Getting There
The districts of Tarai are all connected by a single east-west highway, with its major towns linked by 20-50km access roads. Buses travel between these towns regularly. Long route buses depart from Kathmandu to these towns too.
There are airports in Bhadrapur, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi, and flights depart regularly from Kathmandu. The airports in Indian side near to border can be also used. The nearest ones are at Bagdogra (Siliguri), Patna, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur. There are over-land entry points for foreigners at Kakarbhitta (from Darjeeling, Sikkim and Kolkata), Birganj/Raxaul (from Patna and Kolkata), Nepalganj (from Lucknow), Bhairahawa (from Varanasi, Agra and Delhi), and Mahendranagar (from Delhi and Uttaranchal).
Places
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha. He was born in a garden in Lumbini in 563 BC. Maya Devi Temple, the exact spot where Queen Maya Devi of Kapilavastu gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam (Buddha) is a major attraction. The Ashokan pillar and the ruined foundations of ancient stupas and monasteries are also remarkable. Tilaurakot, about 25 km west of Lumbini, has the ruins of the palace, where Siddhartha Gautam spent the first 29 years of his life. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Janakpur
Janakpur is a Hindu pilgrimage site. It was the capital of King Janak and is the birthplace of Sita. The ideal time to visit the city is on the occasion of Hindu festival of Vivah Panchami around November-December.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan national park, with its 932 sq km of reserve area, is home to one-horned Indian rhino, tigers, leopards and rare Gangetic dolphins. One can enjoy elephant safari in the park.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
The reserve, composed of grassland and several small islands around Koshi river, is home to thousands of species of birds. One can also enjoy watching fresh water Dolphins, wild buffalos called Arna, deer, wild boars, pythons and crocodiles.
Royal Bardia National Park
This 968 sq km of reserve accommodates Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinos, grey langurs, rhesus macaques, leopards, civets, hyenas, and sloth bears. It is also home to more than 250 species of birds.
Other Towns
Biratnagar, Rajbiraj, Birgunj, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi