National park or conservation area
Bardiya National Park
Nepal's largest lowland national park, a quieter alternative to Chitwan with tigers, rhinos, wild elephants and the Karnali river.
Far Westठाकुरद्वारा
Thakurdwara
The quiet Tharu village at the gate of Bardiya National Park, base for jungle walks and river trips.
The village at the main entrance of Bardiya National Park, Bardiya district.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Oct-Apr
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Bardiya, Lumbini
- Permit
- None needed
Higher seasonal exposure: heat (Apr-Jun), flooding (Jun-Sep).
Why go
Thakurdwara is a small village on the south-eastern edge of Bardiya National Park and the place where almost every visitor to the park stays. The park headquarters is here, along with a breeding centre and visitor area, and a cluster of lodges and homestays spreads along the lanes between fields and the forest edge.
Daily life in Thakurdwara follows the rhythm of the park. Mornings start early with guided jungle walks or jeep drives, afternoons are quiet, and in the evening guests and guides compare sightings. Even outside the park the setting is green and calm, with Tharu houses, rice and mustard fields, buffalo carts and birds along the irrigation channels.
The village also has a small temple that gives it its name, and Tharu communities nearby welcome visitors to homestays and cultural programmes. It is a place to slow down for several days rather than a single overnight stop.
History and culture
The western Terai was long the home of the Tharu people, whose villages, longhouses and distinctive culture dominated the area before large-scale hill migration in the second half of the twentieth century. Bardiya district was part of the territory returned to Nepal by the British in 1860, and the forests now in the park were once a royal hunting reserve before being protected as a wildlife reserve and later a national park.
Thakurdwara takes its name from its temple, a modest local shrine that is a focus for village festivals. Tharu culture is visible in the painted mud houses, the food, and dances such as the stick dance performed for visitors, while the Maghi festival in January marks the Tharu new year.
Things to do in Thakurdwara
Jungle walk or jeep safari
Book a licensed guide to explore Bardiya National Park on foot or by jeep.
Visit the park headquarters
See the visitor area and breeding centre near the park entrance.
Cycle the village lanes
Ride through Tharu villages and farmland around Thakurdwara in the late afternoon.
Tharu cultural evening
Watch a stick dance or stay in a community homestay to learn about Tharu life.
Weather and the best time to visit Thakurdwara
Weather in Thakurdwara
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-Apr
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and settled, with warm days, cooler evenings and clear skies after the rains.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is dry and mild by day, but fog often hangs over the plains in the mornings and nights are chilly.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is pleasant; by April and May the plains become very hot and dusty.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September brings heavy rain, high humidity, swollen rivers and occasional flooding of low ground and roads.
Where to stay
LodgesGuesthousesHomestays
Many small lodges, guesthouses and community homestays around the village, most of which arrange guides and activities.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Fly or drive to Nepalgunj, then travel west on the Mahendra Highway and turn south at Ambassa for Thakurdwara.
Nearest hub: Nepalgunj
- flightKathmandu to Nepalgunj by domestic flight, about an hour, then onward by road.
- roadFrom Nepalgunj or Kohalpur along the Mahendra Highway to Ambassa, then by a side road south to Thakurdwara; lodges can arrange transfers.
- roadLong-distance buses from Kathmandu travel the Mahendra Highway; get off at Ambassa and continue by local transport.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to stay in Thakurdwara. Entering Bardiya National Park requires a park entry permit, bought at the park office.
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 Thakurdwara
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Heathigh in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is very hot and humid, and walks are best in the early morning.
Floodinghigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
During the monsoon, rivers rise, forest tracks flood and parts of the park are closed to visitors.
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
- Book licensed guides through the park office or your lodge; walking in the park alone is not permitted.
- Bring neutral-coloured clothing, insect repellent and a hat.
- Allow at least two or three full days for a fair chance of seeing wildlife.
Questions about Thakurdwara
Where do visitors to Bardiya National Park stay?
Mostly in Thakurdwara, the village at the park's main entrance and headquarters.
How do I get to Thakurdwara?
Fly to Nepalgunj or travel by bus on the Mahendra Highway to Ambassa, then take a side road south to the village.
Do I need a permit for Thakurdwara?
Not for the village itself, but a park entry permit is required to enter Bardiya National Park.
Nearby
Lake
Badhaiya Tal
A large lake on the Bardiya plains, known locally for birdlife and quiet farmland surroundings.
Town or village · 150 m
Nepalgunj
A busy border city on the western Terai and the main air hub for Nepal's far west and Karnali.
National park or conservation area
Banke National Park
A young national park of sal forest and Churia hills, linking Bardiya with protected forest across the border.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Bardiya National Park, Wikipedia, Bardiya District, Wikipedia, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation