Nathan Horton Photography Tour Nepal 2016 Holi Special was favored in all possible ways. Nathan led the photography tour to three members, Julie and Didima from USA and Mark from Australia. The Photography Tour in Nepal this time got lucky at all places it incorporates.
Nathan Horton Photography Tour 2016 – From L-R, Nathan, Julie, Mark & Didima
The members and the tour leader, Nathan arrived to Kathmandu on March 20th. March 21st was an introductory day to the Photography Tour, where the tour leader had a brief session on Photography techniques useful for clients throughout the tour. However, the day also had a short exploration around Kathmandu Durbar Square and walk across Kathmandu’s oldest Bazaar, Asan where photographic opportunities to capture the authentic lifestyle of Kathmandu are major highlights.
Backstreets of Kathmandu Durbar Square
Lifestyle at Kathmandu Durbar Square
The vendor at Kathmandu’s oldest market Asan
Day 2 March 22nd was Holi. Before the Holi celebration began, the group visited the biggest Hindu Shrine of the country, Pashupatinath. Capturing the shots of crazy but holy sadhus was fun at the temple. Ongoing cremation process at the bank of Holy Bagmati, Aryaghat was interesting but emotional shots to capture for the group. After Pashupatinath tour, it was time to celebrate Holi. Holi has been the prime highlight of Spring Edition Nathan Horton Photography Tour in Nepal. Unlike last year, this year’s Holi incorporated Patan Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square, where thousands of people were delightfully celebrating the festival of colors and water. Obviously, this was another big photography opportunity.
An old woman at Pashupatinath who has been living there since she was 8
Jaya Shambo – Sadhus in Pashupatinath are free to smoke weed!!!
Energy during the festival of colors & water – Holi at Patan Durbar Square
Why should boys have all the fun – beautiful girls playing Holi at Kathmandu Durbar Square
On March 23rd the group went for early morning sunrise view from the Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath. Apart from sunrise view the Heritage site where Hinduism ideally blends with Buddhism catered extremely beautiful photographic shots of the devotees who thronged there early in the morning. Then the group went back to Patan Durbar Square and strolled around the backstreets of Patan Durbar Square, which obviously is a remarkable landmark for photography opportunities. After three days of stay in Patan, the group then drove to another ancient town Bhaktapur. Evening of March 23rd the group immersed themselves photographing the artistic monuments of Bhaktapur and the lifestyle around the City of Devotees.
Maroon robed Monks frequent sights at the Monkey Temple
Monkeys are more than humans at Swayambhunath- reason the site got its name “The Monkey Temple
On March 24 Nathan Horton Photography Tour in Nepal exited out of Valley and headed towards historically significant hilltop town of Nuwakot. On the way it was fun capturing the shots of people harvesting mustard and people walking across dangling suspension bridges over massive Trishuli River. The exploration to photograph the traditional lifestyle of Nuwakot and historic landmark Nuwakot Durbar Square was productive in the evening. The tour here onwards refreshes memories of the tour leader Nathan as he visits same places with different groups every six months. He loves capturing the images of the natives and bringing back the printed shots for them in his next visit. In short he loves to interact with the people and develop a relationship that makes people being photographed incredibly happy.
The suspension bridge over Trishuli at Tarukaghat on the way to Nuwakot
A portrait image of a woman at Nuwakot in red attire that symbolizes she is happily married
OMG!!! that is a rare shot, loving couple at Nuwakot
March 25, the goals set for the day were excitingly diverse but were also in the diverse locations; Chepang Village, Devghat and Darai Village in Chitwan. We had a problem. Because of the ongoing road construction between Mugling and Narayanghat section the roads were closed at Mugling at 11am. Chepang Village is before Mugling and Devghat was after Mugling. We set off early. Luckily the roads were clear and we were at Chepang Village on time able to explore and photograph for a short period. Crossing the road control section before 11 we arrived to Devghat sailed across massive Narayani River and reached Devghat. Capturing the photos of Aghori Babas, young Ved learners, old devotees and sanyasis at Devghat was fascinating. As usual after a bumpy ride along the remote corner of lowland plains, we reached the resort at Chitwan. To end the day we went to a traditional Darai Village nearby to photograph the culture of this ethnic tribe.
Kid from the Chepang Tribe; underprivileged but content
Woman observing annual ritual to pray deceased father “Sraddha” at Devghat
Young Ved learner at Devghat Ved School peeps hesitantly
Young and beautiful Darai girl in Chitwan
On March 26, we kicked off for the jeep drive through the middle of the jungle to the traditional Tharu Village Madi. Nathan Horton Photography Tour now begins to unfold the cultural diversity of Nepal. Capturing the photos of the people and their lifestyle living in lowland plains of Nepal, which is very close to India, was truly unique. Their houses made up off of Elephant grass and bamboos, their occupations for livelihood and the attire they wore are totally different. On the way back to the resort from Madi, we saw Tiger pug marks very close to the resort we were staying, which was the clear sign that we could sight the cat during the Jungle safari in the evening. Luckily, the group sighted tiger in the wilds during the safari. They also sighted rhinos, crocodiles and many other animal and bird species at Chitwan National Park.
