Wild West Triangle

Nepal, within its territory has a lot to offer to her valuable guests. There are lots of destinations one can explore, among them few of the destinations are famous globally while few others though have potentiality have been gone unheard due to lack of enough publicity. Most of the destinations of the Mid and Far Western regions, in spite of being a paradise of nature, culture and adventure is still in its wilderness. Yet! not exploited, among them is Rara National Park, Royal Bardiya National Park & Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. All these three destinations have their own importance. Late King Mahendra had even written a poem on the pristine Rara Lake describing its scenic beauty.

With the objective to promote tourism in mid western region and far western region, and observing the interest of tourist visiting there, we have come up with the concept of Experience Wild West Triangle; the special promotional package offering visit to Rara Lake, Royal Bardiya National Park and Royal Shuklaphanta Wild Life Reserve.

Highlights of the Wild West Triangle

Special programs

• Additional recreational activities like horse riding, fishing, boating, Hiking around Rara Lake
• The regular show of culture programs which reflects the typical culture of mid and far western regions, including Deuda dance, Dhami dance, Panche dance, Lama dance, Tharu dance.
• Discover Tharu Life with their culture.
• Bird Watching and Jungle Walk at Royal Bardia National Park and Shukla Phanta National Park and Wild life Reserve.
• Magnificent View of Karnali River, the longest River of Nepal and Karnali Bridge.
• Bird Watching at Ghodaghodi Lake on the way to Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve.
• Holy visit to Siddhanath Temple in Mahendranagar.
• Flavor of Typical dishes of local food during programme.
• Sales and Exhibition of local products including handicrafts, herbs, hand made garments etc.

Special Facilities:

• Lodging and fooding at Hotel in Nepalgunj, Tented Camp in Rara Lake and Lodge at Royal Bardiya National Park and Silent Safari Camp in Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Local hotel in Mahendranagar.
• Special discount on helicopter from Nepalgunj/ Rara Airport /Nepalgunj, Kathmandu/ Neplgunj/ Kathmandu and Kathmandu/ Dhangadhi/ Kathmandu.
• Besides these local guides, porters and horses will be available for Hiking around the lake.

Access to Wild West Traingle:

• Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Bhairahawa to Nepalgunj by air or surface & Rara lake by Charter flight.
• Nepalgunj to Mahedranagar by surface. Royal Bardiya National Park and Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve by Jeep.
• Nepalgunj to Kathmandu air or surface.

FASCINATION OF RARA NATIONAL PARK

• The Rara National Park has covered an area of 106 sq. km.
• The Rara Lake (2990m), the largest lake of Nepal is the main fascinating spot of the Park. It covers a total area of 10.8 sq. km (maximum length 5 km and width 3 km) with an approximate depth of 167 m.
• The Rara National Park is home of 20 different species of mammals including musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, Jackal, Himalayan Tahr, Red Panda etc .
• It is also nest of 214 species of birds, which includes coots, snow cock, different species of pheasants, grebes, mallard, Nepal kalies etc. During winter the migratory birds really attracts to the bird lovers with ample pleasure.
• Schizothorax fish (Ashla) is the only fish species recorded in the Rara Lake.
• The Rara National Park is the home of more than 500 different kinds of flowers and herbs. The area around the Lake is dominated by the pine trees.
  Rhododendron, black juniper, Oak, west Himalayan spruce, Himalayan cypress, one other associated species.
• The Chuchemara Peak(4039m) which is the highest point of park has stood along with other attractive ridges like Murma top, Ruma kand (3731m) and Malika kand (3444m).They combinely appear as an excellent panorama of the Rara Lake and the Mugu Karnali Valley.

Fascination of Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve

• World’s largest herds of soft foot Swamp Deer Cervus duvauceli duvauceli
• Greatest concentration of Indian Rock Python in Nepal
• Nationally important marshlands that are still poorly surveyed.
• Indian subcontinent’s one of the largest subtropical riverine grasslands
• Nepal’s largest population of the world’s largest living woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker
• World’s largest concentration of now Critically Endangered Slender-billed Vulture
• Densest concentration of Bengal Florican in the Indian subcontinent, a globally threatened bird species
• World’s largest known wintering population of Hodgson’s Bushchat, a globally threatened bird species
• World’s westernmost breeding locality for Lesser Adjutant, a globally threatened bird species
• Marks the limit of world distribution for nearly 20 species of birds (Jerdon’s Bushchat, Rufous-rumped Grassbird, Striped Tit-Babbler, White-bellied Yuhina, Swamp Francolin, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Finn’s Weaver (eastern limit) and mammals (Swamp Deer, Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Hispid Hare etc).
• Grasslands of international importance for its faunal assemblage

