Nepal Family Holiday - Trekking, Safari and Culture with Responsible Adventures
With Everest and the Himalayas at the forefront, it’s easy to think that trekking in Nepal is reserved for expert mountaineers. But Responsible Adventures Nepal has explored the lower altitudes of the Annapurna foothills and created routes suited to families that may not want to tackle Base Camp or the other more challenging treks. Nepal also offers families fabulous Safari destinations, lots of soft adventure activities and of course, numerous engaging cultural activities.
As a trekking specialist, Responsible Adventures knows the routes suitable for your clients’ ages or experience levels. Here’s their recommended itinerary for an exhilarating family adventure in Nepal, with a trek designed exclusively for families.
Annapurna Foothills
This 5-day lodge-to-lodge trek will bring you through some of the most incredible scenery, stopping at traditional Hindu villages and meeting local families along the way. Stay in local tea houses for an authentic and comfortable experience.
Trek Day 1 - Pokhara to Banthanti
3 hours of trekking. Altitude: 2,300m.
Your adventure begins with a 2-hour drive from Pokhara to the start point of the trek. Begin with a steep ascent for 2 hours, stopping at the village of Ulleri for lunch. Continue the climb, this time at a more gradual gradient to reach Banthani, a small village where you’ll spend the first night.
Trek Day 2 - Banthanti to Ghorepani
3-4 hours of trekking. Altitude: 2,850m.
After breakfast, follow the trail through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons. You’ll be walking a mix of gradients today so the climb will be gradual, bringing you to the ridgetop village of Ghorepani. In clear skies, you’ll be spoiled with panoramic views - many people come here early to enjoy the sunrise. And if you still have energy to burn, there are plenty of other mountains and hills to climb in the afternoon.
Trek Day 3 - Ghorepani to Tadapani
6 hours of trekking. Altitude: 2,640m.
Hike early to Poon Hill for sunrise (3,210m), taking in the Himalayas as they’re bathed in golden light. The hike up takes approx. 45 minutes and you’ll be back at your lodge in time for breakfast. Continue to Tadapani where you’ll spend the next night.
Trek Day 4 - Tadapani to Ghandruk
4-5 hours of trekking. Altitude: 1,960m.
This morning’s breakfast comes with a view. Soak it all in before you dive deep into the oak and rhododendron forests. Pass through some villages and settlements along the way and you’ll have a chance to meet the locals and even play a game.
Continue to an opening in the woods, from which you’ll encounter views of Annapurna South and Mount Hiunchuli. The final section of today’s hike will follow a staircase to the village of Ghandruk, the largest village on the trek. The infrastructure here is well-geared up for tourists and you’ll be in for a comfortable stay.
Trek Day 5 - Ghandruk to Syauli Bazaar
4 hours of trekking. Altitude: 1,000m.
A 40-minute downhill walk brings you to the edge of Ghandruk Village and continues onto a broad path that gently descends for another hour. You’ll pass mule caravans carrying goods to Ghandruk as you continue to your end-point at Syauli Bazaar. This was the original stop for trekkers before the road was built, so there shouldn’t be too many others to disturb you here. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to wander along the Modi River.
Trek Day 6 - Syauli Bazaar to Pokhara
An easy downhill walk will bring you to the finishing line at Nayapul, hiking along the Modi River and passing hamlets along the way. In Nayapul, you’ll be picked up and driven back to Pokhara, ready to check in at your hotel for some R&R.
Pokhara - Adventure Capital of Nepal
Pokhara has a spectacular backdrop of the snowy peaks of the Annapurna range. It is one of the few places on Earth where you can see peaks above 6,000 m at an altitude of only 800 m within a distance of 28 km. There are 9 lakes in the area and Pokhara stands on the edge of Phewa Lake Pokhara once lay on the important trade route between India and Tibet and even now mule trains bring goods from remote Himalayan regions including Mustang. Gurungs and Magars. Pokhara is a great place to both relax and recuperate as well as take part in a diversity of adventure activities.
