Nepal holiday, Himalaya discovery tour
| country: | Nepal |
| departures: | 2009: 16 Dec 2010: 10 Feb, 3 Mar, 24 Mar, 23 Jun, 18 Aug, 15 Sep, 20 Oct, 15 Dec 2011: 16 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 22 Jun, 17 Aug, 21 Sep, 19 Oct, 14 Dec |
| price: | From £1189 - £1679 (14 days) including flights from the UK. From £549 - £899 excluding flights. Local payment 100 GBP. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
A non-trekking cultural journey discovering Nepal’s highlights
In the Heavens
A leisurely wander amongst the bazaars and temples of Kathmandu and the countryside around Bhaktapur gives you a wonderful introduction to everyday Nepali life. Leaving the capital behind, you enjoy the traditional atmosphere and hills of Bandipur, an undiscovered gem, before continuing to Pokhara, famous for its beautiful lake-side setting and for stunning views of the Annapurna.
Chitwan Jungle
You next head to Chitwan National Park for an unforgettable elephant ride to try and spot rhino, plus if you’re really lucky, tiger! Closer to the ground you can explore the park by foot or canoe. Finally you return to Kathmandu for some last-minute shopping or a dramatic over-flight of Mt. Everest (optional).
Non-trekking trip
Many people want to see the Himalaya but simply don’t want to trek, and contrary to popular belief, this is possible. This itinerary has plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs if you wish, but avoids a dedicated trek. Sarankot, for example, is reached by road and provides stunning views of the Annapurna massif. You can return to Pokhara by vehicle or ramble down the hill through the hamlets that dot the hillside - perfect!
In the Heavens
A leisurely wander amongst the bazaars and temples of Kathmandu and the countryside around Bhaktapur gives you a wonderful introduction to everyday Nepali life. Leaving the capital behind, you enjoy the traditional atmosphere and hills of Bandipur, an undiscovered gem, before continuing to Pokhara, famous for its beautiful lake-side setting and for stunning views of the Annapurna.
Chitwan Jungle
You next head to Chitwan National Park for an unforgettable elephant ride to try and spot rhino, plus if you’re really lucky, tiger! Closer to the ground you can explore the park by foot or canoe. Finally you return to Kathmandu for some last-minute shopping or a dramatic over-flight of Mt. Everest (optional).
Non-trekking trip
Many people want to see the Himalaya but simply don’t want to trek, and contrary to popular belief, this is possible. This itinerary has plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs if you wish, but avoids a dedicated trek. Sarankot, for example, is reached by road and provides stunning views of the Annapurna massif. You can return to Pokhara by vehicle or ramble down the hill through the hamlets that dot the hillside - perfect!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Overnight flight to Kathmandu. |
| Day 2: | Arrive Kathmandu (1330m) After your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. You have a chance to relax and meet the other members of the group. The evening is free to dine at one of Kathmandu’s many excellent restaurants. Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 3: | Kathmandu / Bhaktapur After breakfast you begin a day’s sightseeing in Kathmandu. Exploring the old city, you’ll wander through narrow streets and alleyways, discovering hidden temples and meeting the friendly locals. Exotic produce and a bewildering mix of people are everywhere; you're likely to see Ghurkhas from the area east of Pokhara, Tibetan women in their striped aprons, traders from India, and sadhus - Hindu holy men - perhaps on pilgrimage to one of the many temples and shrines of the valley. You make your way to Swayumbhunath - a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site - for stunning views across the Valley. After time to visit the atmospheric Pashupatinath Temple, you’ll drive to Bhaktapur - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one time Valley capital. Still a functioning town, Bhaktapur is a superb place to spend the night, a city of potters and pagodas - this is the East as people imagine it! Guesthouse - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 4: | Bhaktapur On leaving Bhaktapur you head to Dhulikhel, where you can enjoy spectacular mountain views and take time to be amazed by the incredible sights. From Dhulikhel you turn off to Namo Buddha, to an ancient pilgrimage sight, one of the three holiest in Tibetan Buddhism. Legend has it that the name, which translates as 'Hail to the Buddha', came into use in the seventieth century when a superstition took hold that the site's true name should not be uttered. From here it's a pleasant stroll to Panauti (6km). The town is built in the Newari's signature style, with pink brick and carved wood. The bottom end of the old centre is a fantastic cluster of riverside temples and ghats, providing a serene location for your visit. From Panauti you drive back to Bhaktapur for the night. |
| Day 5-6: | Bandipur Village Stay This morning you set off west on your journey to the small village of Bandipur. The foothills of the Himalaya are in themselves impressive enough, but as you get closer to Bandipur you get tempting views of the high peaks. On your way there should be the opportunity, for those who wish, to embark on a thrilling white water rafting adventure on the Trisuli River (optional and subject to minimum numbers), rejoining the group later this evening in Bandipur. Arriving in Dumre you turn south, off the main highway, and continue to a ridge set at an altitude of 1005m - here lies the delightful village of Bandipur. Winding its way up and down hills, Bandipur’s main street has many 3 or 4 storey brick buildings with carved wood windows, including ours - a converted Newari house called The Old Inn. The three or four temples in the town add to the atmosphere in what is a traditional Nepali hill village, untouched by modern tourism; few foreigners find their way up here. Over the next day or so you stretch your legs with optional walks through the village and out into the surrounding countryside for superb views up the Marsyangdi river valley, to the Himalaya beyond. Many of the range’s giants can be seen: Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu and the distant Annapurnas amongst them. Those who rafted on the Trisuli join us this evening. Guesthouse (shared facilities) - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx1, Dx1) |
