Discover the Terai Region of Nepal with GoTravelDaily
Most visitors to Nepal are so preoccupied by its dramatic Himalayan skyline and spectacular temples that it’s all too easy to overlook the lowland gems of the Terai plains bordering India.
Venture down here, and you’ll discover a quite different Nepal; a land where the Buddha was born a pampered prince, where some of the world’s best tea grows on emerald hills, and where ancient Hindu myth becomes daily reality. The real gems of the Terai are the national parks, wildlife reserves, and corridors strung along the border like a chain of pearls, along with the tigers, rhinos, elephants, and leopards that roam the pristine grasslands and subtropical forests here.
Once a malarial buffer zone that now holds the bulk of Nepal’s population and industry, the Terai has a culture that bears more resemblance to northern India than with Himalayan hill communities. This area is a great place to travel beyond Nepal’s tourism veneer. Beyond Chitwan National Park, you won’t find much of the backpacker infrastructure that characterizes much of Kathmandu and Pokhara. A grittier, more authentic, and much wilder Nepal awaits.
Best Time to Visit the Terai
The most comfortable time to visit the Terai is during the relative cool of winter from November to February. The ideal period for wildlife watching in Chitwan National Park is from late January to March when the 8m-tall phanta (elephant grass) has been cut, making animals easier to spot.
It is advisable to avoid the scorching heat of April and May, when temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F), and the rainy monsoon season (June to mid-September) when flooded rivers and leeches can detract from the travel experience.
During the festival season, Buddha Jayanti, which follows the lunar calendar and usually occurs in April or May, draws crowds of Buddhist pilgrims celebrating the birth of the Buddha at his birthplace in Lumbini. In December, tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims from across the subcontinent flock to Janakpur to participate in the re-enactment of the marriage of Sita to Rama, with Rama’s image carried to the temple by elephant. Rama’s birthday is celebrated here by large crowds of sadhus in March or April, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.
Time Suggestions for Visiting the Terai
If you wish to explore Chitwan National Park, plan to spend two full days there to enhance your chances of spotting big-ticket wildlife. Additionally, allocate a day to travel from Kathmandu or Pokhara and another day for the return trip, which can also include a dawn or dusk safari.
With a week at your disposal, you could add a day in Lumbini, visiting the birthplace of the Buddha, and perhaps enjoy a quick wildlife safari at Bardia National Park.
If you’re traveling overland to India, you can easily visit the tea plantations of Ilam en route to Darjeeling, Chitwan on the way to Patna in Bihar, or Lumbini while heading towards Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. For off-the-beaten-path adventures, consider exploring the far western attractions of Bardia and Shuklaphanta national parks before crossing into the Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.
Transportation in the Terai
The Terai has several airports including Siddhartanagar (Bhairawa; for Lumbini), Bharatpur (for Chitwan), Nepalganj (for Bardia), Dhangadhi (for Shuklaphanta), and Biratnagar (for Koshi Tappu and the far east).
Siddhartanagar’s Gautam Buddha airport serves as an international airport, but most international flights to Nepal arrive at Kathmandu, from where domestic flights can take you to the Terai.
The largely flat Terai features frequent local bus connections, although few are comfortable or air-conditioned. It is advisable to avoid night buses due to the risk of road traffic accidents. More comfortable air-conditioned tourist buses operate to Chitwan from Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the Indian border at Sonauli.
Renting a car and driver is the most convenient way to combine multiple sights on a multi-day trip. In Lumbini, bicycles can be rented for local exploration. You can also walk through sections of Chitwan and other national parks accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
Top Attractions in the Terai
1. Chitwan National Park
This former hunting reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best wildlife-viewing parks in Asia. It’s especially renowned for sightings of one-horned rhinos, wild Asian elephants, and the elusive Bengal tiger. A blend of lakes, sal forests, and grasslands in the floodplain of the Rapti River shelters 68 species of mammals and 544 species of birds, which you can spot on foot, in a dugout canoe, or during a 4WD safari. It serves as the crown jewel of the Terai and a genuine environmental success story, with rhino and tiger populations steadily increasing.
