The Himalayas
Spectacular mountain scenery
Vibrant culture
Immerse yourself in the bustle of Kathmandu
Chitwan National Park
Spot Rhino and Tigers
Admire the Boudhanath Stupa
The largest stupa in Kathmandu
Back on the map, this beautiful tour to Nepal encompasses heritage, culture, nature and wildlife all rolled into one. From the bustle of its high capital; Kathmandu to UNESCO’s Chitwan National Park and the spectacular Himalayan views in Rupakot. Nepal is as diverse as it is unique!
What’s Extra
Optional Excursions
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. It is surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri.
After checking-in at our hotel we get to know our fellow travellers whilst enjoying a welcome drink and typical Nepalese dinner with a cultural show at a local restaurant.
We spend the day exploring the highlights of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. In the morning we will visit the cities number one attraction, Durbar Square and Kumari Temple where you can marvel at monuments from the 12th Century. We also visit Swayambhunath. The most ancient and enigmatic of the Valley’s holy shrines, the golden-spired stupa of Swayambhunath tops a wooded hillock. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit Patan City, an area renowned for its artisans and superb handicrafts. The Patan Durbar Square has been acclaimed as one of the finest urban streetscapes in the world. Most of the monuments seen today were built between the 16th – 18th centuries.
After breakfast, we will take a short flight to Chitwan. Chitwan National Park is one of Asia’s richest and the most spectacular National Park. It is situated 75 air miles southwest of Kathmandu. Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s remaining jungles. Here, you will discover a lost world of towering trees and twisting vines, and animals such as rhino, lumbering elephants, crocodiles, pythons and deer, of brilliantly coloured birds and if you are fortunate – the superb Royal Bengal Tiger.
Today we spend a further day immersing ourselves in the jungle with a full day of activities including canoe rides, walks and a visit to the local ‘Tharu’ tribal community.
After breakfast we drive to Pokhara (approx 4hrs). Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of the lakes and the magnificence of the Himalaya rising behind them create the ambience that has made Pokhara such a popular place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. In the evening we enjoy a boat ride at Phewa Lake then take a stroll around a bustling local market.
We will spend the morning visiting the International Mountain Museum. Rightly so the museums location offers a view of the three 8000+ meter peaks of the area. The museum focus is on those who travel to Nepal for mountaineering. On display are also different mountain cultures and their ways of life, world mountain systems, ecology, as well as an exhibition of the world mountaineering history. We then visit the Gurkha Museum which provides a rich history of these hardy soldiers who joined the British Army in 1815. Displays also include uniforms they wore, items they used and medals they won. Details of the Gurkha Victoria Cross winners, the highest bravery medal awarded by the British Empire with their citations can also be viewed.
After breakfast we drive to Rupakot. The rest of the day is spent at leisure where you can soak up the panoramic views of the iconic Annapurna mountain range.
Enjoy a further free day in Rupakot. The Rupakot Resort is a place where you can either take time out to relax in the beautiful surroundings or take advantage of the resorts facilities including complimentary hiking to explore the local area.
Today we travel on to Bandipur (approx 2hrs). Located on a ridge 1000m above sea level, Bandipur commands spectacular scenery of the surrounding mountains. The rest of the day is at leisure, and perhaps we could visit Bindyabasini temple on the Eastern side of the town, which houses the goddess Durga, Bandipur’s guardian deity. The rich wooden carvings and detailed brass-work that adorn the temple and are replicas of those found in the many old pagoda structures of the Kathmandu valley. The other important temples and shrines in the vicinity include the Mahalaxmi temple with its exquisite woodwork and Khadga Devi temple which comes alive once a year during the Dashain festival.
After breakfast in our hotel we transfer back to Kathmandu (approx 3hrs). The rest of the day is spent at leisure giving you time to soak up the wonderful atmosphere in this fascinating city.
After time at leisure during the morning, we visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath in the afternoon. Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that. Boudhanath is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century.
After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our return flight.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as details below (or similar);
The transfer time between Kathmandu Airport and the hotel is approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return from Nepal – Entry requirements – Nepal travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A tourist visa is currently £25 – please visit the Nepal Embassy website for further information – https://uk.nepalembassy.gov.np/visa/
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling, sometimes with early starts. There is a significant amount of walking on this holiday particularly due to the layout of the towns and activities featured.
Please refer to Medical Conditions in Important Information here.
There will be several optional activities available to you during the course of your holiday, full details of which will be given out at the Information Meeting by your Tour Leader. Your Tour Leader will arrange these for you but may not necessarily accompany you.
Flight over Mount Everest – cuurently $215
During the day when sightseeing, we recommend casual, lightweight cotton clothing. During spring and autumn the night temperatures in the mountains often dip below freezing, making warm gear essential. You will find that smart casual wear is acceptable, even in the best hotels during the evening. We would recommend a lightweight raincoat and an umbrella or hat for protection against rain or sun. Comfortable shoes are a “must” for sightseeing. From time to time, your guide will advise you about observing local customs. On certain occasions it will be necessary to wear clothing covering one’s shoulders and knees.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff (including restaurant, kitchen and reception staff) of approximately £70 (or the equivalent amount in local currency). Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of bar staff and housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate% toadd on.
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| April | 27 °C | 11 °C |
| November | 22 °C | 7 °C |
I was so nervous about embarking on my first Solos Holiday, but I shouldn’t have been – it was the best thing I have ever done!
Wow! Got to see the famous shipwreck beach in Zakynthos with Solos. Can’t wait to discover more of their destinations!
Our tour leader Monica was exceptional! Had such a good time and will be rebooking with Solos. Thanks for a great holiday!
Had the best time with Solos! Discovered beautiful destinations and met some lifelong friends.
