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| Where Was Tenzing Filmed? All Filming Locations in Nepal and New Zealand. |
Apple TV’s Tenzing was filmed across Nepal and New Zealand, using Mustang’s remote Himalayan settlements, Kathmandu’s historic landmarks, Lalitpur’s religious architecture and the South Island’s snow-covered mountains to recreate the extraordinary world of legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay. Directed by Jennifer Peedom, the biographical adventure drama follows Tenzing’s journey towards Mount Everest’s summit alongside New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary, with Tom Hiddleston portraying Hillary.
Principal photography reportedly began in May 2025 and wrapped in August, with the production balancing demanding mountain shoots against the practical challenges of recreating a historic expedition. Rather than relying entirely on visual effects, the filmmakers drew on real mountain environments and communities to give the story a convincing sense of scale. Here is a closer look at the locations that helped bring this remarkable mountaineering story to the screen.
Mustang, Nepal
Mustang, in northern Nepal’s Gandaki Province, played a major role in the production, particularly in scenes depicting Tenzing’s early life. Its high-altitude landscapes, traditional settlements and dry, rugged terrain offered a convincing setting for the communities that shaped the young mountaineer. The region’s proximity to the Tibetan plateau also makes its scenery particularly suitable for recreating the cultural and geographical environment of Tenzing’s childhood.
Director Jennifer Peedom explained that the production filmed in Mustang, close to the Tibetan border, to recreate Tenzing’s early years. The team had initially considered shooting in the Khumbu region, but Mustang’s villages provided a suitable alternative for representing Sherpa communities. The production spent around six weeks filming in the area, making it one of the film’s most significant locations.
With its dramatic mountain backdrops and settlements that appear far removed from modern city life, Mustang offers precisely the sort of atmosphere a historical Himalayan drama needs. It is also an attractive destination for travellers interested in Tibetan-influenced architecture, ancient trade routes and landscapes that look as though the modern world has politely decided to leave them alone.
Lo Manthang, Nepal
Lo Manthang, the historic walled settlement in Upper Mustang, is another place worth exploring when considering the region’s visual character. Known for its traditional Tibetan-style buildings, narrow lanes and centuries-old cultural heritage, the settlement provides a striking example of the architectural traditions found across Mustang. Its position amid an expansive, high-altitude landscape makes it particularly memorable for visitors interested in Himalayan history and culture.
The town is also associated with monasteries, traditional homes and the distinctive earth-coloured architecture that gives Upper Mustang its unmistakable appearance. These characteristics make Lo Manthang an interesting destination for anyone drawn to the cultural atmosphere surrounding Tenzing’s story.
Although a film’s scenery should not automatically be treated as evidence that every recognisable settlement appeared on screen, Lo Manthang helps illustrate the wider visual world the Mustang region can offer. Travellers should also remember that reaching Upper Mustang involves additional planning and permit requirements, so this is not quite the sort of place where you can book a hotel on Friday and casually decide to wander around on Saturday morning.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, served as another major filming location for Tenzing. The bustling city combines historic architecture, religious landmarks and crowded streets, offering a very different atmosphere from Mustang’s remote mountain settlements. Its importance to Nepal’s cultural and political life also makes it a natural setting for scenes connected to the expedition’s preparations and the wider society surrounding Tenzing.
The city is home to several well-known landmarks, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Dharahara and Pashupatinath Temple. Kathmandu Durbar Square features historic palaces, courtyards and traditional Newar architecture, while Boudhanath is one of the most recognisable Buddhist sites in the country. Dharahara provides a reminder of the capital’s changing architectural history, and Pashupatinath remains an important Hindu temple complex along the Bagmati River.
These locations reveal the extraordinary cultural diversity that visitors can experience within one city. For the production, Kathmandu also offered access to established infrastructure and a range of urban environments. For travellers, meanwhile, it delivers temples, markets, food stalls and enough traffic to make even a short journey feel like an unexpected expedition of its own.
Bhaktapur, Nepal
Bhaktapur, another historic city in the Kathmandu Valley, offers an architectural landscape shaped by traditional Newar craftsmanship. Its brick-paved streets, intricately carved wooden windows, temples and public squares make it one of Nepal’s most distinctive cultural destinations. The city’s historic centre is especially appealing to visitors who want to experience traditional architecture without spending their entire trip travelling between distant mountain communities.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the main attraction, featuring historic palaces, temples and monuments that reflect the city’s artistic heritage. The surrounding streets are filled with traditional buildings, workshops and courtyards, creating an atmosphere that feels markedly different from Kathmandu’s busier commercial districts.
The city is also known for pottery-making traditions and local dishes such as juju dhau, a rich yoghurt speciality associated with the area. Its historic character makes Bhaktapur a natural addition to a wider exploration of Nepal’s cultural landscape. For anyone following the locations associated with Tenzing, it helps demonstrate the architectural richness of the Kathmandu Valley, where religious traditions and centuries of craftsmanship remain part of everyday life rather than something confined to a museum.
