Sauraha: The Gateway Town to Chitwan National Park

Last updated 10 October 2026.

Sauraha is the small town on the edge of Chitwan National Park where most visitors to the park base themselves. It sits in the lowland Terai, about 190 m above sea level, a drive of 5 to 6 hours from Kathmandu. Our Chitwan trips sleep in a jungle lodge beside the park, and the days there are the same few things done well: a jungle walk, a jeep safari, a dugout canoe on the Rapti, and a Tharu evening. The simplest way to see them is the Chitwan Jungle Safari, 3 days.

Short answer: Sauraha is the gateway to Chitwan National Park, about 5 to 6 hours by road from Kathmandu and about 190 m above sea level. Two nights is the minimum I would plan. The best months are October to March. We run the jeep, the walks and the canoe only, with no animal rides.

Sauraha and Chitwan at a glance

Where does Chitwan sit on our trips?

• Chitwan Jungle Safari, 3 days: drive from Kathmandu on day 1, the full activity day on day 2, birdwatching and the drive back on day 3.
• Poon Hill Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari, 8 days: days 1 to 3, then the drive to Pokhara and the Poon Hill trek.
• Mardi Himal Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari, 9 days: days 1 to 3, then Mardi Himal.
• Everest Base Camp Trek with Chitwan Jungle Safari, 16 days: days 14 to 16, after the mountains.

Our Nepal Motorbike Tour also uses Sauraha. On day 4 the ride to Lumbini starts from Sauraha, after a full jungle day on day 3.

What do you do in Sauraha and Chitwan?

On the first day you drive south along the Trishuli river. The hills give way to the warm lowlands of the Terai, and the road takes 5 to 6 hours with stops when you want them. At the lodge you have a cool drink and a briefing from your naturalist guide about the next day. In the evening the Tharu people, the indigenous community of the Terai, perform their stick dance by firelight, with bamboo staves and madal drums. My guide to Tharu culture tells you what you are watching.

The activity day starts early, when the birds are loudest. The naturalist leads a walk at the forest edge, looking for drongos, hornbills, kingfishers and the tracks of animals that passed in the night. After breakfast you drive into the park in a 4x4 jeep along sal forest tracks and grassland. The greater one-horned rhinoceros is the star. You can also see spotted deer, wild boar, and gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles on the river banks. Tigers live in the park but are rarely seen, and I cannot promise you a sighting. After lunch you board a dugout canoe on the Rapti and drift downstream in near silence, watching birds and crocodiles on the banks. On the last morning a short walk around the lodge grounds at first light is the best birdwatching of the trip. For the full list read things to do in Chitwan.

Why do we not offer animal rides?

We run the jeep, the walks and the canoe only. There are no animal rides and no captive-animal visits on our Chitwan trips. I wrote down my reasons in why we do not sell animal rides. Many of our guests choose us because of this.

What are the lodge and food like near Sauraha?

A jungle lodge near the park, with a naturalist guide on every activity. Your tier decides the details. Budget means shared rooms and no meals included. Standard means private rooms, with lunch and dinner included. Luxury means a private deluxe room, with lunch and dinner included. The evenings are for resting, eating and watching the Tharu dance.

When is the best time to go to Sauraha?

For 2027, plan on October to March. October to December is the sweet spot, with warm days, cool nights and dry trails. January and February are colder but still excellent. March is hot, but the thinning vegetation makes animals easier to see. June to September is the monsoon: the park floods, trails are impassable and leeches appear. If you are adding Chitwan after a trek, my best time guide lines it up with the mountain seasons.

How long should you stay?

Two nights is the minimum. It gives you a full activity day and a morning of birdwatching without spending the whole trip in a vehicle. If you only have a long weekend, read whether three days is enough. If you also want to see Bardia, Chitwan versus Bardia will help you choose.

Questions people ask

Where is Sauraha? On the edge of Chitwan National Park in the Terai lowlands, about 5 to 6 hours by road from Kathmandu.

How high is Sauraha? Our Chitwan itineraries give about 190 m, which is 623 ft. The wider park runs from about 100 m in the river valleys to 815 m in the Siwalik Hills.

How many nights do you need in Sauraha? Two nights is the minimum I would plan, for one full activity day and a morning of birdwatching.

Will I see a tiger at Chitwan? Tigers live in the park but are rarely seen, and no guide can promise a sighting. Rhinos are far more likely.

Do you offer elephant rides? No. We offer no animal rides and no captive-animal visits.

What do you do in the evening? The Tharu people perform their stick dance by firelight, with bamboo staves and madal drums.

Can I combine Chitwan with a trek? Yes. We pair it with Poon Hill, Mardi Himal and Everest Base Camp.

How are the terms for these trips?

Group size is 2 to 20, and you can also trek solo. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

How do you plan this with us?

Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, how many of you there are and the month you have in mind and whether you want Chitwan alone or with a trek. I will tell you which tier and which route I would choose, and send you the exact quote.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.