Nepal
Photographic advernture
October 11 to Oct 21 2024
Bruce Byers, Professional Photographer
has worked extensively with great guides in Nepal, Gopi Chandra Bhusal to design this trip to ensure that you will be able to create once in a lifetime images. The streets, countryside, people, festivals, and much more will be alive with color and mystery. Bruce will lead you on an adventure of a lifetime. Come create. Photographers of all levels and those that enjoy capturing where they travel are encouraged to sign-up. Camera Odysseys offers you a safe sojourn to Nepal and will transform you into a visitor, not a typical tourist. Our Adventure puts you in the right light at the right time in the right place. It is in a word: Unforgettable.
The places we will go are off the beaten path at the right time of day. The history of Nepal will inspire you to create. The friendly locals and rich culture will embrace you with its kindness, music, and art. We’ll travel from the busy city to a private farm; all while being transported to the villages of the past. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just want a group of like-minded people to travel with, this trip caters to all.
NEPAL with Camera Odysseys
Travel to Nepal with Camera Odysseys for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Wherever you go in Nepal, there is always an opportunity to capture the moment framed by the monumental landscapes and mountains, and the people and culture.
Home to the majestic Himalayas and ancient kingdoms and traditions, Nepal offers more than the famous mountains and trekking trips! Experience centuries-old Hindu and Buddhist practices, colorful villages with ancient architecture and temples, and luscious jungles filled with wildlife. With 131 ethnic groups, Nepal is one of the most culturally diverse countries in Asia and every corner has its own unique story to tell. Come discover this magical land of ancient traditions and World Heritage sites.
We visit the major cities of Nepal to immerse you in the rich historical, cultural, and natural life of this remarkable country. Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is a UNESCO world heritage site with more temples than houses, people from diverse ethnic groups, and legends larger than the mountains overlooking this vibrant cultural center.
Our Special Tour discovers ancient city streets and architecture, history and culture, stunning mountain views, while staying at comfortable and themed hotels and lodges. We pay homage to living goddess, Kumari in Kathmandu, visit old Nepalese villages, visit verdant farmlands of Nepal’s mid hilly region. Photography in Nepal is popular and wherever you go, there is always opportunity to capture the monuments of landscapes, mountains, people, culture and many more.
Our hotels and lodges are charming, and our home stays are memorable as we introduce you to the warm and gracious Nepalese people. The rice harvesting season is the perfect opportunity to experience the local culture, people, and fabulous food.
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Oct 11 KATHMANDU ARRIVAL
Our representative will pick you from the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Full day rest and in the evening, we will organize welcome Nepali dinner to introduce you with Nepalese food and culture.
Overnight at Manaslu hotel in Kathmandu. (Meal: Welcome Dinner)
See what our clients are saying: Testimonials
Nepal Photographic Adventure
$9975
Payment by credit card add 4%. Transfers and Venmo are no charge.
Single room add $875
We start in Nepal Oct 11
Oct 11 Kathmandu Arrival (1,350 m/4,430 ft)
After arriving at Kathmandu International Airport, you will be met and welcomed by our representative. We will provide all the arrival assistance at the airport. Then, you will be driven to the hotel. In the evening, we will organize a Welcome Dinner at a traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine local Nepali meal.
Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Oct 12 Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square
Optional Tour – Everest Flight In the morning, there is the opportunity to take a flight to Everest. These flights offer a panoramic view of the Himalaya in just one hour. Mountain flight in Nepal is to be “Once in a lifetime experience”. We have options with Schedule Flight and Private Helicopter.
After breakfast at hotel, we start our day with visit to Pashupatinath Temple, a famous Hindu temple at the bank of holy Bagmati River where Hindu people cremate dead body for salvation. Afterwards, drive to Boudhanath Stupa which is among the largest Stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. In the late afternoon, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square also called Kasthamandap, from which the name of Kathmandu was originated, where you can see living goddess, Kumari. Walk around to the Freak Street, which used to be very famous in early 1960s to late 1970s for hippies. Here Nepalese Kings used to crowned and solemnized. Interesting things for visitors to see are Taleju temple, gigantic figure of Kalbhairav (the god of destruction), Basantapur Durbar, and Temple of Kumari (living goddess). This is the mostly affected Square in Kathmandu because of Great Earthquake of April, 2015. Now, this is in renovation process.
Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct 13 Drive to Cable Car, visit Manakamana Temple-3 Hours and hike to Gorkha (1,135 m/3,724 ft)- 3/4 Hours
After breakfast at hotel, we drive onto Prithivi Highway through the beautiful hilly road, congested yet beautiful. Once we left Kathmandu, we see the rural life and greenery along with the Mountain View. After lunch at Kurintar, we do ride Cable Car and visit Sacred Manakamana Temple, goddess of wish fulfilling. Many Hindu Devotees visit this temple and express their wish to the Goddess. After spending few times at the temple area, we hike to Gorkha Village passing by mid hilly forest and people. This area is the very less visited place and will give the authentic experience of Nepalese village life.
We will arrive at Gorkha Goan Resort which is situated at the top of the hill and gives the best panoramic views of the mountains.
Accommodation: Overnight at Gorkha Goan Resort in Gorkha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct: 14 rive to Bandipur (1,030 m/3,379 ft) - 2.5 Hours
After early breakfast, we drive to the main town of Gorkha and walk around the town. We visit Gorkha Museum and Gorkha Palace of King Prithivinarayan Shah. Maharajadhiraj Prithivi Narayan Shah was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of Kingdom of Nepal. Prithvi Narayan Shah started the unification of Nepal in mid 18th Century. Then we drive to Bandipur which is the hilltop settlement and has preserved tradition, culture and nature. We walk around the main town which has been preserved very well and gives the best experience of being in the ancient town.
Accommodation: Overnight at Bandipur Village Resort.
Meals Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct 15 Drive to Pokhara- 3 Hours and Pokhara Sightseeing
Before breakfast, we walk around the town to capture daily life of the people. After breakfast, we drive to Pokhara. Once we approach Pokhara, we see the magnificent mountains of Annapurna Range. Check-in at hotel and we proceed for sightseeing of Pokhara valley, Devis fall, Mahadev Cave, Tibetan Refugee Camp. Then in the evening, we enjoy boating at Fewa Lake and visit Barahi Temple at the middle of the lake.
Accommodation: Overnight at Atithi Resort and Spa in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct 16 Visit Pema Tsal Monastery, Villages and World Peace Stupa
Early morning, we drive to Pema Tsal Monastery in Hemja. We participate in daily Pooja (ceremony) with the head monk and other monks. After Pooja, we will have breakfast with the monks and chat with them. After the monastery, we visit the local villages in Hemja.
Then we will drive back to Pokhara for lunch. After lunch, rest at the hotel. Late afternoon, we drive to the World Peace Stupa which also gives the best view of mountains and Pokhara valley.
Accommodation: Overnight at Atithi Resort and Spa in Pokhara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct 17 Fly back to Kathmandu (30 minutes) and Drive to Balthali Village-1.5 Hours
After breakfast, we fly back to Kathmandu. From Kathmandu, we drive to Dhulikhel for sightseeing. In Dhulikhel, we visit Old town which has more than centuries old local house and meet local people. After lunch at Dhulikhel, we drive to Khopasi. From Khopasi, we can either hike to the resort or continue on Jeep.
Accommodation: Overnight at Balthali Village Resort in Balthali.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct 18 Visit Local Villages and Panauti Town
Early morning, we visit local villagers to see on their early morning daily life like feeding to the household animals, milking Cows/Buffalos. After village visit, we will come back to resort for breakfast and drive to Panauti town.
At the confluence of the Roshi and Punyamati rivers, and believed to be situated on one single rock, is a historical Newar town that is one of the oldest in the Kathmandu valley. Most of the temples, monuments, and satals (community shelters) are made of terra-cotta and beautifully carved wooden columns. The temples have gilded roofs and wide courtyards, and the remnants of the ancient durbar square are still present in the town centre. Located 32 km south east of the capital, this medieval town is an important cultural site in Nepal, perhaps the most important after Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. The town is chock-a-block with temples and other religious sites. Temples are predominant of course, with there being more than 40 temples dedicated to various deities spread around the small one-kilometer town. One of the largest temples is the three-storied temple of Indreshwar Mahadev which stands at the center of a courtyard paved with brick. Its architecture is an excellent example of Newari craftsmanship as are those of Krishna Temple, Unmata Bhairav Temple, and Ahilya Temple situated nearby in the same courtyard. Other interesting temples are the 17th century temple of Brahmayani and the Krishna Narayan Temple at the Triveni Ghat.
We will have local lunch with the family at Panauti village. After lunch, we drive back to Bhaktapur. In the evening, we walk around Bhaktapur Durbar Square to visit the monuments like Durbar Square, Royal Bath, Taleju Temple, Pottery Square, Nyathapola Temple, and in the late evening, we see the local people doing daily rituals at the temples of Bhaktapur.
Accommodation: Overnight at Shiva Guest House inside Durbar Square in Bhaktapur.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct 19. Drive to Patan Durbar Square and Bungmati Village
Early morning, we can walk around the Durbar Square area to see the daily life of local people of Bhaktapur. After breakfast, we visit Patan Durbar Square.
Patan, famed as the city of arts and crafts. The dramatic setting of Durbar Square with its palace, beautiful temples, and the houses with traditional architecture gives you the feel of traveling back into a medieval time. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets with metal, wood, thanka painting workshops, jewelry, and handicrafts outlets lined up on both sides. You can poke into the workshops and meet the artisans if you'd like. You can also visit the religious centers of Patan such as the Golden Temple, Kumbeshwar Temples, and Mahaboudha Temples to watch the rituals and rites there. The temples are testimony of the rich architectures of medieval times. Krishna Temple in this Square was built to honor an incarnation of Vishnu. One of the best examples of stone architecture in the world, scenes from Mahabharata and Ramanaya, Asia's greatest mythological war, are carved on the temple's walls.
We visit Living Goddess, Kumari in Patan Durbar Square.
After Patan we drive to Bungmati Village.
Bungmati, a laid back Newari village where you may feel that time has stood still here. Walk on the cobbled street through the village with dry vegetables hanging from the balconies, ducks and roosters wandering, children running around, women washing clothes in the public or drying the paddies, and elderly people chatting in the Paatis (public pavilion). It is an ancient village in Patan which is far away from the modernization of Kathmandu city and a living example of ancient Kathmandu. It is the hometown of deity Macchindranath who is regarded as patron of valley.
In the evening, we drive back to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Oct 20th:
Oct 21st Head home.
Departure from Kathmandu
We head home
Oct 30 Departure from Kathmandu
We head home
Nepal COST INCLUDES:
- Garland welcome arrival and departure in Kathmandu.
- All accommodation in great hotels
- All meals ie. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as mentioned in the itinerary.
- All transfers, sightseeing and drive by Deluxe Van.
- Pokhara/Kathmandu Airfare with transfers.
- Welcome dinner in Nepali restaurant in Kathmandu with cultural program and farewell dinner with all transfers.
- One way cable car ticket for Manakamana.
- Manakamana/Gorkha Hike and Boat Ride in Fewa Lake.
- Pema Tsal monastery visit, and World Peace Stupa visit in Pokhara.
- All sightseeing in the program as mentioned with all applicable entrance fees.
- English Speaking Tour Guide throughout the tour.
- Mineral water in vehicle throughout the tour.
- 24/7 Assistance in Nepal
Nepal COST EXCLUDES:
- International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
Drukair fares.
Entrance fees for museums and monuments.
- Nepal Visa fees, USD 50/-for 30 days visa on arrival. Bhutan Visa
- Cost for Mountain Flight in Kathmandu. $230 per person in Nepal
- Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry. In Nepal
- Travel Insurance for Nepal
- Cost may arise of natural calamities, road blockage, and situation beyond of our control.
- Other than in our include section. for Nepal and Bhutan
Accommodation in Nepal
Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu (www.hotelmanaslu.com)- 4 Nights
Gorkha Goan Resort in Gorkha (www.gorkhagaun.com)- 1 Night
Bandipur Village Resort- (web not available) - 1 Night
Atithi Resort and Spa in Pokhara- (www.atithiresort.com)- 2 Nights
Balthali Village Resort (www.balthali.com)- 1 Night
Shiva Guest House in Bhaktapur (www.shivaguesthouse.com)- 1 Night
