The abode of some of the highest mountain peaks in the world, Nepal is ideal for walks and treks, wildlife safaris, bird watching, white water rafting or just relaxing and admiring the natural beauty. It has medieval towns and villages, ancient temples and monasteries, and a friendly and welcoming population. You can experience it all on one of our tailor made holidays in Nepal. Discover more of what awaits below.
We are specialists at arranging amazing holidays in this part of the world, as well as being India travel experts, giving us a truly comprehensive knowledge of the entire area. As a result, our Nepal tours are unlike any other, allowing you to experience the country to the fullest. No matter how you want to travel, what you want to see, or the type of accommodation you want to stay in, we can make it happen.
Read on to discover what Nepal has in store and browse our featured holidays.
With the country’s name being recorded in Hindu texts dating to before the 7th and 8th century BC, Nepal has a rich and varied cultural heritage, ranking alongside some of the oldest civilizations in the world. Hinduism, Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism have all impacted the cultural fabric of the country, though over 80% of the population are practising Hindus.
Kathmandu is the cultural heart and capital city of this landlocked nation. Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Buddhist stupas, Durbar Square, temples, palaces, Thamel and its cafes – Kathmandu has more than plenty for visitors to stay a week or more. Just outside Kathmandu lies the ancient city of Bhaktapur. A pedestrian-only town, its well-preserved square, palaces and old city centre are fascinating to explore and more than justify its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The nearby UNESCO World Heritage city of Patan has its own Durbar Square, courtyards and temples and is equally intriguing to visit.
The charming town of Bandipur, between Kathmandu and Pokhara, gives a glimpse of the life and customs of the Newari people. Once a thriving merchant town on the Indo-Tibetan trade route, the town has plenty of 18th-century buildings and temples for visitors to explore.
Lumbini, in the mid-south of the country, is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, born in 623 BC. Ancient monuments and stupas have been excavated, dating from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD. These, together with the Ashoka Pillar erected in 249 BC gives Lumbini its UNESCO World Heritage status. Primarily a Buddhist pilgrimage site, the town is gaining in popularity among mainstream visitors to the country.
With the mighty Himalayan Range as a backdrop to the entire country and home to eight of the tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest, Nepal has some of the most spectacular mountain scenery anywhere on the planet. One need not go on overnight treks and expeditions into remote areas to witness the grandeur of the Himalayas; spectacular views of snow-capped peaks are possible from many of Nepal’s towns and cities.
Dhulikhel and Nagarkot, both a short drive from the capital Kathmandu are two such towns, visited for the stunning mountain views they offer.
The lakeside town of Pokhara provides awe-inspiring views of the Annapurna mountain range and is often used as a base for day walks and overnight treks into the mountains. For those not inclined to go on hikes, a gentle ride on the Phewa lake and relaxing in its many town cafes are excellent options.
For those wanting an up-close view of the tallest mountain in the world, Everest flights are an excellent option. Take an hour’s flight from Kathmandu in a 16-seater plane with breathtaking views of the Himalayan range as your pilot and crew acquaint you with its mighty peaks.
For the ultimate experience, a four-hour Everest helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Lukla Everest base camp and back are on offer.
Nepal features on every serious nature enthusiasts must-visit list as the fertile Indo-Gangetic (Terai) region of southern Nepal is home to the elusive Bengal Tiger, one-horned rhinos, wild elephants, leopards, crocodiles and abundant birdlife. Much more difficult to spot are the snow leopard, Tibetan fox, Tibetan wolf and wild yak in the mountainous regions of the country.
Chitwan National Park is the oldest in Nepal and is popular for its frequent one-horned rhinoceros sightings and occasionally of the Bengal tiger. Wildlife safaris can be done on elephant-back, boat trips, Jeep safaris and jungle walks. Accommodation is plentiful, ranging from the simple to the luxurious.
Bardiya National Park lies further to the west of the country and has the benefit of fewer visitors, though the sightings of rhinos, elephants, deer and crocodiles are just as good, with periodic tiger sightings. Bardiya also offers river rafting on the swift Karnali river, which is home to the Gangetic dolphin.
