Chitwan Jungle Safari, 4 Days

Jeep, dugout canoe, jungle walk, a Tharu village and birds in Chitwan National Park, with three nights at the park and an extra day for a second look, from Kathmandu by road

Duration
4 days
Grade
Easy
Highest point
About 190 m / 623 ft (Chitwan)
Group size
1 to 20
Starts and ends
Kathmandu
Best time
Oct to Mar

Govt RegdTAAN #1586300+ ★ reviews

  • Three generations of family guides in the Himalayas, independent since 2016
  • Government-licensed Nepal trekking company (Reg 147653)
  • TAAN Member #1586
  • 300+ reviews
  • Secure payment via Himalayan Bank
  • Four-time TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winner (2019, 2020, 2023, 2024)

Overview

From US$680Updated Oct 11, 2026

Chitwan Jungle Safari, 4 Days is a 4-day jungle safari for first-time visitors, families and anyone who wants the lowlands for a few days, with more time than a three-day trip. It reaches about 190 m (Chitwan) and is graded Easy: short, gentle activities in a warm lowland, with two days on the road. It costs from USD 680 per person (Budget, couple). The price per person is the same for a private trip and a group of the same size, and it falls as the group grows.

Chitwan Jungle Safari at a glance

Duration4 days, 3 nights, Kathmandu to Kathmandu by road
AltitudeAbout 190 m / 623 ft. No altitude risk
RoadAbout 5 to 6 hours each way from Kathmandu
GradeEasy. Short walks, a jeep and a canoe
Best monthsOctober to March. February to April has the clearest views of the grassland
Group size1 to 20, always private
ActivitiesTwo jeep safaris, dugout canoe, jungle walk, Tharu village walk, Tharu evening, birdwatching. No animal rides
PermitsChitwan National Park entrance fee, included
Hotels3 nights at a jungle lodge are included. Kathmandu nights are not
From priceUSD 680 per person, Budget, couple. Standard USD 730, Luxury USD 1,595

Why I built it this way

The three-day Chitwan trip is the one most people book, and it is a good trip. But day 1 is mostly the road, and the last day is the road again, so you get one full day in the park. If you love birds, or you want a second chance at the rhinoceros in different light, one more day changes the trip.

That is why I added this one. The extra day gives you a second morning in the park, when the birds are busiest, and a walk through a Tharu village in the afternoon. Nothing else changes. We still do not sell animal rides of any kind. Our days are a jeep, a dugout canoe, a walk with a naturalist, Tharu culture and birds. Read Things to Do in Chitwan: Jeep Safari, Canoe, Jungle Walk, Tharu Culture and Birds and Chitwan Jungle Safari: Tigers, Rhinos, and What to Actually Expect first.

If you only have three days, take our Chitwan Jungle Safari, 3 Days. If you can spare four, I would take this one. Hotel nights in Kathmandu are not included. Every booking helps pay the teacher's salary at our Nagarjun Learning Center in Saldum. The Everest Holiday is a family company founded in 2016, from three generations of guiding in the Himalayas.

Best time to go, month by month

These notes come from our Chitwan seasonal guide and our guides. They are not forecasts.

MonthWhat it is likeMy verdict
JanuaryCool, foggy mornings, 15 to 25 C by day. Thin cover, rhino sightings almost certain, migratory birds.Good
FebruaryCool and clear. Thin cover, migratory birds, quieter.Good
MarchWarming up. Thin vegetation makes animals easy to see, and few visitors.Good, especially for rhinos
AprilHot, 35 to 40 C by day. Best visibility, but activities run early and late.Good if you can take the heat
MayHot and very quiet. Activities are at dawn and late afternoon.Only if you like heat
JuneMonsoon: floods, leeches and activities suspended at times.No
JulyMonsoon: flooded trails and dispersed wildlife.No
AugustMonsoon: flooded trails and dispersed wildlife.No
SeptemberThe rains are ending, with wet trails and leeches.Not yet
OctoberLush and clear, 25 to 30 C by day. Peak birding. Busy, so book early.Best
NovemberClear, dry, 25 to 30 C by day. Peak birding and peak season.Best
DecemberCool, foggy mornings, then clear. Near-certain rhino sightings, migratory birds.Best

October to March is the comfortable window. October and November are the best for birds, and February to April for seeing animals on thin grassland. The monsoon, June to September, floods the park. One price applies all year.

Starting dates for 2027

This is a short trip, so you choose your date. These are the windows I would pick for 2027. Festival dates are the expected ones from public calendars, and the government confirms them each year.

