What to do in Chitwan National Park

Swap the snow-capped peaks for subtropical jungle, and you've got Chitwan – Nepal's wildlife-watching heartland and a world away from the mountain trails. Down in the steamy Terai lowlands, this UNESCO-listed park protects one of Asia's last great stretches of tall grassland and sal forest, home to one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, sloth bears and, if fortune favours, the elusive Bengal tiger. Jeep safaris push through dense vegetation in search of big game, while canoe trips along the Rapti River offer a quieter approach – drifting past mugger crocodiles sunning on the banks and gharials with their impossibly long snouts. Walking safaris with expert naturalists add a thrilling edge, tracking rhino footprints through the grass with nothing but binoculars and your wits. Birders will be in their element too, with over 500 species recorded, from giant hornbills to jewel-bright kingfishers. It's a completely different Nepal down here – humid, wild and teeming with life – and the perfect complement to the high-altitude drama further north. A couple of nights is enough to get a real taste of the park, though sightings have a way of keeping you hooked for longer.