Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Nepal

Where it is

The lodge sits on a hilltop about 300 metres above the Pokhara valley, roughly half an hour's drive from Pokhara's lakeside town and airport. Pokhara is a short flight or a long drive from Kathmandu, and it is the gateway to the Annapurna treks.

It shuts for the summer rains and reopens each September, staying open until the middle of June.

Cottages

There are fewer than 20 rooms in hand-cut stone cottages, arranged like a Nepali hill village across seven acres of gardens and woodland. Each has its own veranda facing the mountains or the valley, with simple, elegant interiors, Tibetan wool rugs and heaters for chilly evenings. Wi-Fi is mainly in the main lodge, encouraging you to switch off.

Food, pool and the rest

The main lodge is built around a courtyard with a central fire, a bar, lounges, dining terraces and a library of Himalayan mountaineering books. Meals mix Nepali and international cooking with herbs and salads from the organic garden. The infinity pool reflects the snow peaks, and massages, Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation can be arranged.

The guides are keen naturalists: more than 350 bird species have been recorded in the area. Walks lead through villages, forest and terraced fields, and longer treks can be arranged.

The moment

Dawn from your veranda, as first light catches the summit of Machapuchare, then the whole Annapurna range turns pink, gold and finally white above the misty valley.

Why we chose it

Tiger Mountain gives you the Himalayas in comfort without altitude or hardship, plus a strong commitment to its community and conservation. It suits travellers who want gentle walks, birds and big views rather than a long trek.

If you do want to walk to Everest, see Yeti Mountain Home; for another view of giants, Rooms Hotel Kazbegi in Georgia.

When to go

The lodge is open from September to mid-June. October and November give the crispest Himalayan views, and that is when trekkers flood into Pokhara, so reserve well ahead. The midwinter months bring cold, clear mornings and cool evenings by the fire, and fewer visitors. Spring brings rhododendrons in bloom, though haze can soften the views.

The longer stay

Allow three or four nights for walks, a sunrise trip to Sarangkot and a boat on Phewa Lake. Combine it with Kathmandu's temples and a safari in Chitwan National Park for a two-week Nepal journey.