Nepal - Diwali Festival Photography Tour.

Take sensational portraits during Diwali - the Festival of Light.

The Tour.

Join us on on an unforgettable photography adventure through Nepal, a land brimming with awe-inspiring landscapes, ancient kingdoms, and vibrant cultures — the perfect backdrop for your next photography masterpiece. This journey is designed to help you capture the essence of Nepal’s diverse heritage, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant traditions.

Our photo tour begins during the unique Day of the Dog celebrations in Kathmandu, where we'll witness the charming tradition of adorning canine companions with flower garlands and tilaka marks. offering a unique cultural photo opportunity. In the Kathmandu Valley, we’ll explore three medieval kingdoms, starting with Bhaktapur, known for its well-preserved architecture. Here, you’ll photograph local potters, intricate wood carvings, and the grandeur of the 55-windowed Malla Palace.

At dawn, we’ll visit the sacred burning ghats of Pashupatinath, where the spiritual atmosphere offers incredible opportunities for intimate portraits. The Golden Temple in Patan and the 'Monkey Temple' of Swayambhunath further immerse you in Nepal’s rich religious heritage.

From here, we venture to Chitwan National Park's subtropical plains, where we'll spend time photographing the traditional lifestyle of the Madi tribal villages. Wildlife encounters with rhinos, crocodiles, and possibly tigers await during our safari, while a special morning shoot captures the majestic sight of elephants bathing.

Our journey continues to the ancient Newari trading town of Bandipur, perched high in the hills, where we'll photograph traditional life in narrow cobbled streets against a backdrop of snow-capped Himalayan peaks. We'll even try our hand at food photography during a traditional momo-making demonstration.

In lakeside Pokhara, we’ll capture stunning dawn reflections of the sacred Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) Mountain on Phewa Lake’s still waters. A visit to the Gurung village of Dhampus offers more intimate portrait opportunities with the majestic Annapurna range as a backdrop.

Throughout this journey, we’ll guide you in capturing authentic, up-close moments with local people, with the help of our local guides, ensuring a deeper understanding of their culture. We also understand your needs as a photographer, and we ensure safe, convenient space for your camera gear throughout the trip, including on internal flights and four-wheel drive transportation.

Timed to coincide with the vibrant Diwali festival in October, this tour adds an extra layer of color and energy to your photography experience. We also offer optional add-ons like paragliding, parasailing, helicopter rides, and even an Everest flight for those seeking an adventure beyond the lens.

Join us on this unique and unforgettable photographic adventure through Nepal, where the stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality of the Nepalese people will leave an indelible impression on your heart and your photographic portfolio. You’ll not only capture breathtaking images but also forge deeper connections with the Nepali people and culture. This is more than just a photo tour — it's an opportunity to enrich your photographic portfolio while immersing yourself in the soul of Nepal.

Photo Highlights.

  • A portrait of Sadhu – A Holy Man at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal

    Portraits

    Yogis and holy men in their resident quarters

  • Women dancers celebrating festival on the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal

    Festivals

    Diwali - Festival of light

  • Bhaktapur main square statues, Nepal

    UNESCO sites

    6 sites in Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu

  • A couple preparing for festival religious celebrations in front of one of the Bhaktapur, Nepal temples

    Ancient villages

    Overnight in the ancient Newari village of Bhaktapur

  • Local butcher on the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal

    Back street walks

    Real local life

  • Rhinoceros at the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

    Wildlife

    Tigers, elephants, rhinos and crocs

  • Elephant at the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

    Elephants

    Private bathing shoot

  • Morning panorama of Himalayas from the Bandipur ancient town, Nepal

    Bandipur

    Ancient ridge town

  • Lady preparing a meal at the Dhampus trekking village, Nepal

    Dhampus

    Overnight in the trekking village

  • Fishtail mountain peak in the clouds, Himalayas, Nepal

    Mountains

    Magnificent views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu

  • Boudhanath - one of the largest ancient stupas in the world

    Boudhanath Stupa

    One of the largest ancient stupas in the world

  • Helicopter at the Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

    Optional extras

    Paragliding, ultralight flights, helicopter rides, Everest fly overs (own expense)

Check out our photo book below:

Here’s a photo book we made from the tour in 2023. We’ll provide you with templates (including suggested text) and help you to upload your own images, so that you can make your own on the tour and print it when you get home.

Tour Details.

Est 2013

Duration: 13 days, 12 nights, 11 days of shooting.

Dates and Prices

2025

October 19 - 31(to coincide with Diwali)

US$6250

2026

November 7 - 19 (to coincide with Diwali)

US$6450

Past participants will get a special discount.

Our fee includes hotels, breakfast, bottled water throughout the tour, as well as all transport including airport transfers. This tour also includes one internal flight. We base our fee on accommodation in a single room, (always A/C with private bathroom) though we offer discounts for couples sharing rooms, as well as for non-photographers. If you need help with insurance for this tour, please let us know and we can put you in touch with a broker that should be able to help you.

Our Itinerary.

