Journeys: Discover Nepal

Heading south, the itinerary includes an overnight at a Buddhist monastery in Pharping, where the early morning chants at Neydo Monastery offer a rare postcard moment of calm in the Himalayas. Next stop is Pokhara, with lakeside views of the Annapurna range that are often cloud-capped but always impressive. The tour finishes well off the beaten track in Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s oldest nature reserve, with jeep safaris and village walks looking out for rhinos and tigers.

Walking is the main mode of exploration here, some of it gentle and some involving uneven paths. The company offers a relaxed but well-organised style, with a National Geographic Expedition Leader guiding the way and a typically international group of around a dozen travellers. The itinerary provides a clear sense of the country’s cultural and natural diversity, mingled with moments of quiet and plenty of occasions for straightforward local food and conversation.