Our grading system explained
What makes Nepal so special?
What makes Nepal so special?
For visitors to Nepal, trekking is still the biggest draw but the bustling city life and rich cultural traditions provide plenty to keep you occupied away from the mountains. What many visitors think will be their one trip of a lifetime all too often turns into a long-term love affair with this wonderful country and its people. Whether you want to go trekking in Nepal or tour the highlights of the country, Mountain Kingdoms will have the perfect holiday in for you.
The epic scale of the Everest and Annapurna mountain ranges naturally make these the two most popular regions for trekking in Nepal – some of these routes, such as the Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit, are regarded as being among the best walks in the world. Venture further afield into ‘Wild Nepal’ and you will find pristine mountain scenery, remote villages and a culture still relatively untouched by tourism.
We also offer lots of exciting options for extending your time in Nepal from going on safari at Chitwan National Park to gentle rafting on the Seti River and from an indulgent stay in a stylish lodge near Pokhara to a tour of the cultural sights of the Kathmandu Valley.
Nepal walking & trekking holidays
Nepal is the most exciting of the Himalayan nations, with the highest mountains and most vibrant culture, and has rightly been a favourite destination for travellers and trekkers for many years.
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28 Holidays
Namun La, Annapurna Wilderness Trek
16 day Vigorous / Strenuous Walking & Trekking
- An accessible yet genuine wilderness trek – few trekkers, or even locals, use this trail.
- A wild trek with breath-taking scenery that fits into a two week holiday.
- Cross the remote and challenging Namun Pass, 4,850m/15,912ft.
- Enjoy incredible views of the Langjung Himal, Annapurnas, Machhapuchhare and Manaslu.
Flight inclusive from £3215, Land only from £2195
- Climb airy stone staircases, and trek along exhilarating mountain ridges
- Trek through verdant farmland and explore unspoilt forests
- Marvel at the incredible mountain panoramas from the Sing La
- Visit remote Gurung and Tamang villages
- Relax after the trek in a four star hotel in Kathmandu
Flight inclusive from £2695, Land only from £1565
Five High Passes - Dolpo to Mustang Trek
23 day Strenuous Walking & Trekking
- Trek for 16 days through impressive high mountain scenery and isolated villages
- Camp by the turquoise waters of Phuksundo Lake
- Experience the ancient Tibetan culture of the region - little changed over time
- Enjoy first rate camping and a four star hotel in Kathmandu before and after the trek
Land only from £3685
Departures:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Wild Mustang Trek
25 day Vigorous / Strenuous Walking & Trekking
- Trek to the remote villages, cave complexes and monasteries north of Lo Manthang and meet the local nomads.
- Return down the wild eastern side of Mustang.
- Stay in lodges in Mustang as well as enjoying a full camping experience in the ‘wild’ sections of this unique trek.
- Join in the flamboyant celebrations of the Tiji Festival on the May departure.
Flight inclusive from £4995, Land only from £3935
- Genuinely remote and culturally distinct, an area of Nepal where few westerners visit
- Phuksundo Lake, Shey Gompa and Crystal Mountain are just some of the spectacular scenic highlights
- Spend time with the people of Dolpo who have retained their ancient traditions and beliefs
- Excellent acclimatisation following Peter Matthiessen’s journey in search of the elusive snow leopard
- Enjoy first rate camping facilities on trek and a four star hotel in Kathmandu
Land only from £3750
Departures:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Tour the ancient cities of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Patan and visit Lumbini - the birthplace of Buddha
- Enjoy village walks with stunning Himalayan views of the Annapurnas and Everest
- Go wild at Chitwan National Park with two full days of wildlife watching activities
- Stay in top quality hotels and lodges including Dwarika's fabulous Heritage Hotel
Flight inclusive from £4125, Land only from £2895
Long Trek to Everest Base Camp
24 day Strenuous Walking & Trekking
- Follow in the footsteps of early Everest pioneers on the original trail to Everest Base Camp
- Enjoy fabulous sunrise views from Pikey Peak, said to be Edmund Hillary’s favourite view of Everest.
- Visit both Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar and trek through beautiful Sherpa villages
- Trek in the company of highly experienced Sherpa leaders, some of whom are Everest summiteers
- Stay in a four star hotel in Kathmandu with a walking tour of the city’s key sights
Flight inclusive from £3710, Land only from £2695
Tiger's Nest Trek, Bhutan & Kathmandu Valley Trek, Nepal
15 day Gentle / Moderate Walking & Trekking
- A three day trek between villages and temples along the ridgeline of the Kathmandu Valley
- Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims on the trail to the sacred temple of Namo Buddha
- An overnight camping trek in Bhutan to reach the Tiger’s Nest Temple of Taktsang
- Time to explore the heritage towns of Bhaktapur, Dhulikel and Panauti in Nepal
- Gentle walks in Bhutan and the cultural highlights of Paro, Punakha and Thimphu
- All the colour and celebrations of a traditional Bhutanese festival
Flight inclusive from £4405, Land only from £3255
- Realise the ambition of a lifetime by running the world’s highest marathon
- Cross two spectacular passes over 5,000 metres: the Renjo La and the Cho La.
