Koshi Tappu wetlands
About
Koshi Tappu, on the Koshi river in the eastern plains, is Nepal's great bird wetland: river channels, marshes and grassland where hundreds of kinds of birds live, and where many more arrive for the winter from the north. It is also the last home in Nepal of the wild water buffalo, the arna. We stay at the edge of the reserve, walk the embankments at dawn, go out on the river and spend slow days with binoculars.
A private tour
A few days that belong to you
Namaste, and welcome. Just your group, your own car and me. You wake in a quiet guest house, walk when the light is good, and rest when you want to. Nobody hurries you to the next stop on someone else's timetable. For these few days, the road is yours.
- Your own car and driver
- It stops for a view, a tea shop or a photo whenever you ask.
- Mornings without an alarm
- Sunrise if you want it, a slow breakfast if you do not.
- One person to ask
- The same guide all the way: for the history, the food, the road and anything that goes wrong.
- Quiet places to sleep
- Small guest houses, chosen for calm rather than size.
- The plan bends to you
- A place left out, a longer stay, a slower day: we decide together as we go.
With warmth, Rujan Neupane
Along the way
What this day is known for.
- Winter flocks of ducks, geese and waders
- Storks, eagles and rare wetland birds
- The wild water buffalo, the arna
- Quiet mornings on the Koshi river
- Sunrise over the marshes from the embankment
Day by day, night by night
Where we go, how long on the road, and where you sleep each night.| Day | The day | On the road | The night | Room + meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kathmandu to Biratnagar, drive to Koshi TappuA short flight east, then by road to the edge of the reserve; an evening walk on the embankment.
|
Flight about 45 minutes, then about 1½ to 2 hours | Near the reserve | Paid at cost |
| Day 2 | Koshi Tappu: the embankments and marshesDawn on the embankment, then the marshes and grassland with a local bird guide.
|
On foot and by jeep | Near the reserve | Paid at cost |
| Day 3 | Koshi Tappu: the riverA morning on the river by boat, then the Koshi barrage in the evening.
|
Boat and jeep | Near the reserve | Paid at cost |
| Day 4 | Back to KathmanduA last early walk, then the road to Biratnagar and the flight back.
|
About 2 hours, then the flight | — |
Is this tour for you?
Walking, steps, heat and access, honestly.Not sure? Tell me who is coming, and I'll tell you honestly. Write to me
The honest downsides
What I'd want to know before booking.- Few big animals besides the buffalo; it is a place for birds.
- Places to stay are few and simple.
- From April it is hot, and in the monsoon the area floods.
- Winter mornings are often foggy until mid-morning.
More about this tour
Best time to go
December to February for the winter visitors.- BestJAN
- BestFEB
- GoodMAR
- HazyAPR
- HazyMAY
- RainJUN
- RainJUL
- RainAUG
- RainSEP
- GoodOCT
- GoodNOV
- BestDEC
Migrating birds arrive from about November and leave by March. Fog on winter mornings can delay the start.
Time of day
Festivals worth planning for
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and change every year; I confirm the date when you ask.
Before you go
The small practical things.Visiting with respect
These are living places of worship, not museums.- Keep quiet in the forest and follow the park guide's word near animals.
- Never feed or follow animals for a photograph.
- Carry your rubbish out of the park.
- Ask before photographing people in the villages.
Staying away: 3 nights
You pay me only my guide fee. Rooms and meals are paid at what they actually cost, with nothing added by me.Where your money goes
Every amount, and who receives it. I charge only my guide fee; the rest is paid at cost.| What | Who receives it | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide (me) | Rujan Neupane | My city day rate × days, and the overnight allowance | One rate for 1 to 5 people |
| Car and driver | A local driver | What the driver charges | Paid at cost |
| Hotels and meals | The hotels and restaurants | What they charge | You pay directly; I never add anything |
| Entrance fees | The sites and parks | See my Entrance fees page | Paid at the gate, at cost |
| Park entry permit | The national park | See my Entrance fees page | Official price, paid at cost |
| Licensed park guide for walks inside | Local nature guides | What they charge | Paid at cost |
| Boat on the river | Local boatmen | What they charge | Paid at cost |
| Flights Kathmandu to Biratnagar and back | The airline | The airline's fare | You pay the airline, at cost |
I don't sell packages. I guide, and I help you arrange the rest (rooms, transport, permits) at what it actually costs. If you would like it all put together as one package, ask me: I make one only on your request, and we confirm it by email.
Photo notes
From a guide who is also a photographer.The places in detail
The history and stories behind what you will see.Koshi Tappu
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was set up in 1976 on the floodplain of the Koshi river, Nepal’s largest river, above the barrage on the Indian border. It covers about 176 km² and was the first site in Nepal listed under the Ramsar Convention, in 1987. Hundreds of kinds of birds have been recorded here, and it protects the last wild water buffalo in Nepal.
Fees
The reserve’s entry fee is on my Entrance fees page.
My promises
Written down, so you can hold me to them.- No pressureAsk me anything. Asking costs nothing and commits you to nothing, and I will never rush your decision.
- Nothing hiddenEvery cost is written down before you pay anything, and nothing is added later without your agreement.
- Your day, your paceWe stay longer where you want to, and skip what doesn't interest you.
- Reviews as writtenEvery review here is published as the guest wrote it. I don't edit reviews or remove critical ones.
Before you go
What I would read first, from my own guides and tours.Guides to read first
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for birds at Koshi Tappu?
December to February, when the winter visitors are there.
How do we get there?
A short flight to Biratnagar, then about 1½ to 2 hours by road.
Will we see the wild water buffalo?
Usually, in the grassland of the reserve.
Do I need to be a birdwatcher?
It helps. If you just love quiet nature, you will enjoy it too.
Reviews from guests who toured with me are published automatically, exactly as they wrote them. Reviews sent through the open form are checked for spam only.
Reviews
0 reviewsNo reviews yet. Be the first to share how your tour went.
Share your experience
Took this tour with me? Your review is held for a quick check before it's shown here.
Plan it with me
Tell me how you'd like to spend the day. I'll plan the rest around you.
Send your date, group size and anything you'd like to see or skip, whichever way suits you.
- +977 984-3808583
- Phone
- +977 984-3808583
Know your date already? Book me as your guide for this tour
More than 5 of you? Write to me. I guide up to 5 people at one rate. For a bigger group we can talk it through by email. I reply myself, usually within a day. On the trail there is often no network, so it can take a few days.
Verified credentials
My licences and training papers. Open any file to see the original.
Guide Association Membership
Thank you.
Your review of Koshi Tappu: Birds of the Wetlands means a lot — I read every one myself.
Held for a quick check — it'll appear on this page once approved, usually within a day.
Write to me about this tour
Enquiring about: Koshi Tappu: Birds of the Wetlands — tell me your dates and group size and I'll reply with availability and next steps.
