Painting holiday

Nepal • Kathmandu to Pokhara • Temples & Himalayan mountains tour

Colours of Kathmandu
Gold-domed temples, Buddhist pagodas with prayer flags fluttering from the spires, colourful bazaars set on a mountain-ridge along the old silk route, and frescoed pilgrim houses at a sacred shrine where rivers meet in a lush green valley. All this amidst breath-taking, snow-topped peaks.

Some of our days

Arrival day

Transfer from Kathmandu airport to our hotel, a lavish palace where Maharajas have stayed. A chance to take in impressions of the cultural riches of this amazing city.

Kathmandu - four nights

Our days are spent capturing the colours of temples and shrines in Kathmandu and nestling in nature beyond the regal city. We paint at the Royal palace, and glimpse the spectacle of the Kumari Bahal, palace temple home of the young living goddess. On a hillside west of Kathmandu we'll visit a gold-domed Stupa, an ancient 5th century structure containing sacred Buddhist relics.

Exploring further afield, our locations are both spectacular and fascinating. We journey to Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred shrines to Shiva on the entire subcontinent. Situated on the banks of the Bagmati River, its waters offer the same guarantee of release from rebirth as the more famous Ganges.

Our final day takes us to Panauti and back to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur. Panauti is built on the confluence of two rivers and is rich in history and imagery. Once a major trading centre with a royal palace it is now very much a calm backwater with interesting temples and impressive restored Rana mansions that have been restored. It is an enchanting place to explore. Later we return to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur, Nepal's cultural gem, on the old trade route between India and Tibet.
Transfer - drive to Gaunghar in Bandipur

Bandipur - one night

Bandipur has retained its traditional culture and Newari architecture harking back centuries. High in the foothills with breath-taking views of the Himalayas, it has a very colourful bazaar set out on a mountain ridge.
Transfer - drive to Pokhara (4-5 hours)

Pokhara - five nights

Pokhara on the route between India and Tibet offers green serenity. Griffin vultures and eagles fly overhead, butterflies flit through meadows of wildflowers and yak. Colourful wooden boats set out over Fewa Lake to an island temple where sacred "floating" fish swim.

Closer now to the high peaks, our subjects will invariably include mountain landscapes of the Annapurna range and the many lakes within the area. Each day we explore different villages, including Thulokot, Naudanda, Kaliksthan, and Danda and our subjects will often reflect the lives and rhythms of the villages. We visit the world peace Stupa, the temples of Bindhyabasini and Bhimsen in the old part of Pokhara.

Our first full day in Pokhara will be a free day and options include the Gurkha museum, Pokhara regional museum, the International mountain museum or perhaps walking or cycling around the lake.
Transfer - internal flight to Kathmandu (½ hour)

Kathmandu - two nights

We see the rural life of a farming community in the Kathmandu valley, traditional crafts spinning coloured yarns. Wood carving is still done as we see it on doorways of ancient temples to a Hindu goddess. We return to Kathmandu with greater understanding of Nepali culture.

Departure day

A short transfer to Kathmandu airport to return with our images and vivid impressions.