Nepal

Nepal is the easiest Himalayan escape from India. Indian citizens need no visa, rupees are widely accepted, the food feels familiar and the welcome is genuinely warm. Yet the moment you land in Kathmandu, it feels like another world: pagoda temples and stupas, prayer wheels turning in narrow lanes, and on a clear day a line of snow peaks along the northern horizon.

Our Nepal trips spend two days in the Kathmandu Valley among its UNESCO-listed sites. You will join the evening aarti at Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati, walk around the giant Boudhanath Stupa with Tibetan pilgrims, and explore the medieval Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, where wood-carving and pottery traditions are still alive. Then you fly or drive to Pokhara, a relaxed lake town beneath the Annapurna range. Paddle across Phewa Lake to the Tal Barahi temple, rise early for sunrise on Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas from Sarangkot, and, if you are feeling brave, paraglide over the lake. An Everest mountain flight from Kathmandu can be added on your last morning.

Nepal suits families, couples, senior pilgrims and first-time Himalayan travellers alike. It also works well for those visiting Muktinath or Pashupatinath as part of a pilgrimage, and for honeymooners looking for mountains without long drives. The best weather runs from October to May, with crystal-clear views in autumn and rhododendrons blooming in spring. Pack layers, carry your passport or voter ID, and keep some patience for Kathmandu's traffic; the rewards are well worth it.