Nepal Festival Photography Tour - tour itinerary

Our photography tour of Nepal, a land of breathtaking diversity, offers an unparalleled journey through ancient cities, majestic mountains, and lush jungles. Our comprehensive tour encapsulates the essence of this remarkable Himalayan nation, from the medieval architectural marvels of the historic Kathmandu Valley to the serene, pristine lakes of beautiful Pokhara.

We run this tour to coincide with the Dashain Festival. Dashain is Nepal’s longest and most significant festival, serving as a time for family reunions, cultural renewal, and religious devotion. Spanning 15 days, the festival primarily celebrates the victory of good over evil, based on the Hindu mythological victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, and, in some traditions, Lord Rama's victory over Ravana.

The festival is deeply embedded in the rhythm of life in Nepal. It is a time for cleaning and decorating homes with marigold garlands, wearing new clothes, and indulging in elaborate family feasts featuring traditional dishes like sel roti and meat curries.

The festival is noted for its lively atmosphere. Kite-flying is a widespread tradition, believed to send a message to the rain gods to stop raining, while traditional bamboo swings known as ping are constructed in villages and towns for people of all ages to enjoy.

We begin in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, where ornate ancient temples, intricate wood carvings, and vibrant colorful festivals provide a fascinating window into Nepal's incredibly rich cultural heritage. The tour then ventures to Chitwan National Park, offering exceptional opportunities to capture exotic wildlife against lush subtropical forests.

In Bandipur, a living museum of Newari culture, we explore charming cobblestone streets and breathtaking panoramic Himalayan vistas. We continue to Pokhara, where the tranquil mirror-like Phewa Lake reflects the magnificent snow-capped Annapurna range. We ascend to Dhampus, a picturesque mountain village offering stunning sunrise views over the towering Himalayas.

Throughout the tour, we encounter diverse ethnic communities, each with unique ancient traditions and colourful traditional attire. From the medieval squares of ancient kingdoms to the mist-shrouded peaks of the world's highest mountains, Nepal presents an extraordinarily rich tapestry of visual splendour for photographers of all interests and skill levels.

Day 1:
Arrival in Kathmandu/ Bhaktapur
We will arrange airport pickup and transfer you to our boutique hotel in the city. Nathan runs an optional pre-tour technical workshop from around 3-5pm for those new to travel photography or who feel they would benefit from a refresher course (please confirm your interest). There’s a meet ‘n’ greet with Nathan at the hotel starting at around 6pm, followed by drinks and dinner with the group.

Day 2:
Bhaktapur
We wake up to the unique Nepalese tradition of Dashin festival. In the morning we will take a walk through Bhaktapur's bustling backstreets, which are excellent for observing the local community's preparations and festive spirit. In the afternoon, we further explore the area around Kathmandu Durbar Square, where we hope to find more festive activities, and take a backstreet walk through Thamel leading to the main pedestrian market streets of Kathmandu before we witness Phulpati (literally meaning "flowers and leaves"), one of the most important events of Dashain. We photograph the main Phulpati procession into the Durbar Square to welcome Goddess Durga.

Day 3:
Bhaktapur
We start the day with an early morning visit to Pashupatinath, which is famous as the location of Nepal’s most sacred burning ghats. We make a point of visiting local resident yogis as well as some interesting holy men characters before an old people's home set up by Mother Theresa.

Of the three medieval kingdoms of the Kathmandu valley, Bhaktapur is the best preserved. In the afternoon we walk through the traffic-free cobbled streets and observe local potters busily spinning their wheels and drying their terracotta wares, set against the wonderful art and architecture that is found in the Durbar Square area.

Lion Gate, Golden Gate, the Statue of King Bhuptindra Malla, Nyatapola Temple and the Malla Palace of 55 windows are the living pride of the city and we have plenty of time to explore all of these places in depth, as well as the intriguing back streets.

Day 4:
Bhaktapur — Patan
Early this morning we leave our hotel in Bhaktapur and take a drive of about forty minutes to Lokeshwor temple on Chobhar hill where devotees offer kitchen utensils in order to bring peace to departed loved ones or cure illness of the sick. This temple should be particularly active during Dashin festival time. We will then explore more of the local area called Kirtipur.

Later this morning we head for our hotel in Patan, where we visit the famous Durbar Square and the back streets which are all very familiar to Nathan. At sunset, we witness a ceremony at the famous Golden Temple.

Day 5:
Patan — Chitwan
We start the day with sunrise at Swayambhunath, a popular Buddhist temple on top of a hill overlooking Kathmandu. It is affectionately known as the ‘Monkey Temple’ and bristles with the activity of worshippers from the very first light of the day.