- Spend two nights camping at Everest Base Camp where the race starts at 5,300m/17,388ft
- Walk up to Kala Pattar at 5,545m/18,193ft for superb views of Mount Everest
- Stay at a four star hotel in Kathmandu with time to relax or take in the sights of the city
Departures:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Everest Base Camp & Gokyo Lakes
21 day Strenuous Walking & Trekking
- Trek to both Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar
- Cross the Cho La and ascend Gokyo Ri
- Excellent acclimatisation and highly experienced Sherpa leaders
- Four-star hotel and time to relax and take in the sights of Kathmandu
Flight inclusive from £3620, Land only from £2525
Introduction
Nepal is perhaps the most exciting of the Himalayan nations with the highest mountains, most vibrant culture, and a friendly charm that has made it a favourite destination for travellers and trekkers for many years. You don’t have to go far or particularly high to get a sense of the scenic, natural and cultural attractions of Nepal. The beautiful hilltop villages and World Heritage sites near Kathmandu can be explored on our Gentle Walking Nepal holiday as well as on our in-depth Definitive Cultural Tour of Nepal.
The Annapurnas offer trekking at all levels from a gentle trekking holiday in the foothills, staying in luxury lodges, to a more vigorous trek into the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary. There's also the classic Annapurna Circuit that crosses the Thorong La. Avoiding the crowds, you can trek across the high passes and remote valleys of the region with our Namun La, Langtang & the Laurebina La or Grand Annapurna Traverse treks. All of which offer a real sense of wilderness.
In the Everest region, completing the trek to Everest Base Camp is the goal for most experienced trekkers, and there’s even an Everest Base Camp in Style trek for those who prefer a few home comforts on the trail. If you want to recreate the route of the original Everest pioneers then the Long Trek to Everest Base Camp might be just the adventure for you. For those looking to explore the Everest region beyond Base Camp there are several options. You can trek to the turquoise waters of the Gokyo Lakes, take the high altitude trek - the Three High Passes to Everest - or even challenge yourself on an Everest trekking peak such as Mera Peak. And if you can’t decide between Everest of Annapurnas, enjoy them both on our Annapurna & Everest in Style trek.
If you prefer a more remote experience, Wild Nepal will take you off-the-beaten-track. The little-explored area of Ganesh Himal, the mysterious landscapes of the Kingdom of Mustang, the remote base camps of Kangchenjunga and the traditional Tibetan culture of Manaslu on the classic Manaslu Circuit, all offer a different perspective on this beautiful and welcoming land.
Key Facts
- Capital city: Kathmandu
- Arrival airport: Kathmandu
- Population: 28,610,000 (2019 census)
- Area of country: 147,181 sq km
- Currency: Nepalese Rupee
- Time difference: GMT +5.75 hours
- Popular dishe/s: Dal bhat
- Popular drink/s: Chai tea and Raksi (an alcoholic homebrew)
- Power supply: 220v/240v
- Sockets: Round-three pin but can also be European or British variety sockets
- Official language: Nepali
- Religion: Hindu 80.6%, Buddhist 10.7%, Muslim 4.2%, Kirant 3.6%, other 0.9%
- Visa: British nationals require a visa to visit Nepal. This can be obtained in advance or on arrival
- Did you Know: The flag of Nepal is the only national flag in the world that is not quadilateral in shape
- FCDO link: FCDO travel advice for Nepal
Climate
When is the best time to travel to Nepal?
It is possible to travel to Nepal throughout much of the year, though for walking and trekking in Nepal, the best time to go is in spring (March-April) and autumn (October-November). Our temperature and rainfall charts will give you a guide to the climate in Nepal.
Autumn is thought to be the best time to visit Nepal. With dry weather and crisp, clear skies, the mountain views are at their best. The countryside is green and lush, following the summer monsoon. However, during this period the popular trails can be busy, and flights book up quickly, so do book in advance if you want to trek in Nepal during the autumn. We've introduced many treks which will get you off-the-beaten-path, and away from the crowds during this season.
In winter, the days are generally dry and bright, though at altitude the evenings will be extremely cold, and some high passes can be blocked by snow. Although a high-altitude trek may not be possible, winter can be a great time to visit Nepal, as there are fewer tourists. There are some fantastic walking and trekking holidays which are perfect for an adventurous winter holiday. You could spend Christmas day gazing at a perfect snowy mountain scene!
Between March and April, the weather warms up, and a whole range of trekking options are available. Skies may be more cloudy than in autumn, but the beautiful rhododendron and magnolia will be in bloom. Some of our holidays are timed to depart during the Easter period.
In summer, from June to August, Nepal experiences the monsoon rains. We consider that some destinations, such as Everest Base Camp, are unsuitable for trekking. Internal flight schedules can be affected and the mountain views are limited, even if the trails themselves are fine for trekking. Trekking in the Annapurna and Everest regions may not be possible, but Mustang and Dolpo, which lie in the rain shadow, make the perfect summer trekking destination.
If you would like to discuss your group or Tailor Made holiday to Nepal with one of our destination experts, then please call us on 01453 844400.