Honeymooning in Nepal The Mountains, Valleys and Plains

When I say honeymoon, I’m pretty sure you’re going to gasp and say “OH where did you go? Bali? Paris? Bora Bora? Mauritius?... the list is endless. But for this special couple, they chose a unique and wonderful way to celebrate their love and spend quali

With their bags packed, the newly wedded couple headed towards their base, Pokhara. The first night was spent at the beautiful Raniban Retreat where they paused to catch their breath before heading off on an uphill, rigorous, yet breathtaking drive along some of the most beautiful mountainous roads of central Nepal. The next morning, they drove for 4 hours to Beni. Exploring the landscape and taking their time to take in the breath-taking beauty along the way, along with dusty roads and bumpy rides, they spent their second wonderful evening at Hotel Mallaj.  After a good night’s rest, the two love birds, headed off for Lete and Kalopani.

Luck was on their side, as they reached Lete at the best time of the year, during the Toran-La festival. Celebrated by the native Thakali community, on Fagu Purnima it is a celebration of the first month of the new year of the Thakali calendar. A celebration where the ancestors and forefathers are honoured while rejoicing and making merry. The most exhilarating part of the festival is definitely the archery competition, which they both got to compete in.  The wonderful host at their Lete guesthouse, Kalopani Guest House, “Aunty” as the fondly called her, even taught them how to make authentic Dhendo’. (A millet based porridge like base to be eaten instead of rice.)

The next day they spent exploring the Kalopani area. Kalopani, as described by them is a serene valley, nestled between the majestic mountains of the Annapurna and Dhaulagri ranges. After Lete, and with some quick stops at Marpha, famous for its apple/apricot brandy and Tukuche, they called it a day at Jomsom, happy with their local souvenirs of smoky, locally dried apricots, apples and yak meat for their families back home. Next was a day well spent exploring the majestic Dumba Lake on horseback, giving their own magnificent drive – the Subaru, a rest.  “Om’s home was lovely, cosy and comfortable”, says Savanna. “We enjoyed our stay there.” Bidding farewell, they headed to Kagbeni where they tasted a Yak burger for the first time. After the amazing meal, they drove off to their final destination in the mountains, the Temple of Muktinath. Offering prayers and seeking blessings, they drove back to Lete to spend the night there before making their way back to Pokhara. 

Having conquered the mountainous roads, driving through river beds, frozen, snowy roads and taking turns at the wheel, the couple say it confirmed their love for each other, and their understanding of who the person was. “You get to know your partner so much better and immediately, as you spend so much time in a close, closed environment.”  

After a relaxing, peaceful night at Pokhara, they moved on to Chitwan and the jungle paradise of Nepal. A smooth sail in their XV, they both arrived at their sanctum, Jagatpur Lodge, by Annapurna tired but happy. Exploring the beauty of the jungle and the Narayani river, encountering Nepal’s wild life, while ‘glamping’ it in a beautiful luxurious tent was something the two will not forget soon. One night was also spent at the Barahi Jungle lodge, where the staff and naturalists were praised for their outstanding attentiveness and hospitality. Unfortunately, their magical journey had come to an end.

They had travelled through high mountains, river beds, and the highways of Nepal to the Chitwan National Park, in complete harmony with the environment, together side by side. 

Wistfully, they both said, “We accomplished our objective of exploring the vivid landscape of our home, through the high mountains to the plains, and we enjoyed it even more knowing that we were doing something different not many have done on their honeymoon, that would cement our marriage and our love for each other. We had a wonderful experience and wish to encourage other Nepali’s too, to: explore your own beautiful country whenever you can. Boost domestic tourism. There is so much beauty out there! And fall in love all over again!”