Fascination of Royal Bardiya National Park

• Bardiya is the home of a wide variety of animals, many of which live in and around the Phantas.
• These open grasslands such as Baghora and Larnkoili are the best places to view animals. The most conspicuous of which is the spotted deer. Other ungulates include black buck, hog deer, samber deer, wild boar and barasingha or swamp deer.
• Two species of monkeys, the langur and the rhesus macaque are also present.
• The park is famous for its small herds of wild elephants, which are rarely seen.
• The park also boasts a small population of the rare gharial, the marsh mugger crocodile and the Gangetic dolphin.
• The island of the Karnali River harbors the sub-continent's largest antelope species, the nilgai or blue bull.
• The Karnali and Babai rivers attract a large number of wintering waterfowl along with resident species such as herons kingfishers and wall creepers.
• More than 350 bird species have been recorded in Bardia, truly a bird watcher's paradise.

Wild West Triangle is a golden Triangle of three destinations: Rara National Park, Royal Bardiya National Park & Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. Come try something different in Nepal and know the hidden treasures of Nepal and be the part of the nature. These suggested itineraries of the Wild West will provide you with immense pleasure. The Wild- west triangle is what one wants to make of it and what one wants it to be. It is not the place, one clinically sees it is a total experience! An invasion on the sense.

We have been bestowed with the opportunity by Nepal Tourism Board to offer our valuable clients with the special tour package of the Wild West. Our tour package Wild West Triangle has been marked under Festival & Events for the month of November 2004. Hence, we would like to provide special rate on the package to our interested valuable guests inquisitive to be the part of the package and also be the part of the nature, for the whole month of November 2004.

Suggested Itinerary I

Day 1. Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Welcome & assistance on arrival at the Airport. Transfer from airport to the Hotel. Check in at the Hotel. P M: Visit 2000 years old Buddhist shrine Swyambhunath, situated on the top of the hill west of the city the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the “Monkey Temple”. There are many small buildings and shrines down the hillside behind Swayambhunath. Explore the colorful Kathmandu Durbar Square- The Old Royal Palace of Kathmandu, Temple of living goddess Kumari, the Jagannath temple, 17th century temple known for colorfully painted erotic carvings, Kasthmandap temple a three story temple built from a single tree in 12th century, Nasal Chowk, Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 2. Kathmandu-Nepalgunj
Breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast visit Pashupatinath temple one of the most sacred Hindu shrine in the World. The holy river Bagmati and the burning ghats and also visit one of the oldest and biggest stupa of Boudhanath, After lunch drive to Airport to connect flight to the Nepalgunj Airport. Arrive at the most important town in western Nepal, Nepalgunj. Nepalgunj is a densely crowded city and represents every possible ethnic groups in Nepal. There are Hindu temple and mosques, an interesting place to visit. Explore the Nepalgunj city. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 3 Nepalgunj – Talcha Airport
After breakfast at the Hotel at Nepalgunj. Drive to Nepalgunj Airport to connect flight to Talcha Airport. Arrive at Talcha Airport. We then start with our hike to Rara National Park. Rara National Park, Nepal’s smallest and most scenic national park that spreads over an area of 106 sq km is situated about 370 km north- west of Kathmandu and lies in Mugu a mountainous district of the western region of Nepal. The National Park ascends from 1800m to 4480m forested by conifers. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 4. Explore Rara
After breakfast Boating in Rara Lake for 1 hour. The pivotal of Rara National Park is the pristine Rara Lake, which stands high at the self of 2990m and spreads over 10.8 sq km. The undisturbed largest lake also renowned as Mahendra Tal is of oval shape. This tortoise blue lake is surrounded by richly forested hills. Chuchemara Dauda at the elevation of 4087m is the best vantage point to get the magnificient views of the deep blue clear lake and highly forested hillside as well as the snow-capped peaks around it. Hike to this Dauda, catch the glimpse of the magnificent views. Dinner and Overnight at Camp.

Day 5. Rara/Mahendranagar
After breakfast, hike to Rara Airport. Fly to Nepalgunj. Arrive Nepalgunj, Drive To Mahendranagar. Hotel Check in. Free Time. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 06 Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (RSWR)
Drive to Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. Royal SuklaPhanta Wildlife Reserve (RSWR) located in the far- western Terai on the southwest edge of Nepal was allocated an area of 155 sq km in 1976, which was later extended to 305 sq km. RSWR is worldwide famous for the herd of Swamp deer, which currently stands at about 2000 individuals. It is the abode of about 45 Wild Elephants and 35 Royal Bengal Tigers, both the endangered species. The reserve is recognized for the largest number of tigers found per sq/km in comparison to its small size. This propitious reserve is also the residence of Blue Bull, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, Leopard, Jackals, Langur, Rhesus Monkey as well as one horn Rhinoceros in the reserve. Full day safari. Overnight stay at tented Camp.

Day 7 Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve - Royal Bardiya National Park
After breakfast at the tented camp drive towards the Royal Bardiya National Park. Arrive Thakurdwara. After Lunch, discover Tharu Life and Culture. Royal Bardiya National Park has immense amount of accumulated plants, animals and ecosystem. With the first step on the Park one can sense hosts of convivial animals welcoming guests in their own hospitable manner. Royal Bardiya National Park, the largest park in the lowland Terai covering an area of 968 sq km is enormously the house of more than 30 different mammals, 230 species, varieties of species of snakes, lizards and fish, endangered animals such as the Bengal Tiger, wild elephants, greater one horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger and gigantic dolphin, threatened birds such as Bengal Florican, Lesser Florican and Sarus Crane. Tharus residing near the Park are the local and original habitants of this virgin land and are mainly of two kinds Deshaura and Dangaura. Amazingly unique tharu culture and their tradition capture and cast a spell on the visitor. Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.

Day 8. Royal Bardiya National Park
After breakfast, Elephant Safari. After Lunch, Bird Watching and jungle walk in Royal Bardia National park. Jungle Safari on Elephant’s back supplies a prominent view of the Park. The park is marked as bird watcher’s paradise, consisting of beautiful and colorful bird. 70% of this vibrant park is embodied with Sal trees adjusted with a mixture of riverine forest, grassland and Savannah. Dinner and O/N stay at Lodge.

Day 09.Nepalgunj/ Kathmandu
After Breakfast, Drive to Nepalgunj and then transfer to the Airport to connect flight to Kathmandu. Arrive at the beautiful city Kathmandu.

Lunch: 1300hrs- 1400hrs

PM: Patan is often referred to as Lalitpur, which means “city of beauty”. Patan has a long Buddhist History and the four corners of the city are marked by Stupas erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka around 250 BCE.

Visit Patan City second largest city of valley including Royal Palace, Bhimsen temple, Manga Hiti, King Yogaendra Malla’s Statue, Krishna temple, Taleju temple, 15th century Golden Temple and Mahaboudha Temple known as temple of 10,000 Buddha, Kumbeshwar Temple. Bishwakarma Temple, Uma Maheshwar Temple. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 10 Departure To Airport
AM: Breakfast at Hotel. Free time till departure to Airport.

Suggested Itinerary II – Wild West Triangle

Day 1. Delhi/ Mahendranagar
Departure from New Delhi, the capital city of India early in the morning at 6:00 in private jeep. From Delhi it is 6 hours drive to Banbasa, Indo/ Nepal border. It will take us nearly one and half hour more from Banbasa to reach to Mahendranagar, the major Business center of Far Western Region. Lunch on the way to Mahendranagar. Arrive Mahendranagar. Hotel check in. Free time. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 2. Mahendranagar/Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (RSWR)
Drive to Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. Royal SuklaPhanta Wildlife Reserve (RSWR) located in the far- western Terai on the southwest edge of Nepal was allocated an area of 155 sq km in 1976, which was later extended to 305 sq km. RSWR is worldwide famous for the herd of Swamp deer, which currently stands at about 2000 individuals. It is the abode of about 45 Wild Elephants and 35 Royal Bengal Tigers, both the endangered species. The reserve is recognized for the largest number of tigers found per sq/km in comparison to its small size. This propitious reserve is also the residence of Blue Bull, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar, Leopard, Jackals, Langur, Rhesus Monkey as well as one horn Rhinoceros in the reserve.

