals and safaris. Meals at backpacker restaurants are generally $5 or less. Activities such as jeep safaris and guided walks incur additional costs, though all-up, Nepal is excellent value-for-money travel.
What to Bring
Essential items to include in your packing list: DEET-based insect repellent, leech repellent for forest walks, and neutral-colored clothing if you're going for wildlife spotting. pack yourself a sunhat, your binoculars, and have a bird identification app on deck to identify your wildlife.
Discover a real, wild Nepal far from the popular trails of Kathmandu and Pokhara and see the wildlife of the Terai.
