National Parks of Nepal

Nepal is truly unrivaled in its beauty. However, it is yet to be acknowledged by mos. The Country is home to Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world, and the Birthplace of Gautama Buddha- Lumbini. Wedged between two giants, India and China, Nepal has successfully balanced the two countries in its foreign policy and thus remains independent.

The Country offers majestic views of mountains, green hills, dense forests, dwindling white rivers, serene alpine lakes, and much more. Talking about the beauty of Nepal, the tiny Asian Country has twelve national parks located in the tropical jungles of Terai to gigantic mountain belts. Here, we have listed the national parks in Nepal.

Chitwan National park

Standing in the southern part of Nepal, Chitwan is home to many wild animals. The place is a wildlife lover's dream, allowing you to encounter many wild animals up close and personal in their natural habitat. Also, note that the park is regarded as one of Asia's best national parks for viewing large fauna and is worth staying for at least a few nights, if not more.

Chitwan National park is the first national park of Nepal which is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the districts of Nawalpur, Paris, Chitwan, and Makwanpur. It covers a total area of 952.63 sq. km.

Best time to visit

Speaking of the best time to visit the park is in the dry seasons, from October to March. During this time weather is also pleasant, and at the end of the dry period, Bengal tigers and elephants roam around the waterholes. Having said that, now let's talk about how to get there. It would be best to take a direct bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara to get there. After traveling, approx. 5-6 hours you will reach there.

Flora and Fauna

As mentioned earlier, it is a home of wildlife, one of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and the Bengal Tiger. The park is famous for its different safari, including jungle safari, jeep safari, elephant safari, etc. Besides that, the park is home to 68 species of mammals, 540 species of birds, and a giant hornbill, the royal Bengal tiger.

Activities

Here are a few activities that you can do while visiting the National park:

Jungle Trek

The jungle trek is the best thing you can do while visiting Chitwan National Park. The trek takes you closer to the natural wildlife. And it makes you feel full of nature and wilderness. Thus to see a whole jungle of the national park jungle walk is one of the cheapest and best ways to observe the Chitwan National Park.

Interestingly, among other national parks, it is the only one that allows a tourist to do a jungle walk in the park's core area. Walking through the jungle will be a different experience from any other safari you have been on before, and it is what draws most people to the area. It is exhilarating, walking through the undergrowth, adrenaline pumping through your veins, as you look for One Horned Rhinos, Royal Bengal Tigers, Sloth Bears, Clouded Leopards, and so much more. Thus, be careful; they may attack you.

Jeep Safari

If the jungle trek is not for you, there are still plenty of other alternatives to witness Chitwan's animals up close. One of the most popular ways to witness the Chitwan National Park offers is to take the jeep safari.

The safari offers the chance to see the rare One Horned Asian Rhino and maybe even the famous Royal Bengal Tiger from the comfort of an open-top jeep. The safari will allow you to take amazing photos and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Canoe Rides

Taking the canoe ride down the river, which flows through the national park, is a fantastic opportunity to see beautifully colored birds that call this jungle home. Apart from that, you can witness crocodiles sunbathing on the banks of the river while you gently glide past.

Following a few days of adventure in the jungle, this is a great thing to do to wind down and relax in peace, letting the current take you slowly downstream while you admire the beautiful views this park offers.

Elephant Safari

Elephant safari is another thrilling activity you can do while visiting Chitwan national park. There are two types of Elephant safari: one is done inside the park, and another safari is done in the Community forest. Similarly, some are limited elephants and are not for regular jungle safari. They are for the protection of the park. Nepal Army uses these elephants to patrol the park.

While on the other hand, almost all hotels and safari arrangers Elephant Safari outside the park. After having an elephant safari, you can see a community forest; guests can see wild animals like rhinos, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, monkeys, deer, and many more during elephant safari.

Cost for the Chitwan National Park

Everyone, even Nepali, must pay to enter the National people. If you are a Nepali citizen, you have to pay Rs.150. Meanwhile, if you belong to SAARC, you must pay Rs.1000 per person. For foreigners, it costs Rs.2000 per person. You can get those entry tickets at the entry point of the National Park. Or you can ask your hotel to arrange the ticket, and they can do it with a smile.

Rara National Park

Another beautiful national park of Nepal is Rara National park. It covers 106 km2 (41 sq. mi) in the Mugu and Jumla districts and is the country's smallest national park. The main attraction of the park is Rara Lake. Rara Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the Nepalese Himalayas. It was inducted as a part of a national park in 1976 and listed in the Ramsar site in 1583. Likewise, two villages named Rara and Chhapru are within the park. Later, the residents of the two villages were resettled in the Banke district, outside the park.

