ADVENTURE IN NEPAL

You arrive at Doha in the early morning to meet your connecting flight to Kathmandu, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel to relax. The following morning your adventure begins in earnest as you visit Pashupatinath and a Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupati, the manifestation of Shiva. You’ll be able to peer at the large gold Nandi statue in the temple’s forecourt through the huge entrance doors. You can also watch cremations in Pashupatinath’s famous burning ghats.

Then it’s time to continue on to the nearby Boudhanath Stupa, regarded as the centre of Nepal’s Tibetan community, before heading to Swayambhunath (the “Monkey Temple”) which is the oldest shrine in the world established more than 2,500 years ago.

Stay: Two nights in a Heritage Room at the Dwarikas Hotel

This morning, a 30 minute flight takes you to Pokhara, situated on the banks of a scenic lake. Here you’ll meet your trekking team and drive over to Lumle where your trek starts. Following a ridgeline in the lower foothills of the Annapurnas, your first walk takes you up to Chandrakot Village, before dropping down to cross the Modi River via the Lamaket Suspension Bridge. A gentle walk of about three hours will bring you to your first stop-over in the Sanctuary Lodge, the Mountain Lodges of Nepal, close to the pretty village of Birethanti. You can choose to explore the village or simply relax and soak up the magnificent views of the sacred ‘Fishtail’ mountain.

Stay: One night in a twin room at the Sanctuary Lodge, Mountain Lodges of Nepal

Today you’ll be making an altitude gain of over 3,000 feet, but the track is good and the scenery as you pass through farms, rice fields and forest is absolutely breathtaking. After a day being astonished by the beauty of nature along the Modi Khola trail, you’ll arrive in the early afternoon at the beautiful village of Ghandruk. Here you’re in Ghurka country, with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project at its hub. You’ll be welcomed with a hot lunch at Himalaya Lodge, alongside spectacular views of the Annapurna Massif.

Stay: One night in a twin room at the Himalaya Lodge, Mountain Lodges of Nepal

Leaving the Ghandruk village behind, you’ll continue your trek which now descends steeply to the banks of the Modi River. Crossing the suspension bridge, you’ll head up into the village of Landruk, soaking up wonderful views of the Annapurna range and passing through cliffs where honey hunters search for wild bee honey. After trekking for four hours, you’ll be free to rest at the lodge or head out on a little sightseeing tour of the village with your guide.

Stay: One night in a twin room at La Bee Lodge, Mountain Lodges of Nepal

Today you’ll make the easy walk from Landruk to Majgoan. After breakfast, your guide will lead you through the village and farmlands, with views of the Annapurnas at your back, until you reach the manicured gardens and tribal-style houses of the Gurung Lodge on the edge of Majgoan. The mountain views you’ll enjoy from your room here are sensational. Unwind, or take a short walk into the village with your guide.

Stay: One night in a twin room at Gurung Lodge, Mountain Lodges of Nepal

Today’s trek to Dhampus will take you through sub-tropical forests and Gurung villages like Patlekhet. You’ll stop in Pothana, a small village along the trek which is used by Tibetan traders to sell their souvenirs and gifts to mountaineers heading up and down the Annapurna Base Camp. Descending into Dhampus, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular vistas of the entire Annapurna range. A hearty, family-style lunch awaits at Dhampus Lodge in the Mountain Lodges of Nepal, in addition to splendid views over the Phedi and Mardi Valleys.

Stay: One night in a twin room at Dhampus Lodge, Mountain Lodges of Nepal

This morning you’ll make the 1.5-hour descent to the valley floor through wooded hills and terraced farmland. An expedition vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Pokhara, where you’ll be staying in an eco-friendly resort nestled in a lushly forested valley. The perfect place to unwind after your Himalayan trek. You can enjoy leisurely strolls through the valley and boat rides on the lake, visit atmospheric temples and sample the wonderful local restaurants. Not to mention soaking up views of a landscape that rises from 827 metres to over 8,000 metres in just 30 km.

Stay: Two nights in a classic villa at The Pavilions Himalayas, The Farm

Now it’s time to give your legs a rest. You’ll be driven to Damauli for a two-day raft safari along the Seti River towards Royal Chitwan National Park. Keep a sharp lookout for a variety of interesting indigenous birds.

Stay: One night in a twin tent at the Seti River Camp, Mountain Lodges of Nepal

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a further two hours rafting through some gentle, scenic stretches before arriving at Amaltarighat. Here you’ll meet your drivers for the three-hour journey to Chitwan National Park, the latter part of which passes through typical Tharu villages. You’ll be staying in a lodge that recreates the traditional style of Tharu longhouses, built using local materials. Your days will be filled by bird watching and jungle walks with experienced naturalists, and boat safaris on the Narayani River.

Stay: Two nights in a standard room at Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge

The following morning you can take a final jungle walk before catching your flight from Bharatpur Airport back to Kathmandu. This is your chance to take a sightseeing tour of Patan – founded in 250 AD and famous for its art, metalwork and architecture including Durbar Square, the Royal Baths, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir and the Golden Temple. On Durbar Square, you’ll find the new Patan Museum – a beautifully restored Malla palatial residence that houses metalwork sculptures from Hindu and Buddhist deities of special significance to the spiritualism, cultural heritage and contemporary life of Nepal.

Stay: One night in a heritage deluxe room at Dwarika’s Hotel

Your Nepal adventure comes to an end.