Nepal holiday, encompassed

Delve the historic fabric of Nepal, from the birthplace of Buddha to its most exquisite ancient cities – with amazing wildlife forays too.

Kathmandu Pokhara Ghorka Durbar Patan Bandipur Royal Chitwan National Park Lumbini – birthplace of Buddha Exotic wildlife safaris

Price

£995To£1055 including domestic flights only

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Duration

14 Days

Type

Tailor made

Reviews

More info

Cost Includes: Twin-sharing accommodation on B/ B basis as per itinerary.
English speaking guide throughout the tour, private land transport as per itinerary.Single supplement cost GBP 155 - GBP 195.

Description of Nepal holiday, encompassed

This fabulous fortnight lets you experience ancient cities, view wild animals, trek on highland paths with stunning Himalayan views, and visit Lumbini – the sacred birthplace of Buddha.

In Kathmandhu, see the famous Hindu temple Pasupatinanth, the giant Buddhist stupa Boudhananth, plus the famous Swyambhunanth (also known as Monkey Temple). In the beautiful historic city of Pokhara, enjoy fantastic views of the Himalayan peaks known as the Fishtail Mountains while boating on the crystal blue Fewa Lake.

You'll also visit the beautiful Gorkha Durbar, ancient home of Shah dynasty, as well as the renowned wood-carving city of Bhaktapur – a city of unforgettable monuments, shrines, courtyards and monasteries.

Patan, meanwhile, is known locally as Lalitpur – City of Art and Beauty. This ancient Nepalese gem was founded in the 3rd century King Veera Dev, and is scattered with superb examples of architecture from medieval times to the 18th century.

You'll also stay in the charming hill town of Bandipur, set in a ravishing landscape with views of snowy mountains. A trek to Dhampus, meanwhile, provides a more enervating view of some iconic Himalayan pinnacles including Annapurna South, Himchuli and Fishtail Mountain.

There are amazing wildlife wonders too. From your resort in the Royal Chitwan National Park, enjoy a jeep safari in search of rhinoceros, exotic deer, crocodiles, sloth bears, leopards, Royal Bengal Tigers plus over 450 species of birds. There are wildlife forays on foot and by canoe too!

Price information

£995To£1055 including domestic flights only

Convert currency:

Cost Includes: Twin-sharing accommodation on B/ B basis as per itinerary.
English speaking guide throughout the tour, private land transport as per itinerary.Single supplement cost GBP 155 - GBP 195.

Contact Us

If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one, we're very happy to help

01273 823 700

Call us tomorrow after 10am

Calling from outside the UK rosy@responsibletravel.com

Departure information

This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements

Contact Us

If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one, we're very happy to help

01273 823 700

Call us tomorrow after 10am

Calling from outside the UK rosy@responsibletravel.com

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Reviews

2 Reviews of Nepal holiday, encompassed

4.5 out of 5 stars

SHOW

Reviewed on 07 Sep 2019 by Marija Naumoska

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It is difficult to decide the most memorable, as there were many wonderful parts. Learning about the Nepalese culture as well as exploring the beautiful nature of Nepal were equally amazing.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

If travelling in the summer months (June to August) be prepared to the humidity and monsoonal rain. Make sure to bring enough cash to exchange into Nepalese Rupee as it wasn't always easy to make card transactions, especially outside of Kathmandu.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

We were frequently introduced to local people (and preferred ot that way). By eating in local restaurants we felt that we were often supporting small businesses. Being able to provide tips to our local guides helped ease our anxiety around not knowing how much they had been paid to provide their service. In terms of conservation, we were able to learn much about this throughout the trip from our various guides. Having said that, we were saddened by the ongoing practice of Elephant riding for tourists (we chose not to do it). It was nice to know that our guide at Chitwan National Park also believed that this practice should be stamped out. As an idea, it might be helpful to have a warning on your website that this practice still occurs in Nepal and provide some education around the unethical aspects of Elephant riding.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

It was an unforgettable holiday. It has inspired me to travel to Nepal again.

Read the operator's response here:

Hi Marija,

Glad you had a great holiday. We have hardened our stance on elephant riding and have made the decision not to promote elephant safaris in national parks anywhere. While elephant safaris have both pros and cons, we feel that on balance, this is not an activity that we can support, and we don't view it as either necessary or ethical.

