You’ll be hard-pushed to find more remote, beautiful valleys, a more genuine sense of hospitality and a more magnificent mountain playground for hiking, cycling, kayaking, rafting & paragliding than Nepal. Kathmandu is a 12-hour flight from London so we’d recommend at least two weeks for this adventure; for families, consider it in the Autumn if you have a 2-week October half-term, as an alternative Christmas break or an Easter holiday. For individuals & couples, October to April are the ideal months to be there so opt for November, February & early March for quieter hiking paths & cheaper flights.
The Pavilions hotel group has set a new standard in hospitality with The Farm & Lakeview - two properties located either a 5-hour hike or kayak away from one another in secluded spots overlooking the Annapurna mountain range, just outside of Pokhara.
The Farm is made up of 14 luxurious villas - all with a private terrace, high ceilings, Himalayan views, shower and tub in the bathroom, Nepalese textiles and artworks, and tech add-ons such as iPod docking stations. Their We Are Family program is brilliant: working on the organic farm one morning, exploring the local villages by bike, cookery lessons, family yoga, hikes, kayaking…and there’s a lovely salt-water pool too. The wellness element at The Farm deserves a mention too; their state-of-the-art spa is located in the most serene and peaceful of settings - ideal for pampering of the body, mind & soul. And for those of you in search of a pure yoga retreat, their tailored programmes are packed with healthy, balanced meals, meditation & morning-to-evening yoga practices.
Pavilions Lakeview is made up of 8 tented villas; solid walls and a tented roof giving you the comfort of a luxury villa but the thrill of sleeping and showering outdoors. This latest opening from Pavilions occupies a stunning location above Phewa Lake, surrounded by rice fields and views of the Annapurna Mountains. The restaurant serves up deliciously-authentic, locally-sourced Nepalese cuisine, as well as international favourites which cater for all palettes.. rice pancakes with Himalayan honey, Poached eggs, herb salad and cashew dukka on toast, Fish fingers with homemade spicy chutney, and Spag Bol topped with yak cheese…naturally!
Sustainability is at the core of both properties; rather unusually, equal importance is afforded to guests and the local community, funding education programmes and offering training & employment opportunities. There is also an organic farm onsite with the objective of creating employment for local farmers to stem the exodus of communities to the cities. For guests - young & old - keen to get involved, taking part in the day-to-day action on the farm is fully encouraged.
For a day-to-day outline & pricing, please do get in touch. A few days in Kathmandu at the beginning or end of your trip is a must and we know the best places to lay your head in the vibrant City of Temples.
And in the meantime, we send you our very best wishes; stay safe, stay healthy and stay at home.