Window in 2027What to expectMy advice
January to March 2027Cool mornings, thin cover and good sightings. Quiet. Holi is expected 22 to 23 March.Good
April to May 2027Hot, up to 35 to 40 C. Activities run early and late. Very quiet.Only if you like heat
June to mid September 2027Monsoon. Floods, leeches and suspended activities.No
October 2027 (Dashain expected 6 to 10 October, Tihar expected 29 to 31 October)Lush, clear and busy. Lodges fill, so book early. The Tharu stick dance is a Dashain tradition.Best, avoid the festival days if you want quiet
November to December 2027Clear and dry, then cool and foggy at dawn. Peak birding.Best

Lodges fill in October and November, so book at least two weeks ahead. Tell me your dates and I will tell you what I know for that week.

Permits and costs

We pay the park fee and arrange everything. Your passport details are all we need.

Permit or feeCostNotes
Chitwan National Park entranceNPR 2,000 per person per entry day, foreignersIncluded for the park days
Trekking permit or TIMS cardNoneNot needed

The price per person falls as the group grows, and a child pays the same as an adult. Private or group, the price per person is the same. Here is the full table. These are our 2027 prices. If we have already quoted you a price in writing, we hold it.

Group sizeBudgetStandardLuxury
1 guest (solo)USD 1,120USD 1,165USD 2,650
2 to 4 guestsUSD 680USD 730USD 1,595
5 to 8 guestsUSD 635USD 730USD 1,485
9 to 12 guestsUSD 600USD 705USD 1,405
13 to 20 guestsUSD 575USD 685USD 1,340

Not included: international flights, your Nepal visa (USD 30 for 15 days or USD 50 for 30 days, paid in cash on arrival), Kathmandu hotel nights, travel insurance, tips and personal spending. You pay a 10% deposit to book and the balance in Kathmandu. We take US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. We cover the card fee on the deposit. If you pay the balance by card it carries a 3.5% bank charge, and cash in Kathmandu has no fee.

Getting there and getting back

We drive from your Kathmandu hotel to Chitwan, five to six hours along the Trishuli river, with stops when you want them. On day 4 we drive back and take you to your hotel in the afternoon. We check the road 48 hours before departure. If it is not open, we move your dates free of charge.

Visa on arrival is USD 30 for 15 days or USD 50 for 30 days, and your passport must be valid for at least six months.

Safety and altitude

Chitwan is a lowland jungle with real wild animals. Follow your naturalist at all times, stay in the jeep and the canoe where he tells you, keep your hands inside the boat and never walk into the forest alone. Tigers are rarely seen, and rhinoceros can be dangerous at close range, so do not leave the group.

In the hot months drink water often and use sun cream and a hat. Use insect repellent at dawn and dusk. Buy travel insurance at home.

What to pack

Budget, Standard or Luxury

All three tiers do the same activities on the same days. What changes is the lodge, the food and the vehicle.

BudgetStandardLuxury
LodgeSimple jungle lodge, twin share3-star jungle lodge, private roomDeluxe jungle lodge, ensuite
MealsBreakfast, lunch and dinnerBreakfast, lunch and dinnerAll meals and all non-alcoholic drinks
VehicleLocal shared vehicleShared tourist vehicleA comfortable air-conditioned private vehicle
GuideLicensed guide and naturalistLicensed guide and naturalistLicensed guide and naturalist

Read before you book

The Everest Holiday is a family company founded in 2016, from three generations of guiding in the Himalayas.

Why book with The Everest Holiday

  • Three generations of family guidesFamily-run since 2016 with three generations of guiding heritage. Not an agency — the family that runs the company leads your trek personally.
  • Private group, no strangersEvery trek we run is private. Your group only. We never combine bookings or add strangers to your party. If you book solo, you walk with a guide; if you book as four friends, your group stays four.
  • Nagarjun Learning Center givebackA fixed share of every booking funds the Nagarjun Learning Center — 70 children, 7 community centres, 3 full-time teachers, 600+ medical interventions, 275+ women supported. You can visit the centre before or after your trip; we arrange the visit separately.
  • Government registered, TAAN memberGovt Regd. No. 147653/072/073. Trekking Agency Licence 2090/072, Travel Agency Licence 2838/072. TAAN Member #1586. Over 300 reviews on TripAdvisor, Google and Trustpilot. We are a real, audited Nepal company — not a booking-platform middleman.

Day by day

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Prices

The Chitwan Jungle Safari, 4 Days with The Everest Holiday costs $680 (Budget), $730 (Standard), or $1,595 (Luxury) per person for the 4-day trip. Allow about $20 a day for personal expenses, and buy your travel insurance at home before you travel. Book with a 10% deposit; the balance is payable in Kathmandu.

Budget price by group size
Travellers in your groupPrice per person
1US$1,120
2 to 4US$680
5 to 8US$635
9 to 12US$600
13 to 20US$575

Discounts are determined exclusively by the size of your group. We do not add additional members to your group.

Book Budget

Himalayan Bank logoSecure payment by Himalayan Bank.

What is included

On the Budget level.

