Bharatpur Metropolitan City stretches across most of western Chitwan, from Narayangarh on the Narayani river to Meghauli on the park's edge. Its core, Narayangarh, grew up at the point where the Mahendra Highway crosses the Narayani and where the road from Mugling and Kathmandu comes down out of the hills. That makes it the crossroads of central Nepal: traffic to Pokhara, Lumbini, Birgunj, Janakpur and Kathmandu all passes through here.
For travellers, Bharatpur matters most for its airport, with several daily 25-minute flights from Kathmandu that save five or six hours of road. It is also a medical centre, home to the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital and several teaching hospitals, which is useful to know if you are travelling with older relatives. Hotels range from business hotels near the highway to riverside resorts in the outskirts.
Give it a few hours and the city has more to offer than traffic. The Narayani riverfront is pleasant at sunset, especially near the bridge to Gaindakot. On the far bank, the Maula Kalika temple sits on a forested hilltop with views over the river and the Chitwan valley. Narayangarh is also known across Nepal for fried river fish and roadside food stops, a tradition on the long drives between Kathmandu and the Terai.
What to see and do
- Bharatpur Airport
Several daily flights from Kathmandu, about 25 minutes, make Bharatpur the fastest way into Chitwan. Sauraha is 30 minutes by road, Patihani 30 minutes and Meghauli about an hour.
- Narayani riverfront at Narayangarh
The broad Narayani flows past the city's western edge. The riverbank near the bridge is a local evening spot, with food stalls, families out walking and the forested hills of Nawalpur across the water.
- Maula Kalika hill temple
Across the bridge in Gaindakot, a long stairway and road climb to the Maula Kalika temple on a forested hill. Pilgrims come for the goddess Kalika; others come for views over the Narayani and Chitwan valley.
- Fried fish and highway food
Narayangarh's fish stalls and restaurants are famous with Nepali travellers for river fish fried in mustard oil and spices. Sekuwa grills and Thakali dal-bhat restaurants line the highway too.
- Gateway to Devghat
The pilgrimage town of Devghat, at the confluence of the Trishuli and Kali Gandaki, is about 7 km north of Narayangarh, an easy half day from Bharatpur or Sauraha.
Experiences in Bharatpur
How to reach Bharatpur
Air
Buddha Air and Yeti/Tara Air fly Kathmandu–Bharatpur several times a day, about 25 minutes. Winter fog can delay morning flights in December and January; afternoon flights are more reliable then.
Road
Kathmandu to Narayangarh is ≈ 150 km · 4.5–6 h via Naubise and Mugling, following the Trishuli gorge. Pokhara to Narayangarh is ≈ 130 km · 4–5 h, Lumbini ≈ 145 km · 4 h via Butwal, and Birgunj ≈ 130 km · 3.5–4 h via Hetauda.
Where to stay
Most visitors do not overnight in Bharatpur, preferring Sauraha, Patihani or Meghauli for the safari. If you need a night here for an early flight, a hospital visit or a long drive, choose a hotel in the Narayangarh or Bharatpur Chowk area, close to both the airport and the highway. Business-style hotels with air conditioning and restaurants are easy to find. For a more relaxed stay with the airport still close, Patihani's resorts near the park headquarters are only about 30 minutes away.
Tips from our trip managers
- Book afternoon flights in December and January, when morning fog often delays the first departures.
- Allow extra time on the Mugling–Narayangarh road, where road widening has caused delays in recent years.
- Try fried fish at a busy riverside stall; choose places where the oil is hot and the turnover high.
- The climb to Maula Kalika is steep in the heat, so go early or late, or take a car up the road.
- Bharatpur has the region's best hospitals, which is reassuring for travellers with medical conditions.