Old Tharu woman busy with the households at Madi, did you see her tattoo?
Tharu lifestyle in Madi
On March 27 the group drove towards Bandipur. Three hours of drive was fascinating and as the group arrived to Bandipur, they were amazed to see the classic European looking town in the Hills of Nepal. Stone paved streets with medieval times artistic houses on both sides offered the aura of being at countryside small town in Europe to every member of the photography tour. In the evening, the photography tour in the close proximity village began. Again the cultural diversity spilled. Newari town had a unique flavor and it stood out in all ways, the photographers had experienced throughout the tour.
Kid behind the door at Bandipur
Schoolgirls walking in the street of Bandipur
Portrait of a old woman captured at Bandipur
Until now the Himalayas hid behind the clouds and March 28 we were setting off towards the town known for panoramic Himalayan vistas. After a short village tour in Bandipur, we began the journey towards Pokhara. We got lucky again. On the highway, we stopped to photograph the rice plantation, which still had traditional touch. In fact we were there to be the part of rice plantation ceremony. Except Mark, everyone dipped their feet into mud and water and enjoyed the tradition of rice planting occasion in Nepal. As we were very close Pokhara, heavy rainfall with hailstorm welcomed us. The group was pretty upset as they had plan to visit and photograph from the World Peace Pagoda, a hilltop overlooking Pokhara that caters exceedingly beautiful sunset view with the panorama of lake, hills, valleys and Himalayas within the frame. Luck again favored us. Sky began to open right on time and group with excitement visited the site where they enjoyed wonderful photography session.
Fields ready for rice plantation and workers ready to do the job – shot on the way to Pokhara
Traditional way of rice planting in Nepal; Bulls power dominate
View from World Peace Pagoda- Triangular National flutters
Nathan Horton Photography was now on the brink to end. March 29 the sky opened totally and the dazzling Himalayan vista dominated by Annapurna Range with fascinating Fishtail in between emerged as beautifully as they never were. Today, the group drove closer towards the Himalayas. After an hour long drive with frequent stops to capture varieties of shots of Himalayan peaks we arrived to Dhampus. Dhampus is a beautiful Gurung Village lying at the foothill of Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna where nature most wonderfully blends with authentic rural culture. On our arrival to Dhampus, we checked in to a beautifully located local lodge owned by wonderful Gurkha Soldier Saila Dai. Walk to Australian Camp for our lunch was pretty exciting before the village tour to capture the best of rural lifestyle in the mountainous hamlet. Wonderful village has abundant photographic character and we enjoyed immensely Photographing and meeting the people at Dhampus.
Local man captured with the beautiful backdrop of Fishtail – on the way to Dhanpus
Beautiful local girl Anju with colorful nails
Nathan’s favorite granny – Lundri Budi
March 30 the group was disappointed as the mountains hid behind the clouds and hence the scheduled to photograph the sunrise view was aborted. However, the village tour as we drove back to Dhampus was once again exceptionally wonderful. On the way back to Pokhara we stopped at Hyangjha to photograph traditionally attired Magar people. Rest of the day was a free day in Pokhara.
Eager to see the foreigners photographing everyone- locals of Dhampus
Beautiful local kid at Dhampus
Colorfully and traditionally dressed Magar women performing dances for us – it was wow moment
The last day of the tour kicked off with the short flight to Kathmandu. The group was escorted to their Hotel in Kathmandu. In the evening we drove to Boudhanath where we photograph the stupa which was under renovation. Despite the rainfall the Tibetan culture at Boudhanath spilled in every corner.
Popular photographic character at Boudhanath
Monk offers prayers in one of the monasteries at Boudhanath
Apart from photography Nathan Horton Photography Tours in Nepal also has many inspiring aspects. We will come up with all inspiring inside details of Nathan Horton Photography Tour 2016 on 8 April 2016 Friday. For more details on Nathan Horton Photography Tours see the link below
This trip was satisfying. The meeting and handling was excellent. I am very happy with guide Bharat. The itinerary was very good, not too exerting and I enjoyed it. Great arrangement! Looking forward to make many more trips to Nepal through Explore Himalaya
We work with the motto "Tourism for Development". Explore Himalaya Community Service Project was conceived to empower underprivileged segments of Nepal.