Full day safari. Overnight stay at tented Camp.

Day 3. Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve - Royal Bardiya National Park
After breakfast at the tented camp drive towards the Royal Bardiya National Park. Arrive Thakurdwara. After Lunch, discover Tharu Life and Culture. Royal Bardiya National Park has immense amount of accumulated plants, animals and ecosystem. With the first step on the Park one can sense hosts of convivial animals welcoming guests in their own hospitable manner. Royal Bardiya National Park, the largest park in the lowland Terai covering an area of 968 sq km is enormously the house of more than 30 different mammals, varieties of species of snakes, lizards and fish, endangered animals such as the Bengal Tiger, wild elephants, greater one horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger and gigantic dolphin, threatened birds such as Bengal Florican, Lesser Florican and Sarus Crane. Tharus residing near the Park are the local and original habitants of this virgin land and are mainly of two kinds Deshaura and Dangaura. Amazingly unique tharu culture and their tradition capture and cast a spell on the visitor. Dinner and Overnight at Lodge.

Day 4. Royal Bardiya National Park
After breakfast, Elephant Safari. After Lunch, Bird Watching and jungle walk in Royal Bardiya National park. Jungle Safari on Elephant’s back supplies a prominent view of the Park. The park is marked as bird watcher’s paradise, consisting of beautiful and colorful bird. 70% of this vibrant park is embodied with Sal trees adjusted with a mixture of riverine forest, grassland and Savannah. Dinner and O/N stay at Lodge.

Day 5. Royal Bardiya National Park/ Nepalgunj/ Talcha Airport
After Breakfast, Drive to Nepalgunj Airport, which is of 2hrs drive, to connect flight to Talcha Airport. Arrive at Talcha Airport. We then start with our hike to Rara National Park and Rara lake, the largest lake of Nepal. Rara National Park, Nepal’s smallest and most scenic national park that spreads over an area of 106 sq km is situated about 370 km north- west of Kathmandu and lies in Mugu a mountainous district of the western region of Nepal. The National Park ascends from 1800m to 4480m forested by conifers. Overnight stay at the camp near the lake side.

Day 6. Explore Rara
After breakfast Boating in Rara Lake for 1 hour. The pivotal of Rara National Park is the pristine Rara Lake, which stands high at the self of 2990m and spreads over 10.8 sq km. The undisturbed largest lake also renowned as Mahendra Tal is of oval shape. This tortoise blue lake is surrounded by richly forested hills. Chuchemara Danda at the elevation of 4087m is the best vantage point to get the magnificient views of the deep blue clear lake and highly forested hillside as well as the snow-capped peaks around it. Hike to this Danda, catch the glimpse of the magnificent views. Dinner and Overnight at Camp.

Day 7. Rara /Nepalgunj/ Kathmandu
After breakfast, hike to Rara Airport. Fly to Nepalgunj. Arrive Nepalgunj make a connecting flight to Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu, dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 8. Kathmandu
AM: After breakfast at the hotel. Visit 2000 years old Buddhist shrine Swyambhunath, situated on the top of the hill west of the city the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the “Monkey Temple”. There are many small buildings and shrines down the hillside behind Swayambhunath. Explore the colorful Kathmandu Durbar Square- The Old Royal Palace of Kathmandu, Temple of living goddess Kumari, the Jagannath temple, 17th century temple known for colorfully painted erotic carvings, Kasthmandap temple a three story temple built from a single tree in 12th century, Nasal Chowk,

Lunch: 1300 hrs – 1400 hrs

PM: Patan is often referred to as Lalitpur, which means “city of beauty”. Patan has a long Buddhist History and the four corners of the city are marked by Stupas erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka around 250 BCE.

Visit Patan City second largest city of valley including Royal Palace, Bhimsen temple, Manga Hiti, King Yogaendra Malla’s Statue, Krishna temple, Taleju temple, 15th century Golden Temple and Mahaboudha Temple known as temple of 10,000 Buddha, Kumbeshwar Temple. Bishwakarma Temple, Uma Maheshwar Temple. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 9 Departure To Airport
AM: Breakfast at Hotel. Free time till departure to Airport.