Himalayan Vistas

Nepal is  a small country. By area it is about half the size of the UK. Yet in that small area it packs as much splendour and variety in as any country in the world. From the highest mountain range and 8 of the 10 highest peaks to lowland jungle plains, covering a huge array of climatic  and ecological zones, it is astonishing what can be seen of the natural world in Nepal. And then there is the cultural dimension. This is country where cultural and religious tradition are enmeshed in everyday life. The Nepalis are proud of there traditions and will be delighted to educate visitors in local ways. Our Himalayan Vistas holiday allows anyone to get a flavour of everything the country has to offer.

We fly into Kathmandu and drive up to Bhaktapur, the quiet and relaxing former capital city. Astonishing restoration following on from 2015 earthquake has almost returned the city to its former glories. We spend a day walking around the city and another in the hills above for hopefully our first views of the Himalayas.

Next we head down to the lowlands and Chitwan National Park. Home to rhino, leopard, crocs and a huge array of bird life it a superb place to see wildlife, whether from a jeep, on foot or from a canoe.

We continue to the village of Bandipur where the Annapurna range comes into view. From our hotel it is a very short walk to the best viewpoint in the village. Make sure you are there at dawn to enjoy the best views. This is impressive in itself but we assure you, the views will only improve. We will walk to the surrounding countryside, hopefully enjoying mountain views to the north along the way. Because there is so little light pollution in Nepal the view of the night sky is often magnificent. 

We continue to Pokhara for a day of guided sightseeing, walking, a relaxed boat trip across Fewa lake and enjoying a momo making class in a local Tibetan Camp. Along the way back towards Kathmandu, we will stop at Kurintar, beautifully situated above the Trisuli River. Our time in Kathmandu will be spent sightseeing with a local guide, discovering the various pockets which make this one of the most fascinating cities in Asia. Unsurprisingly, this is a great place to shop from camping gear, fleece jackets, Tibetan hats or books; everything can be found and haggled over. 

As the trip comes to an end, we enjoy a final dinner in Thamel, the centre of tourist Kathmandu and full of life before boarding the plane with a bag full of experiences and memories. The world certainly is more beautiful on foot!

Please note in 2020 the holiday includes a trekking portion and is graded 6/Ss. Please the individual itinerary for exact details