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 825 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
| Duration | 4 days, 3 nights, Kathmandu to Kathmandu by road |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 190 m / 623 ft. No altitude risk |
| Road | About 5 to 6 hours each way from Kathmandu |
| Grade | Easy. Short walks, a jeep and a canoe |
| Best months | October to March. February to April has the clearest views of the grassland |
| Group size | 1 to 20, always private |
| Activities | Two jeep safaris, dugout canoe, jungle walk, Tharu village walk, Tharu evening, birdwatching. No animal rides |
| Permits | Chitwan National Park entrance fee, included |
| Hotels | 3 nights at a jungle lodge are included. Kathmandu nights are not |
| From price | USD 825 per person, Budget, couple. Standard USD 990, Luxury USD 1,410 |
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 day 3 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.
| Month | What it is like | My verdict |
|---|---|---|
| January | Cool, foggy mornings, 15 to 25 C by day. Thin cover, rhino sightings almost certain, migratory birds. | Good |
| February | Cool and clear. Thin cover, migratory birds, quieter. | Good |
| March | Warming up. Thin vegetation makes animals easy to see, and few visitors. | Good, perhaps the best for rhinos |
| April | Hot, 35 to 40 C by day. Best visibility, but activities run early and late. | Good if you can take the heat |
| May | Hot and very quiet. Activities are at dawn and late afternoon. | Only if you like heat |
| June | Monsoon: floods, leeches and activities suspended at times. | No |
| July | Monsoon: flooded trails and dispersed wildlife. | No |
| August | Monsoon: flooded trails and dispersed wildlife. | No |
| September | The rains are ending, with wet trails and leeches. | Not yet |
| October | Lush and clear, 25 to 30 C by day. Peak birding. Busy, so book early. | Best |
| November | Clear, dry, 25 to 30 C by day. Peak birding and peak season. | Best |
| December | Cool, 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 2027 | What to expect | My advice |
|---|---|---|
| January to March 2027 | Cool mornings, thin cover and good sightings. Quiet. Holi is expected 22 to 23 March. | Good |
| April to May 2027 | Hot, up to 35 to 40 C. Activities run early and late. Very quiet. | Only if you like heat |
| June to mid September 2027 | Monsoon. 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 2027 | Clear 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 fee | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chitwan National Park entrance | NPR 2,000 per person per entry day, foreigners | Included for the park days |
| Trekking permit or TIMS card | None | Not 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 prices hold for 2027.
| Group size | Budget | Standard | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 guest (solo) | USD 1,325 | USD 1,490 | USD 2,180 |
| 2 to 4 guests | USD 825 | USD 990 | USD 1,410 |
| 5 to 8 guests | USD 595 | USD 760 | USD 1,180 |
| 9 to 12 guests | USD 540 | USD 705 | USD 1,130 |
| 13 to 20 guests | USD 520 | USD 685 | USD 1,105 |
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, personal spending and any extra porter (USD 25 per day plus 13% VAT and the 3.5% bank charge). You pay a 10% deposit to book and the balance in Kathmandu. We take US dollars or euros, in cash or by card, and card payments carry a 3.5% bank charge.
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
- Neutral clothes in greens and browns, not bright colours
- Closed shoes with grip for the jungle walk
- Insect repellent, a hat and SPF 50 sun cream
- A warm layer for winter mornings
- Binoculars if you have them
- A small day bag and a water bottle
- A torch for the lodge at night
- Our full list is in Nepal Trek Packing Checklist: The Only List You Need (Printable 2026/2027)
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.
| Budget | Standard | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge | Simple jungle lodge, twin share | 3-star jungle lodge, private room | Deluxe jungle lodge, ensuite |
| Meals | Breakfast only | Breakfast, lunch and dinner | All meals and all non-alcoholic drinks |
| Vehicle | Private car or van sized to your group | Private car or van sized to your group | A comfortable air-conditioned private vehicle |
| Guide | Licensed guide and naturalist | Licensed guide and naturalist | Licensed guide and naturalist |
Read before you book
- Chitwan Jungle Safari: Tigers, Rhinos, and What to Actually Expect
- Things to Do in Chitwan: Jeep Safari, Canoe, Jungle Walk, Tharu Culture and Birds
- How Much Does a Chitwan Jungle Safari Cost in 2026/2027?
- Best Time to Visit Chitwan National Park: Month-by-Month Wildlife Guide
- Tharu Culture at Chitwan: Stick Dance, Villages and Food
The Everest Holiday is a family company founded in 2016, from three generations of guiding in the Himalayas.
