The Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal is truly blessed with many beautiful destinations to capture the perfect travel moments in a frame. Without any doubt, Nepal has much to offer the photographic traveler. Like Arthur Brisbane’s saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, the beauty of Nepal is better projected in the photographs than anyone describes in words.
Likewise, in a photogenic country like Nepal, it is difficult to pinpoint just one photographic destination. The dramatic scenery of the snow-capped mountain, plenty of untouched landscape, towering waterfalls, and beautiful cultural heritage sites is the perfect backdrop for a photography excursion. I’m pretty sure, once you’re here in Nepal, you can’t stop yourself to take shot after shots. So, just be ready with your camera to capture all the golden moments in Nepal.
Let’s check 20 amazing places that you should not miss photographing while you’re traveling to Nepal.
1. Everest Base Camp
If you love mountain then you can’t miss the opportunity to visit this place as it is home to the world’s highest peak Mt. Everest. Every step of the trekking trail will offer you a wonderful opportunity to capture something beautiful.
Likewise, for travel photographer Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour offers a wonderful opportunity to capture the best shots of Mt. Everest. The mesmerizing view of other dramatic peaks like Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Thamserku, Pumori, and Ama Dablam is also equally enthralling.
2. Gokyo Lake
Similarly, Gokyo Lake is next on the list. Gokyo lake lies in the Sagarmatha National Park of the Everest region. It is also listed in the UNESCO world heritage site. The 360-degree panoramic view of the lake surrounding with snow-capped mountains offers an eye-pleasing view to everyone. There is a total of five lakes in this area. The panoramic vista of mountains with the lake will keep any nature photographer busy for days.
3. Annapurna Circuit Trek
In the list of the world’s beautiful trekking trail, Annapurna region lies in the second position. The entire trail offers mesmerizing views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range, Mt. Machhapuchhre, and some other beautiful mountain.
Upper Pisang is one of the best vantage points to take photos of Annapurna II. From Ghyaru village, you’ll have an incredible view of Annapurna II and III. From Manang, the view of Gangapurna Glacier looks astonishing.
4. Rara Lake
Rara Lake lies in the western Hilly region of Mugu district of Nepal. Mountain and hill surround this beautiful pristine lake. It is also one of the biggest and deepest freshwater lake in Nepal. It is a part of the Rara National Park and spread in almost 6.11 sq miles.
If you want to witness a deep blue lake in the lap of the northern Himalayan range then you have come to the right place, Rara Lake. It is one of the glorious serene lakes which will make you feel truly blessed.
5. Upper Mustang (Lo-Manthang)
Lo Manthang is the capital of Upper Mustang. It lies in the rain shadow of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna massif. Being part of Tibetan plateau, Upper Mustang has high altitude deserts, red-rock cliffs, deep river gorges, and some highest mountains in the world. With the barren landscape and dramatic mountain views, you’ll get the perfect recipe for photography magic.
6. Tilicho Lake – Manang
Tilicho Lake lies in Manang district of Nepal, at an altitude of 4,919 meters above sea level. It is one of the highest altitude lakes in Nepal. The length of the lake is 3,900 meters, width 1,600 meters, and depth is 80 meters.
Tilicho Lake attracts thousands of domestic as well as international tourists. I assure you, your camera lens will get the perfect shot of the mesmerizing view of the deep blue lake and reflection of gorgeous mountains.
7. Shey Phoksundo Lake – Dolpa
Shey Phoksundo lake lies in the Dolpo of a far western region of Nepal. It is one of the deepest Lake in Nepal. Rocky crags and deep forests surround this beautiful lake. The color of the lake is an exotic turquoise blue.
As Shey Phoksundo Lake lies in Dolpo one of the remote regions of Nepal, this destination may be little trickier to travel, but the jaw-dropping views are worth it. This is a powerful place; you need to just nurture the imagery you could create with this famous deepest lake in the background.
8. Gosaikunda Lake – Rasuwa
Gosaikunda Lake is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Nepal. It lies at the altitude of 4,360 m. Every year during Janai Purnima festival, thousands of Hindu devotees visit the lake to take a holy bath. At the center of the lake, you will notice a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also, there is a religious belief, the water from the lake is direct goes to the tank at the Kumbeshwar Temple in Patan.
