Page 73 - World of Animals - Issue #39

Trekking in Nepal

Travel expert
Born and raised in India, Rajan Jolly is an experienced operations
manager at specialist wildlife holiday provider, NatureTrek
Wildlife viewing in Nepal is a unique experience not to be missed. It
is one of the most spectacular countries on Earth, inhabited by the
most friendly and endearing of people, and boasts an incredible 840
species of birds within a land-locked area only the size of England
and Wales. There are a wealth of mammals to be found in Nepal’s
scenic national parks, including tigers, Indian rhinoceroses, red pandas, Asian
elephants, gaur, wild water buffalo and various species of primate. Nepal’s splendid

bird life includes such sought-a‚er species as the Bengal florican, ibisbill and swamp

francolin. Chitwan and Bardia are undoubtedly Nepal’s best known national parks,

but I would also suggest a visit to Koshi Tappu (one of Asia’s finest wetlands) and
Suklaphanta (a beautiful grassland reserve) – both of which boast wonderful lodges
but are little known, meaning you can end up with an entire national park to yourself!
Gaur
Map key Difficult to miss

1 Chitwan National Park because of their
2 Bardia National Park impressive bulk, this
3 Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve enormous species of
4 Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve wild cattle inhabits
5 Parsa Wildlife Reserve the forested regions
of Nepal. They can
Indian cobra 4 reach more than
two metres (6.6
Active mainly around dawn feet) at the shoulder.
and dusk, this hooded reptile is 2 Nepal
stunning to observe, but don’t
get too close – it inflicts more 1

bites on humans annually than 5
almost any other snake.
3
Sloth bear
These shaggy, long-clawed bears can be
found throughout the Terai region of Nepal. Mugger crocodile Ibisbill
They’re excellent climbers, and often hang Pass the rivers and lakes A frequent sight along
upside down from branches (hence the name). of Chitwan National Park the stony riverbanks of
and you’ll likely spot these Nepal, these wading birds
What you need to know floating past or basking in sport a striking curved
wide-snouted crocodiles

When to go the summer heat. Though red bill, which they use to
glean a variety of small
Spring and autumn are the peak tourist not overly aggressive, we creatures from slow-
recommend you keep
seasons in Nepal, offering clear weather your distance. moving riverbeds.
without the extreme conditions of deep
winter or the monsoon season.
How to get there
Nepal’s only international airport is in its
capital, Kathmandu, and almost always
requires a change or two, usually at Dubai,
Istanbul or Delhi.

What the weather will do
Temperatures and humidity rise steadily
from February to June, when the
downpours of the monsoon arrive. A clear
and comfortably warm autumn follows.
What to take
Essentials will vary depending on which
region of Nepal you plan on visiting, but
hardy trekking footwear and clothing are a
universal must-have.

What you’ll see
The beauty of Nepal is its diversity. Dense
jungle and snow-tipped peaks – and the
myriad creatures that inhabit them – can
be crammed into the same trip.

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