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Tour operators in Nepal offer excellent packages to visitors for exploring the beauty of the country in a short time. But for the traveler with a tight schedule, the 2 nights/3days Pokhara-Citwan tour which packs Himalayan views and jungle safaris into one thrilling circuit is an unbeatable way to experience the rich diversity of the country. Pokhara is a gorgeous lake-side town 200 km to the west of Kathmandu. Chitwan lies to the south of Kathmandu in the Terai and is home to Royal Chitwan National Park, considered among the best wildlife parks in Asia. While the air transport to Pokhara is quicker, it is in the five-six hours drive that visitors get a chance to witness the magnificent terrain, replete with rivers, country charm, lush greenery to the Nepalese mid-hills and glimpses of the Himalaya. Visitors leave Kathmandu early morning in a luxury coach, van or car provided by the tour operator. They pass through winding highway that accompanies the Trisuli river, the most popular rafting river of Nepal.
The town of Pokhara with its laidback atmosphere has a mild climate, the mountains reflect on the beautiful strewn across the lake-side serve varieties of international dishes. After arriving in Pokhara, visitors begin with a bout of boating at the Phewa Lake. The pure pleasure that comes with feeling the water underneath while watching the conspicuous Machhapuchhre (Fish-tail) mountain surrounded by the giants of the Annapurna range is out of this world. After a few hours of boating, next on the agenda is the sightseeing tour of Pokhara. The enigmatic Devis’s Falls is a few minute’s drive away. The Pardi Khola is the outflow from the Phewa Lake, and at Davin’s Fall it disappears into the hole in the ground, creating magnificent sprays that produce rainbows. Another attraction is the Seti Gandaki River, which flows right through the heart of the town. The limestone in the soil gives the river its milky color. In certain sports, Seti Gandaki runs completely underground, even 50 m below ground level. There are a number of Tibetan settlements around Pokhara which sell handicrafts goods and Tibetan Carpets. The drive to Chitwan the next day consists of more thrilling views along the Narayani River. It is a mere three-four hours stretch, with the lively atmosphere of the plaints of Nepal becoming more evident as one reaches the Royal Chitwan National Park. Many jungle resorts and safari have cropped up inside and outside the Chitwan National Park. They are fitted with all the modern amentities imaginable, but usually in beautiful village-style houses. After a wash and a launch, visitors are invited to go for an elephant safari. Riding the back of an elephant, they penetrate the deep jungle. Chitwan particularly buzzes with wildlife. Visitors might catch a sight of a rhino here, a barking deer there, and, on a lucky day, even the Royal Bengal Tiger. Over 450 species of birds fly in the dense jungle, including the endangered Bengal florican, giant hornbill, and the black-and-white stork. After a couple of hours of elephant ride, visitors can splash around in the swimming pool that are inside many of the resorts. Dinner is preceded by the treat of a lifetime: a Tharu stick dance. Tharus are the indigenous inhabitants of the jungles, and their rich culture manifests itself in this joyous dance they put for the guests. The rhythmic clatter of the sticks, accompanied by invigorating music, even invites the guests to join the fray, which many do with initial shyness and then with zest and relish. The next morning visitors can go on a jungle walk with a trained guide who can show them the myriad of flora and fauna around them. Alternatively, they can choose a jeep safari, which goes deeper into the park to encounter even more wildlife. Then visitors return to Kathmandu, which is another four-hour-ride. Thus the Pokhara-Chitwan tour packs more in its three-day period than one can imagine. It is also the best way to experience the diverse beauty and culture of Nepal, ranging from the lakes and mid-hills in Pokhara to the vibrant wildlife of the Terai.
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