- Overview
- Itinerary
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
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- FAQ
As it slowly shuffles into the modern era, this small, deeply spiritual enclave, still grabs on tightly to its’ colorful, ancient history while showing off its natural grandeur with a tremendous variety of eco-systems and native languages that are found everywhere you look.
We are limiting this tour to 10 people so everyone has ample time to learn and get personal tips and instruction from Sergio as we go from one exotic location to another. We highly suggest you book immediately so you have a spot for an upcoming unforgettable photo journey into the heart of Nepal.
Nepal is a photographers dream come true…everywhere you look there are beautiful photos to make.
Our journey begins and ends in the capital city of Kathmandu which has a nice mix of international air carriers providing multiple daily flights. Our goal is to put you at the right place so you can make great images and have time to review and improve your photographic vision and technique throughout the trip. The itinerary describes the planned day-to-day journey and the images show you the beauty of Nepal and its people.
Please join us for this photo tour where we explore the chaotic streets of Kathmandu and it’s many religious temples as well as little villages where time really is in no hurry to speed up.
We have a team of native Nepalis who know every nook and cranny and how to get there so rest assured we always work with the locals so we get the best and timeliest information to make this tour flow smoothly.
This tour is led by Sergio Ballivian with his friend and Nepali guide Lamababu Sherpa, a wonderful and caring man with extensive knowledge of all things Nepal.
To check availibility please use the CHECK AVAILABILITY BUTTON above.
Flights to Kathmandu, Nepal take many different routes and unless you are on the Asian mainland, it’s a long flight. Please contact your travel agent for suggestions for the most direct flight possible as the jet-lag could affect you the first few days. Flights from the US usually go through Tokyo or Seoul and quite often via Singapore. From Europe and Asia there are even more options.
For booking your airline tickets please contact Geo Travel at 1-800-938-7285
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal – Thamel Neighborhood
Arrival in Kathmandu (KTM), airport pick-up and transfer to the hotel. After checking in and a brief rest, we head to the Thamel neighborhood to see the controlled chaos Kathmandu is known for, which provides endless photo ops for street photography! Today is the beginning of the Hindu Tihar Festival (The Festival of Life and Prosperity) and celebrations last for 5 days with homes lit by lights and people singing and dancing. We have a group dinner in the evening at a local restaurant. Overnight at Gran Hotel Nepal (4*). (D)
Day 2
Kathmandu – Monkey Temple (AM) and Boudanath Stupa (PM)
The morning light plays favorably at the Swoyambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple) so that is our destination right after an early breakfast. The photo ops are everywhere you look and we will spend a good part of the morning here making images of people, temples, monkeys and the daily life of Nepalis. Lunch at a local restaurant. We head to the eastern side of Kathmandu to get the sweet afternoon light at the Boudhanath Stupa, where, once again, the photos are only limited by your vision. We will spend the afternoon making photos here and in the nearby areas. We return to our hotel for a rest before dinner. We could go out and enjoy the Tihar Festival tonight. Overnight at Gran Hotel Nepal (4*). (B,L,D)
Day 3
Monkey Temple – fly from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park – Tigerland Safari Resort
The morning light plays favorably at the Swoyambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple) so that is our destination right after an early breakfast. The photo ops are everywhere you look and we will spend a good part of the morning here making images of people, temples, monkeys and the daily life of Nepalis. Lunch at a local restaurant. We head to the eastern side of Kathmandu to get the sweet afternoon light at the Boudhanath Stupa, where, once again, the photos are only limited by your vision. We will spend the afternoon making photos here and in the nearby areas. We return to our hotel for a rest before dinner. We could go out and enjoy the Tihar Festival tonight. Overnight at Gran Hotel Nepal (4*). (B,L,D)
We want one more shot at the early morning light and activity at the Swoyambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple) before flying to the jungle. Soon after we depart to the airport for the 30-minute flight to Chitwan National Park (world heritage site) in the south-central part of Nepal, near the border with india. After a 30-minute vehicle transfer to our lodge, we head to the elephant breeding center to see these majestic animals and understand how they live and what they do. Lunch at the Tigerland Safari Resort. In the afternoon we head to the crocodile breeding center to see them being raised to re-populate their dwindling numbers and disperse them over various regions where they have a chance for survival. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Tigerland Safari Resort (4*). (B,L,D)
Day 4
Chitwan National Park – photo safaris via jeep and elephant
