Nepal Photography Tour - Photo tour in Nepal

Itinerary
Day 1-2 | Kathmandu
We meet in Kathmandu on the evening of day one to orientate and meet the group. The next day we start early to see the Monkey Temple (Swayambunath) at sunrise and later in the day we visit the Hindu temple and holy men of Pashupatinath plus the Tibetan Buddhist temple and pilgrims of Boudhanath.

We also have a list of other towns within a day trip of Kathmandu for any early arrivals who want to visit more locations in the Kathmandu Valley. Photography of markets, villages and the blend of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs offer colourful inspiration to photographers.

Day 3 | Bhaktapur
We spend a night in the city of Bhaktapur, one of the former kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley. "The City of Devotees" still retains its medieval charm and we get a chance to explore the laneways and Newari architecture with afternoon and morning light. The past glory of the Malla rulers are reflected at the towns Durbar Square while traditional industries of pottery and weaving are on show to this day. At dusk and dawn the streets fill with local produce vendors selling their goods to residents, adding an intimate range of subjects for our photography.

Days 4-6 | Chitwan National park
We have a long drive to reach Chitwan National Park in search of rhinos, tigers and exotic birds. The chances of seeing a Bengal Tiger in Chitwan are extremely rare, in fact we may be lucky to photograph their paw prints. The rest of the wildlife is less shy of the camera however and we take jeeps, boats and elephants to get up close. Bring along your 200mm lens, or even a 400mm telephoto if you have it. Accommodation in the jungle is basic but comfortable, pack for warm weather.

Day 7 | Pokhara
We drive to the town of Pokhara with a few scenic stops on the way. This is our base for preparing for the Annapurnas ahead, and we make arrangements to ensure all travellers have warm clothing and snug sleeping bags. Jackets and sleeping kit are provided by Grasshopper Adventures to ensure your comfort and minimise your need to pack extra gear. If you have thermal underwear we recommend you bring it, it gets cold higher up in the mountains. Nights are very cold, potentially dropping to zero degrees, but the day hours are very warm in the sun. For those very cold morning when we head out for sunrise, we'll need a warm jacket. Bring gloves too if you have them, or buy some in Pokhara.

Days 8-9 | Marpha
The day starts earely with a spectacular flight into Jomsom, a village in the Annapurna mountains of Nepal located at 2800m. We spend two nights to the south in the charming town of Marpha to explore a few villages, moraines and scenic locations. These few days also help us to adjust to the mountain air and altitude. The pace is easy for these two days, but there are opportunities for short hikes for those who want to stretch the legs. Accommodation for these two days is clean but simple, taking advantage of some local guesthouses that offer good food and great access to photographic inspiration. Jomsom sits at 2750m of altitude, but our villages to the south are only 2600m high.

Days 10-11 | Kagbeni
We head further into the former Mustang Kingdom where the landscape presents ever changing views of the Annapurnas and their peaks. Dhaulagiri and Niligiri present themselves in various facades as we head north from Jomsom. Getting to Kagbeni is a tough day of jeeps, a short hike and some more jeeps. The trail is better suited to mountain trekkers than photographers, so hold onto your pack and enjoy the ride. Once we arrive in Kagbeni we'll have some stunning sunrise opportunities, colourful vistas and a Tibetan monastery to photograph. Kagbeni sits at an altitude of 2750m.

Day 12 | Muktinath
This is where things get a little tougher. Muktinath is where the jeep trail ends and you have to trek to go any further. It's also at an altitude of 3800m so we have to go easy on the thin air. The jeep ride is about on hour and it's rough and tumble all the way. We spend just one night here so we can explore the sacred temple that attracts both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrams. The most prominent shrine is a Vishnu temple where 108 spouts, fashioned in the shape of cows heads, pour forth water that is considered to be holy. There are great landscape vistas to be enjoyed at sunrise, and also sunset if the skies remain clear.

