A holiday with a difference

Created by BBC presenter Steve Carver, Angel Holidays aims to give travellers a real insight into Nepal with visits to ancient cities, the jungle and five days beginners trekking in the lower Himalaya. What’s more is that they’ve teamed up with SOS Children to donate money from each trip to our Nepalese Children's Villages - a place where SOS began working 25 years ago.

So what’s this ethical journey all about? Travelling with Angel Holidays is really very different one traveller said. For one it doesn’t feel like a corporate affair, but rather that you’re being taken around by a friend. You’ll visit some fascinating places and get real insights that normal tour groups simply don’t experience. Ask Steve Carver the reason behind Angel Holidays and he’ll tell you it was to do something different whilst raising money and awareness for the children. Angel Holidays is very different and a very personable affair. For one, there’s a jovial Buddhist monk in the team, Pabitra a local Nepalese lady is also on hand, as well as Steve, local guides and others to make for a wonderfully organised two week tour of the region for just £899. They even offer a light-aircraft flight around Everest.

‘It’s a wonderful idea’ Steve said. ‘Not only to travellers take part in a fascinating journey of a life-time, but they also get to help SOS Children. Already the idea has been featured on the BBC, and this October the trip is open to the public again, anyone can come, and travellers will also witness the magical Festival of Lights in the ancient city of Bhaktapur - a city used for the setting of the movie ‘Little Buddha.’ ‘We aim to give travellers a real insight into the country’ Steve added. ‘To see Nepal as it really is, on the open road and amongst the people. As long as you have the right attitude, and the ability to just go with the flow as all best travellers do, you’ll have a wonderful time. It’s just magic.’

Ken Wise, 60 who travelled with his wife said that ‘the trip was also distinctive because Angel Holidays make a special effort to employ Nepalese people. We were joined by a Nepalese university professor, a Buddhist monk and a Nepalese national poet amongst others, who took us into their own lives and explained what it was like to live in Nepal. We were able to talk, drink, dance and even celebrated New Years Eve with the Nepalese people (it’s 2066 there). We saw rich bird life, rode elephants in the jungle to spot rhino, drifted calmly down jungle rivers to watch fishermen, visited ancient cities and cultures and topped it off with a trek around the Himalaya and a flight around Everest. It was a packed two weeks and unforgettable.’

Diane Muspratt who came on the journey was surprised to find a jovial Buddhist monk as part of the holiday. ‘I enjoyed the optional meditation or yoga classes along the trek, not least practicing meditation techniques outside on a hill in the Himalaya at sunset - it was magical. I have retuned home with basic meditation techniques and determined to practice as much as possible.’

Judith Wise who came with her husband on the April trip said that they’ve never been on a holiday like it. ‘You book your own flights to join the tour,’ she said and so decided to come out two days earlier. They got a great welcome. On arrival they were taken to the magical Garden of Dreams for dinner in Kathmandu, and the next day invited to a Buddhist funeral as special guests of the ceremony. Not the usual thing at the beginning of a holiday. ‘As advised, Buddhist funerals are a celebratory affair’ she said. ‘It was such a rare insight, moving and a wonderful privilege.’

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The next trip is on 16th - 29th October. For information or to reserve your place visit www.angelholidays.co.uk