We work with photographers and travel to remote locations around the globe to create beautiful portraits and landscapes. One such location is Nepal, and as a photographer, you should visit as well as it is high on every photographer’s bucket list.
If your trip involves photography, make sure to bring the following: Nikon D3s and D800E digital SLR bodies, a Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S ED VR lens, a Nikkon AFS 80-400mm f 4.5-5.6 ED VR lens, and a Nikkon 70-200mm f2.8 G AF-S ED VRII lens.
Also, you’ll want to bring tough travel shorts, a watertight backpack, and possibly even sunglasses.
Also, start early as you’ll need to set up your gear the next day. Plan to leave the house at 7 a.m. (or 6 a.m. if you’ve got the right gear). Otherwise, go earlier to shoot the sunrise, sunset, or paddle down a lake.
FROM THE GYM
Nepal is beautiful in its own right, which is why it also makes for an amazing base for workouts. Stroll along the Promenade of Sherpa, which comprises wide paths along the river, shaded pathways for walking amongst the trees, and beautiful towering pines.
Move between pines to tree-top walk among the mountain peaks, where there’s a path running alongside the beach. Trekking is an excellent way to experience the wide variety of scenery, but it doesn’t stop there. During the monsoon season (November–April), trekking through the Fiord Valley is an incredible hiking experience on paved roads and unpaved paths. (The area is ideal for 4-wheel drive vehicles, with some sections logging 4 mph.) Wildflowers are abundant along winding paths and overlook the valley below.
During the dry season (from May–October), trekking involves little hiking; however, you’ll need appropriate gear since the terrain is harder. Hiking across the Golden Triangle (a three-hour drive from capital city Lhasa) is a popular prospect during this time of year. Trekking is best done with a guide who knows the terrain well and can float you across the water, offering spectacular views.
LETHBRIDGE CAMP, CANAL HEAD, HIGH CAYENNE CANAL
LETHBRIDGE CAMP
Located on Highway 1 near Salter, Colorado, Lesser#2 trail spans 16 miles and ascends 1,050 feet to Camp Half-Moon, one of Colorado’s most beautiful historic landmarks. The highlights of the hike include the viewpoint atop Old Faithful (which overlooks the Colorado River and offers panoramic views below), and base camp, where you’ll find plenty of shade.
From the main trail, take Highway 61 to Highway 15, which takes you to the Highway 1A turnaround (approximately 15 miles to Longs Peak). From there, head south on the road to Highway 1 to Las Animas road (also named Highway 1A, though less traveled) and then to High Cayenne canal, where you will find yourself crossing the canal. Approach the canal from the bottom and carefully climb up on loose rocks. After an ascension of roughly 650 feet, follow the path down on ledges and through dense trees.
When you’re taking your lens with you, also bring a cloth pouch to protect it from sweat, and a travel case to keep your lenses neatly organized.
Check out these top five great activities to do while on vacation:
Tip #1: Wander aimlessly through nature
Sometimes all that’s needed to make you feel energized is to wander into an unfamiliar area. Point your camera at an animal and patent its appearance. Was it already surprised by your presence? Either way, capture that magical moment—regardless of how long you have before you have to leave.
Tip #2: Relax with a walk
Take it from us; walking doesn’t have to take up all our time. Sure, it may not torch calories the same way a treadmill or jogging stroller does, but there’s no harm in taking a few walks. Make it a point to watch the sunset and take in some fresh air. You never know, you’ll be glad you did.
Tip #3: Attempt podcasts while in the park
Listening to sounds and music, especially in a new and exciting way, is a great way to stay active, even when you’re not in front of a camera. While there are probably many, we suggest downloading a podcast while you’re walking. Take your music and podcasts with you on your walk, and don’t forget to show someone along the way as a quick warmup.
Tip #4: Soak up the beach
Imagine being at the beach in the middle of the night. No one around; the only sound is the water crashing into the shore. But the sounds of the world are different there than they are at your desk.
One can be kind of lazy while in the park. Getting to the place where the water’s calmest is up to you. But try taking a few minutes to soak in the sound of the ocean waves. Again, a bit of activity goes a long way as you struggle not to get too dehydrated.
Tip #5: Take a relax walk after a long day at the office
Taking a long walk after an extremely stressful day at work can provide you with much needed rejuvenation and balance. The trick is having something exciting to look forward to. Fortunately, there’s always music to listen to or an audiobook to read while you work. Just make sure you aren’t stressing out the entire walk. Chances are, your spouse might want to join you, but you’re more likely to shut off social media and listen to some relaxing music—so listen to your spouse’s attempts at calming music.
How to Choose the Best Gear for Your Photoshoot
When in-between destinations, it’s always best to pack the very best gear possible. We recommend starting with your first stop and then keeping whatever you aren’t using at your next destination. We stock a 7-day Nikon package worth up to $2,500. For additional outdoor gear, we also recommend Filmic Pro to capture crisp handheld moments.
When choosing your bags and shoes, it’s important not to overload during your onward journey so you can take the most scenic photos possible. Carry a bag or suitcase that would not be weighed down by a heavy laptop bag, one that can be folded and packed away easily, and shoes that can be put into a shoe bag to help prevent slipping on loose or wet surfaces.
If you are considering carrying a DSLR around a country on your shoulders, the Juicy VO2N 2.0 camera from Olympus is the best option. With an integrated foldable foot, it’s one of the lightest, smallest, and most versatile cameras to take on your travels.
Gear a beginner photographer should have. Check out our beginner’s guide to photography.
The Basic Photography Rental Pack
A backpack is crucial for traveling on your own, and it allows you to carry your necessities in one, easy-to-digest carrying case that’ll also be yours to show after your trip is over.
Larger packs have their place, but as a general rule, an 18-month-old backpack is sufficient.
Waterproof bags for traveling unprotected (like skiing or running).
Flashlight. Takes 1×25 flash lens.
External hard drive full of high-quality images taken with your smartphone. For a week’s worth of high-quality photos you can get for as low as $300. Purchase a few cheap laptops and external hard drives to start with so you don’t have to.
Price: $100 – $1,000. Check out our guide to hiking with a camera for more.
