Nepal

By Paul Carter; first posted 22 Aug 2024.
Separate “site reports” with more detailed information and images have yet to be posted.

SUMMARY
On trips to Nepal in 2022 (alone) and 2023 (with Chi Phan) I saw 51 mammal species; these were mostly in Chitwan NP, Bardia NP, Langtang NP and around Pokhara. Small mammal highlights were White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel, Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel, Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel, Altai Mountain Weasel and Yellow-bellied Weasel. Larger mammals included Tiger, Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Himalayan Tahr and Himalayan Goral. In 2022 I also spent some time in Kathmandu with Stuart Chapman; thanks to him for sharing his knowledge on the region.

Contents
A. Trip and Site Reports
B. Mammal Species Seen
C. Reptile Species Seen
D. Logistics
E. References

A)  TRIPS AND SITE REPORTS
I visited Nepal alone in 2022 (Sep 29 – Oct 26) and with Chi Phan in 2023 (Oct 19 – Nov 11). Sites visited for mammals included the following, with links to site reports indicated (once posted):

  1. Kathmandu (2022 and 2023): Monkey Temple and Thamel. Site report here.
  2. Chitwan NP and Saura (2022 and 2023): Chitwan Community Forest, NP (across the river from Sauraha), Tiger Tower and Baghmara Tower.
  3. Pokhara (2022 and 2023): Chamere Gufa Bat Cave, Fish Tail Lodge, World Peace Pagoda area.
  4. Bardia NP (2022).
  5. Langtang NP (2022): Dhunche, New Village, Deurali, Dhimsa, Sing Gompa, Cholang Pati, Lauribina, Gosaikunda.

A)  MAMMALS SPECIES SEEN
The page numbers below refer to species accounts in Lynx (2020) but some binomials and common names in the list below have been revised/updated.

  1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus). p013.1. @ Bardia NP + Chitwan NP.
  2. Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis). p017.2. @ Langtang NP.
  3. Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta). p018.3. @ Kathmandu + Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Pokhara.
  4. Terai Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus hector). p019.2. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  5. Nepal Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus). p019.3. @ Langtang NP.
  6. Large-eared Pika (Ochotona macrotis) p024.4. @ Langtang NP.
  7. Royle’s Pika (Ochotona roylii). p025.1. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID.
  8. Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis). p026.2. @ Bardia NP.
  9. Indomalayan Long-tailed Climbing Mouse (Vandeleuria oleraceous). p038.1. @ Chitwan NP + Langtang NP.
  10. Indochinese Forest Rat (Rattus andamanensis). p048.3. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID.
  11. Sikkim Mountain Vole (Neodon sikimensis). p053.2. @ Langtang NP.
  12. Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura). p055.2. @ Pokhara.
  13. Northern Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii), p057.1. @ Kathmandu + Chitwan NP.
  14. Orange-bellied Squirrel (Dremomys lokriah). p059.2. @ Langtang NP.
  15. Irrawaddy Squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus). p060.1. @ Pokhara.
  16. Particoloured Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger). p060.4. @ Langtang NP + Chitwan NP buffer zone.
  17. White-bellied Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista albiventer). p061.3. @ Pokhara.
  18. Grey-headed Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista caniceps). p062.2. @ Langtang NP.
  19. Hodgson’s Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista magnificus). p062.3. @ Langtang NP.
  20. Hodgson’s Brown-toothed Shrew (Episoriculus caudatus). p070.1. @ Langtang NP. Q-ID vs E. soluensis.
  21. Asian House Shrew (Suncus murinus). p072.3. @ Kathmandu + Pokhara area.
  22. Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx), p078.3. @ Kathmandu + Sauraha.
  23. Indian Flying-fox (Pteropus medius). p081.4. @ Kathmandu + Pokhara.
  24. Great Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros armiger). p084.3. @ Pokhara.
  25. Japanese Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus nippon). p089.2. Split from Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (see ssp nippon). @ Pokhara. Q-ID.
  26. Big-eared Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus macrotis). p089.3. @ Pokhara.
  27. Intermediate Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus affinis). p091.1. @ Pokhara.
  28. Javan Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus javanicus). p100.2. @ Pokhara, provisional ID.
  29. Lesser Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus kuhlii). p107.2. @ Chitwan NP area.
  30. Greater Asiatic Yellow Bat (Scotophilus heathii). p107.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  31. Myotis sp: Nepalese Whiskered Myotis (Myotis muricola). p113.2. vs Himalayan Whiskered Myotis (Myotis siligorensis) not in range (p115.1). @ Pokhara.
  32. Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa). p128.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Langtang NP.
  33. Northern Red Muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis). p131.3. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP + Langtang NP.
  34. Chital Deer (Axis axis). p131.4. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  35. Hog Deer (Axis porcinus). p132.1. @ Chitwan Community Forest.
  36. Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor). p132.2. @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  37. Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), p138.4. @ Langtang NP.
  38. Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral). p142.3. @ Langtang NP.
  39. Maned Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), p143.3. @ Langtang NP.
  40. Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). p144.3. @ Chitwan NP + Chitwan Community Forest.
  41. Tiger (Panthera tigris). p146.3. @ Bardia NP.
  42. Leopard (Panthera pardus). p147.1. @ Bardia NP.
  43. Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha). p151.3. @ Chitwan NP area.
  44. Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata). p152.2. @ Pokhara.
  45. Northern Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). p152.3. @ Bardia NP.
  46. Small Indian Mongoose (Urva auropunctata). p153.2. @ Kathmandu.
  47. Indian Grey Mongoose (Urva edwardsii). p153.3. @ Chitwan NP.
  48. Golden Jackal (Canis aureus). p155.2. @ Pokhara area.
  49. Altai Mountain Weasel (Mustela altaica). p163.1. @ Langtang NP.
  50. Yellow-bellied Weasel (Mustela kathiah). p163.3. @ Langtang NP.
  51. Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula). p160.4. @ Langtang NP.

B)  REPTILE SPECIES SEEN
Reptiles seen whilst focused on mammals include the following:

  1. Ganges Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica). @ Chitwan NP area.
  2. Common Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis tristis). @ Bardia NP.
  3. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus). @ Chitwan NP + Chitwan Community Forest.
  4. Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). @ Chitwan NP + Bardia NP.
  5. Cloud-forest Japalure (Japalura tricarinata). @ Langtang NP.
  6. Kashmir Rock Agama (Laudakia tuberculata). @ Langtang NP.
  7. Keeled Indian Mabuya (Eutropis carinata). @ Bardia NP.
  8. Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor). @ Sauraha + Bardia NP + Pokhara.
  9. Asian House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus). @ Sauraha Town.
  10. Northern House Gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis). @ Bardia NP area. Tentative ID.
  11. Spotted House Gecko (Hemidactylus parvimaculatus). @ Chitwan NP buffer zone.

D)   LOGISTICS (2022-2023)

Time Zone: Kathmandu, Nepal ‎(UTC+5:45)‎ vs Thailand (UTC +7:00).
Currency: Over 2022-2023 the exchange rate range was 129-133 NPR/US$. During my trips it was:
(1) 2022 Sep 29 – Oct 26:  US$ = 131 NPR approx.
(2) 2023 Oct 19 – Nov 11:  US$ + 133 NPR approx.
Power:  230V 50 Hz.
Wall Sockets: Type C (Euro type – round, recessed, two-pin), D and M sockets. Most websites neglect to mention that Type G is also used in some places.
Weather: Monsoon season is around June to September. The Weather-and-climate app states “The periods from October to November (autumn) and mid-February to May (spring) are often regarded as the best time to visit Nepal. After the monsoon, the skies clear up, causing pleasant temperatures and spectacular views. In March and April, southern Nepal generally enjoys spring-like to summer conditions, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius (71.6 – 86 degrees Fahrenheit). This period is characterized by minimal rainfall and high amounts of sunshine”.
UK government Foreign Travel Advice for Nepal: link.

Travel tips for Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA): 2023
Visa On Arrival: The process is quicker if you do an online application before flying. Depending on your nationality you can submit an online application for a visa on arrival within the 15 days before your arrival (and not before then). On arrival you then submit a paper copy of this application. Obtaining a visa on arrival without an online application can be done but it takes longer to get the visa. You can submit a visa application at nepaliport (the immigration website) here. You pay at the visa on arrival counter but the visa is only placed in your passport at the immigration counters.
Carry-on luggage X-ray: After immigration all passengers put their carry-on luggage through an X-ray machine before collecting check-in baggage.
Airport Wifi: There is free airport wifi after arrival.
Cash: There is a foreign currency exchange booth after customs and there is an ATM further down the passage before the elevator and next to the taxi booking counter.
SIM Card: I bought an Ncell sim card (2022). There are Ncell booths near the currency exchange counter and near the ATM. My Ncell card still worked after one year away and I just had to top it up (done at the airport). Nepal Telecom is the other operator.
Taxi on Arrival: A taxi can be booked at the booth before the elevator and exit of the arrivals hall.
Airport website: https://tiairport.com.np/airport-facilities.

Taxi and Ride-Share Apps (2022-2023)
Pathao: I used this in Kathmandu. In was not an option in Pokhara.
InDrive: I used this app in 2023 in both Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Trekking and Restrictions
I bought trekking permits and national park permits (for Langtang NP) in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office on Pradarshani Marg east of Thamel. Note that “Trekkers should trek only in the specified or designated route as per the Trekking Permit. They are not allowed to change route”. The UK government (2023) noted that, as of 1 April 2023, “Nepal requires all solo trekkers to use a local guide or porter when trekking in Nepal’s national parks”. Other useful links were the Immigration department’s link on trekking permits and Third Rock Adventures (2023 Oct) had a good summary of the requirements and costs here. 

E.  REFERENCES

  • Acharya PR, Adhikari H, Dahal S, Thapa A, Thapa S (2010). Bats of Nepal: A field guide. Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation (SMCRF).
  • Lynx (2020a) / Lynx Edicions (2020 June). Lynx Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of South Asia. Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Menon V (2014). Indian Mammals. A Field Guide. Hachette Book Publishing, India.
  • Thapa S, Dahal DR, Ghimire R, Baral R, Yadav B, Lamichhane BR et al (2021 Sep). Occurrence of bats in protected areas of Nepal: An update on species richness and distribution records. Nepalese Journal of Zoology 5(2):68–85. https://doi.org/10.3126/njz.v5i2.42035
  • UK Government (2023). Foreign Travel Advice – Nepal. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nepal