| Day 7: | Pokhara This morning you leave Bandipur and drive a couple of hours to Pokhara. The setting of this lovely little town could hardly be improved. It lies beside Phewa Lake whose still waters reflect the backdrop of stunning Himalayan peaks – Annapurna I, Machhapuchhare (The Fishtail Mountain), Annapurna II, III, IV and South Peak, all crowding the skyline. There are really two towns here today; one is the busy section, with hotels and restaurants down by the lake that most tourists find themselves in, and the other consists of the noisy back streets of the diminishing old town. Here you will find the bazaar, with traditional buildings built by Newari artisans who migrated westwards from Kathmandu three hundred years ago. This afternoon you visit Mahendra Cave (a good torch is useful here) and relax at the lakeside. Hotel - 2 nights (B) |
| Day 8: | Sunrise At Sarankot You get up early this morning - before dawn - to make the journey by bus (and depending on road condition, perhaps on foot!) to the hilltop village of Sarankot. Here, with breakfast being prepared for you, you see one of Nepal's most famous vistas open up before you. The icy peaks of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare emerge from the morning mists cloaked in gold - a stunning sight. You then have the option of walking down to Pokhara – a 4km, 1 ½ hr walk. Those not wishing to do this walk can travel to Pokhara in the chartered bus. This afternoon you explore the area further as you take in the World Peace Pagoda (built in 1994 and sitting on a ridge overlooking Phewa Lake) and Devi’s Falls. You will also make time for a visit to one of the Tibetan villages that dot the area and where superb carpets and other handicrafts can be haggled over. (B) |
| Day 9-10: | Chitwan National Park A five hour drive to the fertile grounds of lowland 'Terai' is characterized by a dramatic change in landscape as the road heads to the warmer climes and to the periphery of the world-famous Chitwan National Park, spread over 932 square kilometres of floodplain. The park is teeming with abundance of wildlife and birdlife, including the famed insignia of Chitwan, one-horned rhino, and the elusive royal Bengal tiger, of which there are believed to be around 80 roaming in the park. An experienced jungle guide will accompany you on your excursions, perhaps the most exciting of which is your safari on elephant-back, penetrating deep into the jungle - rhino, bison, wild boar, monkeys, and a wide array of birds (over 400 species on record) are a common sight, and with luck on your side even the royal Bengal tiger, bear and leopard are a possibility. Another highlight of the trip is the canoe ride on Rapti River, which drapes the national park, the banks of which are home to sun-bathing 'mugger' crocpodiles and the unique long-nosed 'gharial' crocodiles. Keeping you engrossed and buoyed over the span of your stay will be a village tour, bird-watching walks and cultural shows. Lodge - 2 nights (Bx2, Lx2, Dx2) |
| Day 11-12: | Kathmandu Transferring the short distance to Bharatpur you fly back to Kathmandu. The rest of your stay has been left free to explore further, shop or simply relax. You could roam around the Thamel area of the city on the prowl for bargains, try out some of the many restaurants the city has to offer, or take a book and sit in Durbar Square and watch the world go by. Your Group Leader will of course be on hand to make suggestions and help make arrangements for your free time. On your last evening your Group Leader usually gets the group together one last time for a traditional ‘last supper’ where you can reflect on what has been a truly memorable trip. Hotel – 2 nights (Bx2, Lx1) |
| Day 13: | Depart Kathmandu The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those with our onward flights transfer to airport and fly to London. (B) |
| Day 14: | Arrive London |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
|
On this trip: We work hand in hand with a Nepalese-owned local ground agent, who employs on our behalf the Group Leader, drivers and guides that work on this trip. Money from our stay reaches a wide number of people, for example our stays in Bandipur have assisted in the regeneration of the village as a whole, as well as helping restore the traditional inn accommodation we use. Our visit to Chitwan National Park reinforces amongst local people the need to protect the environment and it's wildlife to provide employment for future generations.
Together with our local agent we are helping to build a community/sports facility that can be used by schools and villagers in surrounding areas. This will consist of a football pitch and centre, with the primary aim of creating a club around sports activities and teaching practical skills that will help communities operate as just that. The land has been levelled to create the sports pitch, an access road has been created and the external shell of the clubhouse has been completed. The next stage – which has already begun – is to irrigate the land as the soil is very dry (water also helps local farmers). As part of our ongoing commitment to this project, we make a donation of US$5 per person travelling with us to Nepal. Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Other charities that we work closely with include Born Free Foundation and The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel practises throughout the whole of the travel industry. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |