How Much Does a Chitwan Jungle Safari Cost in 2027?

Updated 20 Oct 2026. Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586.

A Chitwan jungle safari is the usual add-on to a Nepal trek: rhinos, riverbanks and warm air after the cold of the mountains. It is cheaper than most first-time visitors expect. Below are our own prices, read from the live package pages, and then what the pieces cost if you were to arrange them yourself.

One thing before the numbers: The Everest Holiday does not sell or offer elephant-back safari, at any price, and we explain why in why we don't sell elephant rides. Everything below covers what we do run: jeep safaris, dugout canoe trips, guided jungle walks, birdwatching and a Tharu cultural evening.

How much does a Chitwan jungle safari cost with us?

Prices are in USD per person, for a private trip. The price is the same for a private party or a group, and it drops as the group grows. These are the live package prices on 20 Oct 2026. The 3-day and 4-day safaris both start from Kathmandu and return there by private vehicle.

Larger groups pay less again: 9 to 12 and 13 to 20 people have their own lower prices on the package pages. Group size is 1 to 20, and a solo traveller pays the real cost of the trip, which is why the solo line is higher.

What is included in the price?

Not included: Kathmandu hotel nights before or after, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance (buy it at home) and your international flights and Nepal visa. On Budget, lunch, dinner and drinks are extra. The 4-day trip adds a second jeep safari and a walk through a Tharu village.

What does the park entry fee cost?

Chitwan National Park charges foreign visitors NPR 2,000 per person per entry, about USD 15, and SAARC nationals NPR 1,000 (source: ntb.gov.np park entry fees page, read 10 Oct 2026). It is already inside our package prices. Your Nepal visa is separate: it is paid on arrival at the rates published by the Department of Immigration.

What would it cost to arrange it yourself in Sauraha?

These are rough ranges for Sauraha, the village on the edge of the park. They come from the earlier version of this page and I have not re-checked them line by line this month, so treat them as approximate and not as a quote. Rates move with the season.

• Shared jeep safari (half day): about US$25 to 45 per person including park fees. A private jeep is roughly US$150 to 200 for the vehicle.
• Canoe trip on the Rapti River (gharial and mugger crocodiles, water birds): about US$10 to 20.
• Guided jungle walk with naturalist guides: about US$15 to 30 for a half day.
• Budget guesthouses: about US$15 to 30 a night. Standard safari lodges on full board: about US$60 to 120 per person per night, usually sold as packages. Luxury lodges beside the park cost several times more.
• Tourist bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Sauraha: about US$10 to 15 and five to seven hours. A private car is about US$100 to 140 per vehicle each way, which splits well between three or four people.

Booked separately, the activities, lodge, meals and transport add up quickly, and you also spend time arranging them. A package puts them in one price with a private vehicle and a guide.

What extra costs catch people out?

• Tips: customary rather than compulsory. A common benchmark is US$5 to 10 a day for your naturalist guide.
• Drinks: beer and soft drinks at lodge bars carry resort prices.
• Season: October to March is peak, and the better lodges fill. In the monsoon (June to September) it is hot and wet and the grass is long, which makes wildlife harder to spot. For the detail, see our guide to the best time to visit Chitwan.
• Festival transport: around the big autumn festivals, buses and flights fill with domestic travellers, so book early.

Is Chitwan worth adding to a trekking trip?

For most visitors, yes, because it is unlike everything else in Nepal: flat, warm, green and loud with birdsong. One-horned rhino sightings are near-routine, wild elephants and sloth bears are realistic, and tigers are the lottery ticket. Our complete Chitwan safari guide covers wildlife, lodges and logistics. If you want it bolted on to a trek, look at the Poon Hill Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari, 8 Days, the Mardi Himal Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari, 9 Days or the Annapurna Base Camp Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari, 11 Days. For the classic circuit, the Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan Tour, 8 Days has Chitwan inside it.

Questions people ask

How much does a Chitwan jungle safari cost per person?

With us, USD 610 per person on Standard for a 3-day trip for two to four people, USD 525 on Budget and USD 745 on Luxury. Solo travellers pay more, USD 960 on Standard. Larger groups pay less per person.

How much is the Chitwan National Park entry fee?

NPR 2,000 per person per entry for foreign visitors, about USD 15, and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. It is included in our package prices.

Is transport from Kathmandu included?

Yes. Our 3-day and 4-day safaris include a private vehicle from your Kathmandu hotel to Chitwan and back, sized to your group.

Do you offer elephant rides or an elephant breeding centre visit?

No. We do not sell elephant-back safari or visits to the elephant breeding centre. Our safaris use jeeps, dugout canoes and guided walks. Read why in why we don't sell elephant rides.

How many nights do I need in Chitwan?

Two nights suits most itineraries. A third night helps in the dry season from March to May, when wildlife gathers near water and a second jeep day pays off.

Can I pay in Nepali rupees?

No. We take USD or EUR only from foreign clients, in cash or by card. Card payments for the balance carry 3.5 per cent, and cash in Kathmandu carries none.

What is the deposit and can I change dates?

The deposit is 10 per cent and the balance is paid in Kathmandu. The deposit is not refunded if you cancel, but you can reschedule free with at least 72 hours notice, to any date within one year.

How do you book Chitwan with us?

We organise Chitwan as a standalone trip on your dates, or inside a longer tour. Message me on WhatsApp at +977 9810351300 with your dates and group size and I will confirm the exact price. We are a family-run company operating since 2016, with over 300 reviews on TripAdvisor, Google and Trustpilot.