Christmas in Nepal: Chitwan’s Jungles with Cultural Heritage

Day notes

Full Day Sightseeing: Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath Stupa & Patan Durbar Square (with Golden Temple)

Morning – Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swayambhunath Stupa
We start the day in Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of Nepal’s UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites. This historic area brings together temples, palaces and courtyards dating from the 12th to 18th centuries. It was once the seat of Nepal’s monarchy, and the old royal palace still features beautifully carved wooden windows and panels. The square remains the traditional heart of old Kathmandu, and it’s an excellent place for us to get a sense of the city’s cultural and architectural history.

From here, we continue to Swayambhunath Stupa, set on a hill overlooking the city. This is one of Nepal’s oldest religious sites, dating back to the 5th century AD. The white dome and Buddha’s painted eyes are instantly recognisable. The wider complex includes shrines, smaller temples and a Tibetan monastery. We can reach the main platform either by the staircase of 365 steps or by a short drive to the southwest entrance.

Afternoon – Patan Durbar Square & Golden Temple
In the afternoon, we visit Patan Durbar Square, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former royal palace area of the Malla kings. The square is lined with red-brick courtyards, elegant Newari architecture and an impressive collection of Hindu and Buddhist temples. Patan is considered one of the oldest Buddhist cities in the world, with dozens of historic courtyards and more than 50 major temples in the surrounding area.

We also explore the nearby Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), a beautifully preserved Buddhist monastery. Dating back at least to the early 15th century, it has a copper-gilded façade, a three-tiered roof, and an atmospheric inner courtyard where sacred tortoises wander. Inside the main shrine is a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, and at the centre of the courtyard is a richly decorated mini-temple topped with a golden roof.

Day notes

Jungle Exploration

After a wake-up call and early breakfast, we travel by boat to the Gharial Breeding Centre. This is one of Nepal’s key conservation projects, protecting the critically endangered gharial crocodile and the more common marsh mugger. The river journey itself is peaceful and a good chance to spot waterbirds along the banks.

We return to the resort for lunch before heading out on an afternoon jeep safari inside Chitwan National Park. This is prime wildlife territory, with possibilities for one-horned rhino, various deer species, wild boar, and good general birding in the mixed forest.

Later, we enjoy tea or coffee and a Tharu cultural dance performance before dinner.

Day notes

Bird Watching & Safari

We start the morning with tea or coffee, followed by breakfast and a dedicated bird-watching excursion by jeep with one of the lodge’s naturalists. Chitwan is excellent for birdlife, with well over 500 species recorded, and the diverse habitats around the resort give us a strong chance of seeing woodpeckers, kingfishers, raptors, and a variety of forest and grassland birds.

After lunch (served at the resort or packed depending on the day’s plan), we head back into the national park for an afternoon jeep safari. This gives another chance to look for rhino, sloth bear, and the many smaller mammals that make Chitwan such a rewarding park to explore.

Dinner is served back at the resort.

Day notes

Nature & Leisure

After breakfast, we set out again for a morning jeep safari inside Chitwan National Park. With each drive covering different parts of the park, we explore a mix of sal forest, river floodplains and tall elephant grassland.

Lunch is either at the resort or taken as a packed lunch, depending on the schedule.

In the afternoon, we visit the riverine forest area for further birding, followed by a visit to Radha Krishna Forest. These quieter areas often provide very good opportunities for birdwatching and spotting smaller mammals, and the late afternoon light along the river is particularly nice.

We return to the resort for tea or coffee and a relaxed evening before dinner.

Day notes

Canoe & Safari

After breakfast, we begin the morning with a canoe trip along the Rapti River. This is a calm stretch of water where we can combine birdwatching with a relaxed walk through riverside forest. Kingfishers, herons, storks, and various woodland species are often seen here.

We return to the lodge for lunch before heading out on an afternoon open-jeep safari inside Chitwan National Park, exploring mixed forest and grassland areas where there are good chances of spotting one-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys and a wide range of birdlife.

Dinner is back at the lodge

Day notes

“Love the Giants” Elephant Experience & Safari

After breakfast, we take part in the lodge’s “Love the Giants” programme with rescued elephants. This is a gentle, ethical experience focused on understanding their care — including short walks, the chance to help offer them a treat, and breakfast near the elephants. It’s a relaxed way to learn about elephant welfare and the work done to support them locally.

Lunch is followed by a half-day jeep safari in Chitwan National Park for more wildlife viewing.

We return to the lodge for dinner.

Day notes

Spa & Jeep Safari

We enjoy breakfast at the lodge, followed by a 30-minute spa treatment — a good opportunity to unwind during the stay.

After lunch, we have a final jeep safari inside the national park.

Dinner is served at the lodge

Day notes

Sunrise at Nagarkot and afternoon tour of Bhaktapur

We begin the morning with a drive to Nagarkot, one of the best-known hilltop viewpoints in the Kathmandu Valley. From here we watch the sunrise spread across the Himalayan range — a calm, wide view that often includes Langtang, Ganesh Himal and, on clear days, distant Everest. As the light changes, the snow peaks gradually come into focus and the villages below the ridge start to wake up. It’s a peaceful way to start the day before we drive back down to Bhaktapur.

Afternoon: Bhaktapur Durbar Square
In the afternoon we explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of the most atmospheric heritage areas in the valley. The square brings together pagoda- and shikhara-style temples, the historic Fifty-Five Window Palace, and a series of courtyards that show some of the best examples of traditional Newari craftsmanship. Carved wooden windows, struts and gateways line the old buildings, while statues of former kings and guardian deities stand on stone plinths across the square.

Bhaktapur has long been known for its artisan traditions — pottery, woodcarving, bronze casting and weaving — many of which continue in small workshops throughout the old town. The combination of temples, palaces and living Newari culture makes this a place where we can easily spend a few hours exploring at a relaxed pace.