Bardiya Wild Nights: Tigers, Karnali and Tharu Homestay
- Duration
- 6 days
- Max altitude
- 1,400 m
- Difficulty
-
Easy
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May) · Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $790.00
Overview
Bardiya is a quiet corner of Nepal’s Terai. The park is large, far fewer people visit than Chitwan, and the grass and sal forest are home to tigers, rhinos, wild elephants and the Gangetic dolphin in the Karnali river. We cannot promise you will see a tiger, but we can promise that you will see wild country.
You spend two days on foot and by jeep with a naturalist, a sunrise canoe on the Karnali, and an evening in a Tharu village with a stick dance and a home-cooked dinner. Two nights are at a quiet jungle lodge and one is at a family homestay.
It works well for couples, small groups and domestic travellers who want a calm break, and is easy to combine with Rara Lake in the same journey through the far west.
Trip highlights
- Bardiya National Park: tigers, rhinos and wild elephants
- Dawn canoe on the Karnali river for dolphins and birds
- Night in a Tharu family home with a stick dance
- Far fewer visitors than Chitwan
Day by day
The itinerary
-
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu and fly to Nepalgunj 150 m Hotel B
Meet the team, then fly to Nepalgunj in the afternoon.
-
Day 2: Drive to Bardiya 200 m Jungle lodge B/L/D
A scenic drive of about 3 hours to the park gate. Afternoon walk along the park edge.
-
Day 3: Jeep and walking safari 200 m Jungle lodge B/L/D
A morning jeep safari with a naturalist, a rest and an afternoon guided walk.
-
Day 4: Karnali canoe and Tharu homestay 200 m Homestay B/L/D
A dawn canoe on the Karnali. Afternoon visit to a Tharu village, a stick dance and a home dinner.
-
Day 5: Back to Nepalgunj 150 m Hotel B
A relaxed morning, then the drive to Nepalgunj for the evening.
-
Day 6: Fly to Kathmandu and depart 1,400 m B
Morning flight to Kathmandu and your onward journey.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $1,010.00 | Comfortfrom $1,191.80 |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load |
| Transfers | Shared | Private |
What's included
Included
- Included: Airport pickup and drop in Kathmandu
- Included: Flights Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, return
- Included: Private road transfers Nepalgunj to Bardiya and back
- Included: Two nights in a jungle lodge and one night in a Tharu homestay, full board in the park
- Included: Park entry fees and all park activities
- Included: A licensed naturalist guide
- Included: All government taxes and our service charge
Not included
- Not included: International airfare and the Nepal entry visa
- Not included: Travel insurance
- Not included: Meals in Kathmandu and Nepalgunj not listed
- Not included: Drinks and tips
- Not included: Anything not listed under what is included
Know before you go
Suitability & requirements
The best time is October to April. The park is hot from May to September. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the park may close sections during the monsoon.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $1,010.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $790.00 | $220.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $720.00 | $290.00 |
| 7 or more | $680.00 | $330.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)Cold and quiet, with the clearest skies of the year at lower altitude. High passes and very high routes are best avoided.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Why book with us
Every trail, one licensed team
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