Langtang National Park

LANGTANG NATIONAL PARK

The park extends over parts of Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchok districts in the mountainous terrain of Nepal- China (Tibet) border. The chief attraction of this park is the Langtang range in the north and several lakes in the south. High-altitude jungles with diverse vegatation and wildlife, scenic lakes, glaciers and Himalayan peaks combine to make Langtang an attractive destination for visitors. Twenty five percent of the park's total area is covered by forest, starting at sub-tropical below 1,000 m giving way to alpine scrubs and grasslands toward higher altitude. Animals seen here are wild dog, red panda, pika, muntjac, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr, ghoral, serow, rhesus monkey, common langur, snow leopard among others. Out of 373 species of birds commonly seen birds here are tragopan and impeyan pheasants. The Langtang Valley is also renowned for its holy Lake Gosainkunda. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the lake area every year, especially during the Janai Purnima festival very August.

ACTIVITIES:
trekking, mountaineering, experience of Tmang culture.

ACCOMMODATION:
Lodges, camping.

ACCESS:

From Dhunche which is 117 km by road from Kathmandu.

BEST SEASON:
Oct-Nov and Mar-May (cold at higher elevation); Jun-sep (monsoon), Dec-Feb (snow).

PARK HAEDQUARTER:
Dhunche

CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

Owing to its rich adornment of nature, Chitwan National Park was declared UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1984 which covers 932 sq km. The park that includes in its area a part of the Shivalik Hills, is coveredwith deciduous forests overlooking the flood plains of Narayani, Rapti and Reu rivers and offering a wilderness of rich ecosystem that includes mammals, birds, reptiles and water animals of several kinds. There are around 600 plant species, 56 mammals, 539 birds and 49 amphibians and reptiles found in the park. The highlight are the 408 Asian one-horned rhinoceros and some 65 Royal Bengal tigers that live in the dense forest of the park. Sharing home with these are other animals like rhesus monkey, langur, deer, leopards, guar, wild boar, wild dogs and wild cats. Among reptiles are different kinds of snakes including the python, while the river areas breed reptiles like the endangered long snouted gharial popularly known as Gangetic crocodile and marsh crocodiles.
The forest is alive during summer with the arrival of migrant birds like paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and parakeets, while winter birds include waterfowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails, bar-headed geese, cormorants and migratory birds from Siberia. Other bird varieties is the world's fresh-water dolphin sometimes seen in the River Narayani. Another factor adding a distinct touch to the Chitwan experience is the colorful Tharu culture. There are also sites of religious and historical importance at Devghat, Pandavnagar, Balmiki, Ashram and Kabilaspur.

ACTIVITIES:
Jungle safari on elephant-back, jungle walk, canoe ride, jeep drive, experience of Tharu culture.

ACCOMMODATION:
Resort hotels and lodges.

ACCESS:
The park headquarters at Kasara is a 2.1 km drive from Bharatpur which is 20 minutes by air or 146 km by road from Kathmandu.

BEST SEASON:
Oct-Feb ( average temperature 25 degrees Celsius); Mar-Jun ( hot, up to 43 degrees), Jul- Sep ( rainy)

PARK HEADQUARTER:
Kasara

SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK

The prime attraction in the Sagarmatha National Park is Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world. The park was added to the list of World Heritage Site in 1979. The park, a part of the Himalayan ecological zone, has several other prominent peaks most of which are above 6,000 m. With most of the park above 3,000 m, Sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with deep georges, glaciers and huge rocks. With its Himalayan terrain and its unique culture, the park offers a blend of natural and cultural tourist products here. The vegetation at lower elevation is dominated by pine and hemlock forests, while above 3,500 m the forest is dominated with silver fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper tress. During spring and monsoon the varieties of rhododendron flowers are seen. The common wildlife in the park are Himalayn tahr, ghoral, musk deer, pikka ( mouse hare) weasel, jackal. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx, and snow leopard. Birds inhabiting the park are of over 193 species. Common ones among them are the impeyan pheasant ( Danphe), blood pheasant, red-billed chough, yellow-billed chough, snow cock, snow pigeons, Himalayan griffon, and lammergeyer. The national park also showcases the cultural trophies with the warm Sherpha hospitality and its many monasteries and cultural landmark.

