Upon arrival in Bhaktapur, after completing check-in at our carefully selected heritage hotel within the historic royal city, the group gathers for a relaxed lunch. This is followed by a comprehensive briefing on Bisket Jatra, covering its cultural significance, key rituals, crowd dynamics, and photographic possibilities.

We then venture out to explore the historic lanes and courtyards surrounding Bhaktapur Durbar Square, photographing temples, everyday life, and the gradually intensifying festive atmosphere as the city prepares for the celebrations.

As the energy builds, we move toward Taumadhi Square, one of the most dramatic focal points of the festival. Here, two towering chariots are pulled in a powerful tug-of-war by opposing groups, creating intense, fast-moving scenes filled with devotion, emotion, and raw human energy—ideal for compelling documentary photography.

After an eventful evening of shooting, we return to the hotel to rest and reflect on the day’s experiences, followed by dinner.

The day begins with an early morning walk through the quiet lanes of Bhaktapur, heading toward Pottery Square. As the city slowly awakens, we focus on photographing everyday life—potters at work, soft morning light filtering through courtyards, and intimate moments that reveal the rhythm of the old city before festival crowds take over.

We return to the hotel for breakfast and a short break, allowing time to review images and recharge.

Later in the day, after lunch, we head out again to photograph daily life across different neighborhoods of Bhaktapur. This session is dedicated to slow, observational photography—street portraits, interactions, textures, and layers of life unfolding in markets, alleys, and temple surroundings.

As evening approaches, we return to the hotel to rest and reflect on the day’s work, followed by dinner.

The day begins with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. We spend time observing and photographing morning rituals along the Bagmati River—priests at prayer, devotees immersed in worship, and the deeply spiritual atmosphere that defines this powerful site. This session offers strong opportunities for respectful documentary and cultural photography.

From here, we continue to Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its refined Newari architecture and artistic heritage. We explore the palace complex and visit the Patan Museum, followed by time at the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), focusing on details, rituals, and layered compositions that reflect centuries of living tradition.

After lunch in Patan, we move toward Thamel, Kathmandu’s vibrant commercial and cultural hub. The afternoon and early evening are spent photographing street life, colorful markets, shopfronts, and the contrast between modern energy and traditional rhythms—an ideal setting for candid street and travel photography.

As the day winds down, we return to the hotel for rest and image review, followed by dinner.

The day begins with an early morning walk through the narrow lanes of Bhaktapur, covering a gentle route toward Dattatreya Square. Along the way, we focus on photographing everyday life—locals beginning their routines, subtle interactions in courtyards, and the quiet charm of the old city before the intensity of the festival unfolds.

After returning to the hotel for breakfast and a short rest, we head back to Pottery Square to witness and photograph one of the most significant rituals of Bisket Jatra: the raising of the Yosin Pole (Linga). This powerful moment, charged with symbolism and collective effort, offers dramatic documentary opportunities as crowds gather and energy builds.

Later in the day, we proceed to Lyosingkhel, where the Yosin Pole ceremony continues in a more expansive setting. The atmosphere here is intense and highly dynamic, with dense crowds, ritual action, and raw human emotion—ideal for strong, immersive festival photography. Participants are advised to remain alert and follow guidance to ensure personal safety while shooting in this high-energy environment.

After a long and eventful day, we return to the hotel to rest and recover, followed by dinner.

The day marks Nepali New Year, one of the most significant moments of Bisket Jatra, and begins with breakfast before heading out to Yosin Khel. Here, we witness and photograph the ritual sacrifice associated with the festival—an emotionally charged and culturally important event that reflects centuries-old beliefs, devotion, and community participation. This session is approached with respect and sensitivity, focusing on storytelling and documentary depth.

By midday, we return to the hotel for rest and lunch, allowing time to recover before the evening’s major events.

Later in the day, we head back to Yosin Khel to photograph one of the most dramatic moments of Bisket Jatra—the pulling down of the Yosin Pole (Linga). As the massive pole is brought down by the crowd, the atmosphere becomes highly intense and unpredictable, offering powerful opportunities for dynamic, high-impact festival photography. Participants are advised to remain alert and follow guidance to ensure safety during this high-energy ritual.

After returning to the hotel for dinner, those who wish continue late into the night toward Thimi to photograph Mahal Jatra. This vibrant celebration, marked by fire, music, and ritual performance, provides a striking visual contrast to the day’s earlier events and is ideal for expressive night and long-exposure photography.

Once we finish the Mashal Jatra photo shoot, we return to the hotel for rest.

The day begins early with a packed breakfast as we travel to Thimi to photograph Sindur Jatra, one of the most visually explosive celebrations of the Nepali New Year. As chariots roll through the streets and crowds erupt in clouds of red vermilion powder, the atmosphere becomes chaotic, joyous, and intensely photogenic. This session offers exceptional opportunities for high-energy action, layered compositions, and expressive crowd photography.

After returning to the hotel for a short break to rest and freshen up, we regroup for lunch before heading back to Thimi for another powerful cultural ritual—the tongue-piercing ceremony. This deeply symbolic act of devotion, performed by select participants, is a rare and compelling subject for respectful documentary storytelling, capturing faith, endurance, and the intensity of lived tradition.

As the afternoon concludes, we return to the hotel to rest and review images, followed by dinner.

The final day begins with a quiet early morning walk around Yosin Khel and its surrounding neighborhoods, focusing on everyday life as the city slowly returns to its usual rhythm after days of intense celebration. This session is dedicated to slow, observational photography—subtle gestures, morning light, and the lingering traces of Bisket Jatra woven into daily routines.

