Nepal 8 day highlights tour

Planet

We promote excursions which foster a more sustainable tourism and we commit to maintaining small-group sizes for the excursions on your trip, in order to limit negative environmental impacts in accordance to the carrying capacity of the visited site.

Nepal combines Himalayan views, golden temples, charming hill villages and jungle wildlife. Wildlife diversity is a notable feature of Nepal. Because of the variance in climate, from tropical to arctic, Nepal has a large variety of plants and animals.

You will be able to contribute to the conservation and preservation of the Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique biological resources of outstanding universal value. It is the first protected area in Nepal, with a total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish. The park is especially renowned for its protection of the One Horned Rhinoceros, the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Gharial Crocodile. The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. The park to its prestige has two successful years of no-poaching and a global recognition for bringing ecotourism to Nepal.

To support the protection of wilderness areas and respect the park, our guides are actively promoting practices such us not disturbing wildlife, keeping a safe distance to wildlife, reducing production of disturbing sounds, prohibiting feeding, avoiding litter at all times, using water sparingly and not polluting with harmful detergents, avoid being intrusive when taking photographs, dressing appropriately and in subdued colours when wildlife watching, etc.

There is particular focus on this trip of maintaining the traditional way of life, the simple local food, and the traditional cultural environment based on eco-tourism concepts while generating economic benefits for rural populations in ways that are environmentally and socially responsible. Our core principle is to respect and enhance these values by encouraging our travelers and guides to keep the extra unneeded waste to a minimum in all our tours through our “bring it in, bring it out” policy for litter and rubbish such as food packaging and recycling wherever possible.

With your visit to Nepal, you will contribute to the reconstruction and maintanance of important temples such as the UNESCO world heritage sites of Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa & Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu, as well as Bindhyabasini Temple, Tal Barahi Temple (also known as Lake Temple, a hindu temple of the Goddess Durga (Barahi), the protector of gods) and the Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) in Pokhara - built as a symbol of peace situated at the height of 1100 meters.

Responsible accommodation:
With your stay you can contribute to responsible resorts. The hotels we pick for you subscribe to harness a healthy, green clean policy both for local communities and for their staff.

You can for example stay at the Soaltee Westend Premier, the first LEED certified hotel in Nepal. LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Soaltee Westend Premier have built an infrastructure that’s luxurious yet eco-friendly. Their initiatives include:
- Orientation of the building is such that maximum of sunlight can be utilized, double glazed glass is used for proper insulation to limit exposure to heat and cold.
- Rain water harvesting, dual flush toilets, faucets and sensor operated taps helping conservation of water to the fullest.
- Radiant technology, proper insulation of ducts, VFD motors and solar PV panel for outdoor lights which are highly efficient and energy saving.

Or you can choose to stay at the BARAHI JUNGLE LODGE, situated on the banks of the Rapti river opposite Chitwan National Park. Barahi Jungle Lodge’s extensive 12 hectares of grounds provide a truly magical jungle experience for guests. The property alone boasts an array of local bird and wildlife.
- All buildings have been constructed from locally sourced materials and have thatched roofs.
- When Barahi Jungle Lodge was built in 2012, over 5,000 trees were planted across the 12 hectares of land, which, at that time, was barren grassland. Since then, they have continued to plant more trees every year creating the lush jungle forest that encompasses the sprawling resort today. They have also facilitated tree plantation programs in the local community.
- The Lodge endeavours to make their presence here beneficial to local people through economic opportunity. Almost all of the staff (about 97%) are from nearby villages and are trained to a high standard of service. Their commitment to the environment is demonstrated by policies such as a food waste recycling system and a NO SINGLE USE PLASTIC policy.
- Water is provided free of charge in glass bottles
- Shampoo and conditioner are sourced from a local Ayurvedic company and are offered in reusable clay bottles for guests.
- Food Waste: they compost fruit and vegetable waste, and also vermicompost – using worms – for the vegetable garden. Other food waste is processed in a biogas plant which is used for slow cooking. Remaining food waste is given free to a local pig farmer.
- The Barahi Jungle Lodge is proud recipient of several awards acknowledging their dedication to maintaining responsible tourism and ecology.

Another example of a natural hotel is the Fishtail Lodge, situated on a peninsula with the Phewa Lake on one side and a forest-covered hill on the other. Fish Tail Lodge offers spectacular views all around making it a unique lake resort. It was established in late 1960’s with unique round cottages that are set amidst a lush garden.

Office
We have a recycling policy in our UK and local offices and re-use or recycle the information booklets we provide to every client on arrival wherever possible. Moreover, we do not produce a glossy brochure, concentrating on a comprehensive website, and providing as much information to our travelers as possible electronically, reducing the use of paper and inks.

People

Nepal has been bouncing back from the earthquakes. Wherever you go in Nepal, you’ll receive a warm welcome, and your visit brings not only joy and cultural exchange to the country but also much-needed income to communities getting back on their feet.

We base the core of your travel experience not only on principles of responsible tourism, social consciousness and environmental concerns, but also on unique cultural experiences that bring diverse communities together and increase understanding.

We only work with local guides that come from the very region you are visiting, giving back to their families and communities. We also make sure our guides take you to local places where locals of that very region craft their products, which helps keep the money earned in that very community.

If you stay at Fishtail Lodge in Pokhara, you support a hotel that is endowed to a non-profit organization called Jayanti Memorial Trust (JMT). All profits generated by the Lodge are supporting the Trust’s goals, which is to provide funding to less fortunate heart patients who are economically weak and provide them cardiac care.

By staying at the Barahi Jungle Lodge, you are also able to support the local community:
- They buy all raw food products from nearby villages
- 97% of their staff are from the surrounding area
- they sell locally made handicrafts in the gift shop and 5% of sales goes back to the local community
- They annually donate bicycles to local children
- They do regular cleaning drives with the local people on all the roads in the area
- They support the village schools by providing clean drinking water