Flora and Fauna

Furthermore, the National park is the home of 241 species of birds, two species of reptiles fifty-one species of mammals, and amphibians, and three species of fish. Those include Himalayan black bear, musk deer, jackal, Himalayan tahr, red panda, Himalayan snowcock, chukar partridge, Himalayan monal, Klij pheasant, Rara snow trout, dhole, gray langur, rhesus macaque, and snow leopard.

Similarly, there are more than a thousand and seventy species of flora. Trekking through the lush Rhododendron, fir, brown oak, and birch jungles, you will hear the birds' mesmerizing sounds. Thus, the national park is considered one of Nepal's most loved and unreached national parks of Nepal.

Best time to visit

Talking about the best time to visit National Park in summer. The temperatures drop below freezing through December and March, and heavy snowfalls occur up to one meter, closing high passes. April to June is warm, but the season gives way to monsoon season-June to August. Thus, the best time of year to visit the park is September/October and April to May.

Getting there

Many of you might not know that the park does not have any national road network; there are 2 ways to reach Rara National Park- roadways and airways. You can have a direct flight from Nepalgunj or Surkhet to Talca Airport by airways as it is the nearest airport to the Rara National Park and is 4 km east of the lake. Summit Air, Tara Air, Nepal Airlines, and Sita Air operate flights to Talca Airport from Nepalgunj and Surkhet Airport. It takes approx. On foot, it takes three hours to reach Rara National Park from Talca Airport. Sadly, there is no direct air service from Kathmandu to Mugu.

Meanwhile, if you want to travel by roadways, take a three-day road trip through the Karnali Highway (Nepalgunj-Surkhet-Dailekh-Kalikot-Jumla Nagma Sija) to Rara.

Cost

Reading all this, you might be curious about how much it costs to reach there. And the average cost per man for lodging and fooding. No need to rush; we have described this in the below paragraph.

Talking about the cost, the entry fee for foreigners is Rs. 3,000. And if you belong to a SAARC country, you must pay Rs. 1,500. Remember the above price are without vat, so an additional 13% VAT must be paid at the designated ticket counter per person.

Adding to the travel cost of the roadway will be cheaper than by flight. However, several travel agencies provide a package that includes Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner costs, traveling costs, and lodging. So better go with the package.

After reaching there in case if you want to see fish or you love to go boating on the lake, it will cost you only Rs 500 per person for long-distance sightseeing. Remember, boats are available only before noon. Similarly, if you want to hike more, you can hike up to the hill where you can see the best view of the lake. Hiking to Murma top is an excellent experience to view Rara Lake, the Mountains, and the surrounding hills of far western Nepal.

Sagarmatha National Park

Dominated by Mt. Everest, Sagarmatha National Park covers an area of 1,148 sq. km in the Solukhumbu District. The park ranges in elevation from 2,845 to 8,848 m at the summit of Mount Everest. It was endowed in 1976, and after two years, it became the country's first national park listed as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1979.

In the north of the park is the international border with Qomolangma National Nature Preserve of Tibet. Meanwhile, it is adjacent to Makalu Barun National Park in the east, whereas it extends to the Dudh Kosi River in the south. The river is considered to be the Sacred Himalayan Landscape.

Moreover, the national park has an exceptional area with dramatic mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, and various rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda. In addition, the presence of the Sherpas, with their unique culture, adds further interest to this site. The National park includes the upper catchment areas of the Dudh Kosi River, the Bhotekoshi river basin, and the Gokyo Lakes.

Mountains

As mentioned earlier, the park is dominated by Mount Everest, as it is the park's main attraction. Besides that, several other mountains above 6,000 m are Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Cho Oyu, Thamserku, Nuptse, and Amadablam. Barren land above 5,000 m of the park comprises 69%, 28% is grazing land, and the remaining 3% is forested.

Flora and Fauna

The national park is home to 208 bird species, including the Impeyan pheasant, bearded vulture, snowcock, and alpine chough, and has been identified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The beautiful national park also includes Himalayan Thar, serow, and musk deer. Similarly, in the lower elevation of the park, the Indian Leopard roams.

How to get there?

From Kathmandu, the National Park is about 135 km away. It is in a remote location, and accessibility is quite challenging here. There are many ways to get to the park, one of the easiest ways is flying to Lukla and hiking for two days. If you don't want that, you can ride up to Jiri and take ten days of hiking. Similarly, you also reach there by riding up to Salleri shortens the hike by five days. Also, you can have a flight to Tumblingtar and Phaplu and go hiking for 10 and 5 days, respectively. On the other hand, you can directly take a helicopter flight to Namche Bazar. After that, Kala Patthar, or even Everest Base Camp, and other destinations inside the park are also possible.

