Nepal

In the world of subcontinental tourism, there is no question that Nepal punches well above its weight. Its innovative lodges and hotels set new standards. A case in point being the Tiger Tops Lodges and Tented Camps in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks that pioneered African style wildlife tourism in South Asia. With renewed political stability this magical country is witnessing a resurgence of tourism and once again you can stay in brilliantly located mountain lodges, wilderness camps, trekkers lodges and some atmospheric city hotels.

NEPAL ACCOMMODATION

Dwarika’s

It is hard to describe Dwarika’s. The moment you step into the immaculate lobby off the busy street you realise that this is a very special place indeed. The architecture is utterly authentic Kathmandu Newari. Indeed the hotel project was created by the founder to safeguard the Kathmandu Valley’s fine artistic and architectural tradition and over the years the hotel has grown into a veritable museum of superb wooden carvings that grace the exterior and decorate the interior. This intricate art work is what the Newars of Kathmandu were famous for. But the hotel doesn’t just rest on its artistic laurels. Every element of this hotel – from rooms, to service to food is superb. The traditional Krishnarpan Restaurant is worth going to for a meal wherever you decide to stay. Winner of several Heritage awards, with 72 deluxe rooms arranged around beautiful courtyards, Dwarika’s is a destination in itself.

Summit Hotel

Situated on a hillside looking out over Kathmandu City with the high mountains framing it, the Summit is one of the nicest places to stay at in Kathmandu. Described as a Nepali Hotel with western comforts it has a superb garden where you can sit in the sunshine and enjoy the peace and quiet. Carved wooden architecture and hand-made floor tiles complete the picture. The restaurant and bar are famous and there is something of the trekker’s lodge in the atmosphere which encourages guests to mingle and talk to each other. Sadly TV’s have now been permitted and in a nod to the warming climate some rooms are now air-conditioned. It is located not far from Patan City – and operates the excellent restaurant at the museum – and the only disadvantage is the distance from Kathmandu town centre.

Yak & Yeti

Although a normal 5 star Hotel, the Yak & Yeti does have the distinction of being attached to the historic Lal Durbar Palace which was the home of the last Rana Prime Minister. Some of the public rooms and restaurants are located in this historic section of the hotel with walls covered with old photographs. It is also where the legendary pioneer of Nepali tourism, the White Russian exile Boris Lissanovitch started the Copper Chimney restaurant which continues the tradition of Russian fusion cuisine – and where you get some fine vodkas! But perhaps the greatest advantage is the location – just off Darbar Marg – the upmarket shopping and business area of the city and a stone’s throw from the Palace. It is also a few minutes walk from the vibrant tourist district of Thamel with its multitude of restaurants and shops.

Pokhara Mountain Lodge

Situated on a ridge about 2000 feet above the somewhat haze- laden Pokhara valley and at the edge of a picturesque hill village, the Mountain Lodge combines all the ingredients of the famous Tiger Tops Lodges. The architecture and construction is local but beautifully finished and designed; comfort definitely verges on the luxurious; service is personalised but understated; the food and bar are first class; the guides are well trained and enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the fauna, flora and local culture and the boss is an authoritative and amusing commentator on Nepali history and politics. Above all it commands panoramic views of Fishtail and the Annapurna massif. Your stay here can be as energetic or restful as you like. You can wander through the local villages or go birding for the whole day enjoying the superb assemblage of Himalayan birdlife or walk fro a whole day with a packed lunch or explore the tourist bazaars of Pokhara along the edge of the lake; or fly a microlight or sail over on a balloon or go rafting – it’s all there for you to do.

Tiger Tops Lodges & Camps – Chitwan & Bardia

Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge located in the heart of the Royal Chitwan National Park looking out over the Reu Valley framed by the high mountains in the distance is the most dramatically located and the most famous wildlife lodge in the subcontinent and one of the most renowned in the world. Here you won’t find over the top luxury but comfort, great staff, an utterly personalised wildlife programme where you as an individual can decide what interests you and what you want to do. The lodges and Tented camps have their riding elephants so you have the luxury of exploring the forest and grassland on elephant back looking for rhinos, bears, tigers and other wildlife. The lodge in Bardia in the far west is smaller and quieter and the ented camps in both national parks are comfortable safari style affairs with a wonderful thatched roof Gol Ghar or roundhouse which is the heart of the camp and where a well-stocked bar creates just the right atmosphere. No visit to Nepal can be complete to without a trip into the jungle where the Tiger Tops properties reign supreme.

Tiger Tops Tharu Camp

At the edge of the park on the outskirts of a Tharu village, this lovely local style lodge allows you the freedom to ride, swim, or go wildlife and bird watching. A terrific addition to the Tiger Tops experience.

Dhulikhel Mountain Resort

As you head out of Kathmadu climbing to the rim driving East on the road to Lhasa, the country-side becomes decidedly rural with tiny terraced fields climbing up and down the precipitous slopes. It is charming country-side and on a clear day the horizon is rimmed with the world’s highest peaks starting with Everest. For those who may want to get out of the pollution of Kathmandu and
enjoy the lovely country-side and mountain scenery, the Dhulikhel resort offers a charming alternative.

Trekking Lodges

Mountain Travel Nepal more or less invented the expedition style trekking holiday where all one’s heavy equipment is carried by porters, mules or horses with a camp staff of trained sherpas to remove all the hard work from a trekking holiday leaving you to get on with the job of enjoying yourself. In recent years some of the more heavily used trails have developed a series of trekking lodges that range from the reasonably plush to clean but basic which allow you to walk unencumbered by heavy equipment and staff and make your own way from lodge to lodge. Some of these lodges can also be used as a base to explore the higher mountain country than is possible from Pokhara or Kathmandu. We have a small but interesting selection of lodges that we use. See our trekking section for more on this