  • Traditionally dressed woman, Bhaktapur Ancient town, Nepal

    Day 1

    Arrive any time: Enjoy free transfer to your hotel

    Sunset: Meet Maciej and the group

    Sleep: Kathmandu boutique hotel

  • Traditionally dressed man at one of the squares in Bhaktapur ancient town, Nepal

    Day 2

    Sunrise: Rest

    AM: Thamel backstreets in search of “Day of Dog” celebrations

    PM: Kathmandu pedestrian market streets and Durbar square

    Sunset: Dinner

    Sleep: Kathmandu boutique hotel

  • Sadhus – Holy Men at the sunset at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Day 3

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Pashupatinath walking tour

    PM: Bhaktapur main attractions walking tour

    Sunset: Nyatapola temple

    Sleep: Bhaktapur heritage hotel

  • Patan Durbar Square temples at night, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Day 4

    Sunrise: Lokeshwar Temple, Chobhar Hill

    AM: Kirtipur walking tour

    PM: Patan main attractions walking tour

    Sunset: Golden temple ceremony

    Sleep: Patan heritage hotel

  • Tribal village dance at Chitwan, Nepal

    Day 5

    Sunrise: Swayambhunath monkey temple

    AM: Chitwan National Park flight

    PM: Tribal village walk

    Sunset: Tribal village dance

    Sleep: Chitwan (safari lodge - full board)

  • Ox cart at tribal village in Chitwan, Nepal

    Day 6

    Sunrise: Safari lodge viewpoint

    AM: Tribal village Jeep safari

    PM: Wildlife park Jeep safari

    Sunset: Safari lodge viewpoint

    Sleep: Chitwan (safari lodge - full board)

  • Elephant crossing the river at Chitwan National Park, Nepal

    Day 7

    Sunrise: Elephant crossing boat trip

    AM: Prithvi Highway to Bandipur drive

    PM: Bandipur village walk

    Sunset: Mountain ridge

    Sleep: Bandipur heritage hotel

  • Traditionally dressed woman in a minority tribal village near Bandipur, Nepal

    Day 8

    Sunrise: Panoramic snowcapped mountains

    AM: Free time

    PM: Minority village Jeep drive

    Sunset: Panoramic snowcapped mountains

    Sleep: Bandipur heritage hotel

  • Shiva Statue Pumdikot, Nepal

    Day 9

    Sunrise: Panoramic snowcapped mountains

    AM: Pokhara drive

    PM: Shiva Statue Pumdikot

    Sunset: Annapurna range: Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Lamjung Himal from Peace Pagoda

    Sleep: Pokhara boutique hotel

  • A girl celebrating festival on the traditional swing in Dhampus trekking village Nepal

    Day 10

    Sunrise: Machhapucchre's (fishtail) reflection boat trip

    AM: Dhampus Jeep drive

    PM: Dhampus village walk

    Sunset: Machhapucchre's (fishtail) spire

    Sleep: Dhampus trekking lodge

  • Himalayas reflection panorama at Pokhara, Nepal

    Day 11

    Sunrise: Annapurna and fishtail mountain

    AM: Pokhara Jeep drive

    PM: Massage or paraglider flight options (at own expense)

    Sunset: Phewa Lake walk inc Aarti

    Sleep: Pokhara boutique hotel

  • Woman praying at Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal

    Day 12

    Sunrise: Annapurna Base Camp helicopter ride option (at own expense)

    AM: Kathmandu flight

    PM: Tibetan community

    Sunset: Boudhanath stupa

    Sleep: Kathmandu boutique hotel

  • A small plane flying in Himalayas, Nepal

    Day 13

    Sunrise: Everest flight option (at own expense)

    Depart anytime: Enjoying airport transfer from hotel

    We know you will have had a fabulous time

    Bon voyage!

Make the dream a reality.

Tuition.

On any of our tours, stunning photography is the name of the game, and our objective is for you to leave with a collection of images that you'll be proud to show off. Indeed, many of our past participants have gone on to win awards and competitions with photographs taken on our tours.

Maciej’s teaching approach, like Nathan’s, is very hands-on, as he believes in learning by doing. He will guide you through technical challenges, provide artistic inspiration, and lead by example in approaching locals for great portraits. You'll be amazed at the striking and authentic images you'll be able to capture.

We also offer Lightroom workshops during our tours, where we cover workflow management and picture processing. We'll show you the tools to take your travel photography to the next level and provide tips on saving your pictures for various outputs like social media, e-books, and printing.

Where We Stay.

  • Typical luxury hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Luxury hotels

    Accommodation is a vital element of any tour. We have gone to great lengths to secure either luxury, boutique or heritage hotels in all our locations to enhance your overall sense of being in Nepal.

  • Typical boutique hotel in Pokhara, Nepal.

    Boutique rooms

    We do not charge a single-person supplement, but we offer a discount if you choose to share a room if you are travelling with a partner or friend. Non-photographer partners are welcome on this tour.

  • Boutique heritage hotel in Patan, Kathmandu, Nepal.

    Heritage

    This tour includes two nights in a Safari lodge strategically placed on a river corner, perfect for sunrise and sunset. In Dhampus we stay in a more basic trekking lodge but the views are worth it, and you will still have an ensuite bathroom.

TripAdvisor.

Naina P - September 2024

A photography tour & much more!

Nepal in 2024 was my third tour with NHP. My eyes are full of stories and my heart is pumped with beautiful memories. I live and work in South Asia and yet never thought twice before attending any of these tours (considering they’re not too far from home). Each time you learn new skills, culturally become more aware and come back fulfilled.

Special shout out to Maciej - the lead photographer on this tour. He was an absolute delight to learn from. Easy going, effortless and a thorough professional.!!!

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