Bhutan Photography Tour: (10N/11D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Explore and photograph wonders of the isolated Himalayan kingdom.
Capture stunning images of the legendary Tiger’s Nest monastery perched on cliff at an elevation of 3,120 meters.
Meet monk on hilltop monasteries; capture images of red-robed monks in serene and overwhelmingly quiet environment.
Click amazing pictures of the 108 stupas beautifully adorned on Dochu La- pass with the snow-capped Himalayan ranges behind.
Visit local homes and snap pictures of their daily activities.
Frame the breathtaking landscape of Ura valley with the backdrop of blue sky and dramatic clouds.
ItineraryDay 1: Arrive at Paro Airport- Drive to Thimphu (54 kms/ 1.5 hours' drive)Pass By: Paro District, Paro District
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of some of the world’s highest glacial peaks. If you get a seat on the left side of the plane and the weather cooperates, you may have spectacular views of the eastern Himalayas including Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga—five of the highest peaks in the world—as well as peaks in Bhutan such as Jhomolhari, Jichu Drakye, and Tsering Kang.
You can photograph the highest peaks of the world.
As you enter Paro valley, you will sweep past forested hills with the silvery Pa Chhu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below. Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watchtower) on the hills above the town will be a fine sight.
Stop At: Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, Paro-Thimphu Highway, Paro 12001 Bhutan
One of the first places to visit is the Tachhog Lhakhang, a temple situated across the famous iron chain bridge built over the meandering Pa Chhu (Paro river).
It is fun to cross the bridge and feel the fresh breeze sweeping over the river. The colorful prayer flags fluttering and ancient temple on the hill creates an invigorating ambiance to get over your long hours of flight.
The whole set up is indeed a feast to one's Eye.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Thimphu
Day 2: Exploring Thimphu Valley Stop At: Cheri Gompa Monastery, Norzin Lam 2 21, Thimphu Bhutan
After a good breakfast, drive to the Northern end of Thimphu valley and hike an hour up to the Cheri monastery; a place of tranquility and overwhelming quietness.
As you approach the 17th century Cheri monastery; the other monasteries dotted atop the surrounding mountains with the backdrop of the blue sky is a delightful view to capture.
Usually you will be able to spot mountain goats freely mingling with the monks.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Tango Buddhist Institute, Thimphu Bhutan
On your return you will take another one hour climb to Tango Monastery which dates back to the 12th century.
- Capture images of red-robed monks on hilltop monastery.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Photograph the exquisite Tashichoe Dzong, a master piece of the Bhutanese architecture. (If time permits)
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Thimphu
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha (74kms/2-3 hours drive) Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuensel Phodrang Viewing Point, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
Capture the vibrant Buddha Dordema statue in the early morning sunrise. Apart from the serenity of the place the view of the Thimphu city from here is gorgeous.
Proceed to the Punakha the old capital city of Bhutan until 1950s.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
En route to Punakha, on the way stop at Dochu La (3,100 meters above the sea level).
Sip a cup hot coffee at the cafeteria while enjoying the mesmerizing panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges which can be seen on a clear day.
Click amazing pictures of the 108 stupas beautifully adorned on the pass with the snow-capped Himalayan ranges behind.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Punakha Dzong is just as striking inside as outside and it is arguably the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. Located magnificently between Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River) confluence, the intricate carving and amazing architecture of the Dzong is a great source of inspiration for photographers.
This famous structure built in the 1637 has lot to tell about the historical background and various Tibetan invasion won from this strategically located Dzong. It also houses the kingdom’s most sacred relic the “Rangjung Karsa-pani”.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Punakha
Day 4: Punakha to the Phobjikha Valley ( 78 kms/3.5 hour) Stop At: Chimi Lhakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
Walk along the path through the agricultural field of rice and mustard leading to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple located on a hillock.
On the way you can witness unusual paintings of phallus on walls of the traditional houses. The phallus paintings are traditionally believed to ward off evil influences and bad-mouth/gossips of others that bring bad luck.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Bhutan
Upon arriving to Phobjikha; visit Gangtey Gonpa or Gangtey Monastery which is an important Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. It is the main seat of the Pema Lingpa’s tradition. Situated atop a hill at an altitude of 2,800 meters, the monastery offers a stunning view of Phobjikha valley, winter home to the rare Black necked Cranes.
The structures of the temple and the monks in the complex of the monastery has great captures to offer.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Phobjikha Valley, Wangdue Phodrang District
The best way to know a place is through its people and their daily lives.
Visiting a farm house in the locality and making friends with the locals is a good chance to delve in to the cultural aspect of the Bhutanese society.
Capture images of their daily activities.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Phobjikha
Day 5: Phobjikha to Trongsa (120 kms/ 4-5 hours)Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Phobjikha Valley, Wangdue Phodrang District
In the morning hike through the Gangtey Nature Trail which is considered as one of the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the Mani (like Chorten) stone wall to the north of the Gangtey Gonpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1 hour 30 minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjikha valley so beautifully from this hike. It is one of the best hike places for the Nature lovers.
During the winter months, we can see the endangered species of birds – Black Neck Cranes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Tongsa Dzong, Trongsa Bhutan
Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home to Bhutan’s monarch where you will often find novice monks reciting mantras or practicing on sacred horns, flutes or drums.
