What a Chitwan package costs
Chitwan is one of the best-value safaris in Asia for Indian travellers. Indians pay the SAARC park fee, half the rate for other foreigners, need no visa for Nepal, and can pay in Indian rupees in many places. Distances are short, too: Sauraha is a day's drive from the Raxaul or Sunauli borders, and a 25-minute flight from Kathmandu.
The table shows our starting prices per person, twin sharing, for Indian nationals. They include accommodation, meals in Chitwan, safari activities, park fees and transport from Kathmandu as described. They exclude travel from India to Nepal, which we cover below. Prices rise during Diwali, Christmas–New Year and Indian school holidays.
| Package | Nights | Transport | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chitwan jungle safari | 2 | Tourist bus from Kathmandu | ₹16,000 |
| Chitwan safari | 3 | Private car from Kathmandu | ₹22,000 |
| Chitwan family safari | 3 | Private car or van | ₹24,000 per adult |
| Kathmandu and Chitwan | 4 | Car, plus Bharatpur–Kathmandu flight | ₹27,000 |
| Chitwan and Lumbini | 4 | Private car | ₹28,000 |
| Chitwan birding tour | 3 | Flights to Bharatpur | ₹52,000 |
| Chitwan luxury safari, Meghauli Serai | 3 | Flights to Bharatpur | ₹1,16,000 |
Getting from India to Chitwan
There are two main ways to reach Chitwan from India: fly to Kathmandu and continue by road or air, or travel overland and cross at a land border. Flying is faster for travellers from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Overland makes sense for families from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, groups with their own vehicle, and anyone combining Chitwan with Lumbini.
Return economy flights from Delhi to Kathmandu typically cost ₹12,000–25,000 depending on season and how early you book. Overland, the train or bus to the border costs much less, but adds a day. Indian-registered cars and bikes can enter Nepal with a customs permit, called bhansar, issued at the border for a daily fee.
| Route | Time to Sauraha | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi–Kathmandu flight, then road | 1.5 h flight + 5–7 h drive | ₹12,000–25,000 return flight |
| Delhi–Kathmandu flight, then Bharatpur flight | 1.5 h + 25 min flights | Add ≈ ₹9,000–11,000 return domestic |
| Gorakhpur–Sunauli, then road | 3 h + 4–5 h drive | ₹3,000–6,000 by train and taxi |
| Raxaul–Birgunj, then road | 4–5 h drive | ₹3,000–5,000 by train and taxi |
Park fees and activity costs for Indians
As we understand current rules, Indian and other SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000 per person per day to enter Chitwan National Park, against NPR 2,000 for other foreigners and NPR 150 for Nepalis. One Indian rupee buys 1.6 Nepali rupees at the fixed rate, so the SAARC fee is about ₹625 a day. Fees change, so check current status before you travel.
Activities are charged on top: a shared half-day jeep safari is about NPR 2,500–3,500 per person, a canoe ride with a guided walk about NPR 1,000–1,800, and the Tharu dance show about NPR 200–300. Our packages include all of these, so you do not pay at the counter.
A sample 3-night budget, worked through
To show where the money goes, here is how a 3-night Chitwan trip from Kathmandu adds up for two Indian adults sharing a room at a mid-range resort, if you were to book every piece yourself. Figures are approximate, in Indian rupees at the fixed rate of 1.6 NPR per rupee, and assume October to April outside festival weeks.
The total lands at roughly ₹26,000–37,000 per person when booked piece by piece, which is why packages that buy rooms, cars and activities together often come in lower. The biggest savings come from sharing the car: with four people in one vehicle the transport cost per head halves. The biggest extra is a private jeep, about NPR 12,000–16,000 for a half day or NPR 18,000–25,000 for a full day, worth it for photographers or families who want to set their own pace.
- Private car Kathmandu–Sauraha–Kathmandu: ₹24,000–30,000 per car, so ₹12,000–15,000 each
- Mid-range resort, 3 nights with meals: about ₹6,000–10,000 per room a night, so ₹9,000–15,000 each
- Park fee for two days inside the park: NPR 2,000, about ₹1,250 each
- Shared half-day jeep safari: NPR 2,500–3,500, about ₹1,600–2,200 each
- Canoe ride with guided walk: NPR 1,000–1,800, about ₹600–1,100 each
- Tharu dance, Elephant Breeding Centre and a village walk: about ₹1,000–1,500 each
- Tips for naturalist and driver: about ₹500–1,000 each
Hotel choices and how they change the price
Accommodation is the biggest variable. Budget guesthouses in Sauraha cost NPR 2,000–4,000 a night for a room, mid-range resorts with pools such as Green Park Chitwan or Tigerland Safari cost several times more with meals, and luxury lodges such as Meghauli Serai and Barahi Jungle Lodge sell full-board packages with activities at international prices.
For most Indian families we recommend a mid-range resort: comfortable rooms, a pool for children, Indian vegetarian food and safari activities organised on site. Couples on a honeymoon often upgrade to Kasara Resort's villas or a Meghauli lodge for two of their nights. Ask us to compare two or three options for your dates.
What packages include and leave out
Package prices look similar but cover different things, so compare the inclusions line by line. A Chitwan package worth its price should include the items below. If any are missing, the cheaper quote may cost more by the time you leave Sauraha.
