Find our best Nepal holidays and deals on cheap flights to Nepal, a country with plenty to offer everyone.
Nepal is often associated with the high mountains of the Himalayas, but there is much more to it than its famous peaks, like Mount Everest. If you are considering booking flights to Nepal from the UK and are wondering what a break there might be like, our guide has the answers. Read on to find out more about Nepali culture and what you can expect from a holiday in the country.
To begin with, many people travel to Nepal from the UK, specifically for mountaineering. As one of the global centres for this activity, you will be able to find expert tuition and guidance, whatever your level. However, not everyone who goes on a holiday to Nepal will want to try ascending some of the big mountains. Fortunately, Nepal offers much more than mountaineering for tourists.
Booking a safari in Chitwan National Park is among the most popular activities Nepal has to offer. This beautiful area is home to rhinos and tigers. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can book organised tours to explore it safely. If that doesn't appeal, then how about whitewater rafting? You can do this in several locations in the country, but the Trishuli River is probably the best. It has waters suited to beginners, as well as more advanced rafters.
If you are after a more cultural visit, then exploring Bhaktapur, Patan Durbar Square and Pashupatinath Temple is a good option. These places are all located in the Kathmandu Valley, so you won't have to travel that far. All flights to Nepal from the UK touch down in Kathmandu, the country's capital city.
The lakeside areas of Nepal are popular for family holidays. Elephant bathing sessions in Chitwan are a popular activity for adults and children alike. The Rapti River is a good place to seek out these charming creatures where they bathe. Phewa Lake in Pokhara is another top destination for family groups. Boating or simply relaxing on the lakeside shore is inexpensive, with some great restaurants in the area.
Exploring the so-called Monkey Temple, also known as Swayambhunath, is another good family activity. Children love this inviting temple complex in Kathmandu. You get a very rewarding view from the top, but it is tiring with many steps to negotiate. Finally, check out Godavari Botanical Gardens, where many rare species are kept. There's a wonderful butterfly garden here, too.
All international flights to Nepal land at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. You can fly directly from London Heathrow (LHR). However, this is not always the best option if you want to keep the costs down. Cheap flights to Nepal tend to mean a short layover on the way.
Look for indirect services from UK airports like Edinburgh (EDI), Gatwick (LGW) and Manchester (MAN), among others. Typically, such services stop at Doha (DOH), Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH). You can also find deals on flights to Nepal if you are willing to travel via Istanbul (IST) or New Delhi (DEL).
Generally speaking, midweek flights are cheaper, whether you fly directly or indirectly. During the mountain climbing season, which runs from March to May, last-minute flights to Nepal are thin on the ground. However, you can sometimes find bargains with last-minute bookings at other times of the year. Often, you will only find one or two seats at most with such bookings, so they don't tend to suit families.
In most places where tourists go, you can get by with English. Learning a few words of Nepali is considered polite, though. Not everyone speaks Nepali, however. Bhojpuri and Maithili are other reasonably common languages. Both are more commonly spoken in southern Nepal, parts of the country that are furthest from its mountains. There is also a particular language – or dialect – spoken in the Everest region called Sherpa. This is worth knowing if you intend to head in this direction during your stay.
Nepali food is influenced by Chinese, Indian and Tibetan culinary traditions, but it has its own style, too. Vegetarian dishes are common. Curried lentils (dahl) and noodle soup (thukpa) are staples. You will also find Nepali dumplings, which sometimes contain meat. These are known as momos. Chiya is a popular drink. It is a form of spiced tea you have with milk. In Nepal's big cities, you will also find Western food, but this is rare in the countryside. Overall, many British visitors find they enjoy traditional Nepali cuisine very much, especially Thakali food from the Annapurna region. This area is known for its curries and spicy pickles, which many Brits tend to find mouth-watering.
A: Budget accommodation in Nepal can be very inexpensive. However, luxury hotels in Nepal will set you back upwards of £75 per night per person, depending on the season. The asking price for flights to Nepal is also seasonal. Cheap flights to Nepal can be found for as little as £500 or less, but getting there can cost much more. Food, drink and activities during Nepal holidays are reasonably priced, though.
A: Exploring Kathmandu and the surrounding valley is possible within four or five days, but a week would be preferable. Getting out further into the country and enjoying a trek or two would mean booking a ten-day Nepal holiday, ideally. If you want to get into the most famous mountainous regions, then two weeks or longer will be needed.
A: The monsoon season in Nepal is the cheapest. You get more cheap flights to Nepal at this time of year – from June to August – than at any other time. Rain and occasional landslides can impair visits, though. In December and January, deals for hotels in Nepal are also more common. Mountaineers tend to avoid the coldest months. Keep in mind that snow may block access to certain parts of the country.
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