For those interested in birdlife, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in eastern Nepal hosts almost 500 species of birds. Additionally, Nepal’s last remaining wild water buffaloes call this reserve home.
With terrain ranging from arctic to almost tropical, high-mountainous to low-lying alluvial plains, fast-flowing rivers, and of course stunning mountain scenery; it is little wonder that Nepal counts as one of the foremost adventure destinations in the world. A long-established adventure scene, excellent guides and accommodation to suit all needs lend justification to this claim.
Graced with the presence of the Himalayan Range, it is hard to beat Nepal as the premier destination for walking and trekking. Many of the country’s trekking routes have been used for centuries to ply trade between Nepal and India, across to Tibet and China. Treks in Nepal can range from easy-going day excursions to moderate and strenuous multi-day trips, to expedition-style high-altitude treks. Overnight trips are accompanied by Sherpa guides, porters and cooks. Discover some key locations for walking holidays in Nepal below.
Kathmandu Valley Region – Treks in this region are ideal for those looking to take shorter, lower-altitude hikes. Treks can range from a couple of days to around five days. Although the scenery is still spectacular, the focus of these treks tends to be more on rural community interaction, and authentic homestays is a distinct feature of many of these trips.
Annapurna Region – This has long been the most popular region for trekking in Nepal. Pokhara serves as a relaxing hub to start the treks from, and all treks provide stunning views of the Annapurna Range. Treks can range from 3-4 days long, such as the Royal Trek made famous by Prince Charles, to 21 days for the Annapurna Circuit trek. For those looking to trek in relative comfort, Ker & Downey Lodges provide an excellent overnight experience.
Everest Region - As the name indicates, this region is favoured by those looking to get closer to Mt Everest. Lukla, a short flight from Kathmandu, is usually used as the base to start trekking in this land of the Sherpas, with treks ranging from just a few days to about 14 days long. These Everest base camp treks are mostly high-altitude treks, so mountain and altitude sickness need to be kept in mind. Many of them also tend to be strenuous, although the trekker is rewarded with some of the best mountain scenery anywhere in the world, as well as the opportunity to spot the mysterious snow leopard.
With fast-flowing rivers rushing down to the Gangetic plains, swollen with snowmelt from the Himalayan range in the spring and monsoon rains in the autumn, the excellent white water rafting scene in Nepal attracts beginners and professionals alike from all over the world. All ranges are catered for – from short, few hour trips to ones lasting over 10 days, from Grade 1 all the way up to Grade 6. Some of the popular rivers are Seti, Trisuli, Kali Gandaki, Karnali, Marshyangdi, Sun Koshi and Tamur.
A relatively new adventure sport in Nepal, the country is now well-established as one of the best paragliding destinations in the world, thanks to its stunning scenery and rising thermals. A full range of experiences is available – from tandem flights to fully certified paragliding courses. Pokhara tends to be one of the favourite spots for paragliding and other adventure activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, ziplining and canyoning can be tagged on.
In general, February to April and October to November are the best months for travel to Nepal for culture and wildlife, when the skies are clear, with little rain.
The best months for trekking are March, April and September to November. May and June are also good, although this is typically when it starts to rain and the skies get cloudy.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Nepal. The shortest indirect flights to Kathmandu take around 12hrs 30min, with return flights about an hour longer. Various excellent options are available on carriers such as Air India via Delhi and middle eastern flights - Qatar Airways, Etihad and Oman Air (via Doha), Abu Dhabi and Muscat respectively.
Nepal is 5hrs 45min ahead of UK Winter Time. Since the country does not observe daylight savings, it is 4hrs 45min ahead of UK Summer Time.
The main language is Nepalese, with Hindi widely understood. In major tourist sites, English is adequate to get by, but not so in rural areas. Your drivers may not speak much English, but sherpas and guides speak the language well.
If you are searching for a Nepal holiday you will never forget, as a couple, family, in a small group or solo, we would love to make it happen.
Please browse our feature holidays below. We can even take you across Nepal’s borders if you fancy a tailor-made holiday to India or combining a trip to Nepal with the likes of Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Just get in touch and we can put together a package that is right for you.
“Starting in Kathmandu we had a wonderful time with the highest quality of service and care, thank you.”
