Tour Overview
There is no denying the power of imagery, and nothing captures change like the camera does. Bhutan is photographers paradise, a living museum of art and culture, with stunning landscapes and glory of natural beauty at its best.
Photography tours will explore its streets, piazzas, and great works of art and architecture in the company of excellent guides. This tour is intended for people with all levels of interest and accomplishment in digital photography. While the emphasis will be on photography, this is also a cultural journey, which we believe will enhance your ability to capture the essence of Bhutanese life in your images. Bhutan has large areas of woodlands, interspersed with farms and dotted with towns and monasteries on hills and ridges. Our journey will explore this glorious land in depth. Everywhere there is something of compelling beauty, curiosity, and interest; brilliant architecture, classic landscapes, and the daily life of the people themselves.
Our photography guide or the local guide will take you to premier photographic locations, places that you can’t access on your own, including monasteries, temples, fortresses, and museums, places of great political and historical importance in Bhutan. According to your interests, there can be quiet, pre-dawn photo walks. While we have specific itineraries, we have the flexibility to take advantage of photographic opportunities we find along the way.
Tour Details
Day 1: Arrival at Paro International Airport (PIA)
After arrival at PIA, Paro, you will be welcomed and escorted to your lodge/hotel by your guide/host. The wide and fertile valleyof Parois considered as the Rice bowl of the country. Your private guide will take you for a stroll around the vibrant town of Paroin the evening. Highlights include:
- The majestic Paro Dzong
- TaaDzongNationalMuseum
Day 2: Paro Tour
If the weather is pleasant with clear sky, then we shall drive to Chelela pass at an elevation of 3900m. There you can see the picturesque view of elegant Jhomolhari, Bhutan’s sacred peak and some other snow-clad mountains. Highlights include:
- The majestic Paro Dzong
- TaaDzongNationalMuseum
- Kichu Lhakhang
- Drugyel Dzong
The ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, The Fortress of the Victorious Drukpa People stands on a scenic knoll at one end of Paro valley.
Day 3: Paro to Thimphu
After breakfast at Paro, we will drive to the capital city Thimphu. The capital city houses the seat of the Government, many glittering monuments, temples, museums, monasteries and dzongs. We shall visit:
- The Memorial Stupa
- FolkheritageMuseum,
- National Library
- Buddha Point
- PaintingSchool
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Sangay Gang hilltop
- Trashichhodzong
- Paper Factory, and
- Weaving center.
Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha
After early breakfast we will drive to Punakha, it is 2 hours journey from Thimphu. Spend a perfect afternoon photographing the picturesque views that await you in this historical and quaint summer town. In Punakha we will drive to visit:
- Punakha Dzong and the town
- Chimmi Lhakhang
Punakha is reputed as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. It boasts several ancient temples that constitute some of the most significant spiritual treasure ofBhutan. Dinner and overnight at Punakha.
Day 6: Punakha to Trongsa
After breakfast we shall travel to Trongsa by road, we shall visit Wangdue Dzongkhag, an important gateway to the far flung districts ofEastern Bhutan.
In the afternoon we will be visiting Trongsa Dzong, it was the seat of power over central and easternBhutan. The dzong was built in 1648, it is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built.
Day 7: Trongsa to Bumthang
Morning we shall visit the Ta-Dzong/watch tower a (museum dedicated to the monarchs of thekingdomofBhutan) located in Trongsa and we shall have lunch at Ta-Dzong.
After lunch we shall drive to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. It is exactly 2.30hr drive. We can visit Domkhar Dzong and Chhumey textile shop if you wish to.
Day 8: Bumthang Sightseeing
Bumthang is perched at an Elevation of 2,700m and is often described as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom. There are numerous monasteries and spiritual sites in this charming valley where history and mythology help to bring alive much ofBhutan’s culture and traditions.
Bumthang is a picturesque valley of beautiful houses, and fields of buckwheat, barley and apples. After breakfast we shall visit:
- Jakar Dzong
- Wangdichholing Palace
- Jampa Lhakhang
- Kurje Lhakhang
- Membar Tsho (The burning Lake) and
- Tamshing Lhakhang
Day 08: Bumthang to Dochula
We shall start our journey from Bumthang in the early morning hours to Dochula. It is a long drive journey. The majestic 108 Choetens (stupa) at Dochula is a breath taking sight.
Day 09: Dochula to Paro
After breakfast we shall drive back to Paro. At Paro we shall go visit Tiger Nest; Taktshang monastery clings precariously to a cliff of 3,000 ft above the valley floor. It takes faintly more than an hour and a half to reach the monastery on foot from the nearest road point. The trip to Taktshang is always an exhilarating experience.
Day 10: Departure
Depart from Paro International Airport to your homeland. Your Guide will escort you to bid you farewell and a safe journey back.
Services Offered
Daily Tariff (High tourist season):
US $250 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the Month of March, April, May, September, October, November
Daily Tariff (low tourist season):
US $ 200 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the month of January, February, June, July, August, December
All the tours can be customized and clients can request extra services.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT US $ 30 PER NIGHT PER PERSON.
FIT surcharges 1 pax US $ 40 per day per person.
FIT surcherges 2 pax US $ 30 per day per person.
Cost Includes:
1. All Permits
2. Museum Fees
3. All Sightseeing
4. Walks and Hikes
5. Bottled Mineral Water
6. English Speaking Guide
7. Double/Twin in 2/3 Star Accomodation
8. Receive and Transfer to Airport
9. 3 Meals every day with Evening Tea
10. Toyota SUV for FIT & Toyota Bus for Group with Driver
Cost Does Not Include:
1. Insurance
2. Inbound Airfare
3. Gifts & Souvenirs
4. Alcohol & Beverages
5. Round Trip Air fare
6. Donations to Monasteries
7. International Telephone Calls
8. Tips for Guide, Driver & other Staff
Note:
TCB Licensed language Speaking Guides US $ 100 per day.
Tour price is based on High Season Tariff of US $ 250. For low season months it will be based on Low Season Tariff of US $ 200
