Exploring the Terai
Dharan
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Janakpur
Lumbini
Bardia National Park
All the way from the edge of the Himalayas, the beauty of the country is spread all over to the plains of the Terai. From the exquisite green wonders of mother nature to the beautifully built culture of the people from hundreds of years, Terai is filled with some of the most fascinating places with a diverse lifestyle, both culturally and geographically.
Here is an overview of five travel destinations in Terai for you to add into your travel bucket list for your next expedition!
Dharan
All the way from the east, you can start your Terai expedition from this beautiful city of eastern Nepal. Situated in the Sunsari District, right around the foothills of Mahabharat range, Dharan is one of the, surprisingly, best tourist attracting cities with a series of places to offer. For instance, it is an optimal spiritual hub because of the five; Buddhasubba Temple, Dantakali Temple, Vijayapur Hill, Pindeshwor Temple and Panchakanya Temple situated here. For all the social extroverts out there, this city also holds a different kind of night life with the homey yet exciting lifestyle of the people. If you’re, rather, a nature lover, a 20 minutes short hike to Namche is enough satisfaction for your adventure seeking mood here at Dharan. Along with that, another spontaneous adventure option is rafting from Tamor River to Koshi River and, now, Dharan has been offering services for Paragliding as well. When it comes to accommodation, this city provides its visitors with different types of hotel ranging from normal lodges to star rated hotels. It takes a 20-minute drive from Itahari and a 12 to 14 hours bus ride from Kathmandu to reach.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
If you’re more of a nature lover and a wild adventure seeker, and the life within the trees captivate you, chances are you’ll truly admire this particular wildlife reserve. Situated on the eastern Terai, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a sanctuary for hundreds of species of animals and birds, both rare and common ones, comprising the wetlands of Sunsari, extensive mudflats, reed beds and freshwater marshes for the diversity of species it holds. All you need is a nice pair of binoculars, a jeep and an adventurous heart to explore through the woods and observe the different lives of all the different species preserved and protected here. The reserve is about a 90-minute drive from the Biratnagar Airport and a 12-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. Either way, your time here will be worth the while and you’ll leave with a newly grown love for nature within yourself.
Janakpur
Everyone has heard of the famous city of Janakpur, one of the most fascinating cities which is also known as the hometown of the goddess Sita. The key historical holy site of Hindus, Janaki Mandir, is situated here, where the astonishing form of ancient architecture will baffle you with the rich culture that it reflects. Not only this, from the bright coloured houses spread all over the city to the beautiful sacred ponds reflect the colours of the houses make the city feel more appealing than any other. Moreover, the warm welcoming traditional lifestyle of the Mithila people will make your trip feel like an escape from the busy hurdles of your daily life, giving you a series of experiences you’ll treasure for sure. Plus, the accommodation and settlement facilities are easily made available near the heart of the city, making your trip more convenient and comfortable.
Lumbini
Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and a centre point archaeological findings of Nepal, carries, undoubtedly, the most historical significance of the religion of the country. Along with being the origin of Buddhism for the entire world, Lumbini holds a series of sacred temples, ponds and places for centuries now. The entire city is mostly scattered with holy sites and is a great option if you’re willing to explore the rich culture of Buddhism from the core. Because of this, it has become one of the major tourist destinations of Nepal, as a result of which the accommodation and settlements facilities are well-managed and easily accessible. It takes a 6 to 9 hours long bus ride or a 30-minute flight to reach from the capital.
Bardia National Park
If you’re looking for a reason to step out of your comfort zone and go for a new adventure, this National Park is the place for you. Being a harder destination to reach, it is not like other national parks that are famous for commercial tourism. After a one-hour flight or a 12-hour long bus ride to the west from Kathmandu, you can reach the Jungle of Bardia National Park. It is the perfect option for a wild Jungle Safari, as you find your way through the green forests of the Natural wonder this place holds. Along with that, elephant rides, jeep safari, rafting, sports fishing and bird watching accompanied by a naturalist are other popular activities to do here. There are a bunch of safari Lodges here as well that provide excellent accommodation facilities for you and the perfect time to visit is autumn, winter and early summer.