9. Phewa Lake – Pokhara
Phewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal, but this is not the only reason for its fame. Surround by dense forests and the beautiful mountain scenery, this lake is one of the most beautiful lakes of Nepal.
You’ll get the mesmerizing view of the mirroring magical image of Annapurna Himalayan range reflected in the water of Phewa Lake. This whole scenic set up will surely remain in your memory for a lifetime!
10. Poon Hill – Myagdi
Poon Hill is well-known for a panoramic sunrise view over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range. The scenic beauty of this place attracts thousands of trekkers every year and provides a pretty picture.
After all, the sunrise and sunset views are famous as “Golden Hour” in photography.
11. Sarangkot – Pokhara
Sarangkot is another famous vantage point from where you can get the magnificent view of Pokhara Valley and panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges.
From the hill, you’ll get the astonishing view of mountains including Gauri Shankar, Dorje Lakpa, Gurkarpo Ri, and Langtang Lirung. The view of the first flash of sunrise from the soaring peaks looks more alluring. Capturing these amazing sunrise moment in your camera is incomparable!
12. Kalinchowk
Kalinchowk is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site lies in Dolkha district. It is among popular short trekking destination in Nepal. This temple stands on the top a steep hill and provide the perfect scenic mountain views.
From the top of the hill, you can enjoy the stunning beauty of the entire Gauri Shanker and Langtang Himalayan range.
13. Nagarkot- Kathmandu
Located 32 Km east of Kathmandu valley, Nagarkot is one of the popular hill stations for the breathtaking sunrise views over the mighty Himalayas. It also offers a fantastic view of Kathmandu valley.
Moreover, Nagarkot is one of the popular one-day hiking routes for tourists. Mesmerizing view of mountain and Kathmandu valley offers great photographic opportunities. It is the best place to photograph the spectacular sunrise and sunset view over the majestic Himalayas.
14. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the first National Park of Nepal and a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Similarly, the splendid landscape covered with green lush vegetation, this park is home to 68 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds. Some rare wildlife species like one-horn Rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger, sloth bears, clouded leopards, hyenas, crocodiles, and wild elephants.
If you really want to have some good nature shots, then you must visit Chitwan National Park once in your life.
15. Khaptad National Park
Located in the far western region of Nepal, Khaptad National Park is famous for natural beauty as well as religious value. Late Khaptad Swami moved to this area in the 1940’s to meditate and worship. You’ll get the wonderful view of Khaptad Lake, Api and Saipal Himal. The beautiful green natural scenery that you’ll witness is just beyond your imagination.
16. Boudhanath
Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist shrines in Kathmandu Valley. It is also one of the largest stupas in the world. It is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Various temples and gompas surround this ancient stupa. While strolling around, you can hear monks chanting and prayer wheel creaking.
In addition, Boudhanath is also a fantastic place to capture a picture of monks wandering around the prayer flag-decked streets. This place is full of different stores which sell different interesting items. It is also one of the best places in the world to learn Tibet Buddhism.
17. Pashupatinath
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pashupatinath Temple is the holiest place for Hindus. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The sacred temple lies on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river. Devotees from all over the world come here to worship Lord Shiva.
18. Swayambhunath
Swayambhunath is another Buddhist religious site in Kathmandu. It stands on the Padmachal Hill, 175 m above the valley and 3 km to the west of the Kathmandu city.
The Swayambhunath area comprises great stupa, shrines, monuments, temples, Museum, and library. The beautiful view of the Kathmandu Valley, smiling face of Buddhist monks, and the main Buddha Stupa all these are worth capturing.
19. Kathmandu Durbar Square – Old Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is also known as Hanuman Dhoka Square. It lies in the heart of an ancient city in Kathmandu and surrounded by both Hindu and Buddhist temple. Kumari (The Living Goddess) Ghar, Maru Ganesh Temple, Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Kal Bhairav, Taleju Temple are a major attraction of the area.
20. Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square lies in the southeast of Kathmandu city. It is full of ancient temples, shrines, and beautiful carvings. Patan Durbar Square is the most spectacular example of Nepalese architecture in the modern context. The major attractions of Patan Durbar Square are Krishna Mandir, Patan Museum, Machhendranath Temple, Golden Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, and Mahabudhhar Temple.
