Walking with Elephants in Chitwan

Chitwan National Park is in southern Nepal bordering India. Surrounded by a rural area of fields and farms, Chitwan National Park is a large extension of forest, savannah and rivers with a good concentration of wild animals, including Asian rhinos, different types of deer, birds of all kinds, crocodiles and gharials, leopards and a large population of tigers, although these two species are almost impossible to see.

Around the Park there are many hotels and “resorts” of all kinds that are in charge of taking care the visits to the Park, and from this point onwards the big differences begin. Most visitors to Chitwan do so in large lodges where activities in the jungle are managed as if it were a theme park, a way that we have never liked. But other lodges have tried to take more care of the environmental impact, integration into the environment and respect for nature. But in 2016, the company Tiger Tops launched a project that fits completely with what we were looking for, the Elephant Camp, with which we work almost exclusively while there are no other establishments that start working like them.

At Elephant Camp they have a dozen carefully treated elephants that enjoy more freedom and space. While in the other lodges the elephants are nothing more than an exotic means of transport to attract tourists, the Elephant Camp is a place where they take care of elephants and receive visitors who can do activities related to the elephant world and the forest. The philosophy is really very different.

The basic program of the Elephant Camp focuses on the world of elephants and includes an introduction and visit to these animals, making “kuchis”, a kind of ball with grass that they love and giving them, and the sundown in the river.

But the main activity is to go to the forest to walk with a guide and accompanied by elephants. The routes in the forest can vary, but usually last more than one hour. The presence of the elephants ensures the safety of the group and, moreover, the elephants are very sensitive to any “threat” that may hover over them, so their “mahouts” (the elephant drivers) are always aware of what is happening around them in the forest. This is the jungle, not a zoo, and although the animals are a bit used to human presence, do not expect them to jump gracefully two meters in front of you! They will maintain a safe distance, which may be bigger or lesser. Deer tend to keep their distance, while rhinos tend to get quite close, for example. Therefore, it cannot be guaranteed which animals you will see, although in general it will be difficult for you not to see any, as the guides more or less know where the animals are every day. Naturally, keeping a certain amount of silence helps animals don’t worry about you.

To go into the jungle it is more than advisable to wear discreet colours (no camouflage needed!), long trousers, long-sleeved shirt and closed shoes, as well as sun protection, hat or cap and don’t forget the mosquito repellent (there’s no malaria in Chitwan).

There are also other interesting activities that involve a supplement, such as visiting an organic production farm, the Tharu ethnic village, canoeing on the river (which we recommend) or taking an off-road route.

Just because of their size you must be careful with the elephants, so it is forbidden to touch them if none of the “mahouts” allow you to do it. They will watch over your safety during your whole stay. Each elephant has its own character, although the elephants here are much calmer than those in other lodges, where they have much more stressful behaviour.

The accommodation in the Elephant Camp is in comfortable tents for two people protected by an additional roof, with double or single beds, electric power and a nice private bathroom with hot water. As it is in the middle of the forest, some small animals may come to visit us around our tent, so it is important to ensure that it is always well closed. The community buildings such as the dining room, meeting room and the rooms of the Tharu Lodge are built according to the traditional methods of the area.

In Chitwan it can be quite humid and hot, but this humidity can also be cool in the winter months.

The official minimum visit to Elephant Camp is 3 days/2 nights. However, they can accept 2 days/1 night stays (you usually arrive at noon on the first day and leave the next morning, so it is effectively one day). Ask us.

The most common origin points to reach Chitwan are Kathmandu or Pokhara, either by road or by plane, and you can start from one city and end up in the other. As always, we can adapt the visit to your taste and needs. A good option is to come from or go to Bandipur or Tansen by road, and of course you can choose one way by car and the other by plane.

The road trip from Kathmandu is usually about 6h / 7h, from Pokhara about 5h / 6h and from Bandipur or Tansen about 4h. Flights to Pokhara or Kathmandu take about 20 ‘/ 30’ respectively and Bharatpur airport is about an hour’s drive from Elephant Camp.

Here we point out the proposal of 3 days / 2 nights at the Elephant Camp, not including transfers, since these can vary a lot depending on your trip.

PRICE INCLUDES
·       2 nights / 3 days full board accommodation at the Elephant Camp in tents with private bathroom

·       Activities included and described in the Elephant Camp programme

·       Entrance to Chitwan National Park

·       All government taxes and VAT

PRICE EXCLUDES
·       Any transfer to/from Elephant Camp at the beginning and ending of the visit

·       Staff tips

·       Soft drinks, hot drinks, phone calls, internet access and any personal need.

·       Medical and/or travel insurance

·       In general, any concept not specified in the program, as well as any type of personal assistance to the traveller for matters outside the program of this trip.

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