Lens on Nepal Photography Tour 2026

A photographic journey through Nepal’s rich cultural tapestry and evocative landscapes.

Tour dates: 28 October 2026 – 7 November 2026 (Tihar Festival add-on is available for 8 – 9 November)
Tour led by: Seng Mah
Minimum 6 guests. Maximum 8 guests.
Pace: Easy to moderate.

Take a mesmerising and unforgettable journey into a land bound by the majestic Himalayas: Nepal, where ages-old culture, tradition and faith provide photographers with richly textured and layered opportunities to capture and create travel images which resonate with story and feeling.

From the ancient cities of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur to serene mountain villages framed by the Himalayas, Nepal offers a wide variety of subjects within a relatively compact area. The scenery is breathtaking even from accessible vantage points, making it ideal for photographers who prefer to explore at a comfortable pace.

Nepal’s blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions sets it apart from its neighbours. This unique aspect is visible in everything, from morning prayer rituals to the grand architecture of its old towns, temples and shrines. Brightly coloured prayer flags flutter in the breeze at Buddhist stupas; monks in robes of deep red and purple ambulate as they spin prayer wheels. Incense smoke and prayers rise into the air at Hindu temples in the old towns as brightly clad devotees make offerings of faith and devotion to the Hindu gods.

Nepal as a country feels lived-in and authentic, with vivacity and rhythm that invites observation and storytelling through your lens.

Traveling with a professional photographer and educator

The main point of difference when you travel with me is the photography guidance that you receive during the tour. I scout and curate tour destinations so that I know what you’ll gain from being there and what photographers can do to optimise their captures. I’m a professional photography educator, with more than 14 years experience in teaching photography. Comments and feedback from tour guests often hone in on the generosity of help and support that I provide: offering ideas for composition, explaining how light and timing can make or break an image, providing feedback on images as you shoot them. Many guests leave my tours stronger in their photography. As one guest puts it: “Seng not only got us to the right place at the right time and refreshingly for a photography trip was great with help and advice. With recommendations on the right lens to use at different places, advice on settings, slow shutter speeds etc everyone came away with stunning photos.”

Tour Highlights

Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu
Settle into the rhythm of Nepal as you arrive in Kathmandu. Though a travel day, it offers a first experience of the city’s layered energy. You’ll transfer from your airport to the Aloft Hotel in the Thamel District of Kathmandu. Thamel is Kathmandu’s lively cultural hub, offering a rich blend of old-world charm and contemporary comfort. Nestled in a maze of narrow lanes, it’s home to artisan shops, boutique hotels, traditional courtyards, and rooftop cafes overlooking the city. While popular with travelers, Thamel retains an authentic Nepali rhythm — incense wafts from temples tucked between buildings, local musicians perform in cozy venues, and handwoven textiles spill from family-run stores.

Day 2 – Morning Light in Patan and Hindu Rituals at Pashupatinath
Begin your photographic journey with the soft, golden light of sunrise in Patan. Also known as Lalitpur, is Patan a treasure trove of art, history, and culture nestled within the Kathmandu Valley. Renowned for its exquisite Newari architecture, Patan showcases intricately carved temples, palaces, and courtyards that reflect centuries of skilled craftsmanship. Beyond the grand monuments, Patan offers a serene atmosphere where traditional artisans continue age-old crafts like metalwork and woodcarving. The ancient square awakens slowly — devotees offer morning puja, vendors set up shop, and children walk to school through centuries-old alleys.

In the afternoon, we capture the solemn rituals and candid humanity along the sacred Bagmati River at Pashupatinath, one of Nepal’s most powerful documentary photography locations. Pashupatinath is one of Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temples and a profound spiritual center nestled along the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is renowned for its stunning pagoda-style architecture and richly adorned shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Beyond its architectural beauty, Pashupatinath offers an intimate glimpse into vibrant religious rituals, cremation ceremonies, and daily worship that have been practiced here for centuries. We will also have the opportunity to photograph the sadhus (holy monks who have taken vows of poverty) in the setting.

We finish the day with our Welcome Dinner in Thamel.

Day 3 – Monks at Boudhanath, Artisan Streets of Thimi
Photograph the morning circumambulation of Buddhist monks and locals around Boudhanath, one of the largest and most iconic Buddhist stupas in the world. We join hundreds of devotees as they complete the circuit around the stupa, creating a profound atmosphere of motion, light, and devotion. For discerning travelers and photographers, Boudhanath offers an exceptional tapestry of life and devotion — from the slow, meditative movement of pilgrims circumambulating the stupa to the colorful flutter of prayer flags and the intimate moments of monks and locals in quiet prayer or lively market interactions.

