Nepal - Mustang Photo Tour.

Take breathtaking portraits in the Kingdom of Lo.

The Tour.

Embark on a unique photographic adventure through Mustang, a vast and arid valley in Nepal, rich in Buddhist culture and ancient history. Translating to a "fertile plain," Mustang boasts extraordinary landscapes, mesmerising eroded canyons, vivid stratified rock formations, and high-altitude deserts. With geographically stunning landscapes and spectacular backdrops of the Himalayan mountains, this tour offers an unforgettable experience for photographers of all abilities.

As Nepal's second least populated district, Mustang is a region of simple agriculture and traditional lifestyles. Foreign visitors have been allowed to the area since 1992, but tourism to Upper Mustang is regulated, and we still require special permits for entry (costing $500 per person). Prepare for abundant photographic opportunities, capturing the essence of ancient culture, monasteries, captivating people, and the majestic Himalayan mountains as a backdrop. Delve into ancient villages, explore caves, and trace the trails of mules.

We start the tour in Kathmandu, where Nathan will give you an alternative view of his favourite spots while our permits are being processed. After flying to Pokhara, we jump into four-wheel drives, and the real adventure starts. We gradually drive beyond the cloud line, where photographic opportunities increasingly become abundant, with ancient culture, people portraits, monasteries, and spectacular landscapes. We will explore ancient villages, caves, and mule trails, and drive through challenging terrain in Scorpio Jeeps, prioritising your comfort as a photographer with ample room for your equipment.

With only three photographers in each vehicle, we guarantee you a window seat and roadside stops to take photographs of the locals working in the fields. We also have two domestic flights to reduce travel time and maximise your time in Mustang.

This tour offers a unique opportunity to experience Mustang's raw and untouched beauty before the superhighway and motels open along the route. Anyone who has enjoyed Ladakh or Nepal with us in the past will enjoy this tour as one step further on the road less travelled.

Photo Highlights.

  • Old lady, Tsarang, Mustang, Nepal

    Portraits

    Interesting faces

  • 4 wheel drive Scorpio Jeeps

    4 wheel drive Jeeps

    Everyone has a window seat

  • Long mountain road on the way to Upper Mustang

    Scenic roads

    Drive through great landscapes

  • Full moon ceremony, Tsarang, Upper Mustang Nepal

    Ceremonies

    Privileged access to numerous Puja’s

  • Snow peaked mountains dwarf Kagbeni village, Nepal.

    Kagbeni

    Small village, large mountains

  • View-from-Royal-Mustang-hotel-of-Lo-Manthang- monastery

    Lo Manthang

    The capital city of Upper Mustang

  • Sadhu with very long hair in residence at Pashupatinath , Nepal.

    Sadhus

    Pashupatinath & Muktinath

  • Over view of Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal.

    Boudhanath Stupa

    Tibetan pagoda

  • Snow peaked mountains reflected in lake, Pokhara, Nepal.

    Bhaktapur

    The ancient capital

  • Road-side-ruins-on-road-to-Lo-manthang-Mustang-Nepal

    Trekking villages

    Without the trekking

  • Snow-peaked-himalayan-mountains-lower-mustang

    Thasang Village

    Amazing sun rises

  • ladies-getting-blessed-at-Muktinath-Nepal

    Muktinath Temple

    Bathing rituals

Check out our photo book below:

Here’s a photo book we made from the tour in 2022. We’ll provide you with templates (including suggested text) and help you to upload your own images, so that you can make your own on the tour and print it when you get home.

Tour Details.

Est. 2022

Duration: 13 days, 12 nights, 11 days of shooting

Dates and Prices

2024

May 12 - 24

SOLD OUT

2025

May 11- 23

US$6950

Past participants will get a special discount.

Our fee includes hotels, breakfast, bottled water throughout the tour, all transport including airport transfers, and a $500 Mustang permit per person. This tour also includes two internal flights. We base our fee on accommodation in a single room (with private bathroom - and A/C in Kathmandu & Pokhara), though we offer discounts for couples sharing rooms, as well as for non-photographers.

Our Itinerary.

  • two-men-looking-out-traditional-window-in-Kathmandu-Nepal

    Day 1

    Arrive any time: Enjoy free transfer to your hotel

    PM: Optional technical and aesthetic travel photography workshop for those who need it

    Sunset: Meet Nathan and the group

    Sleep: Kathmandu boutique hotel

  • Morning prayers at Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Day 2

    Sunrise: Boudhanath, Tibetan pagoda

    AM: Arrange travel permits for Mustang

    PM: Pashupatinath sadhus

    Sunset: Aarti at Pashupatinath ghats

    Sleep: Kathmandu boutique hotel

  • Thakali woman in window, small mustang village.

    Day 3

    Sunrise: Pokhara flight

    AM: Kushma Bungee jump

    PM: Thakali village walk

    Sunset: Thasang village lodge

    Sleep: Thasang luxury resort

  • Dhaulagiri snow peaked mountain, Nepal.