Here are a few links to our stances on Elephant rides:
https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/elephant-conservation/travel-guide/elephants-conservation

https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/elephant-conservation/travel-guide

We hope you find these links useful.

Thanks,
Responsible Travel

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2018 by Kevin Toner

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Most memorable would be seeing the colourful flags and rolling the prayer wheels at Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, in Kathmandu. From this vantage point there is also a fabulous view of the city. The most exciting part was the drive from Kathmandu over the mountains via Daman to Sauraha in Chitwan. The views were wonderful, the small hillside stops were amazing places to visit and the road itself was...well an interesting mix of hairpin bends; part tarmac part gravel and even wide enough for two vehicles - in places. However the most wonderful thing about the holiday was the local people we met.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

In places toilet facilities were very basic so make sure you take a sufficiency of portable toilet/tissue paper. Make sure you take insect repellent if you are
travelling in the Terai. We travelled in April and were only bitten four times between us but the critters are there waiting for the unprepared! On a more
general note be aware that Nepalese people are very poor so don't try to beat them down on the price of everything you buy. Have fun haggling over an item
but sometimes make someones day by giving them the top price - the extra could feed a family for a day.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Our visit to Chitwan was on a controlled basis and our entrance fees helped to preserve the animals that reside in the park and support government efforts to
stop poaching. Where possible we chose to eat in local restaurants/bars rather than hotels as this helped support local businesses and people. While we used the services of a driver and guide which may not be as environmentally friendly as taking public transport , it ensured that two local people were fully employed for ten days (and well tipped for their efforts on our behalf).

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

A magnificent adventure for two people not in the first flush of youth. If you have been thinking about going to Nepal for years but have never made the effort then just go for it. Our trip did not involve any trekking (at our request) and we were wonderfully looked after by the tour company staff.

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.

Planet

* Our guide will give a briefing about Responsible Tourism and minimize the impact on nature for example: Trash things rubbish pit, purify drinking water, do not pick up plan on the way, litter removal, use kerosene fuel for cooking rather than fire-wood,
Use local tea houses/ local camping site.

* Provide the information for how to preserve environment, for examples: Do not trash things everywhere, Trash in proper place like rubbish box, Establish fire pit in camping trek/tour, burned in fire-pit which can burn like papers etc, or keep in underground wastage things, or if possible provide food wastage to domestic animals. Pay little extra amount to Porter to bring back non disposable things by duffel. Avoid bathing or washing clothes in streams, etc.

* Due to this trip the living standard of inhabitant people are upgrading than before because they are getting more job opportunities. Sponsor by tourists, to talent students of hilly region for the higher education and travel to abroad.

* The group size 4-10 people will more convenient which it can assist to minimize impact on environment.

* Max. Elevation 2150 meter.

* Standard: This is comfort trek/tour. No need previous experience. Great chance to share a moment with local people and enjoying with traditional customs.

* This trek is based on local lodges/ hotels and Resort. For examples, we stay trekking lodge, Chitwan river side Resort, Bandipur Mountain Resort/ similar which is run by local owner.

* In this trip visit at Kavresthali Women Society for supporting and observe their activities.

People

* Tourism supports to generate income for local community. For examples: By purchasing local products such as fresh fruits, handloom products, meat, drinks, and fresh vegetables and providing job opportunities etc.

* Staying with local tea houses/ lodges for examples: Operated by local communities in the hilly region which minimize impact on the environment such as use kerosene/gas fuel instead of fire wood, manage garbage at proper section etc.

* Cook hygienic Cuisines. For examples: Keep clean kitchen spot, All kitchen utensils wash in hot water and dry before bringing in used, Vegetables and other necessary stuffs wash in iodine/ potash water before cooked. Cook and Kitchen staff must be clean, and they should have shot nails etc.

* Support to local school and health post for examples: to donate some amount and educational materials to kids as per seen the condition of school and students. It does by company and also as per desired by tourists on the way of trekking. Support to local health post by giving medical materials.

* Support to Kvresthali Women society for providing certain percent amount of income this trip, to repair culvert bridge and Goat farming and adult literacy for women.

* Use local men-power for example: well-trained and experienced local guide will be in the trip. Hire local porters with equipped clothes as per the types of trekking. Load carry will be limit like 20-25 kg. All field staffs will be travelling insured.

Nepal holiday, encompassed