Sauraha: the riverside village at the edge of Chitwan

What Sauraha is like

Sauraha in Chitwan began as a farming village of the Tharu, the indigenous people of the Terai, and grew into the park’s main visitor base. It has lodges and guesthouses of every level, restaurants along the river, safari offices, small shops and a relaxed, low-rise feel. Beyond the main streets, mud-walled Tharu houses, rice fields and buffalo carts are only minutes away.

Since lodges inside the park were closed in 2012, almost everyone visiting Chitwan stays outside it, and Sauraha takes the biggest share. That means plenty of choice and competition, but also a busy feel in peak months. If you want somewhere quieter, villages such as Meghauli, Amaltari and Barauli on the western side of the park are calmer alternatives.

How the village is laid out

The road from Tandi on the East-West Highway runs south through fields into Sauraha. Tourist buses usually drop passengers near the edge of the village, where lodge staff often wait to meet guests. The road then reaches Sauraha Chowk, the central junction, with shops, money changers and safari offices.

From the Chowk, lanes lead down to the Rapti River. The riverbank is the heart of Sauraha: a strip of restaurants and terraces looking across the water to the park’s forest and grassland. Canoe landings and the national park ticket counter are along this stretch. Most lodges sit on the lanes between the Chowk and the river, or along the bank itself.

On the edges of the village are the Tharu Cultural Museum, community forests such as Baghmara to the west and Kumrose to the east, and the road to the elephant breeding centre at Khorsor, a short ride away.

Sauraha to Chitwan National Park: crossing the Rapti

The national park starts on the far bank of the Rapti, so most safaris from Sauraha begin at the river. With your licensed nature guide, you cross by boat or canoe, then start a jeep drive, jungle walk or canoe trip on the park side. Your guide handles the park permit (approx. NPR 2,000 per person per day plus VAT for foreign visitors; check current rates).

Community forest activities in the buffer zone, such as jeep drives in Baghmara or Kumrose, start by road from the village. They cost less in entry fees and often see rhinos too. Our Chitwan National Park guide explains how the park and buffer zone fit together.

Things to do in Sauraha

Most safari options from Sauraha start within walking distance of your lodge. The main ones are a jeep safari into the park or a community forest, a quiet canoe ride on the Rapti, and guided jungle walks. In the village itself you can visit Tharu homes and the cultural museum, watch an evening stick-dance program (see Tharu culture in Chitwan), cycle through the farmland, or simply sit by the river at sunset, when rhinos sometimes come down to drink on the far bank.

For a fuller list, including trips beyond Sauraha such as Bis Hajari Tal and Devghat, see our guide to things to do in Chitwan. If you only have one day, a Chitwan day tour fits the main activities in.

Sauraha hotels in brief

Sauraha hotels range from simple family-run guesthouses to comfortable resorts with pools and gardens. Riverside rooms give you the sunset view; lodges a few lanes back are usually quieter and cheaper. Many lodges sell their own safari packages, so compare what’s included rather than just the room. For a full comparison of areas and styles, see our where to stay guide.

Practical information: cash, Wi-Fi, food and evenings

When Sauraha is busy and when it’s quiet

The busiest months are October–November and February–April, when the weather is clear and safaris run at full capacity. The Dashain and Tihar festival period in autumn also brings many Nepali visitors, and the Christmas and New Year weeks are popular with visitors from India and further afield. Book lodges and jeep safaris ahead for these dates.

December and January are quieter but cool and foggy in the mornings. The monsoon (June–September) is the quietest time: some park routes close or are limited and rain is heavy, but the village is green and calm. Our season guide has month-by-month detail.

Getting to Sauraha

Kathmandu to Sauraha is about 150–175 km, usually 5–7 hours by road; tourist buses and private cars both drop you in the village. Full details are on the Kathmandu route page. From Pokhara it’s about 150 km, and Bharatpur Airport is about 30 minutes away by road. If you’d like the transport, lodge and safari arranged together, a Sauraha safari package can include all three.