Nepal: Small Country, Big Journey!

My Nepal

I have been lucky to visit Nepal several times. Many years ago, I spent a summer living with a Nepali family in Kathmandu, sleeping in their home and working as a teacher in a local school. That time gave me a very personal insight into how Nepalis live, worship, celebrate and go about their daily routines and rituals.

Weekends and spare days were spent visiting temples perched on hills, exploring small villages tucked away in the valleys, and the famous Durbar Squares with their palaces and pagoda‑roofed temples. Nepal was also my first taste of Asia. I will never forget landing in Kathmandu, climbing into a taxi and staring out of the window all the way into the city: scooters piled high with people and parcels, sacred cows calmly standing in the road, incense spiralling up from shrines, painted trucks honking through the dust. It felt like life had been turned on its head compared with home. These are exactly the kinds of experiences I love building into a Nepal itinerary for my clients.

Kathmandu Valley: Squares, Stupas and Everyday Life

Kathmandu is far more than a gateway, it is a destination in its own right. The city and its neighbouring towns are famous for their UNESCO‑listed Durbar Squares, where tiny backstreets suddenly open out onto courtyards filled with carved wooden windows, stone lions and shrines. Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur each have their own distinct character and architecture.

Within the valley you will also find some of Nepal’s most important religious and cultural sites, many of which can be easily woven into a short stay:

• Swayambhunath (nicknamed the Monkey Temple), a hilltop Buddhist stupa with sweeping views over Kathmandu.
• Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, encircled by monasteries and pilgrims spinning prayer wheels.
• Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, set along the Bagmati River.

Even the journeys between these sites can be an adventure. If you are curious, local buses are wonderfully chaotic and full of character. If you prefer something calmer, I can arrange private guides and transfers so you see the highlights in comfort and with plenty of context.

For many travellers, a couple of days in Kathmandu at the start or end of a Nepal holiday is ideal: time to acclimatise, explore, shop for handicrafts and soak up the atmosphere.

Trekking in the Himalayas: From Gentle Foothills to High-Altitude Epics

For many, Nepal is synonymous with trekking and hiking holidays, and for good reason. There is something incredibly humbling about waking up with the sunrise, walking between villages with the mountains as your backdrop and ending the day in a simple teahouse with hearty, home‑cooked food.

Some classic trekking routes to consider:

• Poon Hill: A relatively gentle trek into the Annapurna foothills over a few nights, perfect for first‑time trekkers who want big mountain views without committing to a very long hike.
• Annapurna Base Camp (ABC): The trek I did, leading you right into the heart of a natural amphitheatre of towering peaks. Reaching base camp is one of those “I’ll remember this for the rest of my life” moments.
• Everest region: Including the famous Everest Base Camp trail, Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries and dramatic suspension bridges, with unforgettable views of Everest and its neighbours.
• Langtang Valley: Known for rhododendron forests, mountain scenery and Tamang culture, and often a little quieter than the most famous trails.

Trekking in Nepal is incredibly flexible. You can choose duration, difficulty and remoteness to match your fitness, timeframe and appetite for adventure. My role is to help you pick the right route, guides and support, so you feel challenged but comfortable and very well looked after.

Pokhara: Lakeside Hub and Gateway to the Annapurna

If Kathmandu is all bustling energy, Pokhara is its laid‑back, bohemian cousin. Set beside a serene lake with mountain views on a clear day, it is both a starting point for many Annapurna treks and a lovely place to slow down.

In Pokhara you can:

• Take gentle lakeside walks or short hikes to hilltop viewpoints.
• Try paragliding over the lake and terraced hillsides; I did my first ever paraglide here and genuinely felt as free as a bird!
• Enjoy massage and wellness treatments after trekking.
• Eat your way around cafés and restaurants serving both traditional Nepali dishes and excellent international food.
• Swap stories with fellow travellers and plan your next move.

Pokhara works beautifully as a base before or after time in the mountains, especially on tailor‑made trekking itineraries.

Chitwan National Park: Rhinos, Tigers and Jungle Wildlife

Head south and the landscape shifts again. Chitwan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of subtropical forest and grassland, and one of the best places in Asia for wildlife‑focused holidays.

The park is home to:

• Greater one‑horned rhinoceros (Chitwan is famous for its rhino population).
• Bengal tigers (sightings are never guaranteed, but this is important tiger habitat).
• Asian elephants.
• Various species of deer and antelope.
• Sloth bears, wild boar, monkeys and crocodiles.
• Hundreds of bird species.

Safari activities typically include jeep drives, guided jungle walks and time on the rivers. Combining a few days on safari in Chitwan with time in the Himalayas gives you a truly diverse Nepal itinerary, from snow‑capped peaks to steamy jungle.

Sacred Sites and the Birthplace of the Buddha

Spiritually, Nepal is hugely significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. Alongside the temples and stupas of the Kathmandu Valley, one of the most important pilgrimage sites lies further south:

• Lumbini, recognised as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha. Today it is a peaceful complex of monasteries, the Maya Devi Temple, the Ashokan pillar and quiet gardens where pilgrims and travellers come to reflect.

A thoughtfully designed itinerary can link Kathmandu’s great temples, hilltop stupas, living monasteries and Lumbini’s contemplative atmosphere, so you see how faith is woven into everyday life across the country.

Combining Nepal With Other Destinations

Nepal also works brilliantly as part of a wider journey through Asia. You can:

• Combine it with India, travelling overland or by air to link the Himalayas with Rajasthan’s forts and desert, Kerala’s backwaters or the classic Golden Triangle.
• Add a stopover in the Middle East for some winter sun and city glamour on the way.
• Pair it with neighbouring countries in the region as part of a longer Asia trip.

When I build these multi‑centre itineraries, I am always very mindful of current conditions in mountain regions, including areas affected by landslides and infrastructure changes, and I work closely with trusted local partners on the ground to make sure the routes and stops we choose are right for you at the time you travel.

Let Me Shape Your Nepal Journey

Every trip to Nepal can be completely different, whether you are:

• A first‑time trekker wanting an introductory Himalayan trekking holiday.
• A culture‑lover keen to dive into temples, architecture and street life.
• A wildlife enthusiast excited by rhinos and the possibility of tigers.
• Or someone who simply wants to go somewhere that feels utterly different from home.

Because I know Nepal personally and work with expert local teams in‑country, I can help you navigate where to go, how long to spend in each place, and what level of trekking and comfort will suit you.

If Nepal has been on the edge of your travel daydreams, or if you are curious about what a tailor‑made Nepal itinerary could look like for you, contact me and I will help you design a journey shaped precisely around what you are looking for.