Included

Accommodation and food

  • 3 nights in a simple jungle lodge near the park, twin share (a single room if you travel alone)
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge, from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last. Drinks are extra

Safari activities

  • Two jeep safaris in Chitwan National Park with a naturalist
  • Dugout canoe ride on the Rapti river
  • Guided jungle walk and birdwatching
  • Walk through a Tharu village
  • Tharu cultural evening with the stick dance
  • Chitwan National Park entrance fee for the park days

Transport and guide

  • Local shared vehicle from your Kathmandu hotel to Chitwan and back
  • Licensed English-speaking guide for all four days, with a naturalist on every activity

Government taxes

  • All government taxes and our service charge

Complimentary

  • Bottled water in the vehicle
  • First aid kit

Not included

Not included

  • Drinks
  • International flights
  • Nepal visa: USD 30 for 15 days or USD 50 for 30 days, paid in cash on arrival
  • Kathmandu hotel nights before and after the trip (we can book them: see the add-ons)
  • Travel insurance. Buy it at home
  • Tips for the guide, driver and naturalist
  • Personal spending, laundry and charging
  • Extra costs from delays outside our control: weather, landslides, strikes, illness or changes in government rules

Add-ons and trip extensions

Extra Kathmandu hotel nightUS$45 per person-night

One extra night in a Kathmandu hotel matching your tier, twin-sharing, for example before the programme or after it. Choose the number of person-nights: two guests for one night is 2. A solo traveller pays for a single room, so choose 2 for one night.

Additional vehicle transferUS$15 per vehicle transfer

One extra vehicle transfer in Kathmandu or Pokhara, for example a late arrival or a change of hotel. Choose the number of transfers.

Dates

Your trek, your choice, your price. Choose the style that suits you. Book a private departure on any date with just your party, or join a fixed group departure and trek with fellow adventurers from around the world. Same routes, same guides, same quality — 3 comfort tiers on both options. Per-person price follows our group-discount tiers based on YOUR party size (a couple pays less per pax than a solo trekker, 5+ pays less again) — the same tiers apply on both booking types.

Private departure

  • Any date you choose
  • Just your party + dedicated guide
  • 3 comfort tiers (Budget, Standard, Luxury)
  • Per-pax price tier set by YOUR party size

Fixed group departure

  • Scheduled dates (see below)
  • Join other trekkers from around the world
  • 3 comfort tiers (Budget, Standard, Luxury)
  • Per-pax price tier set by YOUR party size (same tier as Private)
Prefer email? Send a question and we will reply within a few hours.

Peak season (Sep–Nov) — our guides book up fast. Get in touch 6–8 weeks ahead to secure your preferred dates.

Other dates

Need a different date? Other dates are available on request. Contact us or message Shreejan on WhatsApp.

Fixed departures are dates we have already committed to run. Your party still treks as its own private group with its own guide; we never merge bookings or add strangers, and solo trekkers are welcome on any date. Private departures on any other date you choose are also available. On both, the per-person price is set by the size of your own party.

Shreejan Simkhada, Director of The Everest HolidayShamjhana Basukala, Co-founder of The Everest Holiday

Shreejan and Shamjhana plan every trek personally

Your hosts since 2016. Ask us anything; we reply within hours.

Ask Shreejan on WhatsApp

Essential information

Before you go

  • Climate: the Terai is hot and humid from April to September and pleasant from October to March. Winter mornings can be cool and misty.
  • Best months: October to March for comfort and visibility, February to April for grassland views.
  • What to bring: neutral-coloured clothes (greens and browns), insect repellent, a hat and binoculars if you have them.
  • Wildlife: sightings are never guaranteed, and tigers are rarely seen.
  • Hotels: your Kathmandu hotel is not included. We can book it for you, or you can stay at our family homestay (USD 15 per person per night), which supports the learning centre.
  • Insurance: buy it at home.
  • Documents: bring your passport.

