Himalayan Astrophotography Expedition

Kathmandu → Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India)

Highlights

• Photograph the Milky Way at 4,000+ meters in the world's darkest skies — from Nepal's Annapurna Circuit to India's Spiti Valley.
• Photography Tour · 12 Days
• Small group, guide-led

Day-by-day itinerary

1. D1

   Kathmandu: Astro Theory & Equipment

   Arrive in Kathmandu. Full-day workshop on astrophotography fundamentals: camera settings for the night sky, lens selection, the 500 rule for star trails, intervalometer use, and planning with apps like PhotoPills. Gear check and preparation.

   Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India) As per plan

2. D2

   Besisahar to Chame: Acclimatization

   Drive to Besisahar and begin the Annapurna Circuit trek. First night sky shoot at lower altitude to test equipment and technique. Review images and troubleshoot issues.

   Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India) As per plan

3. D3

   Pisang to Manang: Milky Way Over Annapurna

   Trek through the dramatic upper Marsyangdi valley to Manang (3,540m). The next three nights are dedicated to Milky Way photography with Annapurna II, III, and Gangapurna as foreground. Workshop on focus stacking, noise reduction, and light painting for foreground interest.

   Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India) As per plan

4. D4

   Manang: Time-Lapse & Panorama

   Full day in Manang for advanced techniques: creating a time-lapse of stars rotating above the monastery, 360-degree panoramas of the entire night sky, and capturing the zodiacal light before dawn.

   Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India) As per plan

5. D5

   Cross to Spiti Valley

   Cross into India via the Manali-Leh highway and descend into the Spiti Valley — a high-altitude desert with some of the darkest skies on earth. Set up at a village homestay at 3,800m.

   Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India) As per plan

6. D6

   Kibber & Chicham: Starry Nights at 4,000m

   Three nights photographing from Kibber (one of the world's highest villages) and the Chicham Bridge (Asia's highest suspension bridge). The Spiti landscape — barren mountains, ancient monasteries, and the Chandra River — provides dramatic foregrounds for the night sky.

   Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India) As per plan

7. D7

   Key Monastery & Return

   Morning visit to 1,000-year-old Key Monastery for architectural photography in golden light. Final astro session. Return to Manali and then Delhi. Evening editing workshop and farewell dinner.

   Manang (Nepal) → Spiti Valley (India) As per plan

Price includes

• Local storyteller guide
• Stays as per itinerary
• Daily breakfast
• All ground transfers

Make it yours (upsells)

Everything apart from the trip itself is an upsell — tick what you want.