Moderate-to-challenging walking on more rugged terrain with significant ascents / descents on most days. Compass skills may be required (check the individual holiday).
The season for this holiday is:
15 September 2019 - 10 December 2019
20 March 2020 - 10 May 2020
15 September 2020 - 10 December 2020
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Although our trip was cut in half by the Coronavirus crisis, we very much enjoyed the time we spent in Nepal. Highlights were the stupendous, breathtaking scenery and living with the people of the Sailung Valley.
This was not only a wonderful trip, it was an enriching experience. The scenery was wonderful, the people friendly and generous. And we were thrilled to see wild monkeys, eagles, bee-eaters, gryphon vultures and other species of bird new to us besides. The walking is suitable for people accustomed to hill-walking. Although soft-topped bags for your main luggage are OK, a proper rucksack seemed easier for the porters to carry. It's worth having a guide for the day in Kathmandu. Ours, Amir, was excellent.
Kathmandu was chaotic, polluted and quite amazing. Highlights of our time in the city were the Hindu temples and cremation site at Pashupatinath, the Durbar Square at Patan, and the Boudhanath stupa which we walked to before breakfast from the Shambaling Hotel when the locals were at morning devotions. We hired a guide (Amir) as well as a driver which was well worth the extra cost.
The villages each had their own special characteristics, and it was a privilege to meet the villagers and see how almost competely self-contained farming communities work (and prosper). We saw how they ploughed, sowed, harvested crops and fruit, managed their livestock and kept hives of bees. The walks were always interesting with lots to see en route, but the highlight was undoubtedly the amazing view from Mount Sailung. We had two guides, one with detailed knowledge of the villages, the other with very good language skills and insight into the differences between being Nepali and being European. The guides tailored the afternoon explorations of the villages to our own particular interests, so it was a very bespoke experience.
These villages are truly remote, the very poor roads making walking the normal means of travel and wheeled vehicles, with the exception of the twice daily bus, a rarity. We saw no-one except Nepalis for over a week, apart from passing two other Inntravellers on a mountain path. It was definitely a holiday which meant you had to embrace the local lifestyle, be prepared for electricity and hot water not to be always available, and for your clothes to carry the smell of woodsmoke from sitting round fires.
Although our trip was cut in half by the Coronavirus crisis, we very much enjoyed the time we spent in Nepal. Highlights were the stupendous, breathtaking scenery and living with the people of the Sailung Valley.
This was not only a wonderful trip, it was an enriching experience. The scenery was wonderful, the people friendly and generous. And we were thrilled to see wild monkeys, eagles, bee-eaters, gryphon vultures and other species of bird new to us besides. The walking is suitable for people accustomed to hill-walking. Although soft-topped bags for your main luggage are OK, a proper rucksack seemed easier for the porters to carry. It's worth having a guide for the day in Kathmandu. Ours, Amir, was excellent.
Kathmandu was chaotic, polluted and quite amazing. Highlights of our time in the city were the Hindu temples and cremation site at Pashupatinath, the Durbar Square at Patan, and the Boudhanath stupa which we walked to before breakfast from the Shambaling Hotel when the locals were at morning devotions. We hired a guide (Amir) as well as a driver which was well worth the extra cost.
The villages each had their own special characteristics, and it was a privilege to meet the villagers and see how almost competely self-contained farming communities work (and prosper). We saw how they ploughed, sowed, harvested crops and fruit, managed their livestock and kept hives of bees. The walks were always interesting with lots to see en route, but the highlight was undoubtedly the amazing view from Mount Sailung. We had two guides, one with detailed knowledge of the villages, the other with very good language skills and insight into the differences between being Nepali and being European. The guides tailored the afternoon explorations of the villages to our own particular interests, so it was a very bespoke experience.
These villages are truly remote, the very poor roads making walking the normal means of travel and wheeled vehicles, with the exception of the twice daily bus, a rarity. We saw no-one except Nepalis for over a week, apart from passing two other Inntravellers on a mountain path. It was definitely a holiday which meant you had to embrace the local lifestyle, be prepared for electricity and hot water not to be always available, and for your clothes to carry the smell of woodsmoke from sitting round fires.
Not just a holiday more an immersive experience, the Sailung Valley is a gem. Rarely visited by tourists we were a constant source of interest to everyone we met. To see centuries old terraces still ploughed with oxen and become aware of how totally self sufficient the villagers were was humbling. As we climbed, the wild flowers and plants were a constant interest. The Himalaya became ever closer culminating in dawn on Sailung, bedecked in prayer flags, Gauri Shankar the closest peak but views over to the Everest range too. We had it all to ourselves. We were delighted to be staying in Bouddha rather than the dusty, noisy, centre of Katmandhu. The huge Buddhist Stupa was a spiritual highlight. A practical highlight was the Village Ways system for central tipping at the end of the trip which we found very helpful. Well done to Inntravel and Village Ways for planning such a trip.
There are so many highlights, from the openness and hospitality of the people, to the jaw-dropping scenery. A useful tip would be to spend a couple of extra nights in Kathmandu - there is so much to see and do, and the driver is a welcome addition to the itinerary until you work out where things are, but just getting out there and walking around will give you a real sense of this frenetic city! The Shambaling Hotel is a welcome oasis, please do not change this as a perfect way to end the week!
I travelled alone on this holiday. I should like to say to anyone else considering doing this that I felt perfectly safe the whole time, even walking around at night in Kathmandu. Everybody gave me a wonderful welcome and looked after me exceedingly well. They did appreciate the fact that I tried to learn a little of their language.
Highlights included arriving at the tented camp in India and sitting looking at the Indian Himalayas and again sitting outside the tent with blankets and tea to see the sunrise the following morning. Sunrise from Sailung summit was another highlight.
As all the people involved were from the local communities, we felt as if we were part of the community rather than tourists. We enjoyed being vegetarians for 3 weeks, with a variety of local foods.
INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers enjoyed our Towards Snow-Capped Peaks guided walking holiday in India followed by our Himalayan Panoramas guided walking holiday in Nepal
What a fantastic trip, from the friendliness of the villagers, to the stunning scenery, and the hustle of Kathmandu. The 2 car journeys are long and arduous but this only serves to emphasise the remoteness of the location. Local organisation was excellent. Would thoroughly recommend.
Whilst I've made some suggestions to improve this holiday, it goes without saying that this was the trip of a lifetime. My personal highlight was the people we met in the villages, they were so welcoming and we had such fun with the children. Teaching the two cooks in Solumbu some English and playing cards with the kids in Teksingh were probably my highlights. The walking was too easy for us but the scenery was outstanding. Tom our guide became a best friend.