Himalayan Adventure (13 days)

Depart London on an overnight flight to Kathmandu.

On arrival at Kathmandu airport you will be met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. Once you’ve checked in you’ll be given a briefing by your tour leader about the programme for the holiday. Then you’ll have some free time to relax and adjust to your new surroundings.

Today you’ll explore the real Kathmandu. Despite the somewhat chaotic traffic you’ll find the peace of the great stupa of Tibetan Buddhism at Bodnath and the nearby holy site of Hindu’s Lord Pashupatinath (Lord Shiva).

Then we’ll make our way to the little feudal city of Bhaktapur, nestled in almost a time-warp of temples and back-streets with all the commotion and colour that speaks of long tradition and rich heritage. One example is the craft of the Bhaktapur potters, whose skills you’ll see demonstrated on the streets of the city. But don’t just watch them, try your hand at spinning a pot yourself. This can make a great souvenir for the kids, as well as being an interactive learning experience.

We leave Kathmandu and take the road west down to the valley of the Trisuli River. Here at The Trisuli Centre we are absorbed into the life of a little village bazaar where trails from the Himalayan hinterland converge at the road-head over a 180m footbridge. Here you’ll see the glorious ‘Big Fig’ (the giant banyan tree of a hundred aerial roots) recently saved from the axe. Here also is the Trisuli River itself, with its awesome seasonal moods, gathering tributaries as it meanders its way down from the Tibetan Plateau to the Ganges.

After lunch, we include an exciting journey downriver. You don’t need any prior experience to try white-water rafting at this level and there is an ‘opt out’ if you really don’t want to take part. However, we highly recommend this adventurous sport and form of travel. If you opt out, you’ll be taken downriver by road and you could even try your hand at kayaking or play some football with the Trisuli Young Leaders Club.

Those that raft down will have an instructor to provide paddles, helmets, wetsuits and buoyancy aids. A safety briefing and instruction will also be given before you set off and there’ll be plenty of time to practice your newly acquired skills on the river before approaching the first rapids. Then, hang on and paddle hard! As well as enjoying the adrenaline rush, there are natural wonders to admire and the tranquillity of this wonderful river to enjoy. At the end of the day, you’ll arrive at our riverside camp.

Today, you’ll continue the drive westward and arrive at the town of Pokhara for lunch. Although Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest city, it is tiny compared with Kathmandu, and there’s more of a village atmosphere here. Your hotel is on an island in the lovely lake with panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Annapurna Range. This evening, relax while watching an action-packed film about trans-Himalayan yak caravans! You’ll also be briefed on making final preparations for tomorrow’s ‘mini-trek’ into the Himalayas.

This morning, we set off with our tents, chairs, tables and food; plus a team of cooks, porters and Sherpas. You’ll get to know these friendly folk as you walk and take meals with them over the next few days. The trail, which is taken at a comfortable pace, is through charming villages in the Annupurna foothills.

Time has stood still in these simple communities, where subsistence farming is the only way of life (except of course, for the few who make a small amount of income from tourism). The people here are incredible friendly and hospitable, although they can be shy at first. To reach our ridge-top camp you’ll have ascended 2000ft, not without effort, but at a pace marked with pauses for views and with halts for brief encounters with local people and a picnic lunch.

Tonight you’ll sleep under canvas in the open – nature’s own five-million star hotel! At sunset, the views across the serried ranks of the Himalayas foothills climaxes in a spectacle of the sun-blushed high Himal - your planet at its most miraculous.

Inspired by both morning views across to the high peaks and a hearty breakfast, you descend to Phewa Tal - the lake at Pokhara. On reaching the end of the walk you can relax and get ready for a party tonight to which all your trekking staff and some children from the local area are invited. There’ll be many Nepali flavours; music, dance, dishes, traditional Nepali dress - a good time to be had by all!

Today you’ll set off for the lowland jungles of Nepal’s Terai region. En route you’ll visit the typically traditional settlement of Bandipur, a jewel of a mountain town, set on a green saddle in the warm heart of the middle hills. It provides a perfect opportunity for a lunch-time meander around its temples and old bazaar.

We motor down to the terai and reach our safari lodge, situated on the sandy banks of the lazy Rapti river. Here, from the bar, the sun is seen to sink below the expanse of grasslands and forests into the distant blue hills. Following dinner we discuss all the exciting elements of what’s still to come during our stay here at the Chitwan National Park.

Over the next two days there are activities in the mornings and evenings, while the middle of the day tends to be left free to relax. This is perhaps a time not for actually going anywhere, or doing very much, but for indulging in the simple joy of ‘just being there’. However there is indeed much to do. The activities (the exact order of which is best left flexible) include:

* ‘Rhino-watch’ Safari into the riverine grasslands of the Park to encounter this awesome armour-plated mammal at close-quarters from elephant-back.
*  Helping to bathe the elephants after a day’s work (it’s not your ears you have to scrub behind!)
*  Taking dug-out canoes to see sun-bathing crocodile and the birdlife that thrives in these Eden-evoking flood plains.
*  Nature Trail walk in woodlands and glades to seek out bush buck, spotted deer, barking deer, monkeys, peacocks . . . with, as always here in Chitwan, a local naturalist.
*  Calling in on the ethnically distinct Tharu people who have Rajasthani origins and whose ways, and village life and dances (especially the captivating stick dance) will enthral you.

Second day in Chitwan National Park.

Your return to Kathmandu is by air - a classic, almost bush-pilot style flight over the humpy Himalayan foothills for just 30 minutes, back to your elegant and palatial hotel. The afternoon is free to explore more and probably indulge in some necessary retail therapy. This evening you’ll be regaled with stories of high adventure as you are joined by a high-altitude Sherpa guide, fully equipped and recently returned from the summit of Everest. Then to dinner; a perfect final choice of places at which to spend a “last supper” before our departure.

Sadly it’s time depart. You’ll be transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your flight back to London, arriving the next morning.

You arrive back in the UK today.