Here are some standard ways to reach park headquarters, Namche, from Kathmandu are:

• Flight to Lukla and two days trek
• Bus to Jiri and ten days trek
• Flight to Phaplu and five days trek
• Drive to Salleri and five days trek

Major Attraction

• The world's highest peak Mount Everest
• Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek & Kalapatthar
• Gokyo Lake & Glaciers
• Sherpa culture and Monasteries
• Two others, Cho Oyu and Lotse higher than 8,000m
• Vegetation
• Thame and Chukang Valley
• Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, and Himalayan Monal

Cost and Permit

Trekking in the National park is allowed only upon acquiring a permit from the Department of Immigration. The permit can be obtained either in Kathmandu at Nepal Tourism Board Office or in Monjo at Park Entrance Gate. The permit costs NPR 3000 Per Person. The most convenient way is to obtain this at Monjo. The rate of the permit is not the same for SAARC countries, if you belong to one of these countries, then you have to pay only NRS 1500, and if you are Nepali, you have to pay Rs.150

Shuklaphanta National Park

Another beautiful national park of Nepal is Shuklaphanta National Park. It is located the in the Terai of the Far-Western Region, Nepal. It covers 305 km2 of open grasslands, forests, riverbeds, and tropical wetlands at an elevation of 174 to 1,386 m.

The Mahakali River bounds the National park in the west and south. The park extends to the north of the Mahendra Highway to create a wildlife corridor for the seasonal migration of wildlife into the Sivalik Hills.

Best time to visit

The ideal time to visit Shuklaphanta National Park is in the months of September-December and February to the end of May. This month, the sky remains clear, and views are more precise. However, every season is suitable for visiting Shuklaphanta National Park except for summer. Because during summer there is an extreme humidity and sunny environment. Thus, it becomes hard to visit in the daytime in summer. However, the morning and evening times are still favorable if you want.

Flora and Fauna

With fantastic scenery, several animals and birds live there. More than 28 fish species and 12 reptiles and amphibians live in the river and pond of the National park. Similarly, there are 46 species of mammals recorded. Among them, 18 are protected under cities such as Bengal Tigers, Indian leopards, elephants, etc., and the park is home to the great one-horned rhinoceros from Chitwan National Park. Similarly, more than 400 species of birds have the highest number of Bengal floricans in Nepal.

Flora and the national park are also home to different flora. Here are 410 dicots, 125 monocots, 553 vascular plants, and 18 pteridophytes. The main grass species in the grasslands are Imperata cylindrical, Heteropogon contortus, Phragmites karka, and Saccharum spontaneum.

How to get there?

Sadly there is no direct connection from Kathmandu to Shuklaphanta National Park. However, there are many ways to reach there; you can reach there by air, flight, or train. For example, you can take the drive to Kathmandu airport, fly to Dhangadhi, then travel to Shuklaphanta National Park.

Alternatively, you can also take the bus to Rampur Colony. After that, take a walk to Rampur and the bus to Krishnanagar. This is quite good for the trek as you have to walk again to Barhni, then take the train to Mailani, then travel to Shuklaphanta National Park.

Cost and Permit

To enter the national park, you need a permit. Without a permit, you cannot enter the park. You can get these permits from the National parks ticket counter at the Nepal Tourism Board or the Park entrance gate at Shuklaphanta National Park. The entry cost for foreigners is Rs.1500 and Rs.750 for SAARC Nationals. Meanwhile, if you are Nepali, you must pay only Rs.100 at the designated ticket counter daily.

Khaptad National Park

This one is also one of Nepal's most popular parks that hold religious and natural beauty. The park was endowed in 1984 and is located in the Far-western region of Nepal. Similarly, it is one of the only mid-mountain national parks in western Nepal, representing a unique and vital ecosystem. The park is named after a hermit named Khaptad Baba. The late Khaptad Swami moved to the area in the 1940s to meditate and worship. They said he spent about 50 years as a hermit and became a renowned spiritual saint. Thus, this added to the importance of the park. Each year thousands of people come to worship the buffer zone during the full moon Shiva in August and September. During that time, the locals also perform exciting rituals.

Flora and Fauna

Apart from that, the national park is home to 567 species of flora, including chir pine-rhododendron forest, oak forest, Himalayan fir-hemlock-oak forest, and alder forest in riverine areas. Likewise, more than 23 amphibians, 23 mammals, 287 birds, and reptiles live there. Some animals are leopards, wild dogs, musk deer, impeyan pheasants, and peregrine falcon.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the National park is the seasons of spring (March-May) and autumn (October-November). During this time, the temperature ranges from 10°c to 20°c, offering pleasant trekking weather. However, here the monsoon begins in June and lasts until September. Thus, the trails and paths become muddy and slippery due to the rain. Meanwhile, From December to February in this region, the winter brings snow and chilling winds that might bring more difficulty to your journey.

