Families Worldwide
Jan 2008 - Focus on Nepal
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page." --Saint Augustine
This famous quote came to mind recently when one of my children asked me if I knew everything! I told them that I didn’t but that I'd learned more from travelling than anything else I’d ever been taught. Not meaning to be negative about education, I scanned my memory for a better way to explain. A visit to the Himalayas many years ago came to mind. I have a clear memory of standing on a high mountain pass and looking back along a valley. The u-shaped valley seemed to have only just been gouged by the sharp edges of a glacier. I remembered the feeling of really knowing something for the first time that I'd been taught at school many times. The feeling was how lucky I was to have had both experiences: the education and the opportunity to travel.
So the mountain kingdom of Nepal is the subject of this special eNews Focus. Not just because of this memory, but because it's coming up to springtime in the Himalayas when the rhododendron forests are in all their blooming glory and because this year we are lucky enough to have an allocation of air seats and still have a few available. Several adventurous families have already booked for the spring, so call us if you want to experience this incredible country this year.
If you're too late by the time you contact us, we'd urge you to book ahead for the autumn or next spring. Nepal is extremely popular, and flight availability is like gold dust at the moment.
Mark Wright
Founder of Families Worldwide
Wildlife Focus
The One-Horned Rhino
Although this prehistoric-looking beast is a threatened species, Nepal has protected its environment in the Royal Chitwan National Park and more than 500 greater one-horned rhinos live there.
Officially known as the Greater one-horned Asian rhinoceros, these beasts are the second largest of five rhino species. The largest is Africa's white rhino (Ceratotherium simum). The name rhinoceros comes from the Greek words for "nose-horn" (rhino-ceros). Rhinoceroses are the only mammals with horns on their noses rather than on top of their heads. The rhino family's origins stretch back 60 million years - to five million years after the reign of the dinosaurs.
What's in it for the children?
They'll be entertained from the word go. Trying rafting for the first time, finding out about Hindu temples, riding elephants in search of rhino, meeting the shy but friendly people of Nepal. Our itinerary includes many learning opportunities – meet a real Sherpa who has been to the summit of Everest, have a party with some local children and our trek team, watch a tribal 'stick dance', have a go at spinning a pot in the old pottery-making district of Kathmandu and even washing an elephant... These are some of the highlights on a stage where the backdrop will always be remembered – the highest mountains in the world.Do you believe in Yetis?
Customer Testimonial
Himalayan Adventure
Kitty O'Dell travelled with us to Nepal last spring and wrote:
"Truly, it was all awesome and the whole experience has touched my heart. I wept when we left and could barely say goodbye to Raj, our guide..."
read more
Himalayan walking – What's it like?
Well in some ways, it's not unlike walking in the Peak District, Wales, Scotland or the Lakes. The big difference is that the glistening, snow-capped peaks are massive and tower above you, leaving you spellbound. On our family walk in the Himalayas, you'll set off with our tents, chairs, tables and food, plus a team of cooks, porters and Sherpas. The trail is taken at a comfortable pace, through simple, but charming villages in the Annapurna foothills.
The walk lasts about a day and a half, and at night you'll sleep under canvas in nature’s own five-million star hotel! At daybreak, the views across the serried ranks of the foothills and sun-blushed peaks is incredible – your planet at its most miraculous.
What's on offer?
You can join one of our group tours – Himalayan Adventure departing 16 Feb, 22 March or 05 April. The price of £1299 per adult and £1169 per child includes international and domestic flights, comfortable accommodation, transport and a tour leader throughout. Plus included activities like mountain walks (with porters, cooks etc), white-water rafting, explorations of Kathmandu and jungle explorations from the vantage point of a dugout canoe or an elephant's back!
As well as group tours we also offer tailor-made itineraries in Nepal. Offering accommodation in the best hotels and guesthouses in Nepal like Dwarikas – a UNESCO World Heritage site in itself. For details
see our Nepal in Style programme.
Why book now?
The strength of the British pound against the US Dollar has been exceptionally high in recent months. That means your money goes much further. But be aware – the price of oil has hit new highs recently and there are fears that airfares will rise soon. Book now to beat the airline fuel hikes that are bound to follow.Early Booking Offer
Choose either a Power Monkey charging device (worth £65.00), a 'Travel with Kids' guidebook from Footprint books or a 'Nomad Bathroom Cabinet' travel accessory. Call or email us now.
