National Parks in Nepal
National Parks in Nepal
Nepal is a country of extreme contrasts in climate and geography, with a unique sub lowlands ranging from arctic conditions in the tropical forests is the topography Himalayan Highlands. Within a mere 150 kilometres south to the north of land near sea level rises over 8000 meters. This, along slopes facing south to the north of land near sea level rises over 8000 meters. This, along slopes facing south with the monsoon rains, was in almost all climatic zones compacting found on planet Earth. Consequently, a great diversity of life in Nepal has been concluded with regions plants, birds and animals provide a home for a large variety.
Makalu-Barun National Park
Makalu-Barun National Park(1500sq km)
The park spreads over the districts of Sankhuwasabha and Solukhumbu in northeast Nepal. One of the prime attractions for visitors to the park is experience the unique Himalayan bio diversity. The vegetation ranges from sub tropical forests to sub alpine and alpine as the altitude increases. The park boasts of orchids, 87 species of medicinal herbs, 25 of Nepal’s 30 varieties of rhododendron, 19 bamboo species, 15 oak species, 48 species of primrose and 86 species of fodder trees. The park also offers bird-watching opportunities with its 400 species of birds, including the rare spotted wren babbler and he olive ground warbler. Wildlife include the endangered red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard, ghoral, tahr, wild boar, barking deer, Himalayan marmot, weasel, langur monkey and serow. River arun that flows through the park has 84 varieties of fish including salmon.
Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering
Accommodation: Camping
Access: Fly to Tumlingtar from Kathmandu (40 mins.)And then a six-day walk
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park(159 sq km)
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park(159 sq km) is situated on the northern fringe of Kathmandu Valley and lies about 12 km away from the center of capital city. The area was Gazetted as the country’s ninth national park in 2002. Prior its declaration as national park, it was managed under the Shivapuri Watershed and Shivapuri Watershed Development Boar, and was later declared as Shivapuri Watershed and wildlife Reserve.
Shivapuri lies in a transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates. The vegetation consists of a variety of natural forest types including pine, oak, rhododendron etc, depending on altitude and aspect. Recorded wildlife in the park includes mammalian species such as Himalayan Black bear, leopard, jungle cat and rhesus monkey. The park is also home to 177 species of birds, including at least 9 threatened species, 102 species of butterflies with a number of rare and endangered species, and 129 species of mushroom.
Shivapuri is one of the main sources of drinking water for Kathmandu valley. Everyday about 30 million liters of water is tapped from rivers such as the Bagmati and Bishnumati as well as from several other smaller streams.
The park is easily accessible from Kathmandu. Visitors are attracted to the park for trekking. Trekking routes to Nagarkot , Gosaikunda, Helambu and Langtang National park also pass through the park. Several religious sites for the Hindus and the Buddhists lie inside the park.
On Nepalese new year’s day, which falls in mid-April, pilgrims from Kathmandu valley and neighboring areas flock to Baghdwar and Bishnudwar of the park from where the sacred rivers Bagmati and Bishnumati originate.
Visitors can have breathtaking views of the High Himalayas from the northern aspects of the park. Likewise, the panoramic views of Kathmandu valley could be seen from the southern slopes of the park.
Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, bird watching
Access: 11 km to the north of Kathmandu
Best season: Sep-Jun; Jul-Aug(rainy)
Khaptad National Park
Khaptad National Park(225 sq km)
Khaptad National Park in west Nepal is the Home of Late Khaptad Swami, the renowned scholar and a hermit. The park with rolling hills of grasslands and forests of subtropical, temperate and sub alpine vegetation, is also a rich natural habitat. The park boasts of 224 species of medicinal herbs and offers excellent bird watching opportunities, with 270 species of birds, the common ones being different varieties of impheyan pheasant, partrides, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles. Animals in the park are barking deer, wild boar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, rhesus monkey and langur monkey. The park also offers religious sightseeing at Tribeni on the way to its headquarters. There are several historical temples surrounding this area and an annual celebration of Ganga Dashhara is held here every Jestha Purnima. Another religious site is Sahashra Linga at 3200 m, the highest point of the park. Other religious areas in the park include Ganesh Temple, Nagdhunga, and Kedardhunga. These areas are ideal places for meditation. Towards the northeast of the park is Khaptad Lake where a festival is held every August and September.
Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Camping
Access: Fly to Dipayal from Nepalgunj and then a three day walk
Best Season: Mar-May and Oct-Nov(10-20 degree Celsius);Jun-Sep(rainy); Dec-Feb(snow)
She-Phoksundo National Park
She-Phoksundo National Park(3555 sq km)
Shey-Phoksundo National Park is situated in the trans-Himalayan region of north-west Nepal. It is Nepal’s largest National park.
With diverse terrain and altitude variation, the park spreads over Dolpa and Mugu districts and supports a broad range of wildlife and vegetation. Geographical landmarks of the park are the Himalayan peaks in the north and lake Phoksundo, in the southern region. Vegetation include pine, walnut, willow, oak, and cypress in the lower altitude and pine, spruce, juniper and birch at higher regions.