We head back to the hotel for breakfast, after which we drive to the airport and fly to Chitwan National Park. Later in the afternoon we explore a nearby village on foot and enjoy a traditional tribal dance.

Day 6:
Chitwan
Today is dedicated to visiting the often-overlooked Madi tribal villages around Chitwan Park. Our drive takes us through gorgeous plains where locals tend fertile paddy fields and lead typical village lives. We have plenty of time to make random stops whenever we see an opportunity. On this day, one of Dashain's most cherished traditions is receiving blessings on the tenth day, Bijaya Dashami. Elders apply Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) on the foreheads of younger family members and place Jamara (sacred barley shoots grown during the festival) on their heads, symbolizing protection, good fortune, and growth. In the afternoon, we take a wildlife safari in the park, where we hope to see a tiger but are more likely to see rhinos and crocodiles.

Day 7:
Chitwan — Bandipur
At sunrise we organise an elephant bathing shoot near the lodge. After breakfast, we take a scenic drive along the Prithvi Highway to Bandipur which is considered to be a national gem, situated on a ridge at an altitude of 1030 meters. It is a well-preserved ancient Newari town that was the main trading centre from the late 18th century until recently.

Here we find a community living in the narrow-cobbled streets seemingly unchanged for centuries, that will charm any photographer’s eye. There are also many vantage points from which to spy some snow-peaked mountains. From here we might have excellent views of the Himalayas if the skies are clear (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang Himal and the Marsyangdi Valley).

Day 8:
Bandipur
We wake up early to make our way along the outlying ridge to witness sunrise over a panoramic view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains, where we hope to capture some stunning images. Later in the morning, we arrange a restaurant demonstration of how to make Mo Mo’s (a typical Nepalese favorite dish) and let you practice a few food photography skills before enjoying your Mo Mo lunch.

In the afternoon, we take a short trek to a nearby village of Ramkot and explore the typical ancient lifestyles of the Magar people, hopefully against an even more stunning backdrop of snow-peaked mountains.

Day 9:
Bandipur — Pokhara
If we have had bad weather on the first day, today we have a second chance to witness the sunrise over a panoramic view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains. Otherwise, you can either rest or take short hikes around town or nearby villages. 

Later in the morning, we drive to Pokhara, stopping on the way at picturesque hamlets and lush green fields as we please. As we approach Pokhara, our eyes behold the snowy pinnacles of the Annapurna Range: Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal. Later this afternoon we visit both the Shiva Statue and the World Peace Pagoda to enjoy the magnificent views of the distant mountains.

Day 10:
Pokhara — Dhampus
First thing this morning we take a boat trip on Phewa Lake and try to capture one of Pokhara’s most breathtaking sights: the reflection of the Machhapucchre’s (Fishtail) spire on the lake’s waters from a low level (you will need a tripod ). Later in the morning, we drive to Dhampus, a traditional Gurung village, in time to see the locals returning from their work in the fields.

We engage with their gentle way of life, often being invited into homes and gardens to take photos. The village also affords some stunning and spectacular views of the snowy Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu at sunset. We stay here overnight in a typical trekking lodge.

Day 11:
Dhampus — Pokhara
Our lodge gives us another breathtaking view of Annapurna and Fishtail Mountain. We have the perfect opportunity for sunrise shots by simply crawling out of bed onto a purpose-built viewing area (need a tripod). After a hearty breakfast, we might have the energy to revisit the village to catch up with friends again to observe their morning activities in the gorgeous light and against one of the world’s best backdrops.

We return to Pokhara by jeep, arriving early in the afternoon where the comfortable hotel will be our base for some free time to shop, get a massage or take an optional paraglider flight from Sarangkot Hill down to Pokhara Lake. Not to be missed if you like that sort of thing!  In the evening we will meet again to take  a sunset walk along Phewa Lake, before finding a lakeside restaurant for dinner

Day 12:
Pokhara — Kathmandu
If the weather is good there might be an option to take a helicopter ride to Annapurna base camp. This is expensive but potentially an experience of a lifetime. After breakfast, we fly back to Kathmandu, with stunning views of the Himalayan mountains and picturesque hilltop villages enthralling us on our journey.

In the afternoon we visit one of Kathmandu’s most photographed monuments, Boudhanath Stupa. This is not only a fabulous structure but is also the centre of Nepal’s biggest Tibetan community and a constant hive of activity and prayer.

Day 13:
Depart Kathmandu
Weather permitting, we have the option to book an early morning flight over Everest this morning. Our support team will drive you to the airport for your flight home unless, of course, you have chosen to extend your stay for a day or two.

We hope you will have had an enjoyable and memorable experience, and we look forward to seeing you again on another photographic adventure!