10th – 21st March 2010
10th – 22nd October 2010

As many of you may or may not know, Simon Watkinson Photo Training has teamed up with travel company Classic Journeys to provide clients with exciting overseas photographic destinations. We travel to Nepal, India and Morocco to provide the ultimate trip of a lifetime with top photographic instruction by Simon every step of the way.

I myself (Tammy) went out to Nepal after the last Nepal Tour in October this year. What an amazing place is the only thing I can say! I absolutely loved it. I did the exact same trip that people who go on the tours do, so for one Simon could show me what he gets up to and let me meet his many friends along the way and for two, so I can see what exactly goes off on a tour, without being on a tour (as I also took out our 18 month old daughter Winola and Simon’s eldest daughter too)!

Kathmandu is a hive of activity and the whole place is just alive. I can honestly say I absolutely loved this place. The people are wonderful, there is no hassle and it is so completely and utterly different to what I am used to. It is unique and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

We then flew off to Pokhara, which was an amazing flight- right along the Himalayan range. The mountains really are truly awesome, you have to see it to believe it. Pokhara itself is much quieter and much more ‘roomy’ than Kathmandu, if I can use that as a term. The pace of life is much different and it has the most beautiful lake with the mountains as backdrops. After a couple of days relaxing here, we were off on our trek to Ghandruk.

The first days trekking was easy and to the most wonderful location at Birethanti. We took afternoon tea by a raging river, surrounded by hills, then played for a while throwing stones into it, trying to splash one another (OK, we never grow up, but that’s why we took the kids so we had an excuse!!!). The next day was the trek to Ghandruk. I have to admit I was 26 weeks pregnant at the time and a little unsure of my capability of getting up there, but I proved I could do it, along with a ten year old (I didn’t want to be beaten by a ten year old- although technically I was!). We managed it in five hours. Whilst this trek is graded as easy- I would say it is ‘easy’ if you are used to climbing much higher than this. I really would advise anyone doing this walk to get yourself fit, you will get so much more out of this most amazing trek. I can advise from experience, I didn’t exercise at all prior- apart from cleaning out stables! The scenery is absolutely breath taking and a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of the hill folk. I was blown away at the beauty of the land and the people. We stopped to rest at one point and a local woman came out and picked us an orange (although their oranges are green!) from her tree for us to eat- amazing generosity from these people. To see the mountains from Ghandruk is something else though. They are awesome and majestic, yet look so calm and peaceful and so damn big! It truly is a sight to see.

We visited Bhaktapur after, which is the most amazing place. The buildings are ancient, with beautiful intricate carvings and the displays of dedication to the Gods is nothing short of outstanding.

This really is a country full of peace and beauty- it is truly unique. Their way of life is so steeped in tradition and ritual that I find it hard to fully comprehend the lives that they lead. The people are so open, welcoming you into their everyday lives; to catch a glimpse into their everyday reality. This is the ultimate in Big Brother, but without the show. What you see is just how it is, that is the bit I found hard to understand.

If you get the chance, go with Simon. It is the most amazing place to visit, you are incredibly well looked after and stay in superb locations. Don’t expect too much of a holiday though, Simon has the energy and enthusiasm of a chipmunk on Redbull and will be dying for you to see the best of Nepal, which means a few early starts to get the best photographs (although you really can stay in bed if you want, but would really be missing out if you did). This is the ultimate in trips of a lifetime, although I personally sincerely hope that this won’t be my last trip to this enigmatic country.

Tour cost for 2010 is £2450 with a single supplement of £395 if requested.

More info at http://www.swphototraining.co.uk/trips2.asp