Miscellaneous
Sauraha: Reconnecting with nature
Once an unsuspecting Tharu village, Sauraha has recently grown into a touristic town attracting thousands of visitors each year. With Rapti River gently ambling by, this town is also the eastern gateway to Chitwan National Park.Once an unsuspecting Tharu village, Sauraha has recently grown into a touristic town attracting thousands of visitors each year. With Rapti River gently ambling by, this town is also the eastern gateway to Chitwan National Park.
The tourists flocking to Sauraha are neither looking for an adventure nor a party. They come here to breathe in and breathe out the greenery and serenity that the town has to offer. They come here to just relax and cut off from rest of the world while reconnecting with nature.
One can do many things to unwind in this town: Watch sunsets over the Rapti River, go for an elephant ride or an elephant shower, watch birds or stay overnight in a Machaan spotting wild animals, wander around the Tharu village in a Tanga—a local horse cart, or even watch Tharu cultural shows. But, the region is most famous for jungle safaris—on foot, on elephant or by jeep—and for canoe rides on the river.
Once wild and untamed, Sauraha over the decades has evolved into one of the hottest tourist hotspots in the country and once here, it is not difficult to understand why. The air is crisp, the jungles wild, the people welcoming and the cool breeze therapeutic; harkening you to unplug all your techie distractions and reconnect with nature once more.
- Text and Photos: Keshav Thapa