Kathmandu Photography Tour

Kathmandu Valley is well regarded as a living museum of culture, festivals, and unique art and architecture. It’s certainly a paradise for photographers and heritage lovers.

Now imagine celebrating Nepal’s New Year’s Day in these streets filled with music and vibrant celebrations. Well, that’s exactly why our team at Altitude Himalaya designed this package for an elevated experience.

You won’t just be visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites but get to experience them during one of the most energetic times of the year. On top of that, you get to celebrate Bisket Jatra and Sindoor Jatra in Bhaktapur too!

We have curated the itinerary in a way that combines culture, festivals, and the everyday life of the valley. So, PHOTOGRAPHERS, be ready not just to capture moments but to become storytellers of Kathmandu!

And booking this trip with Altitude Himalaya means our professional guides will walk with you side by side to help navigate crowded festival areas and even suggest the best vantage points for photography. We’ll also explain the cultural significance behind every ritual you capture so you don’t feel clueless about what’s happening.

Your 10-day Kathmandu Photography Tour begins with your arrival in Kathmandu. Depending on the dates of Bisket Jatra, you’ll visit the historic Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu Narayan Temple.

Once you enjoy the celebrations of Bisket Jatra and become a part of the tug of war, our team moves to explore Patan Durbar Square the following day. Next up are the sacred sites of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath for proper photography of Kathmandu’s culture and spirituality.

Then, the 10-day Kathmandu Photography Tour continues towards the historic heart of Kathmandu Durbar Square, before settling in the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath. Upon enjoying the panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley, the next festival of Sindoor Jatra in Madhyapur Thimi awaits your presence.

We’re sure you’d love to march through the streets with locals carrying palanquins while throwing vermilion powder into the air and at the people too. The photographic atmosphere is at its peak during this day compared to the earlier days of the tour.

If time allows, you can even pay a visit to Bode on the same day to watch the tongue-piercing festival, which has its own cultural importance among locals. You’ll learn more about that below.

You see, the multiple heritage sites, festival experiences, as well as local culture that we have packed into ten days are perfect for those who wish to experience the culture of Nepal. It’s guaranteed to make your memory cards full.

Not to forget that Altitude Himalaya is ready to customize this package based on your needs. But before that, continue reading as we try to compel you to book our package and join us on this amazing cultural tour in the capital city of this South Asian Himalayan country.

UNESCO Heritage Sites We’ll Cover

The major highlight of our Kathmandu Photography Tour has to be all seven UNESCO World Heritage sites that we cover. Here they are in order of this trip:

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the three royal palace complexes within the Kathmandu Valley. Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site means you’re travelling through one of the best-preserved medieval Newar cities.

The traditional art and architecture from the Malla period (between 12th and 18th centuries) become evident as you go on this walking tour within our Kathmandu Photography Tour. Those intricate woodcarvings and temple craftsmanship are the major highlights of your visit to Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

Actually, there are four main squares here: Pottery Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatraya Square, and the main Durbar Square. And yes, we’ll walk you through each of them and let you capture the local vibes of every hidden destination here.

Particularly speaking, you’ll get to explore the 55-Window Palace (Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar), Golden Gate (aka Lu Dhowka), the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Vatsala Temple, the grand Nyatapola Temple, Dattatraya Temple, and plenty more.

For your Bhaktapur Photography Tour, here are some essential tips:

• Try different wide-angle shots at Nyatapola Temple.
• When capturing the 55-Window Palace and other wood carvings, use symmetry photography to highlight the repetitive patterns.
• Don’t miss out on the detailing and stone guardians of the Golden Gate.
• Since we’ll be spending two full days in Bhaktapur, it’s best if you go out on the streets early in the morning to capture the quiet alleys here.
• Get on top of temple platforms such as Nyatapol Temple to capture elevated views of daily life here.
• For foodographers, be sure to take snaps of Juju Dhau and Newari cuisine.

Changunarayan Temple

During your full-day Bhaktapur Durbar Square trip, we have also organized a short tour to Changunarayan Temple, located on a hilltop in the same district. 

Considered the oldest Hindu temple within Kathmandu Valley, this temple complex features Licchavi-era stone inscriptions, dating as far back as the 4th century. 

While the main two-tiered pagoda temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu (one of the three main Hindu gods), the complex also features ancient stone sculptures of Narasimha and Garuda. All of these are some fine examples of the ancient Nepalese stone art.

When you’re in Changunarayan Temple, here are some of the best photography tips for you:

• Go for macro (close-up) shots when capturing detailed shots of those stone inscriptions.
• Taking snaps of stone statues during natural evening lighting would also be great.
• Wide-angle shots of the main pagoda temple, and don’t forget the stone animals guarding the four entrance gates.
• Even rural village life and the atmosphere surrounding the temple are photogenic here.

Patan Durbar Square

Located in the Lalitpur district, Patan Durbar Square is the second royal palace complex we’ll take you to in this 10-day Kathmandu Photography Tour. This UNESCO heritage-listed site is a historically rich center to observe fine arts and metal craftsmanship. 

It’s the smallest of the three durbar squares, but regardless of its size, it’s home to an exceptional number of temples and courtyards (locally called bahals). The highlight has to be the Patan Museum, which once served as a royal palace for the Malla kings.

The must-see sites we’ll take you to on this Patan Photography tour include: Krishna Temple (shikhara-style carved entirely on dark stone), Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple), Kumbeshwar Temple, Mahaboudha Temple, Uku Bahal, Rato Machhindranath Temple, and more!

Here are the best photography tips when you’re in Patan Durbar Square:

• Symmetrical front views of the most prominent temples (particularly of the Krishna Temple).
• Metalwork and prayer rituals (if you arrive on time as per the planned itinerary) in the Golden Temple.
• Palace courtyards, as well as the Newari alleys, when you’re walking in Mul Chowk and Sundari Chowk.
• Reflections at Pimbahal Pokhari (if possible, you can even rent a boat here).
• You can even extend your walking tour to visit the Ashoka stupas in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ibahi, and Teta for some zen photography.

Customization Tip: Since our tour features a complete one-day walking tour in Patan, you could even opt for a visit to Central Zoo, located somewhere in the west of the durbar square. It’s honestly best for wildlife photography!

Pashupatinath Temple

Situated along the sacred Bagmati River, Pashupatinath Temple is perhaps one of the most sacred Hindu temples not just in Nepal, but in the entire world. 

Considering its immense religious significance across South Asia, it’s been listed as one of the World Heritage sites within Kathmandu Valley. The iconic pagoda-style temple visited by millions annually dates back to the 5th century, while its present form was believed to be established in 1692 CE. 

This temple complex is not just home to shrines, ashrams, and lingams, but also cremation ghats along the Bagmati riverbank! So, for photography lovers, this temple’s spiritual atmosphere, daily rituals, and open-air cremations become perfect for capturing the living Hindu traditions.

Besides, you’ll also get to visit Mirgasthali Deer Park and the Shaktipeeth Guheswhwari Temple on this short walking tour. So, on the way, you’ll not just encounter the sacred monkeys but also different species of deer (spotted, barking, and krishnashar).

Now, let us guide you with some photography tips on your visit to the Pashupati-Guheshwari area:

• Since we’ll take you to an elevated viewpoint, it’s going to be great for you to take scenic shots of the Bagmati River, the main temple right in front of you, and cremations being done.
• Even though this tour isn’t within the timeframe of Maha Shivaratri, you’ll still find sadhus around. Taking their portraits respectfully and with permission is yet another photography highlight of this sacred location.
• When walking around, you get to take shots of the temple courtyards as well as Shiva devotees visiting the temple with pooja rituals.
• Don’t miss out on Pandra Shivalaya (15 Shiva Abodes), where each Shikhara-style shrine houses one Shiva Linga each. Maintaining symmetry is important as you’d want to ensure all Shiva lingas come in a single frame.
• And be sure to capture the playful fights between dogs and monkeys, along with deer in Mirgasthali.

Note: While Sandhya Arati will be missed, you have the option to customize the itinerary to visit Boudha first and then head to Pashupatinath via Guhyeshwori. Just let us know prior if you like the day to be organized that way.

Boudhanath Stupa

Located just 2.5 km from the Pashupatinath-Guheshwari area, this Kathmandu Photography Tour takes you to Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. 

More than that, you’ll visit here for a glimpse of Tibetan Buddhism without having to visit Tibet. It’s surprising how this small place within Kathmandu lets you learn so much about the trans-Himalayan lifestyle and relationship between Nepal and Tibet.