After returning for breakfast, the photo tour officially comes to an end. Participants depart with a deeper visual understanding of Bhaktapur’s living traditions and a strong body of work capturing one of Nepal’s most powerful festivals.

This is not a cold-weather trip, so you don’t have to bring warm clothing, but for the Mashal Jatra, only bring light warm clothing like a windcheater because at night and early in it will be slightly cold.

This is a suggested packing list to make your trip a fulfilling and comfortable experience.

• Backpack or suitcase
• Comfortable light boots for walking
• Sunglasses
• Sun care cream
• Wet tissues
• Insurance confirmation copy
• Emergency contact number
• Carry your essential and basic medicines for headaches, fever, stomach upset, etc.
• A cap and windcheater are preferable during Sindur Jatra.

You should bring cameras, a laptop (for post processing during free time), these kinds of things instantly spring to mind. Once you confirm your booking with a 50% deposit, we will send you all the information you need to fully prepare yourself for this epic journey.

This is just an idea about the suggested camera and accessory:

• One or two DSLR or Mirrorless (Full Frame or Crop Sensor) cameras. If you use a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera, for much of the time, when photographing the tribes or rituals, you will want to cover focal lengths of around 24-70mm or 24-105mm. However, a kit lens (18-55/3.5 or 4.0) will also work.
• For photographing portraits, consider bringing a prime telephoto lens of 85mm.
• If you bring a good quality bridge camera instead of a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it will be best if it has an optical zoom of 18-20x or more, combined with a reasonable wide-angle at the other end of the zoom range.
• Protector for your lens.
• Power Bank & Electric Socket Extension.
• Adequate memory card and Card reader.
• Be sure to bring plenty of spare battery power for your camera and external hard drive with adequate space and a card reader
• A Computer with photo-processing software [Lightroom, Photoshop]. (If you are not having this software, don’t worry we’ll provide it.)
• Carry a microfiber to wipe the lens.
• Tripod is not required because there will be large numbers of people, you’ll not be able put your tripod but a Monopod will be very helpful to capture some nice slow shutter speed images during pulling the chariot.
• Rain cover for your camera during Sindur Jatra. Though Sindur Jatra is a completely dry colour festival but the protection of your camera is necessary.
• For Indians, Visa is not required. Only an Aadhaar Card is required. If you have a passport, please carry it with you.
• Your 8 Passport size photographs 

All of the places we visit on this trip will be accessible either near our prebooked hotel or in our vehicles so physical fitness is not a priority.

• The altitude will be 1400 meters max.
• Risks: It will be very crowded during pulling of Chariot and the Yoshin Pole ritual. So, it’s advisable to keep yourself at a safe distance during that time.

It will be pleasant and normal in the daytime with maximum temperatures of about 20°C. Nights become cooler with a minimum of 15°C. in the month of April.

Stay will be at the best located Hotel situated in the ancient kingdom at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Staying in these positions is the best way to cover the entire ritual.

Facilities at the hotel:

• Well-furnished standard Rooms
• 24 hours Hot & Cold water
• Non-Veg & Veg Restaurant
• 24 hours Wi-Fi facilities in the entire lobby area of the hotel
• Doctor on call & taxi on requirement
• Laundry Service / Shoe Polish
• Large parking area & Hall
• Currency Exchange

Registration is open from 15th May 2024 till the seat reservations end.

• This photo tour requires a minimum of 3 participants to proceed. If the minimum number is not met, the trip may be postponed or cancelled, and any deposits will be fully refunded.
• Participants will be granted for the photo tour based on email confirmation on a first-come come first first-served basis.

To reserve your spot, a 30% deposit of the full tour amount is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance must be paid 90 days before the tour. You can pay via the online payment link on our website, or request our account details or PayPal information for the transfer. Your reservation may be cancelled if full payment is not received by the specified deadline. After making the payment, please send us a copy or screenshot of the bank receipt. Upon confirmation, we will email you the Rules and Regulations of the tour, securing your spot on the photo tour.

All cancellations must be made in writing (email is acceptable) and will take effect on the date of receipt (by standard mail or electronically). Once the tour begins, there can be no refunds for any unused portions, including rooms, meals, flights, tour days, events, or services. Please note that the cancellation penalties outlined below are based on costs incurred by EXPOSURE on your behalf, including non-refundable deposits or payments to agents, hotels, airlines, etc.

In the event of a cancellation or modification of your confirmed booking, EXPOSURE’s Cancellation and Refund Policy will apply, and you must fully agree to be bound by it. Any refunds will be processed within 15 working days from the date of written confirmation of cancellation, via the same method used for payment.

Cancellation fees are as follows:

• 40% of the total fee if cancelled 90 days or more before the start of the trip.
• 100% of the total fee if cancelled 59 days or less before the start of the trip.

Please carefully read all details on this page and the Detailed Terms and Conditions, as well as the Disclaimer/Undertaking in the Registration cum Booking Form.

Trip cancellation by EXPOSURE:

• In the unlikely event that EXPOSURE must cancel a tour or workshop due to a lack of participants or any other reason, a full refund, including the deposit, will be issued.
• We will notify you in advance if a cancellation is being considered. If a photo tour is cancelled, 100% of your deposit and payments will be refunded.
• However, EXPOSURE is not liable for any expenses incurred, such as airfare, accommodations, or equipment costs. For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage.