22 May 2018, 06:45
Trek in the foothills of the Himalayas, 65 years on from Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay’s ascent of Everest
Saga guests won’t be the first to tackle the Himalayas, but an exploration of the magical mountain kingdom salutes the conquest of the world’s highest peak, 65 years ago this month.
A blessing from a Buddhist lama is one of the many highlights during Saga’s Trekking in the Himalayas adventure, celebrating the anniversary of the ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953.
While there’s no requirement to tackle anything resembling a climb of 29,000 feet, experienced guides are on hand to lead guests in the beautiful valleys of the Annapurnas, while the journey also takes in the ancient city of Kathmandu, the lovely town of Pokhara and tiny lowland villages, with overnight stays at lodges in spectacular settings.
The tour of Kathmandu, the 'City of Glory', takes in the valley’s most sacred shrine, the Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, and the lama’s blessing takes place in the domed Bouddhanath stupa, followed by a ceremony of music at the Pashupatinath Hindu shrine.
There are opportunities to join a walk through the ancient city of Patan, visiting Patan Durbar Square, temples and the courtyards of the Royal Palace, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the best preserved of its kind in the valley.
A road trip to the lakeside city of Pokhara is rewarded with a stay at the Atithi Resort, where a swimming pool, spa and saunas provide a touch of luxury in preparation for a trek through the foothills of the Annapurna range.
The next day brings a more challenging, uphill hike from the Modi River Valley, with more than 1,000 terraced steps leading to hamlets, paddy fields and lush forests.
The river continues through more stunning countryside, passing cliffs where honey-hunters may be seen scaling the rock face, and the tour then turns to forests filled with rhododendron and orchids, visiting villages along the way, including Pothana – home to many Tibetan traders.
A hike along a mountain ridge, a visit to the Gurkha Museum, a boat trip on Fewa Lake and an opportunity for mountain biking conclude this incredible holiday.
And Saga is so confident that new customer's will love the Saga experience that they're including the Saga 'Love it or your Money Back Guarantee*!
For details call free on 0800 056 0464 or visit saga.co.uk/Nepal
13 nights from £2,499, with a choice of departures from London Heathrow or Manchester International airports between October 2018 and November 2019.
Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, return flights, airport taxes, accommodation, all breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners, complimentary drinks for one hour each evening on trekking days, porterage, tour manager, tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.
Contact
Lisa.Harris@saga.co.uk
Lisa Harris
Group Head of communications
Saga Plc
01303 774716
07738 777801
Notes to editors
Saga has created four ‘Time to’ holiday styles: Go for it, Stay & Explore, Discover and Unwind. Each style helps guests decide on a holiday that feels right for them. Trekking in the Himalayas is Go For It holiday experience.
* Saga's Love it, or your money back guarantee applies to all of Saga’s overseas holidays and river cruises of seven nights or more, booked between April 23 and June 30, 2018 and is open to new customers who have never traveled with Saga.
Saga's Love it or your money back guarantee explained - New customer arrives in resort for their Saga Holiday
- If the customer is unhappy with their holiday within the first 48 hours, the holiday representative has 24 hours to put it right
- If the representative cannot resolve the issue Saga will fly the customer home as soon as they can and refund the cost of the holiday
Love it, or your money back guarantee terms and conditions
The offer is not available on UK holidays or third-party branded holidays or cruises.
To take advantage of the guarantee the customer must state their wish to return home to the Saga Representative within the first 48 hours of the holiday.
The Saga Representative will try to resolve any issues within 24 hours and if a solution cannot be agreed, Saga will arrange and cover the costs of return transport to the location where the Saga holiday arrangements began (transport arrangements to be determined by Saga) and refund the amount paid for the holiday.
Saga will not refund costs incurred for items not purchased directly through Saga, such as overnight accommodation or third-party insurance.
The guarantee does not affect Saga’s standard booking conditions or pre-departure
cancellation policy.
This offer does not apply if a customer wishes to return home as a result of a Force Majeure event (as defined in Saga’s standard booking conditions).
