Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

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Nepal Holidays

A predominately mountainous land guarded to the north by the highest peaks in the world, Nepal is a pocket-sized, landlocked country of uncompromising beauty and staggering natural diversity. Undeniably, one of the main attractions for visitors is Nepal’s spectacular high-altitude mountain scenery, however, this small nation is exceptionally diverse, both culturally and environmentally, rewarding those able to fully explore all it has to offer.

Capital Kathmandu, as beguiling as any of the subcontinent’s principal cities, is a bustling treasure-trove of ancient temples, religious shrines and grand palaces. It also serves as a base from which to visit the charming medieval towns of Bhaktapur and Patan. Set in the Kathmandu Valley, both boast a fine assortment of palaces, temples and historic buildings whilst retaining age-old cultural traditions that have remained unchanged for centuries. To the west of Kathmandu, few places can claim such a perfect setting as the lakeside town of Pokhara where the towering snow-capped Himalayas form a dramatic backdrop to a host of outdoor activities including some of the world's finest walking and trekking.

The low-lying southern regions of the country, mostly comprising of what is known as the eastern and western terai, have an appearance significantly different to the mountains of the north. Here thick riverine forest, open grassland, marshy subtropical jungle and lush wetlands harbour much of Nepal’s biodiversity and are rich in wildlife including the one horned rhinoceros, gharial crocodile and elusive Bengal tiger. Pettitts Travel have led the way in designing tailor-made holidays and tours to Nepal for over 30 years.

Popular Tailor-Made Itineraries



Your holiday in Nepal

Your holiday in Nepal

Tucked neatly between the Himalayas and the plains of northern India, in many ways Nepal typifies the Indian subcontinent by managing, in a relatively small area, to offer a whole host of different landscapes and experiences to meet almost any interest. Pettitts Travel have been arranging tailor-made holidays to Nepal for more than three decades, specialising in designing journeys predominately focused on the cultural and wildlife highlights of the country. A range of Nepal itineraries are featured on our website. These have been designed to showcase both the very best Nepal has to offer and also to demonstrate how particular routings work. All of our Nepal holidays include hotels or lodges, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees. During your holiday you will have at your disposal a private car and driver throughout as well as local English-speaking guides or naturalists when visiting national parks. Additionally, you will also have the support from both our UK office and our partners on the ground in Nepal.

When considering a holiday to Nepal, initially we would recommend looking at the itineraries that are featured on our website. These are a good starting point as they not only combine a range of different ideas, routings and themes but serve as a foundation to a tailored trip which additionally incorporates any specific interests or requirements. Images of Nepal is a classic introduction to Nepal. Featuring Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan National Park it is ideal for a first-time visit to the country. For returning travellers, Journey through Nepal additionally includes the mountain town of Bandipur and little-visited reserve of Bardia. Those with limited time could also incorporate the Nepalese capital with any tour of northern India and The Kathmandu Valley shows how this can be done. The Nature and Wildlife of Nepal connects Nepal’s finest nature reserves whilst Sacred Mountains Lodge Trek utilises the excellent and comfortable Annapurna lodges of Ker and Downey. For those wishing to explore the wider Himalayan region, it is possible to combine Nepal with the neighbouring Indian state of Sikkim or even the remote mountain kingdom of Bhutan.

Places to visit in Nepal

Nestled between the high Himalayas and the plains of India, Nepal’s diversity and range of habitats belies its size. Kathmandu, and the immediate region surrounding the capital, are home to Nepal’s most important archaeological and historical structures. Kathmandu itself is a treasure-trove of significant religious sites including the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa, the Lamaist shrine of Bodhnath and the Hindu cremation ghats of Pashupatinath. The neighbouring Kathmandu Valley has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Bhaktapur, the temple of Changu Narayan and Patan with its long-established artistic community. To the west is the picturesque Newari town of Bandipur and, further still, lies Pokhara – starting point for lodge treks in the shadow of the Annapurna massif. Nepal is also rightly famed for its world-class wildlife. The national parks of Chitwan and Bardia support one-horned rhinoceros, tiger and leopard and Koshi Tappu is a leading birdwatching reserve.

MAP OF NEPAL

When to Visit nepal

It is generally considered that the ideal time to travel in Nepal is either during the autumn, between September and November, or the spring, from February to April, although the country can be visited throughout the year. Following the summer monsoon rains, autumnal skies are clear and visibility in the mountains is usually excellent with temperatures in Kathmandu comfortable. The start of spring sees a rise in temperature but also coincides with spectacular floral displays as rhododendrons, and other wild flowers, bloom. Rain is rare throughout the winter months but it can be cold. The pre-monsoon period, March to May, when vegetation dies back is the best time to view wildlife.

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This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

flag of Nepal Capital: Kathmandu

Main Language: Nepali

Time Zone: GMT+ 5.45

Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)

Wildlife in Nepal

Wildlife in Nepal

A key highlight of a holiday to Nepal is the range and diversity of its wildlife and most visitors try to incorporate a visit to at least one of the country’s excellent reserves. Chitwan, the country’s leading national park, is easy to combine with Kathmandu. Home to rhinoceros, leopard and elephant, sloth bear and reptiles including gharial crocodile, Chitwan is also Nepal’s oldest reserve. Located close to the Indian border in western Nepal, Bardia National Park is harder to reach, less developed and covers a wide range of habitats. This, in turn, supports a wide variety of wildlife including elephant, tiger, leopard, rhinoceros and dolphin as well as hundreds of different bird species. Koshi Tappu is arguably the least well-known of Nepal’s main wildlife reserves. Set in the eastern terai, it is best known for its birdlife. Here the marshland and mudflats provide refuge to over 450 different species of bird including waders, waterfowl and birds of prey as well as mugger crocodile, turtle and gangetic dolphin.

Where to go in Nepal

From the cultural sites of the Kathmandu Valley and ancient archaeological remains to vast wildlife reserves and the outdoor pursuits of Pokhara, there are a whole host of different things to see and do in Nepal. Explore capital Kathmandu, highlights being the stupas of Swayambhunath and Bodhnath as well as the revered Pashupatinath temple complex, then head outside of the city to visit the historic towns of Bhaktapur and Patan and the UNESCO protected temple of Changu Narayan. Head west to the beautiful lakeside town of Pokhara which is the entry point to the hiking trails of the spectacular Annapurna foothills or visit the revered pilgrimage site of Lumbini which is widely believed to have been the birthplace of the Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha. Wildlife enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice in Nepal. The national parks of Chitwan and Bardia support an incredible diversity of animal life including tiger, rhinoceros and elephant whilst the lesser-visited reserve of Koshi Tappu is renowned for the range and variety of its birdlife.

Where to go in Nepal

 

Nepal Holiday Review

What a thoroughly fascinating, thought-provoking and satisfying trip we had. We both absolutely loved it and are very grateful to you for the major part you played in facilitating it.

It was just brilliant; we thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and felt the sum we paid was well worth it.

SS & RS - Nepal - November 2019

Accommodation in Nepal

Hotels in Nepal tend to be smaller rather than larger and most have a noticeable Nepali character. Accommodation in the capital Kathmandu is varied but, on whole properties are larger in size and more modern than elsewhere in the country. There are a few international hotels in Kathmandu too. In keeping with Nepal’s well-earned reputation as a leading wildlife destination lodges, especially at Chitwan and Bardia, are authentic, comfortable and in keeping with their natural surroundings. Hotels in Pokhara are mostly located in the area surrounding the town and take full advantage of the region’s spectacular mountain backdrop. If on a lodge trek, Kerr & Downey’s properties are of a high standard but accommodation on alternative treks is likely to be simpler. The small town of Bandipur also offers the unique chance to stay in restored Newari homes.

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