How to get there?

You can reach there by direct flight or by bus. You can directly reach Dhangadhi Airport in Nepal. From Dhangadhi, you can take a local taxi to Bajhang. From the Bajhang trek, it starts to reach the national park. An alternative way to reach there is to take a bus from India that goes directly to Dhangadhi, from where travelers will have to take 9 hrs. When you reach Bajhang, your trek toward Khaptad starts. The trek is top-rated and very short, and medium to easy trek.

Itinerary

Day 1: Reach Dhangadhi

Day 2: 9 hours drive from Dhangadhi to Bajhang

Day 3: Start hike 7 hours from Bajhang (1300 m) to Khaptad Campsite (3020 m)

Day 4: Explore Khaptad and visit Khaptad Baba Ashram (3020 m)

Day 5: Start coming down from Khaptad Campsite (3020 m) for five hours until you reach Bichpani Camp (2905 m)

Day 6: Trek five hours from Bichpani Camp (2905 m) to Silgadhi (1340 m)

Day 7: After reaching the final checkpoint, drive to Dhangadhi, which takes 9 hours.

Cost and Permit

To enter the park, one must have an entry permit. You can get this entry permits from Tourist Service Center, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, or at the entry points. For the entry fee, if you are Nepali, you have to pay Rs. 100, and if you are from SAARC Nationals, you have to pay Rs.500. If you do not belong to any of these countries, then you have to pay Rs. 1,500 (Foreigners). Like other permits, these are non-refundable, non-transferable, and only for a single entry.

Shey Phoksundo National Park

The gorgeous National park is in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu in the Mid-Western Region of Nepal. The park covers 3555 square kilometers and is home to the 6000 meters tall Kanjiroba Himal, beautiful Shey Monastery, Phoksundo Lake, and the Langu Gorge. Moreover, Nepal is the only trans-Himalayan National Park in Nepal.

Each year thousands of domestic and international tourists visit the park to see its beauty. The park offers a diversity of landscapes and ranks among the most scenic mountain parks in the world. The mountain on the northern side Himalayan crest ranges from 2,130 m. In contrast, on the southeast side near Ankhe is the summit of Kanjiroba Himal at the southern edge of the Tibetan plateau.

Not only that, the national park has a beautiful blue Phoksundo Lake at an elevation of 3,660 m. While in the upper reaches of the Suligad river are surrounded by glaciers and are famous for their turquoise color. Likewise, near the lake’s outlet is the country’s highest waterfall. The lake was also listed into the Ramsar site in 2007 and is 145 m (476 ft.) deep, measured using echo-sounding technology.

Best time to visit

As mentioned earlier, the park is a trans-Himalayan region; thus, the weather of the National park varies between the prevailing monsoon and the arid climate. Although the precipitation in the southern part approaches 1500 mm, it is less than 500 mm on the northern slopes. Winters in the park are extreme, with snowfall occurring over 2,500 meters in regions. Meanwhile, the temperature in the park above 3000 meters drops below freezing points. Thus, the best time to visit National Park is from April to November.

Flora and fauna

Alongside the mesmerizing view of mountains and lake, the National park is diverse in flora and fauna. The northern regions of the park are full of trees like pine, walnut, willow, poplar, and cypress. You can also see the Pines, junipers, spruces, birches, and other trees dominate the higher altitudes. Similarly, Wild rose, caragana, dwarf juniper, and barberries are also found here.

Furthermore, the National park is home to many endangered mammals, including snow leopard, langur, monkey, wild dog, wolf, weasel, bharal, musk deer, rhesus monkey, and many more. Two hundred species of exotic and rare animals, like the Tibetan sheep, Tibetan wild ass, gazelle, wild yak, and wild antelope, also reside at higher altitudes. Similarly, the park has recorded 200 species of birds, such as wood snipe, Tibetan Snowcock, Himalayan griffon, and cheer pheasant.

How to get there?

