With Shinta Mani Mustang, a Bensley Collection Hotel, having opened its doors, will luxury travel to Nepal finally be put on the map?

Mystical Mustang, on the Tibetan Plateau is a spectacular and underexplored region of Nepal.  Once an isolated and independent Tibetan kingdom, it is a region which had little access until as recently as 1992 and is resplendent in breath-taking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique Tibetan-influenced architecture.   It is also home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, including Thakalis, Gurungs, and Tibetans a diversity which is reflected in the region’s cultural practices, festivals, and cuisine. And this, is the location for the new Shinta Mani a Bensley Collection Hotel. With floor to ceiling windows which encapsulate the extraordinary views, décor inspired from Nepal and Tibet, and experiences which both showcase and support the local population, a stay here promises to be a unique and extraordinary experience.

Until now, Nepal has been widely known predominantly as a trekking destination and very much a budget destination even by backpacker standards, which has meant that Nepal’s collection of luxury properties have often missed out on the limelight.  Now however, Shinta Mani stands to be the epitome of luxury travel to the region.  Located in the remote what is often called the hidden valley due to its inaccessibility it promises to offer a wild, authentic, untamed, yet luxurious, experience of this little-known region. But if your plan is to travel to Shinta Mani Mustang, then it makes sense to see more of Nepal and to pay respect to the pioneering hotels who set up luxurious accommodation in what is often inaccessible and inhospitable building terrain.

Dominated by the Himalayan Mountain range and the mighty Mount Everest, Nepal guarantees spectacular views at every turn. It’s easy to see why it’s the world’s premier trekking destination. However, beyond that Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley, boast a number of extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ancient temple and palace complexes of former kingdoms are inspiring examples of skilled craftsmanship – exquisite thangkas, gold painted stupas and intricate woodcarvings as well as portraying Nepal’s unique and complex blend of religions and traditions. Pokhara, is where boating and paragliding can all be enjoyed as well as being the base for many treks in the region; whereas Chitwan and Bardia National Parks, provide the opportunity to view the Royal Bengal Tiger (if you are lucky) or the endangered One-horned Rhinoceros or Asian wild elephant, and wonderful birdlife.   For a small country, Nepal certainly packs a punch and offers a selection of comfortable and luxurious properties ensuring a holiday here can showcase, with more than a degree of comfort, all that this country has to offer.

For those of us who’ve been around in the industry for what seems like decades (actually to be fair it is decades} we remember Jim Edwards and his team, pioneering Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge and Tented Camp in Chitwan and Tharu Village developing authentic wildlife and cultural activities which, at the time, were considered incredibly luxurious experiences in Nepal in and around Chitwan National Park. Ground-breaking accommodation on stilts, Jeep safaris, boat safaris, (elephant rides at a time before they were considered unethical); they brought a whole new perspective to travel in this region.

Lodges are no longer allowed inside  Chitwan National Park and so the original Tiger Tops had to close down, however, Tiger Tops Tharu Village still remains providing  comfortable lodge and tented accommodation as well as providing a refuge for Nepal’s last remaining domestic elephants which can’t be released back into the wild but are cared for at this lodge to live out the rest of their lives in comfort.

A key element to the Tiger Tops experience was that it was founded on active conservation partnerships and scientific research, led by the laconic and kindly Dr. Charles McDougal. He pioneered tiger studies using both pugmark and camera trap identification, making his own pressure plate traps to photograph tigers and identify their home territories. Tiger Tops also founded a conservation charity, The International Trust for Nature Conservation, to support research and conservation initiatives that fell below the radar of the larger organisations.

Close partnership between the Park Department, Wardens and Rangers, the Nepal Army guarding the park and Tiger Tops were key elements of the web that protected, understood and promoted Chitwan as a key wildlife tourism destination in South Asia – to the point that Mrs. Ghandi said ‘why do we (India) have to learn conservation from Nepal?’