ACTIVITIES:
Trekking, mountaineering, experience of Sherpa culture.

ACCOMMODATION:
Resort hotels, lodges, camping.

ACCESS:
Two-day walk from Lukla which is 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu.

BEST SEASON:
Oct-Nov and Mar-May; Dec-Feb(snow, daytime temperature 5 degrees Celsius), Jun-Sep (rainy).

PARK HEADQUARTER:
Mendalphu, Namche Bazaar.

BARDIA NATIONAL PARK:

The Bardiya National Park is the largest and most undisturbed protected area in the Terai and is home to the endangered Royal Bengal tiger and Nepal's famous one-horned rhinoceros. The national park located in the far western district of bardiya, is bordered by River karnali in the west, the Churia range in the north, while the River Babai flows right through the park. The varied geographical factors together with the thick cover of Sal, savannah forest and grasslands render this region ideal as wild animal habitat. The park hosts 53 different mammals, more than 400 species of birds, and several varieties of reptiles and water animals. Some of the other animals found here are elephant, swamp deer, black buck, gharial crocodile and marsh mugger crocodile. The fresh-water Gangetic dolphin is also commonly seen in River Karnali. Birds include endangered varieties of Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and saruscrane. The park offers the rare opportunity of angling at River Karnali and River Babai.

ACTIVITIES:
Jungle safari on elephant-back, jungle walk, boat ride, jeep drive.
ACCOMMODATION:
Jungle lodges.

ACCESS:
Three hours by jeep (95 km) from Nepalgunj which is 1 hour 10 minutes by air or 531 km by road from Kathmandu.

BEST SEASON:Oct-Mar, Apr-Jun(hot, up to 42 degrees Celcius), Jul-Sep (rainy).

PARK HEADQUARTER:
Thakurdwara.

ENTRY FEES IN NEPALESE RUPEES

NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITE:

1. Chitwan National park:
Nepali = Rs 20 per day per entry
SAARC = Rs 200 per person per day
Foreigners = Rs 500 per person per day

2. Sagarmatha national park:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 100 per person per day
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

NATIONAL PARKS:

1. Bardiya National Park:
Nepali = Rs 20 per day per entry
SAARC = Rs 200 per person per day
Foreigner = Rs 500 per person per day

2. Langtang National Park:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 100 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

3. Rara National Park:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 100 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

4. Shey-Phoksundo National Park:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 100 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

5. Khaptad National Park:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 100 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

6. Makalu-Barun National Park:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 100 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

7. Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park:
Nepali = Rs 10 per person per entry
SAARC = Rs 250 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 250 per person per entry

WILDLIFE RESERVES:

1.Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve:
Nepali = Rs 20 per day per entry
SAARC = Rs 200 per day per entry
Foreigner = Rs 500 per day per entry

2.Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve:
Nepali = Rs 20 per day per entry
SAARC = Rs 200 per day per entry
Foreigner = Rs 500 per day per entry

3.Parsa Wildlife Reserve:
Nepali = Rs 20 per day per entry
SAARC = Rs 200 per day per entry
Foreigner = Rs 500 per day per entry

CONSERVATION AREAS:

1. Annapurna Conservation Area:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 200 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 2000 per person per entry

2. Manaslu Conservation Area:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 200 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 2000 per person per entry

3. Kanchenjunga Conservation Area:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 200 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

HUNTING RESERVE:

Dhorpatan:
Nepali = Free
SAARC = Rs 100 per person per entry
Foreigner = Rs 1000 per person per entry

Please note: Special permit required for restricted areas & hunting license required for hunting purposes.