Its structure is exactly what you imagine when someone refers to a ‘stupa’: the massive white dome on top of the mandala with a harmika featuring Buddha’s all-seeing eyes and a nose symbol too.

Decorated with prayer flags, this stupa also features Trayodashabhuvana (thirteen gold-plated rings) on top of the harmika, followed by a lotus structure, umbrella, and pinnacle. Every one of the structures has a different meaning that reflects the Buddhist cosmos and the path to enlightenment.

But this stupa is not the only thing best for photography; it’s surrounded by multiple other monasteries and prayer wheels. You can take both close shots or head to the rooftop cafes (for lunch) and take your time to take snaps of the elevated views.

Here are the best things to photograph around the Boudhanath area:

• Panoramic view of the entire stupa (best from the rooftop cafes). When doing so, zoom in to take a close-up symmetry of Buddha's eyes too.
• As we stay till late afternoon, you’ll likely meet monks performing kora (circumambulation). You can walk around with them while taking shots with permission.
• Golden hour at Boudhanath Stupa is equally beautiful.
• If lucky, you’ll even get to take photos and videos of pigeons flying across the dome (a scene worth not missing!).
• At dusk, be sure to shoot the flickering and warm-orange butter lamps with Boudhanath as the backdrop.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

The third and final durbar square we’ll take you on this 10-day photography tour is Kathmandu Durbar Square. Just like the other two, this served as the royal palace of the Malla kings before Prithvi Narayan Shah captured it in 1768, and so, even the Shah kings lived here.

This is the best place in Kathmandu to learn about the centuries of political and architectural evolution. 

But the major highlight? It’s the photogenic spots of the Basantapur complex, which comprises Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar (where the living goddess, Kumari, resides), Kasthamandap Temple (from where the name ‘Kathmandu’ is derived), Kal Bhairav shrine, and more courtyards plus temples!

Restoration of the temples and museums after the 2015 earthquake devastation is almost complete now. So, this means you get to visit maximum places within the Basantapur Durbar Kshetra, as you take the walking tour in Kathmandu’s backstreets.

Every corner from Tahiti to Kohiti offers deep cultural immersion into the heart of Kathmandu. You’ll walk past 50+ temples, countless locals smiling at you, and hidden photogenic spots that many travellers miss out on.

Let’s now look into the main photography highlights when you’re roaming on the streets of Kathmandu Durbar Square:

• While you aren’t allowed to take pictures/videos of Kumari, you can still capture the courtyard and woodcarvings.
• The 12-foot-tall Kal Bhairav is perfect for vertical shots (it's also possible to capture rituals if you find devotees here)
• The intrinsic Newar architecture of the Basantapur palace, as well as the neo-classical architecture of Gaddi Baithak.
• Go for street photography (similar to Patan and Bhaktapur alleys) in the crowded Asan and Indra Chowk areas.
• Freak Street and the cafes are also major highlights that offer nostalgic vibes when this place was once a spot for the hippies in the 60s and 70s. But keep in mind that you won’t get to try or buy cannabis these days (it’s illegal in Nepal).

Swayambhunath Stupa

Many abbreviate Swayambhunath Stupa as the “Monkey Temple,” all thanks to the sacred monkeys living here, who are believed to have evolved from lice in Manjushree’s head. 

This is one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal, located on one of the hilltops of Kathmandu district. The complex isn’t just a sacred site for Buddhists, but even Hindus consider it holy!

In fact, this is one of the many sites in Nepal where you’ll find both Buddhist-influenced stupas and Hindu temples. But among all, the highlight is definitely the main white stupa with a gilded spire (similar to the one you saw at Boudhanath Stupa).

On this 10-day Kathmandu Photography Tour, we’ve organized a short trip to Swayambhunath in the afternoon. And during this journey, you get to photograph Buddhist pilgrims coming to do kora around the main stupa and Hindus worshipping at Harati Ajima Temple.

Swaymabhunath is also directly related to the formation of Kathmandu Valley. It’s believed that Manjushree came to worship the celestial light coming from the miraculous lotus that Vipaswi Buddha had planted in the lake years back (when Kathmandu was a complete water body).

To ensure everyone can worship here, Manjushree cut a gorge at Chobhar that drained Kathmandu’s waters. And on that same lotus spot is where Swayambhunath self-emerged, thus the name 'Swayambhu' (meaning 'self-existent'). 