After lunch, journey to Bhaktapur with an afternoon walk through Thimi, where potters and artisans offer endless opportunities for expressive environmental portraits and cultural close-ups in natural light. Thimi offers opportunities to discover street photography — from chasing moments lit by light, to finding authentic portraits on doorsteps and corners.

Day 4 – Bhaktapur Dawn to Bandipur Vistas
Bhaktapur, a beautifully preserved medieval city in the Kathmandu Valley, reveals itself in the quiet before sunrise — incense smoke, soft footsteps, and prayers create a beautifully timeless scene. Capture potters at work and locals tending to morning rituals in golden tones in the many squares that make up this beautiful and historic site. Bakhtapur’s warm light, textured surfaces, and genuine human interactions make it a deeply rewarding setting for capturing the soul of Nepal.

In the afternoon, we travel west to Bandipur, pausing at the Yak Brewery for a taste of local Nepali brew and to admire the views across the Trishuli River as it carves its way through a stark and beautiful landscape. We finish the day in Bandipur, with photography from Bandipur’s ridge, looking out over the town clothed in the shadows of dusk.

Bandipur is a charming hilltop town that feels like a step back in time, offering a rare glimpse of traditional Newari culture untouched by modern urban sprawl. Its well-preserved streets are lined with classic wooden homes, carved balconies, and quaint squares that reflect old-world Nepalese architecture. Bandipur provides a peaceful retreat with stunning panoramic views and a slow-paced atmosphere rich in history and local life. Photographers will find endless inspiration in its streets and the authentic rhythms of village life all set against a breathtaking Himalayan backdrop.

Day 5 – Village Portraits and Golden Hour in Bandipur
We begin the day with a dawn and sunrise shoot from the Parade Ground in Bandipur. After breakfast, we embark on a visit to nearby villages to photograph rural life. A highlight is time spend in Ramkot village, focusing on storytelling portraits and details of village life, as we meet locals at work and play. We wrap up the day with golden light illuminating Bandipur’s cobbled streets and warm-toned facades, where everyday scenes bring much life, energy and narrative to our captures.

Day 6 – Life in Dhampus
After breakfast, we depart Bandipur and travel deeper into the hills to reach Dhampus, a small village perched with views of the Annapurnas. Spend the afternoon connecting with locals for quiet, intimate portraits and scenes of everyday life — weaving, farming, and children at play — all set against a peaceful Himalayan backdrop. There will be opportunities for portraits of local elders, as well as scenes that depict life in rural Nepal.

Day 7 – Machapuchare Sunrise and Lakeside Sunset
Dhampus offers us a position to photograph the unmistakable shape of Machapuchare and its unique fishtail shaped peak, as the first light brushes the mountains.

Later in the morning, we transfer to scenic Pokhara, a vibrant lakeside town that serves as a gateway to the Annapurna Himalayas. This attractive town blends natural beauty with lively local culture. Located on the shores of serene Phewa Lake, and framed by snow-capped peaks, Pokhara is a photographer’s delight: from lakeside harbours brimming with colourful rowboats and floating temples to candid photography of boatmen, pilgrims, and everyday life, all set against one of Nepal’s most breathtaking backdrops. We finish the day with a sunset shoot from the side of Lake Phew Thal.

Day 8 – Sarangkot Views and Pokhara Life
An early ascent to Sarangkot, a hillside village renowned for its unbeatable views of the Annapurna Mountain Range and Lake Phewa Thal below. It’s a place to photograph sweeping landscapes capped by snow-covered peaks and to capture the golden rays of sunrise over layers of hills and highlands.

From mountain landscapes, we descend to the busy streets of Pokhara’s old town — the site of the original settlement before it spread to the shores of the lake. Here, you will discover a different pace of life, one filled with tradition, ritual and the daily transaction of work and commerce. It’s a great place to flex your street photography muscles and learn more about capturing moments in light.

In the afternoon, you’ll have time to explore Pokhara at your leisure, whether it’s for shopping, discovery or photography.

Day 9 – Sunrise Shoot and Into the Hills Again
This morning allows us the opportunity to either shoot beautiful landscapes from the Lake’s Damside, or to return to Sarangot for another opportunity to photograph the mountains (especially if weather conditions prevent us from photographing the mountain sunrise the previous day).

