Joanna Brightman review 22 Oct 2011
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Not one thing but a combination of elements that added up to the whole. The impressive architecture and the noise and bustle of the old square at Bakhtapur. Walking up past the rice paddies on the slopes of the valley .. beautiful vistas and stunning scenery. The palpable, atmospheric and timeless peace and harmony of Nurowkot .. could have stayed there for days.
The distant sight of the Himalaya which even at 100 miles off impress with their might. The fun of Chitwan on the elephant safari and canoeing down the river in a wooden dug-out - fabulous! But perhaps most of all the incredible array of beautiful and weathered Nepali faces and the spectacle of so many colourful costumes.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared to 'rough it' a little as some of the accomodation is pretty basic, so if you want luxury or boutique accomodation this trip is not for you. However if you want a good introduction to Nepal with the benefit of a local guide but without the hassle of arranging transfers, travel or a place to stay, then this ticks all the boxes.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
To a small degree perhaps, but that was actually quite difficult to guage. The people who seem to benefit the most would be the main Nepali personnel employed by the company to organise and facilitate the holiday.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I certainly have some wonderful memories and found it very enjoyable, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as it depends on what individuals can tolerate and what standards they expect. That said, the hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara were perfectly good and up to Western standards.
