Discover the Raute: Nepal’s Last Nomads & Wildlife Photography Tour

This tour focuses on the diversity of Nepal’s landscapes, culture, and wildlife. You will explore Kathmandu, visit the remote Raute village in Dailekh, and delve into the wild beauty of Bardia National Park. Each destination is carefully chosen to offer photographers the chance to capture Nepal’s stunning nature, its indigenous peoples, and the rare wildlife of the Terai region.

Tour Overview for Discover the Raute

Kathmandu Valley: The journey begins in the historic Kathmandu Valley, filled with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient temples, and vibrant markets. This urban environment will give you the chance to photograph Kathmandu’s eclectic mix of old and new.

Raute Village: Continue to visit the Raute people, Nepal’s last remaining nomadic tribe. The Rautes are hunter-gatherers, and this rare visit provides an opportunity to photograph their unique lifestyle, which is increasingly under threat from modernization.

Bardia National Park: The tour concludes in Bardia National Park, a haven for wildlife photographers. Famous for its Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, and elephants, Bardia’s natural beauty will captivate nature photographers.

Detailed Itinerary for Discover the Raute

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu

• Highlights: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), evening market exploration.
• After your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, capturing its ancient temples and bustling city life. Later, visit Swayambhunath Stupa, a great location for panoramic shots of the city and its surroundings.
• Photography Focus: Historic architecture, street photography, panoramic cityscape.

Day 2: Patan and Bhaktapur Exploration

• Highlights: Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple.
• Today, you will visit two of the Kathmandu Valley’s most historic cities. Patan is famous for its intricate temples, while Bhaktapur offers a glimpse of medieval Nepal with its preserved streets and palaces. This day provides endless opportunities for architectural and portrait photography.
• Photography Focus: Temples, ancient architecture, artisans at work, cultural portraits.

Day 3: Sunrise in Nagarkot and Village Walk

• Highlights: Sunrise over the Himalayas, terraced fields, rural village life.
• Start the day early by driving to Nagarkot to capture the sunrise over the Himalayan range. After photographing the majestic peaks, enjoy a village walk, documenting the locals’ daily lives, terraced landscapes, and traditional homes.
• Photography Focus: Himalayan landscape, sunrise shots, rural culture, and fields.

Day 4: Fly to Surkhet, Drive to Dailekh

• Highlights: Scenic flight, remote village life.
• Take a morning flight from Kathmandu to Surkhet, followed by a scenic drive to Dailekh, a remote and beautiful area in western Nepal. This part of the tour gives you the chance to capture rural landscapes and traditional village life on the way.

Day 5: Raute Village Exploration

• Photography Focus: Aerial views from the flight, scenic landscapes during the drive, village life.
• Highlights: Raute nomadic culture, journey to Bardia.
• Spend the morning in Raute Village, photographing Nepal’s last nomadic tribe. The Rautes live a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle, offering unique opportunities for cultural photography

Day 6: Drive to Bardia National Park

• Highlights: journey to Bardia. visiting minority village enroute.
• Photography Focus: Nomadic culture, portraits, daily life activities, remote village surroundings.

Day 7: Full-Day Safari in Bardia National Park

• Highlights: Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants.
• Embark on a full-day safari in Bardia National Park. Accompanied by expert naturalists, you’ll have the chance to photograph some of Nepal’s most iconic wildlife, including Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses, wild elephants, and a variety of bird species.
• Photography Focus: Wildlife photography (tigers, rhinos, elephants), birdwatching, jungle landscapes.

Day 8: Jungle Walk and Wildlife Photography in Bardia

• Highlights: Wildlife sightings, jungle trekking.
• Continue your exploration of Bardia with a guided jungle walk, offering a more intimate way to photograph the park’s wildlife. You’ll be tracking deer, monkeys, and possibly more tigers while immersing yourself in the rich jungle environment.
• Photography Focus: Jungle landscape, close-up wildlife shots, bird photography.

Day 9: Visit Tharu Village

• Highlights: Tharu cultural portraits, traditional homes.
• Today, you’ll visit a local Tharu village near Bardia. The Tharu people are known for their vibrant culture and traditional homes, making this visit a rich opportunity for portrait and cultural photography.
• Photography Focus: Tharu community, portraits, village life, traditional housing.

Day 10: Drive to Nepalgunj and Fly Back to Kathmandu

• Highlights: Scenic flight, landscapes en route.
• After breakfast, drive back to Surkhet and fly to Kathmandu. The journey offers stunning views of rural Nepal and its dynamic landscapes. Once back in Kathmandu, you’ll have time to relax or explore the city further.
• Photography Focus: Aerial photography, landscape views, city street scenes in Kathmandu.

Day 11: Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Stupa

• Highlights: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, cultural rituals.
• In the morning, visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of Nepal’s most significant Hindu temples. You’ll witness and photograph spiritual rituals and cremation ceremonies. Later, visit the massive Boudhanath Stupa, a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists.
• Photography Focus: Spiritual rituals, religious architecture, cultural photography.

Day 12: Visit Namo Buddha Monastery

• Highlights: Buddhist monastery, mountain landscapes.
• Take a day trip to Namo Buddha, a serene monastery located atop a hill. The journey offers picturesque views of rural landscapes, and the monastery provides a peaceful setting for photographing Buddhist culture and rituals.
• Photography Focus: Monastery life, mountain landscapes, rural vistas.

Day 13: Free Day in Kathmandu for Photography and Exploration

• Highlights: Local markets, artisan shops, cultural landmarks.
• This day is reserved for further exploration of Kathmandu at your own pace. You may want to revisit some of the city’s iconic landmarks, explore the local markets for street photography, or capture more cultural portraits in hidden parts of the city.
• Photography Focus: Street photography, market life, cultural shots, cityscape at sunset.

Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu

• Highlights: Final moments in Kathmandu.
• Enjoy your last morning in Kathmandu, taking any final shots or buying souvenirs before heading to the airport for your departure.
• Photography Focus: Street photography, cultural moments, final city impressions.

Cost Includes

• All accommodation (hotels in Kathmandu, lodges in Bardia, and a hotel in Dailekh).
• Domestic flights (Kathmandu-Surkhet-Kathmandu).
• All meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Private vehicle for all transfers.
• Experienced guide.
• National park entrance fees and permits for Bardia.
• Full-day safari and jungle activities in Bardia National Park with professional naturalists.
• Tharu village visit and cultural experience.
• All government taxes and service charges.

Cost does not include:

• International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
• Nepal visa fees.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, beverages, and tips.
• Travel insurance (mandatory).
• Camera equipment and other personal gear.
• Optional activities or additional tours not mentioned in the itinerary.
• Meals not specified in the itinerary

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The Raute Village Tour offers a rare opportunity to experience Nepal’s last nomadic tribe. On Discover the Raute tour witness their unique lifestyle, deeply connected to nature, and capture the essence of their traditional culture. Paired with stunning landscapes and remote village settings, this tour is perfect for photographers and cultural explorers alike.