Photograph the intricate design of the Trongsa Dzong & resident monks. It the longest and largest Dzong of Bhutan.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: The Tower of Trongsa Museum, Trongsa Bhutan
Visit the Royal Heritage Museum which used to serve as watch tower of the Trongsa Dzong.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Trongsa
Day 6: Trongsa to Bumthang (68 kms/ 2-3 hours)Stop At: Tamshing Lhakhang Temple, Bumthang Bhutan
Tamshing monastery was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Kurje Lhakhang, Bumthang Bhutan
Visit Kurjey Lhakhang. It is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three building.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jambay Lhakhang Temple, Near Bumthang River, Jakar Bhutan
From the Kurjey Lhakhang, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambay Lhakhang. This ancient temple was built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century in his mission to built 108 such temples over the Himalayan region to subdue a giant ogress. It is one of the two oldest temples in Bhutan (the other being Kichu Lhakhang in Paro).
You may be able to see old people circumambulating the
temple or chanting sutras around the temple in deep faith and devotion.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Bumthang
Day 7: Explore Ura valley- BumthangStop At: Jakar Dzong, Chamkhar Valley, Jakar Bhutan
Jakar Dzong is a great sight to capture in the early morning sunrise, especially if the valley below is filled with fogs.
After getting some good shots of the castle from afar, visit inside the administrative center of the region.
There are number of stunning images to be made of various scenic frames, especially with monks in them to add a colorful human element.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ura Valley, Bumthang Bhutan
Ura valley is best known for its photographic sites and the age-old traditional architecture. This village is positioned at a height of 3100 meters from the sea level and is also one of the highest valleys in the country. This village is situated close to Chamkar and it takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach there. In the winter season, this village gets covered with snow and becomes an eye-catching view. During the spring the whole surface of the valley gets covered with the flowers. Ura has also got many trekking sites which is a center of attraction for many hikers.
Mother Nature always blesses us with many boons and Bhutan is one among them. The feeling of calmness and divine happiness emerges from the heart when someone visits this heaven on earth. When you pay a visit to theses exotic places one of the major things which you will notice is the positive attitude of the villagers.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ura Valley, Bumthang Bhutan
Ura Valley Hike:
Your vehicle will drop you at Shelthang La (Pass); from here walk down through the beautiful meadows along the old walking trails where you can get in touch with the virgin forest and wonderful view of the valley below.
The walk is all downhill so, it is not a strenuous one. In fact it will be a good break to get out of the car and breathe in crisp mountain air while stopping to take pictures at your own pace.
The stunning landscape, high mountains and the vibrant sky is what attracts people to this place.
At the end of the hike you will arrive at the Ura Lhakhang and the medieval setup of the Ura village consisting of 40 to 50 traditional Bhutanese houses.
You vehicle will be waiting for you at the Ura Village.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Bumthang
Day 8: Explore Tang valley - Bumthang Stop At: Burning Lake, Bumthang Bhutan
Capture the shimmering reflection of light over the Maebar Tsho lake.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Bumthang District, Bumthang District
Stop at Ta Rimo chen , this place gives you the feel of medieval period with the background of amazing rocky mountains. This place would definitely be a delight to photographers.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ogyen Choling Palace Museum, Ogyen Choling, Tang, Bumthang, Jakar Bhutan
Visit Ogyen Choling village & mansion. Here you can see various artifacts, arms and armors, ancient library, textiles, zhimkhang (bed rooms of the nobility and the elite) and the most interesting thing is you can take photograph here unlike other museum.
Duration: 2 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Bumthang.
Day 9: Fly from Bumthang to Paro in a domestic flight Stop At: Paro District, Paro District
Take a domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro. It will take about 45 minutes.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Rinpung Dzong, Paro Bhutan
“Paro Dzong” also known as Paro Rinpung Dzong – “the fortress of the heap of jewels”. This structure serves as the house for the district monastic body and government administrative office of Paro.
Photo shoot with the monks in the courtyard of the Paro Dzong
This is the fortress where the film "the little Buddha" was made.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Namgay Artisanal Brewery, Dumsibu, Paro 11001, Bhutan
Time permitting- visit Namgay Artisanal Brewery and loose your taste palate to the variety of locally brewed Bhutanese beer.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Paro
Day 10: Hike to the Tiger's Nest (4-6 hours)Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail, Paro Bhutan
THE FAMOUS TIGER’S NEST HIKE:
Today you will be hiking to one of the famous sites called as the Tiger’s Nest (Taktshang) perched at 900m above the Paro valley.
It is a pilgrimage site which the Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this site and meditated in a cave here for 3 months, hence it's name is ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
The site, which has long been regarded as the sacred place, was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the 17th century approximately in 1646. The Lhakhang of the present monastic complex dates from 1692.
Duration: 6 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel in Paro
Day 11: Departure Stop At: Paro District, Paro District
Our team will drop you to the airport and bid you farewell.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Service animals allowed"
"Near public transportation"
"Infants must sit on laps"
"Infant seats available"
"Most travelers can participate"
"Single supplement of USD 500"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Start Time:
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Bhutan Photography Tour: (10N/11D)
8/28/2020 - 4/30/2025| Monday - Sunday : | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
Duration: 11 Days
Start location: Paro International Airport, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
Traveler pickup is offered
Our team will pick you up from the airport
Airports- Paro International Airport, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
Cancellations and refunds:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
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