Lalitpur, Nepal
Lalitpur, also known as Patan, provided another important setting for the production. Located immediately south of Kathmandu, the city is celebrated for its traditional Newar architecture, Buddhist heritage and centuries-old craftsmanship. Its historic centre offers an appealing combination of temples, courtyards and public spaces, making it one of the most visually distinctive places in the Kathmandu Valley.
A major landmark here is Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its palace complex, carved wooden details and traditional brick buildings. The square remains an active centre for worship and community gatherings, which created additional logistical challenges for the Tenzing production.
Peedom described the difficulty of arranging filming around religious holidays and securing a limited window to shoot two major scenes involving a large number of extras. The filmmakers reportedly managed to organise a two-hour filming period at the square, illustrating how complicated location work can become when a production operates in a living cultural environment. The result is a useful reminder that historic locations are not simply decorative backdrops waiting for a camera crew to arrive; people still have places to go and ceremonies to attend.
Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, Nepal
Patan Durbar Square deserves particular attention because of its architectural detail and continuing religious significance. The square contains historic palaces, courtyards and temples that reflect the artistic achievements of the former royal city of Patan. Its traditional buildings and intricate decorative work provide a strong visual contrast to the vast, open landscapes associated with the Everest expedition.
The location is also part of a wider network of historic sites across the Kathmandu Valley, where Hindu and Buddhist traditions have influenced architecture, public life and artistic expression for generations. Visitors can explore the square and its surrounding streets to discover traditional metalwork, woodcarving and religious monuments.
The area’s layered history makes it more than a photogenic stop on a sightseeing itinerary. It also provides context for understanding the cultural environments represented in a film about a Sherpa mountaineer whose life was shaped by both Himalayan traditions and international expeditions. For travellers, Patan offers an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the details that can easily be overlooked when every holiday photograph is taken at the speed of a social media upload.
Bandipur, Nepal
Bandipur, a hilltop settlement in Nepal’s Tanahun District, adds another dimension to the country’s diverse scenery. The town is known for its traditional Newari architecture, preserved streets and views across the surrounding hills. Unlike the capital’s dense urban environment or Mustang’s stark high-altitude terrain, Bandipur offers a more settled landscape with historic buildings and a relaxed atmosphere.
The town’s traditional houses, carved windows and pedestrian-friendly centre make it an appealing destination for visitors interested in Nepal’s cultural heritage. Its position above the surrounding valleys also creates sweeping views of the countryside, particularly when the weather is clear. Bandipur’s character demonstrates how varied Nepal’s environments can be, even within a relatively small country.
The settlement has developed a reputation as a destination for travellers seeking heritage architecture and mountain views without committing to a lengthy high-altitude trek. Its reported association with the production adds another reason for film enthusiasts to look into the region, although the strongest appeal remains the town itself: a historic place where the architecture, landscape and everyday pace of life offer plenty to explore.
Monasteries across Nepal
Real monasteries across Nepal also formed part of the production’s filming environments, helping connect Tenzing’s mountaineering ambitions with the spiritual traditions that shaped his understanding of the Himalayas. For Tenzing, the mountains were not simply geographical obstacles to conquer. His relationship with the landscape was influenced by cultural and religious beliefs, adding another layer to a story that could otherwise become little more than a tale about reaching a high point.
Nepal is home to numerous Buddhist monasteries, many of which feature prayer halls, traditional murals, ceremonial objects and architecture closely connected to local communities. Their settings vary considerably, from settlements in the Kathmandu Valley to communities surrounded by Himalayan terrain.
This diversity offers filmmakers a range of environments for portraying religious life and cultural traditions. The inclusion of authentic religious spaces also helps establish a stronger connection between the historical figure and the society in which he lived. For visitors, monasteries can provide opportunities to learn about local customs, provided they respect restrictions on photography, dress appropriately and remember that these are active places of worship rather than themed attractions designed exclusively for tourists.
South Island, New Zealand
New Zealand’s South Island, known in Māori as Te Waipounamu, supplied some of the production’s most demanding mountain environments. The island’s Southern Alps, extensive glaciers and snow-covered peaks offered the filmmakers a practical way to recreate the conditions of a historic Everest expedition. Although the real Everest stands in the Himalayas, the Southern Alps can provide similarly imposing scenery without requiring an entire film crew to work on the world's highest mountain.
The production reportedly filmed key mountain sequences in the region, with the crew adapting its plans to changing weather and snowfall. Peedom explained that unpredictable conditions forced the team to reconsider locations and rehearse scenes on safer ground before moving to more challenging terrain.
Tom Hiddleston, who plays Edmund Hillary, also described the experience of working in remote villages and on snow and ice, where safety equipment sometimes had to serve as part of the costumes and props. The physical demands of the shoot were considerable, but the South Island’s dramatic landscapes offered the scale the film needed. It is a reminder that making an adventure film can involve a considerable amount of actual adventure, even before the cameras start rolling.
Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand
Aoraki / Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, was among the most important locations for the film’s mountain sequences. Situated in the Southern Alps, it rises above a landscape of glaciers, rugged ridgelines and expansive alpine valleys. Its imposing appearance makes it a natural choice for productions seeking to recreate the scale and challenge of a Himalayan climbing expedition.
