The government’s decision to implement Saturday and Sunday as public holidays has begun yielding tangible results for Nepal’s tourism sector, with popular destinations reporting a noticeable uptick in visitor numbers. Chitwan’s Sauraha, traditionally considered off-season during the summer months due to the heat, is defying seasonal expectations, with hotels, restaurants, and safari operators reporting packed schedules as domestic tourists make the most of their extended weekends.
Sauraha Bustles Against All Seasonal Odds
Conventionally, the summer season is not regarded as a prime time for internal tourism in Chitwan, given the region’s high temperatures. However, the two-day weekend holiday has changed visitor behaviour significantly. Hotels and restaurants in Sauraha are running at full capacity, and popular activity zones, from jeep safari departure points to elephant riding stations, are seeing crowds that would typically only be expected during the cooler peak season. Tourists, it appears, are no longer letting the heat stand in the way of a weekend getaway.
Chitwan: A Multi-Dimensional Tourism Destination
Chitwan has long earned its reputation as Nepal’s premier destination for nature, culture, and adventure tourism. Known particularly for wildlife observation and water-based recreation, it draws both domestic and international visitors in substantial numbers. Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, serves as the centrepiece of the region’s tourism appeal, offering an extraordinary range of wildlife experiences in one of Asia’s finest natural habitats.
Industry Voices Welcome the Holiday Reform
Deependra Khatiwada, a senior tourism entrepreneur and chairperson of the United Elephant Operation Cooperative, confirmed that domestic tourist arrivals in Chitwan have been on a rising trend in recent times. He credited the two-day weekend holiday policy with delivering a direct and positive impact on the tourism sector. “This season is generally not considered a tourism period in Chitwan due to the heat,” he said, “but tourists are coming regardless, using the two-day break for travel without worrying about the weather.”
Khatiwada also noted that during a recent four-day consecutive holiday period, he personally witnessed groups of tourists travelling a full circuit, from Sauraha in Chitwan through Lumbini and onward to Pokhara, indicating that extended holidays are encouraging multi-destination itineraries rather than single-stop visits.
Elephant Safari Remains a Crown Jewel
Elephant safari remains one of Chitwan’s most iconic and beloved tourist attractions. The United Elephant Operation Cooperative currently operates 30 elephants for safari purposes. Tourists can enjoy rides during three daily time slots: morning from 6:30 to 9:30, afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00, and evening from 4:30 to 6:00. A roughly 90-minute elephant ride costs domestic tourists Rs 1,650, according to tourism entrepreneur Amit Gurung, who noted that both domestic and foreign visitors regularly enjoy the experience.
Tourism businessperson Ashish Regmi pointed out that while elephant safari remains a key attraction, no new elephants have been bought or sold since the COVID-19 pandemic. Operators continue to work with their existing animals. Maintaining a single elephant is a significant financial commitment; each animal requires more than Rs 1 lakh per month, involving two dedicated handlers and a daily diet of approximately 25 kilograms of paddy, two kilograms of chickpeas, rock salt, and jaggery.
A Full Spectrum of Experiences
Beyond elephant safari, Chitwan offers visitors a remarkably diverse range of experiences. Jungle safaris by jeep or elephant allow tourists to spot wildlife including tigers, rhinos, wild boars, crocodiles, and monkeys, as well as a wide variety of bird species. Boat rides along the Rapti River offer close encounters with sunbathing crocodiles, rhinos on the riverbanks, and abundant birdlife. Bird-watching has also emerged as a growing attraction, with Chitwan National Park gaining recognition as a premier destination for avid birders. Sunset viewing over the grasslands and observation of Tharu cultural traditions further enrich the visitor experience, making Chitwan accessible and appealing to travellers of all ages.
Hospitality Sector Thriving Year-Round
Swastika Bhatt, operator of Tiffin Home and Restaurant, confirmed that hotels and eateries in the area have been running well, sustained by the growing flow of tourists. She noted that in recent years, tourist arrivals have become a year-round phenomenon rather than a seasonal one. “These days, tourists come to Chitwan in whichever month you name,” she said. The two-day weekend holiday, industry operators agree, has been a key driver of this welcome shift toward more consistent, year-round domestic tourism.