Upon visiting the hilltop of Swaymabhu, you even get a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. Also, you get to witness the wonderful view of the Langtang mountains and Ganesh Himal range on clear days.

So, when you’re in Swaymabhunath Stupa, be sure to photograph the following:

• Get to the dedicated terraces for a panoramic view of the valley and mountains (views of the Himalayas are only possible during clear days, though).
• Prayer wheels and devotees in motion (just like you did in Boudhanath a day before).
• Those playful monkeys (just be careful with your stuff, and don’t tease them!).
• As many stupa shots as possible (both vertical and horizontal) from different perspectives. Some of our favourites are from Amog Siddhi and the staircase areas.
• Since we’re doing this trip in the late afternoon, you even have the option to stay here until sunset for some golden hour shots.

Customization Tip: You can even visit the National Museum, Military Museum, and Numismatic Museum, which are all located in Chhauni, right at the bottom of the Swayambhu hills.

Culture and Festivals You’ll Enjoy

Besides just visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this 10-day photography-focused trip gives you a proper glimpse of Bisket Jatra. Particularly speaking, we have arranged a cultural photography experience on the first and sixth days of this Bhaktapur festival.

Our departure date for this Kathmandu Photography Tour is on April 8 (can be earlier upon request), as Bisket Jatra falls on Chaitra 27 (April 9 or 10, depending on the leap year). And within this timeframe is the Bikram Sambat calendar’s New Year, which is celebrated across Nepal.

Not just that. We shall also show you around the best shopping areas in Kathmandu and have also included a Nepali-style dinner with cultural dance on this 10-day package.

First Day of Bisket Jatra: Tug of War

Of course, the major highlight of this 10-day Kathmandu Photography Tour is Bisket Jatra (aka Biska Jatra or Vishwodhoj Jatra). But it doesn’t mean you’ll get to experience the complete 9-day festival (although it is possible upon request), as we also focus on photography at the other UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Just to give you context. Bisket Jatra is celebrated as the serpent festival in Bhaktapur (previously called Bhadgaon). Basically, in the Newari dialect, ‘bi’ means serpent and ‘sya’ means ‘slaughtered’. So, ‘Biska’ simply refers to ‘snake being slaughtered’.

Mythological Stories Associated With Bisket Jatra

There’s a really interesting mythological story connected to why it’s called the serpent festival.

An ancient king of Bhaktapur had a daughter who, every time she got married, her husband died mysteriously. One day, she got married to a young brave man who was determined to uncover the truth.

During their wedding night, the man stayed awake and saw two poisonous serpents come out of the princess’s nose while she was asleep. Without fear, he killed the snakes and broke the curse.

To celebrate this, the king of Bhadgaun displayed a tall pole at Yosinkhel. And ever since that day, this festival of the serpent (aka Biska Jatra) has been observed.

Also, there’s another story of a tantric named Shekhar Acharya who first transformed into a tiger to help the people in Bhaktapur fight the Kirants. 

Then, upon the request of his wife, he turned into a python by eating magical grains of rice. When his wife herself became afraid, she consumed the same rice to turn herself into a python.

Now that they couldn’t transform back into their human forms, they committed suicide near a riverbank. And in their memory, King Shivadev of Bhaktapur raised a flag pole, which is how many believe the Bisket Jatra started being celebrated.

If we dig deeper, you’ll find more local mythological stories connected to this Newari festival. And for that, you have to come join Altitude Himalaya for this Kathmandu Photography Tour.

Chariots and Tug of War

You’ll be guided by a professional tour guide and some of our own team members. We’ll immerse ourselves together on the first day of Bisket Jatra, which happens to be the Tug of War.

As the festival’s major deities are Lord Bhairab and Goddess Bhadrakali, their chariots (known as Bhaila Kha and Nakinchu Kha) are worshipped by locals from early morning. This is done to receive divine blessings for the coming New Year, fertility, and protection.

The three-storey chariot is taken to Taumadhi Square, and a tug of war is held between the parties of Thane (Upper) and Kwone (Lower), who shout 'Hose Haise' as they pull the chariots. The goal of this contest is to pull the chariot towards their respective area.

While thousands participate, you and our team shall find the best spot so you can photograph the chaotic moments with your lenses. Although we miss the next four days, let’s see what happens during those days:

• Day 2 and 3: Not very special. Only prayers to Bhairav and Bhadrakali.
• Day 4: A large, 25-meter-high wooden pole called Lyo Sin Dyo is raised on the occasion of New Year’s Eve.
• Day 5: Re-raising of the pole and celebration of Nepali New Year.

But we’ll be back in Bhaktapur’s Thimi area for the sixth day of Bisket Jatra.

Sindoor Jatra in Thimi

Don’t get confused. Sindoor Jatra (aka Dyo Jatra) is simply a part of the main 9-day Bisket Jatra festival celebrated on the sixth day.

This one gives you a similar vibe to the Holi festival of the Hindus. Locals in Madhyapur Thimi throw orange vermilion powder (sindoor) at each other along with a parade procession of around 32 khats (palanquins) taken to Layeku.

In fact, locals throw sindoor and flowers from the windows and roofs of their houses too. The festival is all about songs, dances, and celebrations to welcome spring!

Tongue-piercing Festival of Bode

The sixth day of Bisket Jatra isn’t just limited to Thimi. Another place in Bhaktapur, called Bode, celebrates a unique tongue-piercing festival (Jibro Chedne Jatra or Yenya Punhi Mye Pwa Khnegu Jatra). And if time allows, we’ll make sure to pay a visit there too.

Mythological Stories Associated

There are two main mythological stories associated with the locals of Dharmapur and Bode.

The first one tells that spirits, ghosts, demons, and khyaks (supernatural beings) once roamed around Nil Barahi Temple. When locals failed to please the goddess, these spirits created chaos.

To get rid of these spirits, the locals migrated to Bode, but that didn’t help. So, they took help from a tantric called Bhimdutta Karmacharya, who was able to capture a khyak disguised as a human.

The villagers, after discovering this, beat the khyak and pierced his tongue with an iron spike. While he promised not to trouble the people in Bode again, goddess Nil Barahi’s anger grew!

She even appeared in the tantric’s dream, asking him to apologize for the mistreatment of her follower. Moreover, she told him that from then on, humans can perform the same act of piercing their tongue as a form of devotion. And ever since then, locals of Bode have been celebrating it as their main festival!

Another mythology is associated with God Bhairab. Because of the fear of spirits and khyaks, people from Dharampur wanted to migrate to Bode. But since it was an uninhabited place, nobody dared to do so.

On the last night of Chaitra, locals saw a large figure with a torch in its hand (that appeared similar to Bhairav) heading towards Mahalaxmi Temple. When the same thing repeated for multiple nights, they believed it was God Bhairav protecting them from evil and leading the way to Bode.

To commemorate this, one of the locals participated in sticking his tongue out. But it was impossible to do so for a long period of time. So, they instead found an alternative. That was to pierce his tongue with a needle, symbolizing the act of diminishing the fear of spirits.

How It’s Celebrated in Bode

To celebrate this tongue-piercing festival, the locals of Bode head to Mahalaxmi Temple. They first raise a ceremonial pole (lingo) before piercing the tongue of a volunteer from the Shrestha clan with a one-foot-long iron needle soaked in mustard oil.

Once that’s done, a small lamp is hung, and a procession is carried out. Later, to treat the wound from the piercing, soil from Mahalaxmi Temple is placed on the volunteer’s tongue.

Without a doubt, taking shots of the piercing is one of the most unique things to do in Nepal. But this depends on how long we spend at Sindoor Jatra. The good news is that we let you choose which one you’d want to immerse yourself more in.

Note: Another tongue-piercing festival is celebrated in Thimi right after Indra Jatra festival, where there is more than just one participant, unlike in Bode.

Countdown to Nepali New Year

We’ve been mentioning ‘Nepali New Year’ throughout this package and we know you’re curious to learn more. Unlike Bisket Jatra (which is only celebrated in Bhaktapur), this festival of Nepal is celebrated by people from all over the country.

There are various street programs and concerts organized in different parts of the city. These are perfect opportunities for photography lovers. And since this day is dedicated to optional activities within our 10-day itinerary, you can even request to join one with us.

Note that Nepal follows the Bikram Sambat (BS) calendar, which is roughly 56.7 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar. This is a culturally rich celebration that marks the beginning of spring and agricultural cycles.

Besides parties and concerts, it is a public holiday for all. This gives Nepalese the opportunity to visit temples, gather with friends for picnics, or travel around trending destinations.

