Situated in south central Nepal, Chitwan National Park brings to mind rhinos and tigers.

About Chitwan National Park

The park was named a rhinoceros sanctuary in 1963 and UNESCO ultimately declared Chitwan a World Heritage Site in 1984. So, whether you embark on a Himalayan trek or not, a safari in Chitwan is high on the bucket lists of the world.

Endangered fauna resident in the park are Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Gaur (wild ox) and of course the infamous Bengal Tiger. Other captivating wildlife are Wild Asian Elephants, Four- horned Antelope, Pangolin, Golden Monitor Lizard, Python, Bengal Florican and Giant Hornbill, to name a few. Chitwan houses more than 50 mammal species, over 525 birds, and 55 amphibians and reptiles. During the winter months (Northern Hemisphere), migratory birds join the residential birds and create spectacular bird watching opportunities.

The Chitwan valley consists of both tropical and subtropical forests. Sal forests cover the majority of the park. The leaves are used locally for plates in festivals and religious offerings. 50 different types of grasses, cover almost all of the remainder. Elephant grass (Saccharum), is known to grow up to 8m in height.

The park consists of a diversity of ecosystems. There is also a range of climatic seasons.  The months of October through February offer the most comfortable and enjoyable climate with average temperatures of 25^oC. In late January, local villagers are allowed to cut thatch grasses to meet their needs, which provides a better viewing of wildlife. From March to June temperatures can reach as high as 43^oC. During the monsoon season, June through September, causes rivers to become flooded and roads become impassible.

Public buses, tourist coaches, and airlines service link Chitwan.

Nepal Tours

For Nepal adventures that include Chitwan National Park, below are a few of the many on offer.

Delhi to Kathmandu Adventure – 15 days, for those 18-to-Thirtysomethings, from $1599 CAD ($1176 US approximately). Explore the vibrant streets of urban India, sail along the Ganges, get a glimpse of traditional life in small villages, marvel at Nepal’s mountain views, experience a homestay in rural Nepal, Opt to take a jeep safari through the diverse ecosystem of Chitwan National Park for a chance to witness rhinos, crocodiles, monkeys, and maybe even the elusive bengal tiger.

Nepal Adventure – 10 days, from $1649 CAD ($1213 US approximately). From the colours and magic of Kathmandu’s markets to the serenity of Himalayan trails, this 10-day adventure offers an intriguing blend of well-paced excursions. The rugged foothills of the Annapurna Range will reward those willing to break a sweat with stunning views of mountain vistas. Experience Nepal from a different perspective as you explore Chitwan National Park on a 4×4 safari.

Numerous other tours are available, including private customized tours.  For more adventures in Nepal or elsewhere,

Laos travel is, in many ways, typical of other Southeast Asian countries. We have found that renting a motorcycle is a great way to see a city or town, and Johnny has begun to drive like a local. Yikes! That means making turns without even looking to see if there is another car coming. Usually they drive quite slowly and people just yield for each other all the time. It seems to work.

Laos is a typical South East Asian Country in many ways – open air food stalls on every street with vendors selling barbequed meat on a skewer, fruit or other cooked foods, leaving your shoes at the door of not only temples, but homes, stores and restaurants, showers with no curtains so the water goes all over and soaks everything in the bathroom, hot water a luxury, squat toilets or western style but with no seat, and tuktuk (motorcycle taxi) drivers aplenty.

The food has, thankfully, been quite good here, as in Thailand. There are many Indian restaurants, as well as vegetarian Asian dishes everywhere, and yummy baguettes. Our typical bill for a meal for the two of us is around $3.00. I don’t think a day has passed that we have not eaten rice.

After a number of days in Vientiane, we flew to Luang Prabang, a lovely little city set in the mountains, about halfway between Veintiane and the Chinese border. It is a magical setting, with Wats everywhere. The town is a Unesco World Heritage site.

Young novice monks are a common sight, clad in orange robes, usually barefoot, and often carrying umbrellas to guard against the sun. Most Lao boys will temporarily ordain as monks for anywhere from a number of weeks to several years, with many choosing to remain for the rest of their lives.

