Kathmandu, Nepal, the world’s high altitude playground for the adventurous, is growing in popularity among travellers from the Middle East because of the convenience of short, non stop flights, the city’s rich cultural offerings and availability of world class hotels.
Unique features of this new tourism hotspot add to the interest of discerning travellers from the region. Situated in a bowl shaped valley within central Nepal, Kathmandu is described as a steep incline, descending from the icy Himalayas to the hot Terai flatland.
“Travellers from the region are opting for shorter, more convenient weekend trips that offer all the qualities of a perfect holiday: culture, adventure, excitement, and relaxation within luxury accommodation,” said Thierry Bertin, vice president sales and marketing, Hyatt Hotels, southwest Asia.
“With luxury airlines and hotels servicing Kathmandu’s growing number of affluent visitors, the city on top of the world is now closer and more accessible than ever for Middle East travellers, ” added Bertin.
The 290 room Hyatt Regency Kathmandu is a luxury five star resort hotel situated six kilometres from Kathmandu city centre and 10 minutes walk from the famous Boudhanath Stupa, the most holy Tibetan Buddhist shrines outside Tibet. The hotel is also in close proximity to the business district and shopping areas.
Middle East guests can take advantage of the hotel’s Club Oasis, which features a well equipped fitness centre, a health and beauty Spa with a variety of treatments from traditional Ayurvedic massage to a unique Tibetan singing bowl meditation (sound and vibration therapy). Other facilities include a swimming pool, an outdoor whirlpool, three tennis courts and a jogging track amidst the gardens.
The cities of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Kirtipur are open museums of religion, culture, tradition and the work of Newari art and architecture. Kathmandu offers activities such as visits to Stupas, temples, national parks, as well as white water rafting, hot air ballooning, and mountain flights, which the hotel can arrange for its guests.
For most visitors to Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley is the arrival point and the focus of the visit. This small mountain sheltered valley is the historical centre of Nepal. Rivers and streams interlace the landscape, the brick-red villages cling to ridges to preserve precious land and even from the bustling centres of the cities, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas.
Etihad Airways flies to Kathmandu four times each week from its Abu Dhabi base. Air Arabia has non-stop flights from to the city from Sharjah..