Later, we transfer to the serene Annapurna Royal Camp, perched on the hills overlooking Lake Begnas Thal. The serenity of the camp gives us an opportunity to decompress and to be present in soaking in the beauty of the natural environment. The camp is located in the midst of a local village, so you might like to also take the opportunity to meet and photograph local villagers. We enjoy a sundowner at the camp.

Day 10 – Return to Kathmandu, Swayambhunath at Dusk
We depart early in the morning to take a flight back to Kathmandu with time to rest before an atmospheric late-afternoon visit to Swayambhunath. Also called the Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath is one of Kathmandu’s most revered and visually striking Buddhist sites. Perched atop a hill, Swayambhunath provides a serene yet vibrant atmosphere where spirituality and daily life intertwine; monks chant and circumambulate, pilgrims spin prayer wheels, and mischievous monkeys roam freely. Photographers will find endless inspiration in the rich symbolism, dynamic rituals, and layered compositions created by the interplay of architecture, light, and devotion, making it a captivating place to capture the heart and soul of Kathmandu.

Day 11 – Ason Market Morning and Farewell
Wrap up your journey with an early visit to the bustling Ason market in the Thamel District of Kathmandu. Capture the organized chaos of commerce — spices, textiles, street vendors, and the choreography of daily life — in tight frames and wide-angle scenes alike. A final chance to gather environmental portraits and lasting visual impressions before departure.

We return to the Hotel for breakfast and to conclude our time together on the Lens on Nepal tour.

Tihar Festival Add-on

We are also offering a 2-day, 3-night add-on for this tour, which focuses on photographing the Tihar Festival in Kathmandu. Tihar, often called the Festival of Lights, is one of Nepal’s most visually rich and culturally layered celebrations; it honors animals, ancestors, and the bond between siblings through vibrant rituals and symbolic offerings. For photographers, Tihar offers rare access to moments of deep cultural meaning, set against a backdrop of vivid color, warm light, and genuine human connection — a celebration where the visual and spiritual come beautifully together.

If you’re interested in this add-on, please include this in the Comments section of the reservation form below, and we will get back to you with pricing and programme details.

Inclusions

• All accommodation (10 nights) during the course of the tour.
• All entrance fees as per the tour programme.
• Trekkers’s Information Management System Fees (TIMS).
• Domestic airfare Pokhara – Kathmandu with Buddha Air.
• Domestic transfers in a comfortable vehicle (Kathmandu- Bhaktapur, Bhaktapur- Bandipur, Bandipur- Dhampus, Dhampus- Pokhara)
• Airport transfer with an escort.
• Photography guidance during the course of the tour.
• Local guidance from our partner, Explore Himalayas.
• Bed and breakfast in Kathmandu.
• Bed and breakfast in Bakhtapur.
• Breakfast and Dinner in Bandipur.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Dhampus.
• Bed and Breakfast in Pokhara.
• Full board at Annapurna Royal Camp.

Exclusions

• Nepal eVisa (around USD$30).
• International flights to/from Kathmandu.
• Meals not covered in the Inclusions section above.
• Personal expenses.
• Tips and gratuities for local guide, driver, porters and incidental tips if you photograph people and they ask for a tip.
• Comprehensive Travel Insurance.  All participants are required to take comprehensive travel insurance for this tour. You will need to show proof of travel insurance as a condition of participating in this tour.
• Medical expenses.
• Photographic equipment. You will need to bring/supply your own cameras, lenses, tripods, batteries, filters, memory cards and so on.
• Insurance for your photographic equipment while on tour.
• Alcoholic drinks (not covered in the included meals above).
• Any transport and fees outside of the tour itinerary.

Tour Price

Note that this tour is priced in the US Dollar (USD) in order to provide a consistent reference point for international guests, and to give stable, predictable compensation for our Nepali partners and suppliers.

• USD$5890 with single occupancy
• A discount is available if you are attending this tour with a life partner who is also a participating photographer and will be sharing the room with you. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this.

Reserve Your Place

A deposit of USD$1500 will secure your place on this tour. Deposits are due on reservation, with the balance paid by 1 July 2026. Note that deposits are fully refunded if the tour is cancelled due to not attaining minimum numbers.

For details of the Terms and Conditions of our tours, including cancellation charges, please read our Photography Tours Terms and Conditions.

To join this tour or contact us with your questions, please use the form below or email seng [at] venturephotography.com.au or telephone+61 417 604 614.