Can you imagine ending the year among Buddhist temples, Himalayan mountains and Sherpa villages, or watching the sun rise over the Annapurnas?
For this New Year 2026 We have four options for travel to Nepal and Bhutan, all departing 26 December and duration of 11 days.
The choice depends on how you want to experience the Himalayas: a culture and nature trip through Nepal, an introductory trek to Poon Hill, a slightly more demanding route through Sherpa territory to Pikey Peak at 4,065 metres, or a cultural journey through the kingdom of Bhutan.
Four trips, four very different ways to approach the Himalayas.
Important: availability corresponds to the time of publication of this article and may change. Before booking it is necessary check the current availability of each departure.
Which Nepal and Bhutan trip should you choose for New Year?
Although the four trips share dates, duration and a Himalayan setting, they offer very different experiences.
| Travel | Type | Level | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural Nepal and Chitwan | Culture + nature | Basic | Kathmandu, monastery, Bandipur, Pokhara and safari |
| Poon Hill | Trekking | Moderate / introductory | Annapurnas, villages, forests and the Poon Hill viewpoint |
| Pikey Peak | Trekking Level II | Moderate | Sherpa country, 4,065 m and views of the great eight-thousanders |
| Bhutan and Nepal | Cultural + nature | Walks | Dzongs, monasteries, Buddhist culture and the Tiger’s Nest |
1. Cultural Nepal: Temples, Himalayas and Safari in Chitwan
If you want to discover Nepal but without focusing the trip on the trekking, this is the most comprehensive option.
The tour begins at the Kathmandu Valley, among stupas, temples and ancient cities. Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Bhaktapur introduce us to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions that coexist in the country.
One of the special moments arrives in Namo Buddha, where we spend a night in a monastery guesthouse and share part of the monks’ daily lives.
The route continues through Bandipur, the scenery around Lake Begnas and Pokhara, which lies beneath the Annapurna massif.
And the Himalayas finally give way to a completely different landscape: the Chitwan National Park. There we will watch wildlife, go on 4×4 safaris, walk and take boat trips along the river.
The most varied trip: culture, spirituality, mountains and wildlife in one itinerary.
Nepal✔️ Departure 26 DEC 2026
✔️ Basic level
✔️ Price from 1560€ + taxes
2. Trekking in the Annapurnas: Poon Hill viewpoint
For those who want try trekking in the Himalayas without joining a major expedition, Poon Hill remains our recommended introductory trek.
The route combines several days of walking along old trails linking villages in the Annapurna region, crossing forests, cultivated terraces and small settlements where we stay in lodges or traditional teahouses.
The altitude is moderate by Himalayan standards and the route culminates in the Poon Hill viewpoint, 3,210 metres.
Dawn over the Annapurnas
An early start to climb Poon Hill brings its rewards.
The viewpoint opens onto a vast panorama of some of the Himalayas’ most impressive mountains: Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Nilgiri, among others.
The route combines trekking with Kathmandu, Pokhara and daily life in mountain villages.
✔️ Departure 26 DEC 2026
✔️ Introductory trekking
✔️ Price from 1980€ + taxes
3. Pikey Peak: stepping up a level in Sherpa territory
If Poon Hill is the introduction to trekking in Nepal, Pikey Peak represents the next step.
The route explores the lower Everest region, much less visited than other major Himalayan routes. We will walk through Sherpa territory, crossing small villages and mountain landscapes as we gradually gain altitude.
The highlight is the climb to Pikey Peak, 4,065 metres.
In favourable conditions, the summit offers a sweeping Himalayan panorama, with giants such as Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga.
But this trek offers more than mountains.
Monasteries and Sherpa culture
The itinerary passes through Tibetan towns and monasteries, including Thupten Chöling, one of the region’s most important Buddhist centres.
We sleep in Sherpa villages above 3,000 metres, with a chance to discover a way of life deeply connected to these mountains.
Higher altitudes, more mountain terrain and much deeper immersion in Sherpa territory.
✔️ Departure 26 DEC 2026
✔️ Moderate level
✔️ Maximum altitude 4,065 m
✔️ Price from 1690€ + fees
4. Bhutan and Nepal: a cultural journey through the Himalayas
Bhutan offers a completely different experience.
Here mountains are the stage, but the real protagonist is one of the most unique countries in the Himalayas: Bhutan, the ancient kingdom of Drukyul.
We will explore deep valleys, small towns, fortresses and monasteries whose architecture preserves much of the country’s Buddhist tradition.
Thimphu, Punakha and Paro allow you to discover a territory in which religion, landscape and everyday life remain closely related.
The Tiger's Nest
One of the great moments of the journey is the hike to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Built into a cliff in the Paro Valley at around 3,100 metres above sea level, it is one of Bhutan's most iconic and revered places.
The ascent follows a steep path for several hours, bringing you closer to one of Himalayan Buddhism’s great symbols.
If you are looking for Himalayan scenery, culture and spirituality rather than trekking, Bhutan is in a league of its own.
✔️ Departure 26 DEC 2026
✔️ Culture + nature
✔️ Price from 2690€ + flight
Cultural Nepal, Poon Hill, Pikey Peak or Bhutan: Which one to choose?
If you want to get to know Nepal without trekking: the route through Kathmandu, Bandipur, Pokhara and Chitwan is the most comprehensive option, combining heritage, culture, mountain landscapes and wildlife with easy walks.
If you want to try Himalayan trekking for the first time: Poon Hill offers several days of walking beside the Annapurna range and a spectacular mountain viewpoint without venturing onto high-altitude routes.
If you want a little more mountain walking: Pikey Peak reaches 4,065 metres and offers a more demanding experience in Sherpa territory, while maintaining a gradual ascent designed to aid acclimatisation.
If the priority is culture: Bhutan allows you to discover monasteries, dzongs, small villages and Buddhist traditions in a high mountain landscape, culminating in the trek to the Tiger's Nest.
There are many ways to experience a trip to the Himalayas.
The four proposals have departure on 26 December 2026, so you can celebrate New Year exploring temples, walking in the Annapurnas, visiting Sherpa villages or discovering Bhutan’s monasteries.
Availability can change. Always check each trip’s latest information before booking.