Bardiya Tiger Trail

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to Dwarika’s Hotel, Battisputali — a five-star cultural sanctuary preserving Newari woodcarving heritage, 0.5 km from Pashupatinath Temple. Rest and settle in.

Where history was carved in stone

Early start at Pashupatinath Temple — dawn rituals along the Bagmati River at one of Asia’s most sacred Hindu temples. Morning Kora at Boudhanath Stupa, where Tibetan pilgrims circle the world’s largest stupa. Lunch near Patan, then Patan Durbar Square — the finest Newari palace architecture in Nepal. Day closes at Swayambhunath Stupa with panoramic valley views. Evening: private naturalist briefing at Dwarika’s before tomorrow’s entry into tiger territory

Into the island

Morning flight to Nepalgunj (50 min). Burhan’s representative meets you for a 2-hour scenic drive to camp via the Babai River — elephant sightings on the road are common. Arrive at Burhan: a private micro-conservancy on a jungle island between two Karnali channels. Choose your tent or treehouse. Afternoon in-camp river activities. Sundowner with complimentary snacks on the Burhan Deck. Cultural and culinary experience at Angana Ghar. Bush dinner at camp.

Into the national park

Early breakfast at camp. 8:00 AM: full-day jeep safari into Bardiya’s core zone — sal forest corridors, open grassland floodplains, and river sandbars where Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, and swamp deer move freely. A short guided walk introduces pugmark reading and alarm call identification. Packed lunch inside the park. Return to camp. Sundowner at Burhan Deck as the corridor catches last light.

River safari, rhino tracks & a Tharu kitchen

Morning coffee, then sunrise river safari on a raft along the Karnali — gharial, dolphins, and fishing owls at first light. Breakfast at camp. Rhino-tracking bush walk through Burhan’s micro-conservancy grasslands. Then, one of Burhan’s signature activities: tiger paw imprint making as a souvenir in river clay. Afternoon tiger tracking around camp. Cultural and culinary experience at Angana Ghar — Tharu food, stories, and traditions.

Rafting through the national park

Early breakfast. Drive 1.5 hours upstream to Chisapani. Full-day raft journey downstream through Bardiya National Park — wildlife at the river’s edge, 500+ bird species, Gangetic dolphins, gharial nesting banks. Packed lunch on the riverbank inside the park. Return to Burhan by evening for the final bush dinner at camp.

Last morning in the corridor

One final full-day jeep safari — by Day 7 your naturalist carries five days of accumulated territory knowledge. Best shot at a tiger. Farewell breakfast at camp. Optional community walk before check-out. 2-hour transfer to Nepalgunj Airport. Afternoon flight back to Kathmandu. Evening at Dwarika’s Hotel.

The last day in the valley

Morning in Thamel — thangka paintings, pashmina shawls, singing bowls, Himalayan teas, prayer flags. Afternoon stroll through Asan Bazaar and Indra Chowk, the old city at its most unhurried. Evening: farewell dinner at Bhojan Griha, Dilli Bazaar — where this journey began on Day 1. A full circle.

Final departure

Slow final morning. Last breakfast at Dwarika’s. Optional visit to Pashupatinath Temple for the morning aarti – a fitting last image to carry home. Check out at leisure. Private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. Safe travels.