- Usually included: room on twin sharing, breakfast, lunch and dinner in Chitwan, park entry fees, a licensed naturalist guide, one jeep safari, a canoe ride, a guided walk, the Tharu dance and transfers
- Often extra: private jeep upgrades, full-day drives, bottled drinks and alcohol, laundry, and tips
- Usually excluded: flights or trains from India, travel insurance, lunch on travel days, and personal camera fees where charged
- Check whether the jeep safari is shared or private, and whether it is half day or full day
Money, payments and documents
Indian rupee notes of ₹100 and below are widely accepted in Sauraha and along the main highways, at the fixed rate of 1.6 NPR. Larger Indian notes, ₹200 and ₹500, are often refused because of rules on carrying higher denominations; check current status before you travel. Indian debit and credit cards work at many hotels and ATMs, with fees. UPI payments are accepted at a growing number of places in Nepal through linked services.
Indian citizens need a valid passport or voter ID card to enter Nepal; Aadhaar and PAN cards are not accepted as travel documents. Children travelling with parents can usually use a birth certificate or school ID. Carry photocopies for hotel check-in and park permits.
- Carry Nepali rupees or small Indian notes for tips and small purchases
- Inform your bank before travelling to avoid card blocks
- Keep your passport or voter ID with you for park permits and domestic flights
- Buy travel insurance that covers Nepal and adventure activities
Peak dates and price surcharges
Chitwan has no single high season; demand spikes around holidays in both India and Nepal. Diwali week and the days after it bring Indian families in large numbers, and resorts in Sauraha often add festival supplements or require minimum stays. Christmas to New Year is the busiest stretch of the year, with gala dinners added to some bills. Dashain, Nepal's main festival in late September or October, fills resorts with Nepali visitors, and the Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival in late December draws crowds to Sauraha.
Indian summer holidays in May and June bring families despite temperatures near 40 °C, but prices then are moderate. From mid-June to mid-September many lodges cut rates sharply, though most park activities are limited by monsoon floods. Booking six to eight weeks ahead secures better rooms for Diwali, Christmas and New Year; outside those dates two to three weeks is usually enough.
Ways to save on a Chitwan trip
Chitwan can be done well on a modest budget if you plan around a few points.
- Travel between February and April or in October outside Diwali week for better rates
- Use the tourist bus from Kathmandu or Pokhara instead of a private car if you are two people
- Share a private car or jeep with family or friends; costs fall sharply per person for 4 or more
- Combine Chitwan with Lumbini or Pokhara on one loop to avoid backtracking
- Choose a mid-range resort and full-board package rather than paying for meals and activities separately
Places in this guide
Questions travellers ask
What is the Chitwan tour package cost from India?
From about ₹16,000 per person for a 2-night safari by tourist bus from Kathmandu, ₹22,000 for 3 nights by private car, and over ₹1,10,000 for 3 nights at a luxury lodge with flights. Travel from India to Nepal is extra: roughly ₹12,000–25,000 return by air from Delhi, or ₹3,000–6,000 overland.
Do Indians need a visa or passport for Chitwan?
Indians do not need a visa for Nepal. You need a valid passport or voter ID card to enter and for park permits and domestic flights. Aadhaar and PAN cards are not accepted as travel documents. Rules can change, so check current status before you travel.
How much is the Chitwan park entry fee for Indians?
As we understand it, Indian and other SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000 per person per day, about ₹625. Other foreigners pay NPR 2,000 and Nepalis NPR 150. The fee is charged for each day you enter the park and is included in our packages.
Can I pay in Indian rupees in Chitwan?
Yes, notes of ₹100 and below are widely accepted at the fixed rate of 1.6 Nepali rupees per Indian rupee. Larger Indian notes are often refused. Many hotels accept Indian cards, and some places accept UPI through linked services. Carry some Nepali rupees for small purchases.
What is the cheapest way to reach Chitwan from India?
Overland via Gorakhpur and Sunauli or via Raxaul and Birgunj, then by bus or shared taxi to Sauraha. Total cost can be ₹3,000–6,000 per person each way. It takes longer than flying, but suits travellers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Is a Chitwan package from India good for families?
Yes. It is close to India, needs no visa, has Indian vegetarian food at most resorts, and offers activities children enjoy, from jeep safaris to canoe rides. Choose a resort with a pool and half-day activities. Our family safari is designed for this.
Can I drive my own car from India to Chitwan?
Yes. Indian-registered vehicles can enter Nepal with a customs permit, bhansar, issued at the border for a daily fee. Carry the registration, insurance and driving licence. Sauraha is about 4–5 hours from Raxaul–Birgunj or Sunauli–Bhairahawa. Check current permit rules before you travel.
How many days are needed for Chitwan from India?
Allow 4–5 days in total for a 2–3 night safari plus travel, if flying to Kathmandu. Overland from the border, 3–4 days is enough. Many Indian travellers combine Chitwan with Kathmandu, Pokhara or Lumbini for a 6–8 day holiday.
When are Chitwan packages cheapest for Indian travellers?
In the shoulder months of February to April and October, outside Diwali, Christmas and school holidays, rates are moderate and wildlife viewing is excellent. Monsoon months from June to September are cheapest but many park activities are limited.
