Kathmandu

A fascinating city sheltered in a mountain valley, Kathmandu is the historical centre of Nepal, its bustling streets testament to an ancient culture defined by a complex blend of Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

Originally three distinct cities – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur – were the major centres of political and military power in the Kathmandu Valley and each boasts its own artistic and architectural traditions apparent in the historic temples and palaces.

A guided walking tour of each area, including the magnificent Bodhnath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple complex, is the best way to gain an intimate insight into a part of the world which seems at times unchanged since the Middle Ages.

Shopping is another big draw in Kathmandu and some excellent thangkas (traditional paintings), block prints, Tibetan carpets, wool jackets, pashminas and jewellery can be found at relatively cheap prices.

Our preferred hotels in Kathmandu include:

Dwarika’s
Soaltee Crowne Plaza
Hyatt Regency
Gokarna Forest Resort
Yak & Yeti

Pokhara

Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty and is the main starting point for day walks or longer forays amongst the mountains. There is a beautiful lake and stunning panaromic views of Himalayan peaks (including Machapuchare – Fishtail Mountain). Pokhara is part of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya.

Our preferred hotels in Pokhara include:

Pokhara Lodge
Fishtail Lodge

Royal Bardia National Park

Royal Bardia National Park is the largest park in the lowland Terai covering an area of 968 sq. km. The park, situated in Nepal’s Western Terai, was established to protect representative ecosystems and conserve tiger and its prey species. Initially, a small area was gazetted as the Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve in 1976. When this area was protected, approximately 1500 people of the Babai Valley were resettled outside the park allowing the vegetation and wildlife to flourish. In 1982 it was renamed Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve, and in 1984 it was extended to its current size. The reserve was given the status of a National Park in 1988.

The most convenient and unforgettable means of travelling through the sometimes dense vegetation is on elephant back and there are a few rustic, but delightful and very comfortable camps and lodges in which to stay. Royal Bardia National Park is also home to the last truly wild elephant in Nepal.

Our preferred lodge and camp in the park include:

Karnali Lodge
Karnali Tented Camp

Royal Chitwan National Park

Situated in the central Terai region of Nepal, Chitwan is the oldest of the country’s national parks covering an area of 932 km2. The river plains and steaming jungle host one of the largest populations of the rare Bengal Tiger, along with the one-horned rhinos and wild elephants that are best viewed on elephant-back safaris. It is also possible for the more adventurous to spend a night camping in the jungle.

On a clear day you also have the magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya beyond, including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu.

Our preferred lodges & camps in the park include:

Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge
Tiger Tops Tented Camp
Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge

Trekking

Trekking can be done for just a few days or for a month or more, in the same style as exploratory or mountaineering expeditions. Whilst trekking, Sherpas serve as guides, interpreters, cooks and camp staff. Porters, horses or yaks carry all food, fuel, camping equipment and your personal belongings so that you need only carry what you might want during the day. At night either you can stay in tents or local lodges known as tea-houses and sleep in sleeping bags, all of which are carried with the trekking party.

Around the Annapurnas

This is one of Nepal’s most renowned treks. The route climbs gradually along the Marsyangdi gorge through the remote valley of Manang to crest the arid, windswept northern flank of Annapurna at the Thorong La, a high but straightforward pass at 5300 meters. The route then joins the ancient trading link beside the Kali Gandaki river.

This trek, a shortened version of the full 20-day Around Annapurna trek, omits the final week of trekking though the Gurung villages and rhododendron forests of midland Nepal; instead trekkers who leave the trail at Jomsom enjoy the spectacular flight to Pokhara, which allows you to see the mountains you have been circumnavigating for the past two weeks from a new and exciting perspective.

Day 1 – Fly from London
Day 2 – Arrive Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 1 night
Day 3 – Drive to Besishahar – trek to Marshayngdi
Day 4 – Trek to Bahundanda
Day 5 – Trek to Tal
Day 6 – Trek to Temung Meadows
Day 7 – Trek to Kupar
Day 8 – Trek to Pisang
Day 9 – Trek to Braga
Day 11 – Acclimatisation / rest day
Day 12 – Trek to Chadadunga
Day 13 – Trek to Thorong Phedi
Day 14 – Trek to Muktinath via the Thorong La Pass
Day 15 – Trek to Jomson
Day 16 – Fly to Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 2 nights
Day 18 – Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu
Day 19 – Fly to London Heathrow

2012 price from £2,108 per person

(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Kathmandu/London).

Kalar Pattar Trek (Everest Base Camp)

Named after Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General of India at the time that ‘Point XV’ was first identified, Mount Everest which lies on the border of Nepal and Tibet is a name synonymous with awe-inspiring bravery, adventure and heroism .

