Here it is! An edit from 30,000 images taken in Nepal over the course of four years. I know there’s A LOT of images but bear with me. It’s an ongoing process of refining and it’s always changing, so with that here is today’s presentation of Nepal. (to see a slideshow of the images or enlarge an image click on it)
View of Machapuchare among the tea houses at sunrise from Tadapani in the Annapurna region, Nepal.
Sign for Chhomorong with the view of Annapurna South from Tadapani in the Annapurna region, Nepal.
Novice nun stands in a doorway at Thubten Choling monastery in the rural Khumbu, Nepal.
One of the head cooks takes a quick break at Thubten Choling monastery in the rural Khumbu, Nepal.
Nun washing greens from the garden at Thubten Choling monastery in the rural Khumbu, Nepal.
The retreat huts and monastic homes at Thubten Choling monastery in the rural Khumbu, Nepal.
Nun doing dishes at Thubten Choling monastery in the rural Khumbu, Nepal.
Tourist takes a photo of Machapuchare mountain at sunrise from Tadapani in the Annapurna region, Nepal.
Rickshaw driver taking a rest in the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal.
A local Nepali man walks to the fields outside the village of Thame to gather cow manure to dry and burn for fuel. A common use for cow patties high up where there is no wood and gas has to be carried up and paid for.
Two dogs take in the view of Machapuchare mountain from Tadapani in the Annapurna region, Nepal.
Swayambhu stupa rising along a forest ridge above the crowded urban valley of Kathamandu below.
A Nepali man turns the prayer wheels clockwise at Swayambutnath stupa above the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Swayambu is an important site for all schools of Buddhists and Hindus alike.
Swayambhunath is a sacred site in Kathmandu valley also known as the Monkey Temple. Many monkeys call this area home as the stupa sits atop a large forested hill making it a good base for them in the city. The little monkey pictured here is calling out for his mother who showed up moments after I took this photo.
Nepali women carrying traditional baskets made of bamboo called doko. A common sight in any region outside the urban streets of Kathmandu. They are used to carry goods, vegetables, grains and even poultry. They are also used as temporary cages for animals.
People and chickens of the village of Sirkot out for a walk in the smoke that is a result from the trash burn that day. Majority of villages have no waste disposal system other than burning.
The southern Annapurna range seen from the popular sunrise spot of Sirkot west of Pokhara.
Puja performed by monks and lama at Shechen Monastery in Boudha, Nepal.
Puja performed by monks and lama at Shechen Monastery in Boudha, Nepal.
A Buddhist monk holds a torma and ritual object offering during a puja for the deceased at Shechen Monastery in Boudha.
View of a mountain ridge trail from Sarangkot with the backdrop of huge Himalayas in Nepal.
Rays of light shine through monsoon clouds seen from a rooftop in Kathmandu valley.
A paraglider makes his last turns circling in on an open field landing along the side of Phewa lake in Pokhara, Nepal.
Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery also known as Namo Buddha rests on a ridge about 40km outside of the Kathmandu valley. A beautiful monastery surrounded by nature, terraced fields and Tamang/Dalit villages.
Young Nepali girl standing with her red umbrella in the sun in front of a brick wall in Patan, Nepal.
Porter takes a break along the trail up to Namche Bazar, Nepal.
A young Nepali girl jumps rope outside her home as a porter comes into the frame. The trails here in the Khumbu have been used for centuries for transporting goods long before trekking became an attraction in Nepal.
Yeti Mountain home Hotel lights up at dusk below Thamserku mountain in Namche Bazaar. The last village of such luxury accomodation in the Khumbu region of Nepal.
Three trekkers hiking down ridge high in the clouds below Khumbi La mountain in the Himalayas above Namche.
View of Machapuchare mountain at sunrise from Tadapani in the Annapurna region, Nepal.
Buddhist nuns walking down a foggy path in the early morning from the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini. An UNESCO site where Gautama Buddha was born.
The small village of Khilung rests on terraced hillsides below the Annapurna range in the Himalaya of Nepal. A village only accessible by 4×4 vehicles, by foot or for the more adventurous, paragliding.
In the low light of dusk a man walks clockwise around the upper level of the Boudha Stupa in Boudhanath, Kathmandu.
The terraced fields of Khilung are filled with barely ready and for harvest in the fall. You can see people from the village busy cutting the crop for drying with the giant peaks of the Annapurna range rising in the far background.
A cycle rickshaw driver petals his passengers through the rain past illuminated store fronts in the heart of Thamel, Nepal.
A small plane lands at Tenzing–Hillary Airport in Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. A very popular yet dangerous airport due to the short runway and mountain terrain.
Nupste rising high behind two trekkers taking pictures of eachother at dusk near Lobuche.
Kathmandu, a valley surrounded by terraced fields leading up to the highest mountains. Bumpy roads climb out of the valley in every direction making their way to the more rural areas. Areas where there were no roads only 10-20 years ago.
Group of porters walk ahead of group with large packs on trail leading to Gokyo Lake in the Everest Region with Cholatse rising high in the Himalays of Nepal.
A couple sitting in a pool along the river at Jhinu hot springs in Jhinu along the ABC trek, Nepal.
A domesticated yak and his driver make their way from Everest base camp with Nuptse rising high in the background. Yaks are heavily built animals fit for the cold and high altitudes making them perfect for the conditions of the high Himalaya of Nepal.
Hiker walking down from the top of Gokyo Ri after sunrise. Gokyo village and Gokyo lake below Ngozumpa glacier to the west.
Nepali cowboy chasing their mules and horses down a dirt road near Ghandruk in Nepal.
Two men hiking down from the top of Gokyo Ri for a sunrise view over Everest in the Himalayas.
A Nepali boy plays outside his fathers shop in the days last light among the many vendors in the busy streets of Thamel.
Tourists and locals taking photos of the Boudha Stupa in Boudhanath, Nepal.
The Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu is a sacred Buddhist site. Pilgrims circumambulate clockwise around the stupa spinning prayer wheels, reciting mantra and making aspirations/prayers.
Buddhist monk lighting butter lamps at Boudha Stupa for Diwali festival in Boudha, Nepal.
The urban Kathmandu valley seen through prayer flags hugged by the green hillsides of Shivapuri national park far below the snow covered peaks of the Langtang region.
Novice monks play around a prayer wheel in the early morning at the Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu, Valley.
Nepali men and shop keepers in Bhaktapur stand under roof in the rain.
Mother fans out the seasons crop of millet to dry in sun with the help of her little boys feet. You can see this popular staple grain being grown in the lower areas of Nepal.
Nepali women steam a large batch of buffalo momos/dumplings on a flat top double boiler outside of their small restaurant in the streets of Bhaktapur, Nepal.
Man trekking along a soft patch of trail through the lush low lying forests and terraced fileds in the Annapurna region of Nepal.
A line of sheep making there way back to the tea house at Annapurna Base camp after grazing up in the high hills.
Lush terraced fields in Ghandruk region of the Annapurna Conservation are in full bloom after a heavy monsoon season. As we approached we saw them brushing the green growth off the straw roofs.
Low clouds hug the mountains near Annapurna base camp after a cooling afternoon shower. This region is home to a variety of ecosystems that becomes more apparent the closer you get camp.
Fast moving clouds churning on Annapurna South ridge turning the Himalaya landscape into a magical landscape.
Nepali women sitting on the curb in the quaint streets of Bhaktapur. Women at this age are sweetly called Aaji meaning old aunt or grandma.
Lush green landscape under a foggy cloud cover in the Annapurna valley near base camp, Nepal.
Machapuchare peak on the Annapurna range at sunset enveloped in clouds.
A group trekkers en route to Annapurna Base camp take a well deserved soak at Jhinu Hot springs along the Modi river in Nepal.
Low clouds hug the mountains surrounding Annapurna base camp while two energetic hikers explore the terrain above the glacial moraine of Annapurna l.
Toward the tail end of monsoon season in Nepal afternoon rains and low clouds bring a magical feel to the Himalaya. Here two mountain guides stand outside the tea house at Annapurna Base camp also known as Annapurna Sanctuary. This high glacial basin is surrounded by a cirque of iconic Himalayan peaks most of which are over 7,000m. Below these peaks a remarkable variety of ecosystems collide. The south-facing slopes are covered in dense tropical flora while the north-facing slopes have a drier colder alpine climate making for a captivating contrast.
The end of August can still feel like monsoon season in some regions of Nepal. Here porters carry supplies covered in large plastic rain bags to teahouses serving the trekkers in the Annapurna Conservation area.
While trekking through the Annapurna region you can see a similar styles of homes. Though sometimes you come across little homes like this with all the charm including a cable dish on the tin roof.
People trekking along trail through lush and green foggy forest in the Annapurna Conservation, Nepal.
I have seen photos and heard stories of Nepal when there were no roads and you could make it only by bike or foot. The country has changed so much in the past 30 years and I can only imagine what it was like then. Thirty years isn’t that much time but the scale of development that’s happened in that time period is staggering. To live in Kathmandu now and imagine that it used to be rice fields with small pockets of development sure is something else. Like everything constantly in flux, Nepal will always be a second home to me and I will return to you again and again.
I hope you enjoy these images and if you travel to Nepal, talk to Nepalis, respect the land and try to minimize packaging waste and especially plastic water bottles. Thank you humans.
Thanks so much for this post. Nepal is somewhere in my list of places to see, that realistically I’ll probably never see. So I loved the beautiful photos. 🙏🏻
I’ve been visiting for almost 40 years and had access to many places because my wife is Nepali. You have some good photos here rather a lot for a single post though, but very enjoyable with people, places and colours we can appreciate. 🙏🙏
I don’t think there is a single photo, in this post, that isn’t innovative – for the subject, the colour, the angle with which you approached the subject. You’re an incredibly gifted photographer, and I’m glad to be following this blog. Hope I can see more photos soon please! Fabrizio
Great post. You are an excellent photographer and you have captured a variety of images, from landscapes to people.
Nice photographs