This pone is the most asked question, among others. Although there is no direct connection from Kathmandu to Phoksundo Lake, you can take the drive to Kathmandu airport, fly to Pokhara, and then travel to Phoksundo Lake. Either you can take the drive to Kathmandu airport, fly to Surkhet, and then travel to Phoksundo Lake.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Day 2: Fly to Nepalganj, near the border of India

Day 3: Fly to Juphal and trek to Dunai

Day 4: Trek to Chhepka village

Day 5: Trek to Jharana Waterfall

Day 6: Trek to the Tibetan village of Ringmo

Day 7: Explore sacred Phoksundo Lake and Tshowa Gompa Ringmo

Day 8: Trek to Chhepka Village

Day 9: Trek to Juphal

Day 10: Fly to Kathmandu

Cost and Permit

Now coming toward the permit, yes! First, you need a permit to enter the national park. The park also covers the Upper Dolpo Trek. The Lower Dolpo Permit cost is US$ 20 per week per person, whereas the Shey Phoksundo National Park entry fee is US$30 per person. You can get a permit at DNPWC Counter, Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.

Langtang National Park

Spread across three districts (Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Sindhulpalchok Districts), Langtang National Park is one of the closest to Kathmandu and is easily accessible. The national park is located in the lap of the Himalayas of Nepal. It exceeds an elevation range of 6,450 m (21,160 ft) and covers an area of 1,710 km2. The park encompasses 26 village communities and includes the Langtang valley. The uniqueness of the valley and biodiversity offers pleasant views of the mountain. On the north side of the valley, there is a Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet Autonomous Region. Meanwhile, the eastern and western boundaries follow the Bhote Koshi and the Trishuli river, respectively.

Best time to visit

If you are planning to go for a week of relaxing trek close to Kathmandu, then the Langtang trek is the best option. Along with the diverse landscape, the Langtang region has different weather conditions in the varying seasons of autumn, spring, monsoon, and winter.

Most of the time the national park receives rainfall from the southwest. Because the altitude of the park is higher than them. Because of the altitude, this region faces extreme variations in temperature in the entire area. From June to September the monsoon dominates the region meanwhile during October, November, April, and May, the days are warm and sunny and warm and the nights are chilly. Whereas from December to march the winter months start, during which the days are pleasant, but the temperatures go to freezing point at night. Thus, autumn and spring season are regarded to be the best time for the trek.

Flora and Fauna

Well, we talked about the landscape, the best session to visit the national park. Now! Let’s talk about the flora and fauna of the beautiful national park. The southern part of the park is covered by sub-tropical vegetation characterized by Sal forest, Chirpine, Rhododendron, and Nepalese alder. Similarly, the temperate zone consists of oak forests fading to old-growth forests of hemlock, silver fir, and larch in the lower sub-alpine zone. Through these zones, you will also hear the sound of birds and witness animals as well.

There are more than about 250 species of bird recorded in the national park. Besides that, the park is home to several animals including snow leopard, wild dog, ghoral red panda, serow, and Himalayan black bear.

How to get there?

The Langtang region is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Many people dream to come here but many of them are fear to come here because of the unknown places. Don’t worry we will let you know about the way to get to Langtang Nation park. To reach the national park you have to reach first Kathmandu. From Kathmandu take an early bus starting from 7-9 am to Syabrubesi in Langtang National Park. The average ticket fare for the bus is INR 600 – 800.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu

Day 2: Explore Kathmandu's historical sites

Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi

Day 4: Walk from Syabru Besi to Lama Hotel

Day 5: Trek from Lama Hotel to Mundu

Day 6: Trek from Mundu to Kyangjin

Day 7: Ascend Kjangjin Ri or explore Kyangjin

Day 8: Trek from Kyangjin to Lama Hotel

Day 9: Trek from Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi

Day 10: Drive from Syabru Besi to Kathmandu

Day 11: Depart Kathmandu.

Cost and Permit

Trekking in Langtang areas is allowed only upon acquiring a permit from the Department of Immigration. Interested trekkers should reach the authorized trekking agencies who then can further apply for permits at the Department of Immigration fulfilling all the required formalities. To enter the Langtang, it costs $30 excluding 13% VAT. Meanwhile, the SAARC countries can get the permit for $15 excluding VAT. However, children under the age of 10, do not need to pay any charges for the permits.

Now talking about the trek cost, it all depends upon you. The average Langtang Trekking Cost is between 500 to 900 USD for 10, 12 days of trekking.

Makalu Barun National Park

If you are searching for stunning and remote national parks, then Makalu Barun is one for you. The beautiful park has successfully dwarfed thousands of visitors each year. Talking about the national park establishment, it was endowed back in 1992. The park covers an area of 1,500 km2.

Moreover, the park is home to some enormous mountains. Mount Makalu is one of the major attractions of the national park. The park's namesake is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, while many of its neighboring peaks splendidly reach over 7,000 meters above sea level. Therefore, trekking toward Makalu is among the most challenging due to the number of high-altitude passes.