Tandem paragliding in the Himalayas
Pokhara is something of an adventurer’s paradise, so if you’re in need of an adrenaline kick, you can’t beat this region for its paragliding. The company is owned by Lakpa Tshiri Sherpa, a veteran mountaineer who shot to fame when he paraglided from the summit of Everest and proceeded to kayak 500km along the River Ganges. You couldn’t be in much better hands. Though rest assured, you’ll be jumping from a more moderate height!
Other activities that Responsible Adventures Nepal can add to the itinerary here include:
Helicopter to Annapurna Basecamp
Visiting the famous World Peace Pagoda by car, on foot or by bike with fabulous views
Mountain biking
Zip Line, Bungee Jump and Cable Car
Visit community programs such as the catering college created to support disadvantaged children from across Nepal
If your clients have the budget and are interested in seeing the Himalayas up close and personal we have a range of helicopter and private plan expeditions like this exclusive 3 Day Helicopter Expedition to see 8 of the world’s highest peaks.
Stay for as many days as you like in Pokhara. There are a number of fabulous lodges and hotels to choose from in the Pokhara area depending on your client's budget. In the luxury lodge sector, we can recommend Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Pavillions The Farm, Pavillions Lake View and coming soon, the stunning Dorje's Place. In the mid-range, we love Sarangkot Mountain Lodge.
Safari & Community - Bardia National Park
Wildlife Spotting, Jungle Walks, Jeep Safaris and Community Engagement
Bardia National Park is a wildlife lover’s paradise, and safaris in this remote national park have high rates of tiger sightings. Head out with an expert guide, on foot or by jeep, in search of these elusive big cats. The park is also home to Greater One-Horned Rhinos, Elephants and an abundance of bird species, monkeys and fascinating insects.
Tharu village visit & elephant breeding centre
Visit a local Tharu village and learn about life in Nepal’s lowlands. For years, the Tharu people were isolated and their cultures and religion remained strong. Continue to an elephant breeding centre and admire these impressive creatures as they bathe. Stick around to watch the sunset over the Karnali River.
Fishing & Tharu cultural dance performance
Try your hand at fishing from the banks of the Karnali River, keeping your eyes peeled for other wildlife in the surrounding trees. In the evening, sit back and enjoy a traditional Tharu dance performance.
Rafting safari
This gentle rafting experience on the Karnali River is a wonderful alternative to the traditional jeep safari. Spot wildlife on the banks of the river while your guide keeps a lookout for the Ganges river dolphins that can often be seen in the area.
When it comes to accommodation in Bardia National Park, there are a variety of options that work for families. In the luxury segment, we love Karnali Lodge. In the mid-range recommend Rhino Lodge Bardia and Babai Resort. In all these lodges the owners share a commitment to conservation and community. Experiences with animals and the Tharu community are handled sensitively and a stay in either is a great opportunity to educate kids on the importance of conservation.
For something a bit different, there are exciting camping, treehouse, and glamping options in the jungle and along the river banks such as Burhan Wilderness Camps and Babai River Camp.
If you are looking for more luxurious accommodations we can also recommend spending the safari portion of the trip in Chitwan National Park which has more visitors but has more luxurious accommodations such as Barahi Jungle Lodge and Meghauli Serai which is a Taj Hotel.
Not got a family yet but planning on it after your honeymoon? This itinerary idea can also be changed to be more of a Luxury Honeymoon in Nepal.
We hope this taster of what families can do on a family holiday to Nepal peaks your interest. If you need advice on how to cater to families in a destination like Nepal, we’d love to set up a call with you and Raj Tamang at the Responsible Adventures team. You can also connect on the SquirrelFish platform for images, videos and example itineraries. Contact us for your free account.
We look forward to helping you and your valuable clients with trips to Nepal and across the Himalayas. Contact us to discuss product development for you and your clients in Nepal and beyond.