Quick answer
Besides the jeep safari, the best things to do in Sauraha are a guided jungle walk, a canoe ride on the Rapti river, birdwatching, a jungle tower night, a Tharu cultural show and a village tour, and a bike ride through the villages. Prices below are the starting prices on our website on 6 November 2026.
Starting prices per person
- Jungle walk: from $35
- Canoe ride: from $25
- Bird watching: from $25
- Jungle tower night: from $125 for one night
- Tharu dance show: $5 (standard)
- Tharu village tour: from $35
- Cycling: from $15 (village loop) or $30 (Bishazari Lake)
Not sure how long to stay? Read our Chitwan travel guide, then choose from the list below.
1. Jungle walk with a licensed naturalist
Walk the forest with two government-licensed naturalists, one leading and one following. Options run from about 2 hours to a full day, over easy to moderate, mostly flat ground. From $35 per person. See the jungle walk page.
2. Canoe ride on the Rapti river
A 30 to 45 minute ride in a traditional dugout canoe past gharial and mugger crocodiles and river birds. It is calm, seated and suitable for non-swimmers. From $25 per person. See the canoe trip page.
3. Birdwatching
Chitwan has more than 500 bird species, from hornbills and kingfishers to storks and raptors. Early morning is best. From $25 per person. See the bird watching tour.
4. A night in a jungle tower
Walk 30 to 45 minutes into the forest with a naturalist and an armed forest guard and sleep in an elevated tower beside a river and waterhole. From $125 for one night. See the jungle tower night stay.
5. Tharu cultural dance show
An evening show of the Tharu stick dance and other folk dances in Sauraha, lasting 45 minutes to an hour. It is seated, so it suits all ages. $5 per person for the standard show. See the Tharu dance show page.
6. Tharu village tour
A one to one-and-a-half hour walk through a Tharu village to see traditional longhouses, wall art and the Tharu Cultural Museum. It is easy and suits all ages. From $35 per person. See the Tharu village tour page.
7. Visit the Elephant Breeding Centre
The breeding centre is part of the first afternoon in our safari packages, along with the Tharu village walk.
8. Cycle through the villages
A two to three hour loop on flat dirt roads past villages, fields and the Rapti riverside, on mountain or hybrid bikes with a local guide. From $15 per person. See the cycling page.
9. Cycle to Bishazari Lake
A half-day ride of four to five hours through community forest to Bishazari Lake, a wetland alive with birds. From $30 per person, plus a small community or wetland fee at the lake.
10. Watch the sunset over the Rapti
Our packages end the first day with the sun setting over the Rapti river before the Tharu cultural show. It costs nothing and is one of the best ways to end a day in Sauraha.
Local tip
Most of these need no park permit because they take place in Sauraha. Jungle walks, canoe rides and birdwatching inside the park need a park permit for each day, which our packages include.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Sauraha besides a jeep safari?
Jungle walks, canoe rides, birdwatching, a jungle tower night, a Tharu dance show and village tour, cycling to Bishazari Lake and visiting the Elephant Breeding Centre.
How many days do I need in Sauraha?
Two to three nights is enough for most visitors to fit in a safari, a walk or canoe ride and a cultural evening without rushing.
Which activities suit children?
The canoe ride, village tour, Tharu show and village cycling loop are easy and suit all ages. The tower night usually has a minimum age of around 10.
Do I need a park permit?
Activities inside Chitwan National Park need a permit for each day. The Tharu show, village tour and village cycling take place outside the park and need none.
Can I combine these activities in one package?
Yes. Our Chitwan safari packages combine your stay with the main activities, and you can add extras such as a tower night or cycling.
