Nepal Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
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Overview
Stretching from the snow-capped peaks of the high Himalayas, to the lush jungles of the steaming Indian plains, Nepal encompasses a spiritual landscape blessed with a remarkable fusion of natural beauty and rich cultural diversity. Home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including the hypnotic majesty of Sagamatha (Mount Everest) itself, this spectacular “Abode of the Snows” offers up some of the finest trekking anywhere on the planet. Amongst the mystical lands ...
Stretching from the snow-capped peaks of the high Himalayas, to the lush jungles of the steaming Indian plains, Nepal encompasses a spiritual landscape blessed with a remarkable fusion of natural beauty and rich cultural diversity. Home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including the hypnotic majesty of Sagamatha (Mount Everest) itself, this spectacular “Abode of the Snows” offers up some of the finest trekking anywhere on the planet. Amongst the mystical lands of the inner Dolpo region you can still find a world steeped in shamanistic traditions, where remote fortress-like settlements and elusive snow leopards lord it over one of the highest inhabited regions on earth. But Nepal is so much more than just its mountains.
To the south of the bustling Kathmandu Valley lie the subtropical plains of the Terai, where the lush grandeur of the Chitwan and Bardia National Parks provide an expansive haven for rare one-horned rhinos and majestic tigers. Whilst amongst its central valleys nestle historic old towns that lie at the heart of the country’s rich heritage. Here, amongst the rambling streets of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan, you can find some of Nepal’s finest architectural monuments including World Heritage temples and spectacular Buddhist stupas. This is a land of breathtaking scope, where Buddhist and Hindu traditions share centre stage with the largest Shiva temple in the world and the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha.
Quite simply, Nepal is one of the world’s most fascinating, beguiling and unforgettable places.
Start your journey
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF NEPAL
BEST EXPERIENCES
See the sunrise from Sarangkot
One of the best sunrises is seen from Sarangkot near Pokhara. From here you get stunning views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges in the early morning light, along with breath-taking views of Phewa Lake in the Pokhara Valley
Go on a wildlife safari in Chitwan
A jeep safari is a great way to explore and discover the wildlife of Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will get the chance to see numerous species of wildlife and birdlife that have come to call the park their home
Explore Phewa Lake by boat
A private boat trip on the tranquil Phewa Lake is one of the highlights of Pokhara. The boat journey allows you to explore the lake and on a clear day, offers the wonderful opportunity to see the snow-capped mountains of Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
Go on day hikes from Jomsom
There are numerous hikes in this area to choose from, whether you visit the historic Thini village, one of the oldest villages in the region, or hike to the stunning Dhumba Lake and the Kuchup Terenga Gompa
Go birdwatching in Bardia jungles
A birdwatching walk with one of the expert naturalists is wonderful opportunity to explore the jungles by foot and spot various species in Bardia National Park, home to more than 400 species of birds
Experience the aarti ceremony
Pashupatinath is the most sacred of all Shiva Hindu temples in Nepal, located on the banks of the Holy Bagmati River. Here you can witness the aarti ceremony, performed by priests holding oil lamps filled with ghee and offering the light from the lamps to god
Raft down the Karnali river
Rafting gives a great opportunity to explore Bardia National Park from a riverside perspective, giving you the chance to spot birds and animals along the riverbanks, even possibly spotting the rare gangetic river dolphins that inhabit the Karnali
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Bardia National Park
Bardia National Park is Nepal's largest national park and is located in the south-western part of the country. The river Babai flows through the park and the River Karnali acts as the park's western border ...
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is Nepal's first national park and is situated 162km south of Kathmandu in the lowlands of the inner Terai. This ecologically diverse area is heaven for a vast assortment of flora ...
Kathmandu
Imbued with centuries of culture and a sense of almost mischievous excitement, Kathmandu is a city that cannot fail to beguile. Crammed with temples and courtyards, shops and merchants this is where the ...
Mustang
A visit to Mustang is a rare privilege, here you will get a taste of what true mountain life was like for the people who lived here, a community of people who for hundreds of years were largely separate ...
Pokhara
Pokhara is Nepal’s top leisure and adventure city and acts as a trekking gateway for several hikers and trekkers for the Annapurna and Ghandruk mountain range. For avid walkers Pokhara tends to be the ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Baber Mahal Villas, Kathmandu
A newly established high-end family-run boutique property set in the existing architectural haven of Baber Mahal Revisited. Guests feel indulged and cared for with splendid luxury, passionate service,…
Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu
Dwarika’s Hotel is a stunning 5* star traditional Newari-style property that oozes charm. Located in Kathmandu the hotel is within easy reach of the spectacular Boudhanath stupa and the Pashupatinath…
Kantipur Temple House, Kathmandu
Kantipur Temple House is ideal for those not wanting to stay in one of the standard international style of hotels that doesn't reflect the architecture of Nepal - it has bags of character and charm.…
Tiger Mountain Lodge, Pokhara
Situated 1,000 feet above the Pokhara Valley, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge offers spectacular views along the mighty Himalayan Mountains. Set amongst the mountains, the lodge's hand-cut stone cottage…
Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, Chitwan National Park
Tiger Tops Tharu is nestled between lush forests whilst overlooking the idyllic Terai landscapes and is the perfect location to relax and unwind. The lodge is built from local materials and emulates a…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
The prime trekking seasons are March – May and September – November when the views are generally clear and there is little rain. It will be cold at night and mid twenties during the day. However, these are also the busiest times to visit the country. Kathmandu will be hottest in the build up to monsoon season which usually starts in June but has come late in the last few years and stretched into August. November – February can be a good time to trek in terms of avoiding others but expect some snow and it should be noted that the only time you are likely to get mountain views during these months is at the crack of dawn.
Meet the expert, Shalmali
Shalmali is our Indian Subcontinent expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Shalmali by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Bhutan though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in some parts of Bhutan so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Nepal the official unit of currency is the Nepali Rupee. This is a closed currency and can only be exchanged in country. To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your guides will be able to advise you accordingly.
In some countries, visible shoulders or knees could be disrespectful and may make it difficult to visit ancient ruins, temples, or UNESCO World Heritage sites. We suggest that for countries where you will be visiting these kinds of sites that you make sure to carry a cover up, shawl or scarf, and don something that covers your knees, out of respect for the local culture.
Language & Religion
Nepal’s official language is Nepali, spoken by approximately 50 per cent of the population. There are dozens of other languages spoken in smaller circles such as Bhojpuri and Maithili, but English is widely understood.
Hinduism is practiced by about 80% of Nepalis, making it the country with the highest percentage of Hindus. Buddhism is the second most practiced religion with around 16% of followers, followed by Kirat, Islam, Christianity and animism. A large section of the population, especially in the hills, even though they follow Hindu customs, may identify themselves as both Hindu and Buddhists which can be attributed to the syncretic nature of Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal.
Time
Nepal is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Travelling Solo In Nepal
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.