Best time to visit

As mentioned earlier, trekking towards the Makalu is one of the most challenging due to the number of high-altitude passes. Along with the beautiful scenery, the national park offers a diverse landscape. The park is located in the eastern climatic zone of the Himalayas. Thus, this area's monsoon starts in June and eases off in late September. During this time, 70% of the annual precipitation of 4,000 mm falls.

Meanwhile, between January and December, the climate is very unfavorable. During this month, the temperature rises to -9°C, and you can expect 13mm of rainfall/per month. Thus, an ideal time to take a trip to Nepal is between March and May. Whereas the spring season introduces warm weather, and you can see rhododendrons in full bloom. That being said, the best time for the Makalu Barun National Park tour is spring and autumn.

Flora and Fauna

Along with the beautiful Mountain View, the national park is famous for its tremendous diversity of plants, animals, and people. For example, the national park is home to 25 species of rhododendron, 47 types of orchids, and 56 rare plants. Besides that, the forest is also covered by many trees, including Sals, Schimas, Oaks, Junipers, Firs, and many more.

Furthermore, 43 species of reptiles, 16 species of amphibians, 315 species of butterflies, 78 species of fish inhabit, and more than 440 species of birds are recorded in the National park. Some animals are Snow leopards, red pandas, musk deer, and wild boar. At the same time, rare birds are deep-blue kingfisher, pale blue flycatcher, rose-ringed parakeet, and many more.

How to get there?

To reach Makalu Barun National park, you can take a flight from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar or Biratnagar to Tumlingtar. On your first day, your destination will be Chichila; to reach there, take a 6/7hrs drive. After that, take a 6-hour trek to Num from there. Then you have to walk 6 hours towards Seduwa and take 5 hrs. Trek to Tashi Gaon. After reaching there, you have to walk 7 hours until you reach Khongma Danda, and then trek 6 hours to Dobato. After that, hike for 7 hours to Yangla Kharka and 6 hours from there to Langmale Kharka. And on day nine, you will reach your destination, Makalu base camp. Here is a short Itenary of Makalu Barun National park.

Itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu to Tumlingtar

Day 2: Chichila to Num

Day 3: Num to Seduwa

Day 4: Seduwa to Tashi Gaon

Day 5: Tashi Gaon to Khongma Danda

Day 6: Acclimatization Day

Day 7: Khongma Danda to Dobato

Day 8: Dobato to Yangla Kharka

Day 9: Yangla Kharka to Langmale Kharka

Day 10: Langmale Kharka to Makalu Base Camp

Day 11: Explore Makalu Base Camp

Day 12: Makalu Base Camp to Yangla Kharka

Day 13: Yangla Kharka to Dobato

Day 14: Dobato to Khongma Danda

Day 15: Khongma Danda to Tashi Gaon

Day 16: Tashi Gaon to Seduwa

Day 17: Seduwa to Num

Day 18: Num to Chichila to Tumlingtar

Day 19: Tumlingtar to Kathmandu

Cost and Permit

Well, we talked about the landscape, flora, and fauna best time to visit the Makalu Barun National Park. Now, let's learn about the permit that is needed. Like other national parks, you need a permit to enter the park. There are several prices for different countries to get an entry permit. NRS. 3000 Nepali rupees per head for non-SAARC citizens and 1500 rupees for SAARC citizens.

Parsa National Park

Endowed as a wildlife reserve in 1984, the beautiful Parsa National park was declared a national park of Nepal in 2017. Spread in the three districts, Parsa, Bara, and Makwanpur covers an area of 627.39 km2. The park ranges in altitude from 435 m (1,427 ft.) to 950 m (3,120 ft.) in the Siwalik Hills.

The main attraction of the Parsa National park is its lush greenery and rare animals. In the north of the protected area, the Rapti River and Siwalik Hills are from a natural boundary to human settlements. The park is adjacent to the west Chitwan National Park.

Best time to visit

The ideal time to visit the Parsa National Park is May to September. During this time, migratory birds come to the residential birds and create spectacular bird-watching opportunities. Many different watch towers inside provide excellent prospects to catch glimpses of the park's many birds, mammals, and landscape views. Moreover, the sky remains clear during these months, and the weather is not cold or hot. Similarly, three elephant camps are near the Gaduwaline, Amlekhgunj, and Pratappur. Thus, here you can enjoy a jeep safari and elephant rides.

Flora and Fauna

As we said before, the National park is famous for its different flora and fauna. The Parsa National park is home to different flora. The park is covered with Sal forests, mixed riverine deciduous forests, mixed hardwood deciduous forests, riverine forests, and Pine forests.

Besides that, the park is home to various faunal species and more than 300 species of birds. In addition, there are endangered species, including Royal Bengal Tiger, Striped hyena, Sloth bear, Pangolin, Bison, Leopard, Four-horned antelope, Barking deer, Langur cat, and Wolf.

How to get there?

Reaching Parsa National park is very easy; you can directly take a flight or reach by bus. You can easily reach Simara airport headquarter of Parsa National Park in 15 minutes flight from Kathmandu. By bus, the park headquarter at Adhavar is about a 5-6 hour drive from Kathmandu and a 6-7 hour drive from Pokhara. After reaching there, you can enjoy the view of Parsa National park.

Itinerary

Day 1: Drive or fly to Parsa Wildlife Reserve.

Day 2: Whole day of Jungle activities in reserve.

Day 3: Whole day of Jungle activities in reserve.

Day 4: Fly or drive back to Kathmandu.

Cost and Permit

Like other National parks, you need a permit to enter the National park. An entry fee for foreigners is NRs. 1000.00, NRs. 500.00 for SAARC countries and Nrs.50 for Nepalese citizens. Remember that the price does not include the additional 13% VAT. Thus, you must pay at the Park entrance gate per person.

Banke National Park

One of the newest national parks to be established in Nepal, the Banke National park, was started mainly to conserve tigers and to promote wildlife conservation and tourism in the country. A part of Banke National Park is designated as a buffer zone and covers an area of 550 km2. The park was endowed to promote a symbiotic relationship, maintain diversity, and generate revenue for the local population in the process as well.

The National Park is home to wild tigers and various endangered wildlife species. However, the national park's main attraction is the landscape, which comprises eight distinct ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and mountain ranges. Bardiya National Park is east of the national park.

Best time to visit

The ideal time to visit National Park is from October to April. During these months, the days are pleasant, and the nights are cool. In this region, the summer season starts from March to June, the monsoon is from July to September, and the winter is from October to February. During summer, the temperature reaches nearly 45 degrees; meanwhile, the temperature reaches below 10 degrees during the winter.

Flora and Fauna

The beautiful national park is home to nearly eight ecosystems: grasslands, mixed hardwood forest, Sal forest, savannahs, flood plain community, and deciduous Riverine forest. There are 85 species of herbs & climbers, 113 recorded species of trees, and 107 herbal species, recorded in the National park.

Besides that, the park is home to 300 species of birds, nearly 58 fish species, seven species of amphibians, 34 species of mammals, and 24 species of reptiles. Some of them are striped hyena, giant hornbill, four-horned antelope, black stork, Bengal florican, and many more.

How to get there?

Banke National park is a delight for trekkers, hikers, and walkers. Jeep, animal safaris and self-guided tours are also allowed. Elephant tours, Cycling, and rafting are also available here. To reach there, one can get regular flights from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, which is approximately an hour's drive to Banke National Park. An alternate way to reach Nepalgunj is from Mahendranagar or Dhangadhi, which takes nearly 8 and 7 hours, respectively. Alternatively, we can go by drive from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and other major cities of Nepal.

Cost and Permit

Banke National Park is also a protected area. So you need to get an entry permit to enter the National park. You can get this needed entry permit from the Tourist Service Centre, Kathmandu, or the National park entrance gate. The entry fee for foreigners is NRS. 1500 per person, for SAARC countries, 750 per person, and for Nepali, Rs 100 per person. Meanwhile, children under the age of 10 years are free to enter Banke National Park.

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Spread to three districts, Kathmandu, Sindhupalchowk, and Nuwakot Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, was established in 2002. It covers an area of 159 km2 at a 2,732 m altitude. Moreover, the park adjoins Village Development Committee west; the protected area extends to the Dhading District. The park contains beautiful flora, fauna, sacred sites, and streams gurgling.

Furthermore, Shivapuri National park was established to protect the watershed and wildlife reserve. The parks also include some historical and religious sites and a popular hiking route for local people and tourists. Nagigumba, Kakani, Panimuhan, Jhuje, and Sundarijal are some of the popular trekking areas of the National park. Similarly, while trekking, you will see gorgeous picturesque streams and waterfalls on the way as well. Apart from that, several sacred places of Hindu and Buddhist shrines exist.

Best time to visit

As mentioned before, the park is in a transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates. Thus, the annual precipitation of about 1,400 mm falls mainly from May to September, with 80% during monsoon. The temperatures vary from 2–17 °C during the winter season, while in the summer, the temperature rises to 19–30 °C. Thus, the best time to visit the national park is September to November and February to April.

Flora and Fauna

Shivapuri is situated in a transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates. The vegetation consists of various natural forest types, including oak, rhododendron, pine, etc., depending on altitude and aspect.

There are several animals, including the Himalayan Black bear, rhesus monkey, Hanuman langur, Chinese pangolin, leopard, jungle cat, Chinese pangolin, Indian crested porcupine, Royle's pika, and rhesus monkey, are recorded in the park. Similarly, the park is home to 102 species of butterflies with several rare and endangered species, 177 species of birds, and 129 species of mushrooms. Some of them are Eurasian eagle-owl, barred cuckoo-dove, golden-throated barbet, slender-billed scimitar-babbler, and white-gorged flycatcher.

How to get there?

The Shivapuri hike contains a myriad of Nepali cultural and natural highlights. Many people visit the national park to get a short break from the city and enjoy the pleasant forests. To get there, you can get a bus from the bus park in Kathmandu. After one hour, you will reach the Bus Park of Sundari Jal. From there, you have to walk for nearly 15 minutes and then see the Shivapuri National park ticket counter. Alternatively, you can also reach the park via Buddanilkanta.

Cost and Permit

Yes! Without a permit, you cannot enter the National park. For foreigners, the entry fee is Rs. 1000. While for SAARC countries, the entry fee is Rs. 600. Similarly, for the Nepali citizen, you have to pay 100 per person per Entry.

Bardiya National Park

Do you want to walk in the wilderness with lush greenery and an opportunity to witness wildlife right in front of your eyes throughout you for a long time? Then Bardiya National park is the right option where you can have this adventurous jungle experience.

The National park was endowed in 1988 as Royal Bardiya National Park. In the beginning, the small area was gazetted as the Karnali Wildlife Reserve in 1976. During that time, the area was home to more than 1500 households in the Babai valley. Later, they were relocated outside the park allowing the vegetation and wildlife to flourish. After six years, the park was renamed Bardiya Wildlife Reserve in 1982. In 1984 it was extended to the park's current size and was given the status of a National Park in 1988.

Currently, Bardiya National park covers an area of 968 km2. Also, the park is the largest and most undisturbed national park in Nepal's Terai, adjoining the eastern bank of the Karnali River and bisected by the Babai River in the Bardiya District.

Best time to visit

Bardiya National Park is open throughout the year. Talking about the best time, the end of the dry season and the beginning of the hot season which is from February to June is the most suitable time. During this time you have higher chances of seeing tigers and rhinos near the water holes.

Flora and Fauna

The park is also home to 642 faunal species, including gharial inhabiting mugger crocodiles, 23 reptiles, amphibians, 125 species of fish, and many more. Similarly, there are 53 species of mammals, including the greater one-horned rhinoceros, Gangetic dolphin, Indian elephant, Bengal tiger, and Barasingha.

Getting There

To reach there is relatively easy, there are two common ways: one is by airline, and another is by road. Flying to the city of Nepalganj, located on the Nepal-India border, and then getting a private transfer for the rest of the journey is the easiest way of getting to Bardiya from Kathmandu. Flights leave from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan Airport several times a day and take less than an hour to reach Nepalganj. While flying to the city of Nepalganj, ask for a seat on the right-hand side of the plane because you'll be treated to a great view on clear days. But don't worry about the flight ticket as many flights are available.

Another option is by road; you can take a direct bus from Kathmandu in two shifts, day and night. There are many buses, which run every day and it takes around 12 hours to get there. One important thing, while choosing a bus, choose the bus with good air-conditioned service, if you don't love loud music and an over-crowded bus. Compared to the flight the way by bus is relatively cheaper and we also recommendable if you're on a tight budget, then go for it. After 12 hours of journey, you will reach Nepalganj, and you'll need to make the onward journey to Bardiya (Thakurdwara). From there, you will get a local bus to Thakurdwara.

Cost and Permit

Similar to other National parks, a permit is also required to enter the Bardiya National Park. The entry cost for foreigners is Rs.1500 and Rs.750 for SAARC Nationals. Meanwhile, if you are Nepali, you must pay only Rs.100 at the designated ticket counter daily. Remember, all of the prices are per person. You can get this entry permits from the National parks ticket counter at the Nepal Tourism Board or the Park entrance gate at Bardiya National Park. Likewise, these are non-refundable, non-transferable, and only for a single entry.

Moreover, if you want to film the documentary from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), you must get an extra permit. The documentary/filming fee for foreigners is US$1500, Rs. 50,000 for SAARC Nationals, and Rs.10000 FOR Nepali. If you want to take a drone shot, you have to pay an extra 25%. Remember, while visiting a national park, there are other additional fees for an elephant ride, jeep drive, camping, boating, and rafting.