To the Tibetans and Sherpas, she is known as Chomolungma – Mother Goddess of the Earth, whilst the Nepalese call her Sagarmartha. But to the world in general, she is the highest mountain on the planet and as such is the focus of trips from those keen to trek her flanks and foothills or even attempt her summit.

This 15 days trek takes you to the Kala Pattar peak beside Base Camp and follows the traditional route up the Khumbu Valley, taken by so many of the infamous mountaineers of the past and into the homeland of the remarkable and charming Sherpa people.

Day 1 – Fly from London
Day 2 – Arrive Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 1 night
Day 3 – Fly to Lukla – 15 day Everest Base Camp trek – camping
Day 4 – Trek to Namche Bazaar – camping
Day 5 – Acclimatisation / rest day – camping
Day 6 – Trek to Thame – camping
Day 7 – Trek to Khumjung – camping
Day 8 – Trek to Tengboche – camping
Day 9 – Acclimatisation / rest day – camping
Day 10 – Trek to Dingboche – camping
Day 11 – Acclimatisation / rest day – camping
Day 12 – Trek to Loboje – camping
Day 13 – Trek to Kallar Pattar and back – camping
Day 14 – Trek to Phortse – camping
Day 15 – Trek to Namche – camping
Day 16 – Trek to Lukla – camping
Day 17 – Fly to Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 2 nights
Day 18 – Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu
Day 19 – Fly to London Heathrow

2012 price from £2,147 per person

(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Kathmandu/London).

The Splendour of Nepal

The 14 nights Splendour of Nepal itinerary offers you a taste of all the good things that Nepal has to offer – the cultural sights of Kathmandu, spectacular mountain scenery in Pokhara and wildlife safaris in Royal Chitwan National Park…this small taste will ensure that you will wish to return before too long!

Day 1 – Fly from London
Day 2 – Arrive Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 2 nights
Day 3 – Full day’s sightseeing
Day 4 – Fly to Pokhara – drive to Nayapul – 4 night Ghorpani Trek to Tirkhedhunga – Camping
Day 5 – Trek to Ghorapani – Camping
Day 6 – Trek to Tadapani – Camping
Day 7 – Trek to Shaue Bhatti – Camping
Day 8 – End trek at Lumle – Pokhara Lodge – 2 nights
Day 9 – Activites
Day 10 – Drive to Damauli – 1 night Seti River rafting trip – Camping
Day 11 – Drive to Chitwan – Tiger Tops Tented Camp – 2 nights
Day 12 – Game Activities
Day 13 – Transfer to Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge – 1 night
Day 14 – Fly to Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 1 night
Day 15 – Fly to London Heathrow

2012 price from £2,178 per person

(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Kathmandu/London).

Gokyo Lakes and the Imja Tse Valley Trek

Filled with glaciers, turquoise lakes and savage mountain scenery, the Gokyo valley north of Khumjung offers an exciting alternative to the traditional Everest Base Camp approach.

The huge massifs of Cho Oyu (8153m) and Gyachung Kang (7922m) dominate the head of this rugged canyon and countless other summits loom to either side. This trek is perfect for the committed trekker who wants to see every aspect of the Khumbu region.

In addition to an ascent of the 5400m Gokyo Ri peak, the trek takes in the Cho La pass which links Gokyo to the main Everest trek at Lobuje; the summit of Kala Pattar for close up views of Everest’s South-West Face and a traverse to the pretty Imja Tse valley and the imposing wall of the Lhotse face. Finally, you return down to Lukla via the famous Buddhist monastery at Tengboche before flying back to Kathmandu for the last two nights.

Day 1 – Fly from London
Day 2 – Arrive Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 1 night
Day 3 – Fly to Lukla – 17 day trek
Day 4 – Trek to Namche
Day 5 – Acclimatisation / rest day
Day 6 – Trek to Phortse
Day 7 – Trek to Dole
Day 8 – Trek to Marcherma
Day 9 – Trek to Gokyo Lakes
Day 10 – Trek to Gokyo Ri and back
Day 11 – Acclimatisation / rest day
Day 12 – Trek to Chyugima
Day 13 – Trek to Dzong La
Day 14 – Trek to Lobuje
Day 15 – Trek to Kallar Pattar and back
Day 16 – Trek to Chukung
Day 17 – Trek to Tengboche
Day 18 – Trek to Namche
Day 19 – Trek to Lukla
Day 20 – Fly to Kathmandu – Gokarna Forest Resort – 2 nights
Day 21 – Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu
Day 22 – Fly to London Heathrow

2012 price from £2,435 per person

(Price based on two people sharing a twin/double room excluding the cost of international flights London/Kathmandu/London).