Two more lodges over recent years have now opened up outside Chitwan National Park offering exceptional opportunities to visit this park: Taj Meghauli Sarai and the Barahi Lodge. Both of these offer what has now come to be recognised as standard for luxury properties globally offering wildlife experiences. Guests are tucked into the jeeps for their early morning safari with hot water bottles and blankets and a hot breakfast provided on specially customised jeeps within the park. Boating safaris are also possible on the river here as well as evening sundowners replete with a fully stocked bar and hot snacks and excellent service in between. They offer the facilities one has come to expect from any five star wildlife lodge including bar, restaurant, spa, stunning location and wonderful service/. Safe to say that they could hold their own with any luxury wildlife lodge globally.

Of course, no roundup of sophisticated accommodation in Nepal could ever be complete without a mention of Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge: a secluded haven 30 minutes’ drive outside (and1000 feet above Pokhara). Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge has been setting the standard for conscious (or mindful) luxury, off-beat and experiential accommodation since 1998. Now in its 25th year of hard graft, as all of us must, its had a little work done to enhance its original features, all of which are complemented by the service of the long standing staff (over 80% of whom have been at the lode since it started 25 years ago). The lodge has always taken Nepalese hospitality to the next level. Its location, with no other buildings around it, offers spectacular mountain views including the Annapurna Massif, from west of Dhaulagiri to Manaslu Himal – a mountain panorama with three 27,000 foot (8,00m) peaks.  This landscape provides a wonderful contrast to the barren Tibetan plateau of Mustang and a combination of Tiger Mountain and Shinta Mani Mustang showcases two very different aspects to mountain tourism in Nepal. Experiences include forest and village short walks and longer day hikes, visits to Pokhara, forest bathing, golf, mountain biking, one of the most spectacular pools in the country as well as a small spa.

Shinta Mani isn’t the first hotel to open up in what would be considered inhospitable terrain by most architects and hotel imaginers. Back in the late 60s Takashi Miyahara was so mesmerised by the captivating Himalayan views that he wanted this to be shared with more people and had the vision to open what was, at the time, the world’s the world’s highest hotel. There, one would wake up to the first rays of the sun illuminating Mount Everest and not only that, but be treated to comfortable accommodation, fine dining, floor to ceiling windows, a sun terrace, a piano and wifi!  Hotel Everest View, does just that. Situated in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park, it held the Guinness World Record for the Highest Placed Hotel when it opened in 1971, and though now one or two more have surpassed that, no other provide a 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks including Everest or Sagarmatha (Peak of Heaven in Sanskrit) as the Nepalis call it. For those with limited time, direct helicopter flights can be arranged, while adventure seekers can trek from Lukla village. Hotel Everest View was built with a dream of offering guests a comfortable Himalayan experience, with panoramic vistas from each of its 12 rooms and exceptional hospitality.

If one is traveling to Nepal, then Kathmandu must feature. It’s best known and most authentic hotel in the luxury sector is Dwarika’s; so much has been written about this iconic property over the years there’s little more that I can say, but it provides the perfect starting point to any trip around this fascinating and diverse country.

However, what fewer people know about is the spectacularly located Dwarika’s luxury spa at Dhulikhel. This offers all that is synonymous with its city counterpart, but, being located in the lower Himalaya on the outer reaches of the Kathmandu Valley, it is also surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain views in the world. Here, the overall concept is of wellness and nature with twenty acres of landscaped gardens, apple and pine trees, a puja point, and meditation maze with a cosmic pillar surrounded by 84 shiva linga, for synergy of spiritual power and nature. The spa has an indoor pool and an outdoor plunge pool, with a view it would be hard to drag yourself away from. There are just 36 suites which are large, rustic, natural yet luxurious, each having some outdoor space. The indoor communal areas have floor to ceiling windows and a telescope for star gazing. Whilst being better known as a spa retreat, many just come for the stunning views and to chill out at the end of a trip.

With Shinta Mani offering stays of five nights and above, one can easily turn this into a two-week holiday incorporating culture, tradition, more stunning vista’s than you can shake a stick at and, if lucky, the opportunity to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger.

Getting there:

There is only one international airport in Nepal, Tribhuvan which sits in Kathmandu. Nepal is connected with direct flights from the UAE, India & South East Asia and indirect from the UK. The country offers a good network of domestic flights that link the main destinations.

For more information or to plan a holiday to Nepal, contact philippa@indianexperiences.com or Whatsapp +447966025330.