In the mornings at around 6:30, the monks walk in silence through the streets to receive food from the locals and tourists alike. It is quite a sight to see, hundreds of monks, some look as young as 7, parading barefoot, single file, carrying baskets slung over their shoulders to receive their alms. Vendors sell bundles of cooked rice, wrapped in banana leaves, to the tourists, so that we have something to give to the monks. The locals just use their hands and toss handfuls of cooked rice into the baskets. The only source of food for the monks is donated and it appears that it is mostly rice. I wonder how a person could survive just eating rice.

The guesthouse where we have been staying is right next to a Wat, so we can hear the morning and evening gongs, which is the call to prayer. 4 times a month the drum is also sounded, and that is what we woke to this morning.

Johnny and I visited a Wat (Buddhist temple) and a young monk struck up a conversation with Johnny. I stood back until the monk spoke to me, as I was not sure if it was allowed for a woman to converse with one. I know that it is not allowed for a woman to touch a monk. This young man, Nordiaw (pronounced Nodio), is 19 and has been at that temple for 5 years. He enjoyed speaking English with us and he opened up the Wat for us and answered all our questions. He was very sweet and we spent about an hour with him. He laughed when I answered that I had no children, because in this country that is almost unheard of. We read some of his English homework and I wrote some things in his book to help with pronunciation. Th and sh sounds are foreign to the Lao tongue. Nordiaw then exchanged email addresses with Johnny!

He mentioned that foreigners are welcome to the Wat during prayertime and invited us to attend that evening. I was incredulous and knew I had to grab this opportunity. I felt intimidated about just strolling into a Wat at prayer time, although I knew I would not be judged and it was the right thing for me to do. I also knew it would likely be the chance of a lifetime, so I took it. As soon as the prayer gong was sounded I entered the temple and I was all alone, so I knelt and meditated for about 15 minutes before about 14 monks came in together. After their initial prayer, they reverted to chanting. The one old monk, kneeling at the front, would sing one line, then the rest of the group would respond with a very long verse. Their voices filled my body and my spirit, as I knelt with my eyes closed and got lost in the sensation.

This was such an uplifting experience, I only wish I could have sung along with them. I left the temple at exactly the right moment, I believe, because as soon as I walked out, they stopped chanting. The sun had just set and the pathway was lit with lanterns. This was an hour in my life that I will never forget. I have come away from this experience with more questions than answers, and I know how lucky I am.

Here are a few tours in Laos, currently on sale (expires Sept 28, 2017).

Thailand and Laos Adventure – 14 days, from $1432 CAD ($1178 US). Visit temples in Chiang Mai then spend the evening exploring the night market. Sail the Mekong into the heart and soul of Laos.

Cambodia and Laos Mekong Adventure – 15 days, from $1963 CAD ($1615 US). From Angkor Wat to remote river towns, journey down the Mekong and into the heart and soul of Southeast Asia. This adventure offers an intriguing blend of included activities and free time for personal discovery.

What Is Angkor Wat

What Is Angkor Wat? UNESCO World Heritage Angkor, near Siem Riep, Cambodia, is a site you don’t want to miss.

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1113 – c. 1150). It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple towards the end of the 12th century as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. The site covers 162.6 hectares (402 acres).

Be sure to visit Angkor while in Cambodia. Here are a few tours to keep you hopping.

River Cruise – here is an 8 day tour aboard a classic riverboat sailing from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. Get a true taste of river cruising while visiting the Cai Be floating market, the fishing port of Kampong Chhnang, and stilt villages like Chnok Tru. From $1954 CAD ($1533 US), book by August 29, for select dates to Dec 31.

Cambodia Experience – 9 days Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok. Soak up the colours, culture, and history of this incredible region. Its natural beauty coupled with tumultuous history make Cambodia a truly fascinating destination from $1062 CAD ($833 US) departures August and Sept.

Cycle Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok – 12 days from $2422 CAD ($1900 US). Roll past the temples of stunning Angkor Wat, cruise around Phnom Penh, and enjoy the villages and rural life around Siem Reap. Book by Aug 23, for select departures Sept 1 – Dec 16.