Koshi Tapu Wildlife Tour

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 175 sq km and is in the eastern Terai region to the north of one kilometer long barrage that spans the Koshi River of Nepal. It is most important, enclosed within the 8 meters high embankments of the Koshi Barrage, which has been designed to minimize the destructive annual floods. It is a beautiful and fascinating aquatic environment and is home to an amazing variety of water birds that flock to its ponds full of flowering plants. From Kathmandu, It is about 450 km drive along the Mahendra Highway 10 hours drive. It is also possible to fly to Biratnagar, and from where it is a 50km journey by road.

The Koshi Tapu Wildlife Tour provides an important habitat for a variety of wildlife but, in particular, water birds, including several migratory species such as the Sarus crane from Siberia. Altogether, a total of 280 different species of birds have been recorded and these include many varieties of ducks, ibis, storks, egrets and herons, as well as the endangered swamp partridges and Bengal floricans. This is also home to the last surviving population of wild water buffalo and its other inhabitants include blue cows, various species of deer, Gangetic dolphins and ghadial crocodiles. The Koshi Tappu is vast spread of water created by the barrage, marshes, lagoons, mudflats and arable land that lie around it offers an outstanding wetland which has about to created one of the best and finest bird watching sanctuaries in Asia. One of the most rewarding and greatest assets of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Park is that it offers ample scope for nature seekers. For those who are curiosity and perseverance, walking within the reserve on foot is the most profitable way of exploring the grassland, river lagoons and woodlands and vicinity of the barrage, just a short drive.

Adventure seekers can combine white water rafting down the Sun Koshi River to reach and stay at Koshi Tappu Camp. The best time to visit this wonderful wildlife reserve is between October to March when much of the migratory and local birds can be sighted by the barrage. Except these, numerous Himalayan peaks including the Makalu I (8,463 m), the fifth highest mountain in the world can be seen during the clear day.

DETAIL ITINERARY

DAY 01 KATHMANDU DRIVE TO BIRATNAGAR

Drive or fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar. After arrival you will be presented brief introduction of the facility and programs. This day’s attractions include bird walk in the marshland outside the reserve to see the strokes, ibises, snipes, waterfowl, birds of prey etc. In the evening you enjoy cultural program performed by local people. Stay overnight at lodge.

DAY 02 FULL DAY JUNGLE ACTIVITIES

Today, after breakfast you set out for full day excursion on boat and four wheels drive with packed lunch to see waders, waterfowl, birds of prey, marsh crocodile, otters, wild water buffalo and Gangetic Dolphins including a visit to view Tower.

DAY 03 FULL DAY JUNGLE ACTIVITIES

Preceding a delicious breakfast you go for bird walk inside the reserve in the scrub forest, grasslands and wetland habitat with pack lunch to see swamp partridge, black necked stork, buntings, bulbuls etc. In the afternoon you can either continue bird watching or enjoy optional elephant ride to watch Arna the wild water buffalo, blue bull, hog deer, fishing etc.

DAY 04 FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU

Early morning you can either enjoy bird watching around the camp area or have leisure. After breakfast you depart for the Kathmandu.