Cultural Photography Tours & Trips in Himalaya Mountains

You'll hike up to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) sitting at 3,120 meters on a cliff in Paro, where Guru Rinpoche meditated back in the 8th century after legend says he flew there on a tigress. At Dochu La Pass (3,100 meters), photograph the 108 Buddhist shrines with Himalayan peaks behind them, then stay overnight at Dodeydra Monastery to capture monks during evening prayers.

At Rumtek Monastery, you'll find golden prayer wheels and colorful thangka paintings that make great photos with the mountains behind them, and the Buddhist murals and artifacts inside show incredible detail. Bakthang Waterfall sits in thick green forests where you can photograph the water rushing down, then head to Tashi Viewpoint for clear shots of the snow-covered Himalayan peaks stretching across the horizon.

Photograph the Wagah Border Ceremony as Indian and Pakistani guards simultaneously lower their flags at sunset, capturing the choreographed military display. You'll document the Golden Temple's golden facade reflected in the sacred pool during both sunrise and evening palaki ceremony when the holy book is ceremonially put to rest. In Chamba, capture ancient temple architecture and colorful Pahari miniature paintings, plus candid portraits of Tibetan monks at Tsuglagkhang Complex in Dharamsala.

Trek from Ghatte Khola to Syauli Bazaar through the Annapurna foothills, where you'll find prayer-flag-draped suspension bridges and terraced rice paddies with Machhapuchhre (6997m) and Annapurna South (7219m) rising behind them. Photograph traditional Gurung villages like Ghandruk and Landruk, with their slate-roofed houses and hand-carved windows.

Get shots of Bhutan's monasteries set against the Himalayas, including the famous Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang) perched on cliffs at 3,120 meters and Punakha Dzong where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet. You'll photograph the 51-meter Buddha Dordenma statue above Thimphu Valley, monks at Tashichho Dzong, and prayer flags at Dochula Pass with 108 chortens.

You'll photograph sacred cremation ceremonies at Pashupatinath Temple, one of Hinduism's holiest sites, and capture prayer flags around Boudhanath's massive stupa with the Himalayas behind. In Bhaktapur's Durbar Square, frame the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple and document traditional Newari artisans at work in Patan's ancient workshops.