Nepal is often associated with Everest and serious trekking, but there is much more to experience here than the world’s highest mountain.
On a recent journey through India and Nepal with Amber Tours, River Oaks Travel’s Samantha Collum experienced a side of the region filled with ancient temples, busy markets, mountain villages, local kitchens, and hotels that are destinations in their own right. The trip began in Delhi before continuing through Kathmandu, Pokhara, Jomsom, and Nagarkot, with the landscape becoming more dramatic at nearly every stop.
It was Nepal that delivered some of the biggest surprises, including the standout hotel of the entire journey, Shinta Mani Mustang.
Starting in Delhi
The trip began with two nights at The Leela Palace New Delhi, a grand, traditional hotel with attentive service and an impressive breakfast. A visit to The Oberoi, New Delhi offered something different, with a quieter, more contemporary atmosphere and a beautiful pool.
Outside the hotels, Delhi is a complete change of pace. A private tour including Jama Masjid, Meena Bazaar, and a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, where crowded streets, market stalls, historic buildings, and rickshaws all compete for space.
Even the rickshaw drivers were trusted Amber partners, a small detail that offered an early glimpse at the local relationships behind the trip.
From Delhi, a short flight leads to Kathmandu and an entirely different atmosphere.
Temples and Markets in Kathmandu
Dwarika’s Hotel was a highlight in Kathmandu, in large part because it feels so connected to Nepal itself. Traditional Newari woodwork rescued and restored over the years appears throughout the property, and an on-site workshop offers a closer look at the preservation work behind it. The rooms lean traditional rather than modern, fitting naturally with the character of the hotel.
The Kathmandu Valley has enough to easily fill several days. At Boudhanath Stupa, visiting near sunset offers the chance to watch pilgrims circle the stupa beneath colorful prayer flags. At Pashupatinath, Hindu ceremonies along the river offer a much more intense but meaningful look at the country’s religious traditions.
Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Asan bazaar bring markets and historic architecture into the mix, while Patan is a good place to see local artisans and metalwork. Then there is Bhaktapur, with pottery, historic streets, cafés, and shops that make it worth having enough time to wander without rushing to the next stop.
Amber Tours arranged a consistent private guide for much of the journey through Nepal. His knowledge of the country added context to the temples, traditions, and places along the way, while having the same guide for several days made the experience feel more personal.
Into the Mountains
From Kathmandu, a short flight leads to Pokhara and the foothills of the Annapurna range.
Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is less about traditional five-star luxury and more about being surrounded by nature. The individual rooms are simple, with screened windows open to the mountain air, birdsong, insects, and occasionally other wildlife. The real draw is the setting, with views of the Annapurna range and days that can be spent hiking, birding, or walking through nearby villages.
The nearby Shanti Peace Pagoda requires a substantial climb, but the views at the top make the steps worthwhile. It is also a good introduction to one reality of traveling through Nepal: some of the best experiences require a little effort.
The next flight is even shorter, but much more dramatic.
The Standout Stay: Shinta Mani Mustang
The flight from Pokhara to Jomsom takes only about 18 minutes aboard a small aircraft, passing through a valley surrounded by mountains before landing in Jomsom. Flights leave early, before the winds pick up, and schedules are often dictated by the weather.
From there, the journey continues to Shinta Mani Mustang, the standout hotel of the trip and one of the most remarkable properties Samantha has experienced.
Designed by Bill Bensley, the hotel combines stone, timber, bold textiles, and enormous windows looking toward the Nilgiri range. The rooms and spa are impressive, but much of what makes a stay here memorable happens outside the hotel.
Days can include a hike to Thini followed by lunch in a local kitchen, a visit to the apple-growing village of Marpha, monasteries, and a trip to Muktinath, an important Hindu pilgrimage site. In Jharkot, lunch can be served on a rooftop overlooking the valley, surrounded by a landscape that feels far removed from the cities at the beginning of the trip.
Back at Shinta Mani Mustang, experiences such as a traditional Tibetan medicine consultation add another connection to the region. Village lunches, hikes, and guided outings make the surrounding communities just as much a part of the stay as the hotel itself.
Slowing Down in Nagarkot
After returning through Pokhara and Kathmandu, the journey ended at Kavya Resort & Spa in Nagarkot.
Here, the pace shifts toward wellness, with yoga, sound-bowl sessions, spa treatments, a salt room, and an Ayurveda consultation. The resort’s elevated setting is known for views of the Himalayas, although weather can sometimes keep the mountains hidden.
After days of flights, hikes, temples, markets, and sightseeing, it is a welcome chance to slow down before heading home.
Nepal Beyond Everest
The biggest surprise about Nepal may be how much there is to experience without ever setting foot on a major trek.
There are mornings spent walking through historic towns, afternoons visiting temples and monasteries, lunches in mountain villages, and nights at hotels that feel completely connected to their surroundings. There are also small planes, winding roads, lots of steps, and the occasional change of plans when the weather has other ideas.
That unpredictability is part of traveling here.
What stays with you are the contrasts: the crowds of Kathmandu followed by the quiet of the mountains, centuries-old religious traditions alongside striking contemporary hotels, and a simple lunch in a village one day followed by a stay at Shinta Mani Mustang the next.
With experienced guides and the local support of Amber Tours throughout the journey, India and Nepal offer the kind of trip that feels adventurous without having to be an expedition.
Ready to experience India and Nepal for yourself?
Our team can create a private journey combining memorable hotels, private guides, local experiences, and the right amount of time to actually enjoy them.
“Nepal really surprised me. Between the culture, the mountain landscapes and the hospitality, every part of the trip felt different. Shinta Mani Mustang was the standout and one of the most remarkable hotels I’ve ever experienced.”
Samantha Collum, Senior Travel Advisor and Director of Operations, River Oaks Travel
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Culture & History Lovers
Active Explorers
Curious Travelers
Adventure Seekers
Nature Lovers
The Leela Palace | New Delhi, India
The Oberoi | New Delhi, India
Dwarika's Hotel | Kathmandu, Nepal
Tiger Mountain Pokhara | Pokhara, Nepal
Shinta Mani Mustang | Jomsom, Nepal
Kavya Resort & Spa | Nagarkot, Nepal
Activity Level: Expect plenty of walking, stairs, uneven surfaces, hikes, and some altitude. The itinerary can be adjusted, but this is generally an active trip.
Small Aircraft: Reaching more remote areas may involve small planes, strict baggage limits, and early flights dictated by weather conditions.
Cultural Sensitivity: Religious sites may require covered shoulders, removing shoes, or other local customs.
A Trusted Local Partner: This is a region where having knowledgeable guides and a strong team on the ground really matters, particularly when logistics change unexpectedly.
Explore Old Delhi by rickshaw
Watch sunset at Boudhanath Stupa
Wander through Bhaktapur
Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom
Stay at Shinta Mani Mustang
Try a traditional Tibetan medicine consultation
Have a rooftop lunch in Jharkot
Climb to the Shanti Peace Pagoda
Experience it all with a local guide
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