An early departure is necessary for the elephant safari. At the staging area we climb into a small ‘crib’ that is anchored to the back of the elephant. We are only letting 2 people on per elephant so each person has ample room to photograph (as opposed to 4 with normal commercial rides). The ride is far from ‘smooth’ but there are plenty of photo ops as long as you communicate to the mahout (elephant driver) that you want to make a photo. The elevated vantage point is a great advantage and provides a good safety margin…in case a Bengal tiger shows up. The elephant safari will be between 2-3 hours, and we’ll be traveling through dense elephant grass that can grow up to 18-20 ft. in height and is the favorite habitat for rhinoceros and other animals. Afterwards we have the opportunity to see the elephants getting a bath, which provides great photo ops! Lunch at Tigerland Safari Resort. In the afternoon we head into the park once again, this time via jeeps. We are only taking 3 people per jeep (plus the driver) so each person has ample room to photograph from all angles. We finish the afternoon with a canoe paddle down the Rapti Tiver where we can see crocodiles, birds and a great variety of wildlife and return to the lodge via jeep. You have an option of going on a hike with a birder/naturalist instead of the canoe ride. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at Tigerland Safari Resort (4*). (B,L,D)
Day 5
Drive from Chitwan Nat Park to Pokhara via Palpa
Today we have an all-day drive with a stop at Palpa, a small traditional village perched on the side of a mountain where we’ll stop and make photos. Lunch en route. We will arrive in the lakeside city of Pokhara in the late afternoon. Many people consider this the most beautiful part of Nepal and we would agree. The many lakes in the region are within easy view of the giant Annapurna massif where 3 out of the 10 tallest peaks in the world – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu – are situated within 30 miles from the city as the crow flies. This is Nepal’s 2nd largest city and it has plenty of ammenities if you need anything. We will cross the lake to our hotel for dinner and overnight at Fishtail Resort (4*). (B,L,D)
Day 6
Sarangkot – Kande – trek to Australia Camp – Dhampus
An early departure will put us in Sarangkot in time for sunrise with spectacular views of the Annapurna Massif. We continue to Kande (45 min) and begin an easy 2-hour trek up to Australia Camp, another location with breathtaking panoramas of the Himalaya peaks and valleys. Lunch en route. We will head down to the village of Dhampus, another couple of hours down the hill. These villages are great places to make photos of people doing their daily chores as they smile and welcome you to their home. We’ll relax before dinner and be ready for sunset. Overnight at a typical Nepali tea House. (B,L,D,)
Day 7
Dhampus – Phedi – Pokhara
One more opportunity for sunrise photos at this altitude before trekking down a couple of hours to the village of Phedi. There will be endless opportunities to make photos of the landscape and the friendly Nepali people en route. After a brief rest we drive to Pokhara (45 min). Lunch in Pokhara. The afternoon is open to see what our options are so we can make a call based on the weather. Dinner and overnight at Temple Tree Resort & Spa (4*). (B,L,D,)
Day 8
World Peace Pagoda – fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu – drive to Baktapur and Nagarkot
Without a doubt the view from the World Peace Stupa north towards the Annapurna massif and the whole Himalaya Range is hard to beat! To take advantage of this, we will depart before sunrise for a short drive up the mountain then walk the last few hundred meters to the Stupa in the dark, so bring your headlamps. As the sun rises on the eastern horizon you will see the giant himalayan mountains catch on fire and slowly emerge from their cold slumber. The photo ops from here are endless, whether you are shooting the mountains, Lake Phewa or are in the forest below. Afterwards we hike down for about 45 minutes and catch a boat and return to our hotel for breakfast. The rest of the AM is free. After lunch we depart to the airport and fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival we head east to Baktapur, one of Nepal’s oldest and most exotic cities, third largest in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage due to its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork. We continue east to Nagarkot, a town located on the top of a large ‘hill’ where we will get stunning views of the Langtan Range including Mt. Everest. Sunsets and sunrises from this location are breath-taking! Dinner and overnight at Club Himalaya (5*). (B,L,D)
Day 9
Nagarkot – Baktapur – Kokhana – Kathmandu
We will be ready for the sunrise (weather-willing) and hopefully get the stunning views from our hotel with little effort. We drive down the hill and visit Patan and Durbar Square en route, then to Kokhana, a village full of artisans that are eager to show off their artisan skills . Lunch en route. We return to Kathmandu in the late afternoon. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Gran Hotel Nepal (4*). (B,L,D)
Day 10
Free morning – afternoon airport transfer for departure back home
The morning is free for you to enjoy some last-minute shopping, finish packing and relax before we take you to the airport for your flight back home. Lunch is on your own. Depending on the airline, there will be different departure schedules and we will coordinate with you for your schedule shuttle to the airport departing from the hotel. (B)
– End Of Our Services –
RETURN
- all airport transfers
- accommodations (as per the itinerary),
- meals as noted (B,L,D)
- bi-lingual guides,
- private vehicles,
- domestic airfare,
- all entry fees,
- jeep and elephant safaris,
- porters for the trek,
- all services as noted on the itinerary,
- years of experience and local knowledge
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