Worth checking out: Nepal Festival Calendar

Souvenir Shopping in Kathmandu

The ninth day of this 10-day Kathmandu Photography Tour is dedicated to leisure and cultural shopping. You’ll surely want to take some souvenirs home after visiting this culturally rich capital city.

For shopping, we’ll help you explore Thamel, Ason-Indra Chowk, Baber Mahal Revisited, or even areas of Patan and Bhaktapur. You could buy some items during your sightseeing too. But if you’d like a separate day like we have mentioned in the itinerary, that would be even better!

This allows you not just to gather different items but also to photograph them as you go. Exactly the reason we have curated this package.

You may purchase beaded necklaces, beaded bracelets, metal jewelry, handmade anklets, earrings, dhaka topi, pashmina shawls, thangka paintings, woodworks, singing bowls, khukuri, masks, pickles, and more when shopping in Nepal.

And shhh…! We may have some secret gifts too.

Farewell Nepali Dinner with Cultural Dance

Of course, spending just a few days learning Nepali culture would not be enough. In fact, this package is just more curated towards one of many Newari festivals and their lifestyle, as they are the major community living in Kathmandu for centuries.

While we take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites that give you glimpses of Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism too, it still feels like there’s more to learn about Nepal. 

So, to end this trip with a perfect blend of food and music, we take you to one of the top-notch restaurants that hosts a cultural dinner specialized for tourists.

Together, we’ll enjoy a typical Nepali-style dinner. And it also comes with a showcase of different ethnic groups, their folk songs and dances, and traditional dresses. It truly fills your heart. We promise!

Optional Add-Ons

Well, this 10-day Kathmandu Photography Tour features two additional days. One is for optional exploration and another for leisure. So besides Central Zoo and the National Museum we mentioned ealier, you can choose to visit some more touristic destinations in Kathmandu Valley.

Here are some of our other best suggestions. You can pick one or two, and we’ll see how they can fit into the current itinerary.

• Kirtipur: A Newari town (separate municipality) within the Kathmandu district, famous for its rich culture and unique architecture. The best photogenic spots here include Bagh Bhairab Temple, Uma Maheshwar Temple, Chilancho Stupa, and more.
• Narayanhiti Palace Museum: The former palace of the Shah kings, which has now been transformed into a museum. You get to learn so  much about Nepal’s history upon visiting here, with glimpses of the shooting spots from the royal massacre.
• Garden of Dreams: Very close to Thamel. This is the perfect spot for a quick refreshment break during your long trip. Within minutes, you’ll be away from the bustling life of Kathmandu while capturing Edwardian-era architecture and manicured gardens.
• Kopan Monastery: A great place for meditation as well as observing the lives of the monastic community. While photographing monks and nuns is restricted here, you can still capture vibrant prayer flags and Tibetan architecture.
• Nagarkot: One of the most famous hilltops of Nepal, located in the Bhaktapur district, perfect for weekend getaways. A good idea is to visit here after your Bhaktapur Durbar Square visit for panoramic mountain shots of Langtang, Jugal, and Ganesh ranges (preferably during sunrise or sunset).
• Chandragiri Hills: Located in the Kathmandu district and home to Bhaleshwar Mahadev Temple. You’ll reach here after a short 10-minute cable car ride for Himalayan panoramas of Langtang, Jugal, Ganesh, Mt. Manaslu, and even the Annapurna range.
• Khokana-Bungamati: A unique location best for cultural photoshoots of the Newari people, the centuries-old Sikali Temple, and the mustard oil-pressing industry. Then drive 3 km to Bungamati to explore Rato Machhendranath Temple.
• Taudaha Lake: Located on the opposite side of the Bagmati River from Khokana. This is where you’ll find the only natural lake of Kathmandu. Its formation is mythologically connected to the creation of Kathmandu Valley and it is home to Nag Temple. The lake is also great for photographing migratory birds.

Some more spots for photography include Dharahara, Champadevi Hike, Nagarjun-Jamacho Hike, Shivapuri National Park, and Godawari Botanical Garden.

IMPORTANT: Bisket Jatra’s first day is celebrated on Chaitra 27 (which is April 9 or 10) and Sindoor Jatra on Baisakh 2 (April 14 or 15). So, days 3 and 4, as well as days 7 and 8, may be swapped depending on the corresponding Bikram Sambat calendar dates.