    Day 4

    Sunrise: Rooftop view of snow peaked mountains

    AM: Tukuche/ Martha village walks

    PM: Kagbeni drive

    Sunset: Kagbeni view point

    Sleep: Kagbeni heritage lodge

  • Red-cliffs-of-Dhakmar-village-Upper-Mustang-Nepal

    Day 5

    Sunrise: Monastery puja/ riverside rituals

    AM: Chorten de Thangbe

    PM: Drive to Ghami

    Sunset: Dakmar red cliffs

    Sleep: Ghami royal resort

  • old-town-lo-Mathang-upper-mustang-nepal

    Day 6

    Sunrise: Ghami village walk

    AM: Drive to Trasang

    PM: Trasang village walk

    Sunset: Lo Manthang pass

    Sleep: Lo Manthang royal resort

  • Chusang-caves-upper-mustang-Nepal

    Day 7

    Sunrise: Hotel rooftop

    AM: Chhoser caves and monasteries

    PM: Old city

    Sunset: Old city wall

    Sleep: Lo Manthang royal resort

  • Muktinath-temple-lower-Mustang-Nepal

    Day 8

    Sunrise: Hotel rooftop

    AM: Kagbeni drive

    PM: Muktinath temple

    Sunset: Jharkot village

    Sleep: Muktinath luxury resort

  • Purang Village, Muktinath, Mustang, Nepal.

    Day 9

    Sunrise: Purang village reflection pond

    AM: Lupra temple

    PM: Post processing

    Sunset: Thini village

    Sleep: Jomsom Guest House

  • Local carrying heavy load over suspension bridge near Jomson, Nepal.

    Day 10

    Sunrise: Airplane arrivals

    AM: Jomson viewpoint

    PM: Drive Tatopani

    Sunset: Hot baths

    Sleep: Tatopani luxury hotel

  • Aarti performed near Phewa lake, Pokhara, Nepal.

    Day 11

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Galeshwor Temple /Baglung suspension bridge

    PM: Kalika Bhagwati temple

    Sunset: Pokhara lakeside Aarti

    Sleep: Pokhara luxury hotel

  • Lady making pots in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu , Nepal.

    Day 12

    Sunrise: Lake Phewa reflection shots

    AM: Kathmandu flight

    PM: Bhaktapur street walk

    Sunset: Farewell dinner

    Sleep: Bhaktapur boutique hotel

  • Man flying Nepalese flag in Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal.

    Day 13

    After a memorable trip of a lifetime to Mustang, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home

    Bon voyage

Make the dream a reality.

Tuition.

On any of our tours, stunning photography is the name of the game, and our objective is for you to leave with a collection of images that you'll be proud to show off. Indeed, many of our past participants have gone on to win awards and competitions with photographs taken on our tours.

Nathan’s teaching approach is very hands-on, as he believes in learning by doing. He will guide you through technical challenges, provide artistic inspiration, and lead by example in approaching locals for great portraits. You'll be amazed at the striking and authentic images you'll be able to capture.

We also offer Lightroom workshops during our tours, where we cover workflow management and picture processing. We'll show you the tools to take your travel photography to the next level and provide tips on saving your pictures for various outputs like social media, e-books, and printing.

If this is your first tour with us, you can also join Nathan’s pre-tour workshop, designed to equip you with essential skills for travel photography. Covering technical competence, creative observation, and ethical responsibility with a focus on people and culture, this workshop is perfect if you’re new to travel photography or need a refresher. The workshop runs on the first day of the tour from around 1-5pm. Enhance your photography skills and capture breathtaking moments to treasure forever. Apply via our tour request form and prepare to take your photography skills to the next level.

Where we stay.

  • Luxury hotel bedroom in Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Kathmandu

    We have always used great hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and we will use them again on this tour to ensure maximum comfort. We do not charge a single-person supplement, but we do offer a discount if you choose to share a room if you are travelling with a partner or friend.

  • Boutique hotel bedroom in Pokhara, Nepal

    Pokhara

    This part of Nepal has developed quite significantly over the past few years and there is even a new international airport. As of 2023, we are now able to stay in high-quality accommodation in Jomsom, Pokhara and Tatopani, all with ensuite bathrooms.

  • Hotel room in Lo-Manthang, Nepal

    Lo-Manthang

    The good news is that we have managed to secure luxury rooms at an old Royal Palace when we reach our target destination of Lo-Manthang, the capital of Upper Mustang. We spend two nights there, and all your creature comforts will be met, including a European wine list.

TripAdvisor.

Walter Meulken - April 2020

The best photography tour operator! I have travelled with Nathan on 3 tours - and with other photography tour operators. Nathan's tours are the best of the lot. He consistently leads you to the most photogenic, most interesting people and situations when the light is just right.

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