For a more immersive wildlife experience, consider staying in quieter Barauli in an indigenous Tharu community homestay, where you can learn to cook Tharu-style curries and explore local villages by bicycle.
2. Lumbini
As the birthplace of the Buddha, the World Heritage Site of Lumbini is one of the world’s major pilgrimage centers. It features a modest marker stone (protected by bulletproof glass) in the excavated Maya Devi Temple, which marks the spot where Siddharta Gautama was born around 563 BCE. Buddhist pilgrims frequently meditate in the surrounding grounds near a commemorative pillar erected by the Buddhist emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, making it a quietly spiritual location.
Many Buddhist countries have built temples in Lumbini. A stroll through the area highlights the cultural diversity within Buddhism, with temples representing various national styles. For further inspiration, you can participate in meditation classes or even a weeklong silent vipassana meditation retreat.
Prince Siddharta spent the early years of his life in royal seclusion at Kapilavastu, located 29km west of Lumbini. At the archaeological site, visitors can stand at the east gate where Siddharta rode out to start his quest for enlightenment.
3. Bardia National Park
Bardia National Park boasts almost as many Bengal tigers as Chitwan (125 compared to Chitwan’s 128). However, it attracts significantly fewer visitors, making it a prime location to spot tigers in less crowded conditions. As the largest national park in the Terai, Bardia offers ample space for rhinos, tigers, leopards, gharial, and even Gangetic dolphins. Here, you can opt for guided jungle walks, 4WD safaris, or bird-watching floats along the Karnali River.
4. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Bird enthusiasts should head to Koshi Tappu Reserve in the eastern Terai, where the floodplain and freshwater marshes of the Sapt Kosi River host over 500 bird species, including rarities like the swamp francolin and Bengal florican, along with many migratory species from Tibet and Siberia between November and February. Most lodges in the area provide resident birding guides, and the park features a delightful 6km-long paved walking trail.
5. Janakpur
According to the Hindu epic the Ramayana, Janakpur is where Sita, the daughter of King Janak, was born and eventually married the god Rama, commemorated by the wedding-cake style Janaki Mandir. This pilgrimage site is steeped in religious fervor and hosts spectacular festivals, making it particularly popular among local women.
The town once served as the heartbeat of the ancient kingdom of Mithila, and its vibrant artistic heritage is still visible in the folk paintings and murals created by village women. The Janakpur Women’s Development Centre sells art and provides insights into traditional life from a female perspective.
6. Off-the-Beaten-Track Exploring
There is ample opportunity for off-the-beaten-track exploration in the Terai. In the far-east hill town of Ilam, hike through lush hills to tea plantations and sacred lakes. Alternatively, Tansen (Palpa) is an excellent destination for a foot-based exploration, replete with footpaths leading to hilltop viewpoints, palaces, and temples. For adventurers, consider making the 10-day trek to Khaptad National Park in the far west.
Travel Budget for the Terai
Traveling in the Terai can fit a range of budgets. Budget hotels range from $10 to $20 for a double room, with higher-end establishments offering air-conditioned rooms. Luxury lodges like Tiger Tops and Temple Tiger on the edge of Chitwan National Park cost around $200 per person per night, including meals and safaris. Meals in budget restaurants typically cost around $5 or less for a main course, though a beer can substantially increase your bill.
Activities can account for a significant portion of your budget. A half-day jeep safari in Chitwan costs approximately $100, divided among up to seven passengers, while guided canoe trips and jungle walks range from $15 to $25 plus a daily park entry fee of $17 per person. In general, Nepal proves to be an excellent value for travelers.
Essential Packing List for the Terai
It is crucial to pack DEET-based insect repellent for mosquitoes and leech repellent if you plan to walk through the forest during the rainy season. For wildlife spotting, wear long-sleeved, long-pants clothing in neutral colors, and don’t forget a sun hat. Wildlife enthusiasts should also bring binoculars or a spotting scope, along with a bird identification app for enhanced exploration.