The filmmakers reportedly captured the summit sequence on Mount Cook during a clear-weather window. Securing the right conditions was crucial because mountain weather can change quickly, affecting visibility, access and safety. The production team also had to prepare carefully before filming at altitude, rehearsing scenes on safer ground so the cast and crew understood their movements before reaching the actual locations.
Mount Cook is a popular destination for mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts, although its demanding terrain means that not every visitor should attempt a climb. Walking tracks and scenic viewpoints offer more accessible ways to appreciate the area. For travellers who want the dramatic atmosphere of Tenzing without the risks of an expedition, the surrounding national park provides spectacular views with considerably less need to negotiate ropes, ice axes and a very serious conversation with a mountain guide.
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park surrounds the country’s highest peak and contains a striking collection of alpine landscapes, including glaciers, lakes, valleys and mountain trails. The park’s changing light and weather can transform the scenery within minutes, making it an attractive location for cinematographers seeking natural drama rather than relying on elaborate digital effects.
Visitors can explore several walking routes suited to different abilities, enjoy views of the Southern Alps and learn more about the region’s natural environment. The park also offers opportunities for stargazing, with the wider Aoraki Mackenzie area recognised for its exceptionally dark skies.
Its combination of accessible viewpoints and demanding alpine terrain makes it appealing to a broad range of travellers. For a film like Tenzing, the landscape provides a convincing sense of scale and exposure, allowing the audience to appreciate the challenges facing climbers without needing to recreate every danger in a studio. The scenery is spectacular, but it also makes one point rather clearly: the mountains do not care how important your shooting schedule happens to be.
Darwin Glacier, New Zealand
Darwin Glacier, in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, was another location associated with the production’s demanding mountain work. The glacier’s remote setting and extensive ice formations offer the kind of harsh environment needed to portray the physical challenges of climbing at extreme altitude. Filming in such conditions requires careful coordination, particularly when equipment, cast members and crew must operate on unstable or slippery surfaces.
During the production, the team reportedly filmed a Mount Everest sequence in the Darwin Glacier area, installing a safety line into the mountain to support the work. The setup illustrates how much preparation is required to make a mountain sequence look convincing while keeping the people involved as safe as possible.
Glaciers are constantly changing natural environments, and their surfaces can contain hidden crevasses, unstable ice and other hazards. They are not places for casual exploration without appropriate training and professional guidance. For audiences, however, the resulting scenery can create an unusually convincing sense of exposure and isolation. There is something particularly effective about a landscape that makes even experienced climbers appear small; it is also a useful reminder that no film budget can persuade a glacier to behave itself.
The Southern Alps, New Zealand
The Southern Alps stretch along much of New Zealand’s South Island, forming the country’s principal alpine range. Their snow-covered peaks, glacial valleys and rugged ridges provide a dramatic backdrop for adventure stories, and the range was central to the film’s efforts to recreate the mountain conditions associated with Everest.
The region’s scenery varies from accessible valleys and lakeside viewpoints to remote areas that demand considerable mountaineering experience. This range of environments gives filmmakers considerable flexibility when planning scenes that require different levels of difficulty and exposure. It also creates a practical alternative to filming every mountain sequence in the Himalayas, where altitude, weather, access and logistics can make production exceptionally complicated.
For visitors, the Southern Alps offer some of New Zealand’s most memorable landscapes, whether viewed from scenic roads, walking tracks or guided alpine excursions. The mountains are also a reminder of the difference between watching a climbing expedition on screen and taking part in one. A comfortable seat and a good television remain perfectly respectable ways to appreciate the view.
My take on Tenzing’s filming locations
The locations chosen for Tenzing sound like one of the film’s biggest strengths. Nepal brings the cultural history, religious traditions and human landscape essential to telling Tenzing Norgay’s story, while New Zealand supplies the snow, ice and imposing mountain scenery needed to recreate the dangers of an Everest expedition. That combination makes practical sense, particularly when filming on the actual Everest would create enormous logistical and safety challenges.
Mustang is especially compelling because its settlements and high-altitude environment help establish the world Tenzing came from, rather than presenting him solely through the lens of his eventual achievement. Kathmandu and Lalitpur add architectural and cultural depth, while Mount Cook and the glaciers provide the visual scale audiences expect from a mountaineering drama. The real test will be whether the finished film balances spectacular scenery with the historical and personal story behind the climb. Beautiful mountains are easy to admire; telling Tenzing’s story with the respect it deserves is the harder achievement.
Ultimately, Tenzing draws on the landscapes of Mustang, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Bandipur and New Zealand’s South Island to bring its mountaineering story to life. From historic Nepalese settlements to the glaciers of the Southern Alps, the filming environments offer a fascinating glimpse into the places behind the production. If you could visit just one of these destinations, would you choose Mustang for its Himalayan culture, Kathmandu for its historic landmarks or Mount Cook for its spectacular alpine scenery? Share your choice and tell us which filming location you would most like to explore..