National park or conservation area
Chitwan National Park
Nepal's first national park, in the inner Terai lowlands: sal forest, tall grassland and rivers home to one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and gharials.
Chitwan & Teraiबीस हजारी ताल
Bis Hazari Tal
A chain of forest-fringed oxbow lakes and marshes in the Chitwan National Park buffer zone, known for birdwatching and wildlife.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Lake
- District
- Chitwan, Bagmati
- Permit
- Entry fee
Why go
Bis Hazari Tal is a wetland complex of lakes, ponds and marshes lying in the forest between Bharatpur and the northern edge of Chitwan National Park. The name means 'twenty thousand lakes', a reference to the many small water bodies scattered through the Tikauli forest. The area lies in the national park's buffer zone and is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, as Beeshazar and Associated Lakes.
For visitors the lakes are mainly a place for birdwatching and quiet wildlife walks. Resident and migratory waterbirds use the open water and reed beds, and the forest around them holds woodpeckers, kingfishers, hornbills and many smaller species. Mugger crocodiles bask along the banks, and larger mammals including deer, wild boar and occasionally rhinoceros move through the area, so walks are made with a licensed guide.
Most people come on a guided half-day trip from Sauraha or Bharatpur, by jeep, bicycle or on foot through the community forest. The lakes are quieter than the main safari areas south of the Rapti, and early morning is the best time to see birds and mist over the water.
History and culture
The lakes formed in old channels of the rivers that cross the Chitwan valley, and they act as a link for wildlife moving between the national park and the forests of the Mahabharat hills to the north. Their listing under the Ramsar Convention recognised the importance of this corridor and of the wetland's birdlife.
Like much of Chitwan, the surrounding land was settled heavily after malaria control in the 1950s and 1960s, when forest was cleared for farming. The buffer zone system now involves local community forest user groups in managing the forest, and some of the income from visitors is meant to support local conservation and development.
Things to do in Bis Hazari Tal
Birdwatching walk
Walk the lake edges with a licensed guide in the early morning, when birds are most active and mist lies over the water.
Jeep or bicycle trip from Sauraha
Join a half-day guided trip from Sauraha that combines the lakes with the surrounding community forest.
Wildlife viewing
Watch for crocodiles, deer and other mammals from the banks and viewing points, keeping a safe distance.
Weather and the best time to visit Bis Hazari Tal
Weather in Bis Hazari Tal
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are clear and pleasant after the rains, with water levels still high.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February brings migratory waterbirds; mornings are foggy and cold, clearing by late morning.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is good for birds and wildlife as vegetation thins; April and May become very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is hot and wet, with leeches, mosquitoes and flooded paths; visits are limited.
Where to stay
HotelsLodgesGuesthouses
There is no accommodation at the lakes; visitors stay in Sauraha or Bharatpur.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
The lakes lie in the forest north of the national park, reachable by road and forest track from Bharatpur or Sauraha, normally on a guided trip.
Nearest hub: Bharatpur
- flightKathmandu to Bharatpur Airport by domestic flight, then onward by road.
- roadKathmandu to Bharatpur or Sauraha by tourist or local bus via the Prithvi Highway and Mugling, then a guided jeep, bicycle or walking trip to the lakes.
Permits and fees
Entry fee
The lakes are in the Chitwan National Park buffer zone; a buffer zone or community forest entry fee is normally charged, and a licensed guide is expected.
- Buffer zone or community forest entry fee: Check the current arrangement and rate locally.
- Licensed nature guide: Strongly advised for walks in the forest.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Bis Hazari Tal
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain floods low paths and raises the lakes; access tracks can be muddy or impassable.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
Pre-monsoon days in the Inner Terai are very hot and humid; walk early and carry water.
Othermoderate in a typical yearAll year
Wild animals including rhinoceros, wild elephants and crocodiles use the area; walk only with a licensed guide.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Wear muted colours and keep voices low to see more birds.
- Use insect repellent and check for leeches after walks, especially near water.
- Bring binoculars; the lakes are wide and many birds stay on the far banks.
- Do not approach the water's edge where crocodiles are present.
Questions about Bis Hazari Tal
What does Bis Hazari Tal mean?
It means 'twenty thousand lakes', a reference to the many small lakes and ponds in the forest.
Do I need a guide to visit Bis Hazari Tal?
Yes, a licensed guide is advised because rhinoceros, wild elephants and crocodiles use the area.
How do I get to Bis Hazari Tal?
Most visitors join a guided half-day trip by jeep, bicycle or on foot from Sauraha or Bharatpur.
When is the best time for birdwatching?
Winter, from December to February, brings migratory waterbirds; early mornings are best throughout the dry season.
Nearby
Town or village
Bharatpur
Chitwan's main city and transport hub on the Narayani river, the usual gateway for Chitwan National Park and the central Terai.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Beeshazar and Associated Lakes, Wikipedia, Chitwan National Park, Wikipedia, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation