Nepal
Exhilarating. Lofty. Confounding. Nepal is a history lesson with added adventure.
From verdant jungle to snow-capped mountains, Mount Everest to ancient and intoxicating Kathmandu — Nepal is a place of dreams and the pinnacle of adventurous Asian travel. The capital in its Himalayan valley offers incredible cultural and artistic heritage at every turn, from the cool temples to the sweltering courtyards where chilies dry out in the baking sun.
Experiences
Explore the rich ecosystems of the Terai valley’s low-lying forests, savanna, grasslands and wetlands, home to a huge variety of wildlife; head into the Inner Terai at Chitwan National Park, one of the last refuges of the endangered one-horned Indian rhino and home to sizeable populations of tigers, leopards, and rare Gangetic freshwater dolphins; take a helicopter over the Himalayas, dropping off for lunch overlooking Mount Everest with the abbot of Tengboche Monastery; land at the legendary Everest Base Camp; enjoy an evening of traditional celebration with a local Nepalese community; take part in a caravan of yaks on the ancient silk route with traditional nomads; meet locals in remote villages to learn about the secrets and myth surrounding the Yeti.
Where to Stay
The finest spa lodges; luxury tents equipped with oxygen and a hyperbaric chamber; a remote monastery; a luxuriously appointed monk’s cave.
When to Go
October and November offer warm days and clear skies ideal for trekking. In March and April it’s warm and the rhododendrons bloom.