Photography holiday

Nepal • Kathmandu to Pokhara • Temples & Himalayan mountains tour

Into thin air
Nepal's opulent Royal palaces, ornate Hindu temples and Buddhist pagodas - an unforgettable tour of this Himalayan kingdom, with sweeping vistas of lakes, caves and the world's tallest mountain range, craft markets and bazaars along the old silk route, and candid street photography in Kathmandu.

Some of our days

Arrival day

Transfer from Kathmandu airport to our hotel and a chance to take in impressions of the cultural riches of this amazing city.

Kathmandu - four nights

Our days are spent capturing the colours and vibrancy of Kathmandu, its markets and day to day life. Travelling beyond the town we visit the golden-topped Stupa at Swayambhunath, and the stunning Boudhanath stupa – with the maze of temples and surrounding stalls. We also 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 center 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 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

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 we will weave our way through the tracks and fields that surround the villages and within which daily live thrives. We visit the world peace Stupa, the temples of Bindhyabasini and Bhimsen in the old part of Pokhara.

In addition to the grand landscapes there will be plenty of opportunities for more intimate and candid imagery, one of our tutor Chloe's great strengths.

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

On our final full day we visit Sanku, a very old Newar city. This legendary city is worth a visit, because of its old houses, beautiful wood- carved temples and old stone water taps. We return via Bungamati and Kokana wich offer a fascinating glimpse of rural life in the Kathmandu Valley.

Departure day

A short transfer to Kathmandu airport.