Questions people ask

What do I get with 4 days that I do not get with 3?
A second morning in the park, when the birds are busiest, and a walk through a Tharu village. You still have one drive each way, so the extra day is a full extra day on the ground.
How much does it cost?
For a couple, the price per person is USD 680 Budget, USD 730 Standard and USD 1,595 Luxury. A solo traveller pays USD 1,120, USD 1,165 and USD 2,650. The price falls for larger groups, down to USD 575, USD 685 and USD 1,340 for 13 to 20 guests. These are our 2027 prices. If we have already quoted you a price in writing, we hold it.
What do we do in Chitwan?
You go on two jeep safaris in the national park, a guided jungle walk at the forest edge, a dugout canoe ride on the Rapti river, a walk through a Tharu village and a Tharu cultural evening, and you look for birds at every stage.
Will we see a rhino or a tiger?
Rhinoceros sightings are common on a jeep safari, but no wildlife sighting is ever guaranteed. Tigers live in the park and are rarely seen. We offer no animal rides of any kind.
Who should pick 4 days instead of 3?
Birdwatchers, photographers, families with young children who tire on long drives, and anyone who wants the park in two sessions. If you are short of time, the three-day trip is still a good one.
When is the best time to go?
October to March is the comfortable window. October and November are best for birds. February to April has thin grassland and clear sightings, but April can reach 35 to 40 C. The monsoon, June to September, floods the park.
How far is Chitwan from Kathmandu?
About five to six hours by road along the Trishuli river, with stops when you want them.
Is it suitable for children and older people?
Yes. The activities are short and gentle. A child pays the same as an adult. Tell us the age and mobility of everyone when you book so the guide can plan the pace.
Do I need a permit?
No trekking permit. The Chitwan National Park entrance fee is included, and we pay it for you.
What should I wear?
Dull greens, browns and greys, closed shoes with grip, a hat and sun cream. Bring a warm layer for winter mornings and insect repellent.
Are hotels included?
Three nights in a jungle lodge near the park are included, matched to your tier. Kathmandu nights are not. We can book them, or you can stay at our family homestay for USD 15 per person per night.
Can I add a Pokhara or trekking trip?
Yes. Ask me, and we can add a drive to Pokhara and a short trek, such as our Poon Hill or Mardi Himal combinations.
How do I pay?
You pay a 10% deposit to book and the balance in Kathmandu before the trip. We take US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. We cover the card fee on the deposit. If you pay the balance by card it carries a 3.5% bank charge. Cash in Kathmandu carries none. We cannot take Nepali rupees from foreign guests.
What happens if I need to cancel, or you cannot run the trip?
If we cannot run your trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf, or move you to another date. Plans change? You can reschedule free to any date within one year with at least 72 hours' notice. The deposit itself is not refunded if you cancel.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Buy travel insurance at home, before you travel, and check that it covers domestic road travel and day activities. We do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.
How much is the Chitwan National Park fee, and do I pay it?

The park entry fee for foreigners is NPR 2,000 per person per entry, about USD 15, set by the Nepal Tourism Board. It is already included in your price, and we pay it for you on the park days, so there is nothing to pay at the gate.

Which meals are included on the 4 day Chitwan safari?

On every tier, breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge are included from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last, and Luxury adds all non alcoholic drinks. On Budget and Standard, drinks are extra. Kathmandu hotel nights are not included on any tier.

Is Chitwan good for birdwatching, and when are the most birds there?

Yes. The trip has two jeep safaris, a jungle walk, a canoe ride and birdwatching, with early morning birding on the second morning and again on the last day. October and November are peak birding, and December to February brings migratory birds. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Can I do the Chitwan jungle safari alone or as a couple, or will strangers join?

The trip is always private, from one to twenty people. Your guide is for your party only, and we never merge separate private bookings. Transport follows your tier: a local shared vehicle on Budget, a shared tourist vehicle on Standard and a private vehicle on Luxury. A couple pays from USD 680 per person on Budget, USD 730 on Standard and USD 1,595 on Luxury. A solo traveller pays more per person, as listed on the page.

What costs extra on the Chitwan safari?

Not included are international flights, travel insurance, tips for the guide, driver and naturalist, and personal spending. The Nepal visa is also extra, at USD 30 for 15 days or USD 50 for 30 days, paid in cash on arrival. Kathmandu hotel nights before and after the trip are extra too, and we can book them for you.

Is the jungle walk safe, and will I see a tiger on the 4 day Chitwan safari?

Your naturalist guide leads the walk at the edge of the forest at your pace, looking for birds and the tracks of animals that came through in the night. The jeep safari goes into the park along sal forest tracks and grassland clearings. Tigers live in the park but are rarely seen, and we cannot promise any sighting. The rhinoceros is the star of the jeep safari, and from the dugout canoe you can see gharial and marsh mugger crocodiles on the river banks. We do not offer animal rides of any kind.

Can I visit Chitwan in summer or the monsoon?

You can, but the most comfortable months are October to March. The Terai is hot and humid from April to September, and the monsoon brings heavy rain and floods in Chitwan. Winter mornings can be cool and misty. February to April has the clearest views of the grassland, though April onwards is hot and humid.

Do I need altitude insurance for the 4 day Chitwan safari?

No. Chitwan is only about 190 m, so there is no altitude risk and you do not need altitude cover. Normal travel and medical insurance is enough. Buy it at home before you travel, because we do not recommend insurance bought in Nepal.

How should I behave on the Tharu village walk in Chitwan?

On the extra day you walk through a Tharu village of mud walled houses, where visitors are welcomed as guests. Go slowly, ask before you take photographs, and let your guide introduce you. The Tharu are the indigenous community of the Terai, and on day 1 they perform their stick dance by firelight with bamboo staves and madal drums.

From, per personUS$680