Sapana Village Lodge

Top choice in Chitwan National Park


Situated 1.5km north of Sauraha, this serene lodge is an excellent option for anyone, but especially those with an interest in Tharu culture. Set up by its dedicated owner with the aim of supporting the local Tharu community, particularly a local school, it promotes various activities that bring Tharu and tourists together, in addition to the usual wildlife activities. This includes village walking tours, planting rice in the fields, fishing trips and classes in cooking and art.

Not surprisingly, the rooms are decked out in charming village-style designs with vibrant paintings and rugs. The outstanding al-fresco lounge and restaurant overlooking the Budhi Rapti River and rice paddies is one of the best spots to eat or drink in Sauraha. Accommodation plus activity packages are detailed on the website.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Chitwan National Park attractions

1. Wildlife Display & Information Centre

1 MILES

Aimed more at school groups than tourists, this educational centre has displays on wildlife, including a rather macabre display of animals in formaldehyde…

2. Tharu Cultural Museum & Research Centre

1.08 MILES

The informative Tharu Cultural Museum & Research Centre in Bachhauli, the nearest Tharu village to Sauraha, has colourful murals and exhibits on artefacts…

3. Tharu Cultural Museum

1.9 MILES

For those with a serious interest in Tharu culture, there’s a tiny Tharu Cultural Museum in Harnari. It has displays of ornaments and a rakshi distillery…

4. Crocodile Breeding Project

9.61 MILES

A few hundred metres past the park headquarters in Kasara is a crocodile breeding project, where you can see both gharials and marsh muggers up close. The…

5. Shashwat Dham

18.22 MILES

Burned out on ancient sites? Here's a contemporary take on the temple compound, and it's very impressive. The centrepiece is a Shiva temple that resembles…

6. Manakamana Temple

22.61 MILES

A tiered pagoda basking in Himalayan views, the mountaintop Manakamana Temple dates back to the 17th century, but was heavily damaged by the 2015…

7. Silkworm Farm

24.64 MILES

An offbeat choice, a visit to Silkworm Farm takes you through the fascinating process of how silk is produced. The farm comprises orchards of mulberry…

8. Padma Library

24.71 MILES

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