Nepal in Style: Scale Luxurious Peaks in the Himalayas
Nepal has long been famed as one of Asia’s most multi-faceted destinations. Although it is famed for its Himalayan peaks and trekking opportunities, the country also offers deep cultural insights, culinary highlights, and — in its southern Terai — prime wildlife spotting opportunities. These days it can also throw a lot of luxury into the mix. Here’s Remote Lands' guide to experiencing the best of the country.
NEPAL IN STYLE: SCALE LUXURIOUS PEAKS IN THE HIMALAYAS
Nepal has long been famed as one of Asia’s most multi-faceted destinations. Although it is famed for its Himalayan peaks and trekking opportunities, the country also offers deep cultural insights, culinary highlights, and — in its southern Terai — prime wildlife spotting opportunities. These days it can also throw a lot of luxury into the mix. Here’s Remote Lands' guide to experiencing the best of the country.
KATHMANDU COLORS
Swoyambhu Mahachaitya, Kathmandu Valley
Nepal adventures invariably begin and end in Kathmandu, the nation’s evocative capital. Although the city’s dust and traffic can be enervating, it remains a vital hub for culture, cuisine, and creativity. Visitors can lose themselves in a maze of alleys stumbling, as if in a dream, upon artisans hammering metalwork in dark doorways, artists painting Tibetan thangkas and hidden Hindu temples where the relentless beating of the madal traditional drum accompanies elderly worshippers as they chant devotionals. In the city, Dwarika’s is one of the best places to bed down. As much a treasure trove of Newari crafts and architecture as a hotel, the hotel is a must-visit attraction – even for non-guests – due to its collection of intricate woodcarvings and its beautiful courtyard. Stay highlights include a gorgeous outdoor pool, a meal at Krishnarpan, the hotel’s signature Nepali restaurant, and palatial rooms adorned with wooden furniture and traditional rugs.
THE MODERN WAY TO EVEREST
Kongde Lodge at 3.944ft
‘Trek smarter, not harder’ is a mantra we’ve adopted at Remote Lands. Nowhere is this more relevant than Everest Base Camp, a bucket list experience that — without some forethought and local know-how — can be both grueling and relatively crowded. Our favored approach is to combine staying at the wonderfully cozy Mountain Lodges of Nepal with helicopter flights for certain sections of the journey, while diverging from the main thoroughfares and carving out our own expert-led paths. You’ll stay at six of these picturesque lodges as you trek towards 18,000 feet, and as you come face to face with some of the world’s highest peaks we’ll veer west instead of the well-traveled eastern path before an exhilarating helicopter to the camp itself. This is the best way to experience Everest Base Camp in 2024.
THE EASY WAY TO EVEREST
View from the cockpit on the way to Everest
Nepal is blessed with numerous spectacular regions. But none come more fabled than the Everest region. Home to the world’s highest peak, the area is famed for its incredible hiking and trekking. It’s also notable as home to The Happy House, one of the country’s most intriguing stays. Informally christened by Sir Edmund Hillary, this fabled abode belonging to a prominent Sherpa clan served as a sanctuary where the explorer found solace season after season. Embraced by verdant pine forests and majestic peaks it remains as a serene refuge. After arriving from Kathmandu via a helicopter ride over the peak-studded scenery you will be rewarded with a variety of personalized adventures. Embark on dawn meditations alongside saffron-clad monks at a neighboring monastery and strike out into the gorgeous landscapes that surround the property.
GO WILD IN BARDIA NATIONAL PARK
Tiger spotting at Bardia
Bardia National Park is the largest national park in the Terai, a wilderness of sal forest, grassland and alluvial washes bisected by the Karnali River. Often described – in classic jaundiced traveler’s fashion – as what Chitwan was like 30 years ago, the national park protects healthy populations of wild elephants, one-horned rhinos and one of Asia's largest stretches of tiger habitat. Indeed, your chances of spotting one of the majestic big cats are relatively high here, with only a few national parks in Asia keeping a higher population — and those tend to be far busier. Bardia is barely populated, so there won't be many crowds to contend with. Enjoy a jeep safari or a jungle walk through the lush forest and grasslands, where you may encounter rhinoceros, elephants, tigers, and over 400 bird species. The park is served by Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge, which features rustic chic rooms inspired by local Tharu architecture.
MUSTANG’S NEWFOUND HEIGHTS
Shinta Mani Mustang
From the south of Nepal, a spectacular helicopter journey can transport you to the Himalayan heights of Mustang where the Bill Bensley-designed masterpiece, Shinta Mani Mustang, is making waves. The 29-suite property is the choiceest stay in one of Nepal's most unique regions. Mustang is characterized by desert landscapes punctuated by towering peaks like Mount Nilgiri and a procession of Buddhist chortens (stupas). Interiors at the property incorporate warm coloured fabrics and materials to reflect the rich tones of the surrounding landscape, which can be admired from every window of the Lodge. Huge fire pits on the outdoor terrace allow guests to admire millions of stars in the night sky in warmth as the temperatures dip. The main gateway to this magical corner of the Himalayas is Jomson, which is cut off in two halves by the Kali Gandaki: the deepest gorge in the world. There are several intriguing day hike possibilities from Jomson including the trek to Marpha, a pretty town watered by paved canals and surrounded by green orchards.
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