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The Happy House

Villas / Exclusive use

Located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, The Happy House is a beautifully restored traditional Sherpa house offering a homely mountain retreat with outstanding panoramas and warm Nepali hospitality.

Built in the 1970s by Italian explorer Count Guido Monzino and Ang Tawe Lama, a descendant of Nepal’s earliest settlers, The Happy House has a rich mountaineering history. It has long served as a haven for mountain explorers, and Sir Edmund Hillary affectionately referred to the house as his ‘happy place’.

The interiors are vibrantly decorated, characterised by hand-painted murals in the style of ancient Buddhist Thangka art, roaring fireplaces and rooms illuminated by candlelight. The Happy House offers a seamless blend of thoughtful service and bespoke adventures, from exploring remote monasteries and picnicking on scenic mountaintops to trekking or biking mountain trails.

Why we like The Happy House

With a team of over 30 staff, immense care goes into creating a deeply personalised experience. Every stay here is curated around your interests, whether that’s sunrise yoga, wildlife walks or immersion in local culture. This flexibility, along with the variety of activities, make it ideal for travellers of all ages, especially multi-generational families seeking shared experiences.

Facilities

The Happy House offers 10-ensuite bedrooms, a spacious living room, cosy library and well-stocked bar. Relax and rejuvenate in the yoga and meditation centre, candlelit spa room or sauna. Meals are prepared by a private chef, who sources ingredients from the on-site organic garden, and will gladly welcome guests into the kitchen to learn to cook traditional Nepali cuisine.

Sustainability

The Happy House team are an integral part of the local community. Each booking provides one year of health insurance for a local family, and the house has raised more than $20,000 to supply stoves to local families, addressing the serious health risks posed by smoke exposure from cooking over open fires. Partnerships with the Phaplu Mountian Biking Cub and the Himalayan Art Initiative help create valuable educational and career opportunities for young people, while the house itself serves as a hub for visiting doctors and health professionals when not occupied by guests.

Mountain Biking
Yoga
Religious Sites
Hiking and Climbing
Wellness and Spa

Adventure Traveller
Families

£££££

Located in the village of Phaplu, just 18 miles south of Mount Everest, The Happy House sits in the heart of Nepal’s Solukhumbu region. Accessible via a 40-minute flight or helicopter ride from Kathmandu to Phaplu airport, which is only a 10-minute walk from the property. Alternatively, the drive from Kathmandu is a scenic but adventurous 10-hour drive by 4×4.

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Local women in Jharkot village, Mustang, Nepal

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Need Inspiration?
Browse our Nepal holiday ideas.

We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the Nepal holidays that we love today.

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Nepal – The Lost Kingdom of Mustang

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Nepal

Highlights of Nepal – Trekking and Wildlife

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12 days from $7,405pp

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The Wild Side of Nepal – Family Conservation Holiday

13 days from $5,785pp

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Nepal at High Altitude – Trekking Holidays

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Where to stay in Nepal

Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any journey.

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Shinta Mani Mustang

£££££

Perched high above the town of Jomsom, at the gateway of the kingdom of Mustang, awaits Shinta Mani Mustang.

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Nepal

Tiger Tops Elephant Camp

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£££££

Located on the edge of Chitwan National Park, close to the Narayani River, Tiger Tops Elephant Camp offers the opportunity to stay alongside Tiger Tops’ 12 resident Asian elephants. Tiger Tops Elephant Camp allows you to…

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Nepal

Taj Meghauli Serai

Safari and Wildlife Lodge
£££££

The lodge sits on the bank of the Rapti river and offers excellent rhino and gharial sightings. The guides are excellent and the lodge’s other staff are all very hospitable, which is a trademark of Taj…

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Nepal

Barahi Jungle Lodge

Safari and Wildlife Lodge
£££££

The beautiful Barahi Jungle Lodge offers comfortable surroundings with an amazing wildlife experience. The lodge has naturalists to accompany you on a jeep safari and jungle walks. The lodge cares for their own elephants, so the…

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Nepal

Mountain Lodges of Nepal

Wilderness
£££££

Located in the Annapurna Mountains, Mountain Lodges of Nepal offer the perfect opportunity to experience trekking in the Himalaya in comfort. With hot showers, comfortable beds and great food, these lodges are the best on offer…

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Yak & Yeti Hotel

City
£££££

Housed in a heritage building in central Kathmandu, the beautiful Yak & Yeti Hotel is steeped in history. Originally the home of the country’s first hotelier, Russian émigré Boris Lisanevich, this elegant hotel incorporates parts of…

Hotel and Bridge in Garden, Yak & Yeti Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal

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