Wild Life Adventures in Nepal - Chitwan National Park

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Known as the land of the Himalayas, Nepal has a diverse topographical feature that comprises of various biomes resulting in a huge plethora of biodiversity. The floral and faunal heterogeneity in Nepal is one of the country’s main elements in the field of tourism. With there being three main division of regions in the country, Nepal possesses fertile plains in the south, isolated valleys amidst hills situated between the northern and southern regions and a gorgeous Himalayan terrain towards the north. Harboring tremendous geographical diversity, Nepal’s land rises from as low as 59 meter elevation in the tropical Terai- the northern rim of the Gangetic Plain, beyond the perpetual snow line to some 90 peaks over 7,000 meters. The world’s tallest mountain- Mount Everest also lies in Nepal. As such, the wild life of Nepal subsists of many endangered species of plants and animals as a result of the variance in climate in the country that ranges from tropical to arctic. The country also has established numerous National Parks and reserves in order to protect its diverse fauna. A biodiversity hot spot with eco-regions, Nepal has nine national parks, three wildlife reserves, three conservation areas, one hunting reserve and three additional Ramsar sites. Wild Life Adventures in Nepal are a leisurely way to enjoy the natural wonders of the country. Famous for trekking adventures in the Himalayas, Nepal offers so much more than only trekking, like white-water rafting, bungee jumping at beautiful terrains, rock climbing at gorgeous landscapes, paragliding above the sapphire lakes in the woodlands and adventures comprising of the wild life of the country. Wild Life adventures are popular for their incorporation of looking at and enjoying the animals in their natural habitat and getting to go through lush woodlands and forests to explore the riches of the land. Being close to nature is a passionate hobby of many people and Nepal’s beguiling opulence regarding nature offers a marvelous experience that has to be done by all travelers. Not only that, Wild Life Adventures of Nepal also has the encompassment of many cultural and traditional villages and ethnic people’s practices and settlements, making the adventure an exotic affair.

Wild Life Adventures in the National Parks of Nepal

The protected areas of Nepal mainly cover forested land and are located at various altitudes in the Terai, in the foothills of the Himalayas and in the mountains, thus encompassing a multitude of landscapes and preserving a vast biodiversity in the Palearctic and Indomalayan eco-zones. Nepal ranks 10th in terms of richest flowering plant diversity in Asia. With ten national parks, the choice of wild life adventures in Nepal is grand. Trudging through lush vegetations and looking at beautiful animals in their natural habitat is a great way to relieve stress and embrace the beauty of nature. Getting away from the hustle and monotonicity of city life, wild life adventures in the forests is a great way to rejuvenate oneself. The exotic flora and fauna of the country certainly do not lack in charisma and beauty. The national parks, along with forests and animals, also protect natural aspects as well, like glacial lakes, mountains, rivers, glaciers and gorges. Bird watching on the variegated woods is a great way to spend time in the lap of natural luxury. Watching the sun rise from the banks of pristine lakes is a feat that is utterly breath-taking! Moreover, most of the wild-life adventures take place on woods where one can go through forests on elephant-backs, like a safari. The peaceful environment of the forests, with birds chirping and woodland critters going about their way, is an experience that is heaven-like. Aesthetically pleasing and soul-cleansing, Wild Life Adventures in Nepal are absolutely beautiful in every sense of the word.

Chitwan National Park

The first National Park in Nepal, Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. Located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands, Chitwan National Park ranges from river valleys all the way to the Churia Hills. “Chitwan” literally translates to “the heart of the jungle” and the national park has acreages brimming with Sal trees. The ever-changing mosaic of revering forests and grasslands of the national park, along with rivers and lakes, are the main features- in addition to a diverse range of animal and avifauna life. The wide range of vegetation types in the Chitwan National Park is haunts of more than 700 species of wildlife. Endangered species of animals like the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Musk Deer, Clouded Leopards, Sloth Bears and One-horned Rhinoceroses hail at the jungles of the national park. Otters live on numerous rivers and creeks, and Bengal foxes can be seen while excursing. Four-horned antelopes reside predominantly in the hills. Rhesus monkeys, hanuman langurs, pangolins, porcupines, several species of flying squirrels, black-naped hares and endangered hispid hares are also present. The park’s alluvial grasslands are important habitats for many critically endangered birds like floricans, the vulnerable lesser adjutant, grey-crowned prinia, swamp francolin and several species of grass warblers. The park is one of the few known breeding sites of the globally threatened spotted eagle. Nepal’s most popular tourist destination, Chitwan National Park is famous for Elephant rides and jungle safaris.

Sagarmatha National Park

A protected area in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal dominated by Mount Everest, the Sagarmatha National Park is included in the Sacred Himalayan Landscape. Established in 1976, the national park became the country’s first national park that was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site. It is a highlighted destination during the famous Everest Base Camp Trek as well. The park is comprised of upper catchment areas of the Dudh Koshi River, the Bhotekoshi River Basin and the Gokyo Lakes. Largely composed of rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas, the national park ranges from 2,845 meters at Monjo to the top of the world's highest peak- Mount Everest at 8,848 meters above sea level. Other peaks above 6,000 meters are Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Thamserku, Nuptse, Ama Dablam and the Pumori. Forests of birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendrons cover the lower catchments of the park, while the higher elevated regions contain sparse vegetation of shrubs. The forests of the park are a habitat to at least 118 species of birds, including Himalayan monals and blood pheasants. The park is also home to a number of rare mammal species, including musk deer, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear and red panda. Himalayan Thars, Langur monkeys, martens and Himalayan wolves are also found in the park. Excursing through the park is an anticipated journey during treks in the Khumbu, making wild life adventures in the Himalayan region a wonderful ordeal.

Langtang National Park

The fourth national park of Nepal, Langtang National Park was established in 1976 as the first Himalayan National Park of the country. The holy lakes of Gosainkunda also fall within the park and are famous sites for pilgrimage visits. The Gosainkunda Lake and the Dorje Lakpa range bisect the park from east-west to south-east. The summit of the Langtang Lirung Peak is the highest point in the park. The northern and eastern borders of the national park also coincide with the international border to Tibet. The western boundary follows the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli Rivers. The southern border lies 32 km north of the Kathmandu Valley. The valley of Langtang is also famous as “the Valley of Glaciers”. Langtang National Park is mostly visited as part of a trekking journey in the Langtang Valley Trek. Along with the animals of the park, the natural elements like the Gosainkunda lakes and the Langtang Lirung mountains, along with the Langtang Glacier are famous highlights of the park that attract lots of visitors. Langtang is also deemed as one of the most beautiful place in the country. Sub- tropical forests cover the acreages of the park along with perennial ice and alpine shrubs on high elevations.

Bardia National Park

Established in 1988, the Bardia National Park is also another famous destination for wild life adventures in Nepal. Bardia National Park is the largest and the most undisturbed national park of the country. Adjoined by the eastern bank of the Karnali River and bisected by the Babai River in the Bardiya District, the national park’s northern limits are demarcated by the crest of the Siwalik Hills. With extensive alluvial grasslands and subtropical moist deciduous forests covering the park’s acreage, 642 faunal species have made their habitats within the parks’ woodlands. The Karnali-Babai River system with their small tributaries and myriads of oxbow lakes is a habitat to around 125 recorded species of fishes. A small population of gharials also inhabits the rivers, along with mugger crocodiles, a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians. Animals like rhinoceros, wild elephants, Bengal tigers, swamp deer and Gangetic dolphins inhabit the park, making for a beautiful and fun wild life adventure in the park’s woods. Other National Parks of the country include-