Days 13 | Jomsom
We spend the morning visiting local villages around Muktinath, then return to Jomsom after lunch for a single night with hot showers and hot food. We have a favourite guesthouse here that serves great fresh crushed apple juice, fluffy pancakes and potato & cheese mo-mos. We rest up before flying out very early the next morning, but also plan to get one last chance to shoot the peaks of Nilgiri at dusk and dawn as Jomson provides excellent views of these ranges.

Day 14 | Pokhara
We have one night back in Pokhara to relax at a comfortable hotel, hopefully get some classic views of the Fishtail Peak and surrounding mountains, and enjoy a few local treats. This is an essential day on the itinerary to allow for the possibility of bad weather delaying our flight from Jomson, but is equally an enjoyable rest and chance to indulge after the mountain guesthouses.

Day 15 | Kathmandu
We have a short flight back to Kathmandu in the morning, a trip to the old town of Patan in the afternoon and then our last group dinner in Kathmandu that night. If you want to stay a few more days to explore more locations in the Kathmandu Valley we can arrange extra accommodation and a local driver to suit your needs.

Day 16 | Departure
On the final day we head to the airport at Kathmandu and fly home. Your transfer to the airport is included and we recommend you arrange flights to depart around lunchtime or soon after.

Facts and Information
Style
photographic tour
Inclusions
accompanying photographer, experienced tour leader, internal flights, permits and entrance fees, driver and van for private touring, porters, local guides and their tips, accommodation and all meals.
Group Size
maximum 8
Accommodation
5 nights in 3-star hotel or better, 12 nights local guesthouses
Meals Included
all breakfasts, lunches and dinners
Instructing Photographer
Ewen Bell
Click here to see Ewen Bell's website
Difficulty Rating
an adventure for sure, but forget the hiking please

Feedback and Reviews
"I now fully appreciate what the words "tour de force" mean. From the frenetic pace of crowded Kathmandu to the more gentle pace of ancient Baktapur, the wildlife of Chitwan National Park, the picturesque provincial town of Pokhara, the rugged beauty of the Anapurnas and village life in rural communities, we had an amazing time. Nearly every day, we were up before the sun to catch the first precious rays of light and at the end of the day totally ready to collapse into bed. Yes, it was hard work but the rewards were well worth the effort. The travel experience was a pleasure, occasionally punctuated with the odd surprise, such as an unexpected departure from Chitwan by elephant. Just as importantly, my photography reached a new level. I felt rather like the sorcerer's apprentice following in the footsteps of the sorcerer (Ewen Bell) who helped me along the path to improving my digital sorcery. The results speak for themselves and I can even claim to be smugly proud of more than a few remarkable shots. So many thanks to those who made it possible: Ewen, Sam the Mountain Man, Mr Mohan, our gentlemanly Nepali guide, and most of all the Nepalese people who were a delight everywhere we went."
  - Martin, March 2010

"My fourth trip with Grasshopper Adventures to Nepal was the best yet. Someone on the trip said that her friend suggested that travelling to Nepal was the journey of a lifetime, and for all of us, I think it was. We started in the warm, vibrant and colorful Kathmandu Valley, moved to the rhinos and elephants of the Chitwan National Park, then on to the gray, stoney architecture of the mountain towns with bold splashes of color here and there and the majestic Himalayas shining in the sun. Spiritual places, scenery that takes your breath away, and people that are the kindest and warmest you will ever meet - that's what we photographed. And Ewen and Sam gave us their experience and love for the country along the way. Tibetan music in the van, sunrise to catch the first light on the mountain peaks, an arm around an old man showing us his sword, a hug for a kid, a laugh and a cry. What a journey of a lifetime!"
  - Liz, April 2010

Book now for your free book
When you book on the tour you'll receive a free book to take with you as you travel. "Photography for Travellers" was written by Ewen Bell to inspire, inform and encourage creativity with your camera. Along with techniques and philosophies to discuss on the journey the book includes a wealth of images to illustrate his ideas. The perfect companion for any photographic journey.