Berberis, wild rose and caragana are seen in alpine areas while the regions higher up are mostly arid with grass alpine meadows with barely any trees. The park contains 286 flora species of botanical importance. Animals found in the region are sheep, ghoral, musk deer, leopard, wild dog, marmot, weasel, mouse hare, rhesus and langur monkeys, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear and jackals. In the upper region is seen the rare and endangered snow leopard. Over 200 species of birds including yellow-throated marten, Tibetan partridge, wood snipe, white-throated tit, wood accentor, and crimson-eared rose finch are found in the park. Other species of Himalayan griffon and lammergeyer. Apart from these, the park is home to 6 species of retiles and 29 species of butterfly.
Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering
Accommodation: Camping
Access: Fly to Dolpa’s Jufal airport from Nepalgunj and then a three day walk
Best season: Mar-May and Jun-Oct. (clear weather)
Rara National Park
Rara National Park(106 sq km)
Rara National Park in the far northwestern part of the country offers a representative sample of the region’s flora and fauna. Sprawled over Mugu and Jumla Districts the heart of the park is the country’s biggest lake, lake Rara, from where the park gets its name. The lake is as deep as 167 m at some places, and drains into the River Mugu Karnali via Nijar khola. The park is mainly covered with coniferous forest while the area around the lake is dominated by blue pine. Rhododendron, juniper, spruce, oak and cypress are found around 3000 m while at higher altitude pine, spruce and fir are more common. The rich vegetation of the park is a home to the endangered red panda, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, Himalayan tahr, wild yellow-throated martin, wild dog, wild boar, common langur, rhesus macaque and common otter. During winter the park abounds in 272 species of bird varieties like coots, great-crested grebe, black-necked grebe, red crested pochard, mallard, common teal, merganserand gulls. Migrant water fowls and gallinaceous birds can also be seen during certain seasons. As for water life in the lake three species of snow trout is recorded so far.
Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Camping
Access: Fly from Kathmandu-Nepalgunj(60 mins);Nepalgunj-Talcha Airport(35 mins), then 2 hours trek to Rara lake
Best Season: Feb-Apr and Oct-Nov
Langtang National Park
Langtang National Park(1710 sq km)
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 vegetation 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 forests below 1000 m giving way to alpine scrubs and grasslands toward higher altitude. Animals seen here are wild dog, red panda, snow leopard among others. Out of 373 species of birds commonly seen birds here are tragopan and impeyan pheasants. The Langtang valley is alos renowned for its holy Lake Gosainkunda. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the lake area every year, especially during the Janai Purnima festival every August.
Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering, Experience of Tamang 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)
Bardiya National Park
Bardiya National Park(968 sq km)
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 Babai flows right through the park. The varied geographical factors together with the thick cover of Sal, savannah forests 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(95km) 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 Celsius).July-Sep(rainy)
Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National Park(1148 sq km)
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 6000m. with most of the park above 3000 m. sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with deep gorges, 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 3500 m the forest is dominated with silver fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper trees. During spring and monsoon the varieties of rhododendron flowers are seen. The common wildlife in the park 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 pigeon, Himalayan griffon, and lammergeyer. The national park also showcases the cultural trophies with the warm Sherpa Hospitality and its many monasteries and cultural landmarks.
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)
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park(932 sq km)
Owing to its rich adornment of nature, Chitwan National Parks was declared UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in 1984. The park that includes in its area a part of the Shivalik Hills, is covered with 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 in the park. Bengal tigers that live in the dense forests of the park. Sharing home with these are other animals like rhesus monkey, langur, deer, leopards, gaur, 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 are woodpeckers, hornbills, peacocks, peahens, floricans and redheaded trogons. A rare attraction of the park is the world’s fresh-water dolphin sometimes seen in 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 in Chitwan National park:
Jungle Safari: One of the best ways to explore the park is by taking a jungle safari. You can choose between an elephant safari, jeep safari, or walking safari. During the safari, you will have the opportunity to see some of the park's wildlife, including Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses, and Asian elephants.
Bird Watching: Chitwan National Park is home to over 500 species of birds, making it a paradise for bird lovers. You can go on a bird watching tour and spot some of the rare and exotic species, such as the Bengal florican, white-throated kingfisher, and the red-headed trogon.
Tharu Village Tour: The Tharu people are an indigenous group who have lived in the area for centuries. You can take a tour of a Tharu village to learn about their traditional way of life, including their unique customs, cuisine, and architecture.
Canoeing: The park is crisscrossed by several rivers and streams, and one of the best ways to explore them is by canoe. You can paddle down the Rapti or Narayani River and spot some of the park's aquatic wildlife, such as mugger crocodiles and Gharial crocodiles.
Elephant Breeding Center: Chitwan National Park is home to an elephant breeding center where you can see baby elephants being cared for by their mothers. You can also learn about the park's conservation efforts to protect these majestic animals.
These are just a few of the many activities you can enjoy during a tour of Chitwan National Park.
Accommodation: Resort, Hotels and Lodes.
Access: The park headquarters at Kasara is a 21 km drive from Bharatpur which s 20 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)
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