A Photo Journey in Bhutan

1. Day 1 Paro - Thimphu ▾

   • 55 km Driving distance
   • 1 hr 30 min Driving time
   • 2,300 m Altitude of Thimphu

   You shall know that now you are flying above Bhutan as soon as you start seeing the beautiful views from your window. As the flight starts losing altitude and you see its wings glide past the mountain slopes, Bhutan welcomes you with and adventurous landing.

   As you come out of the exit you will find your guide from Ideal Travel Creations waiting for you. Drive to Thimphu. On the way stop at places to photograph villages, people, and scenery. Highlights shall be the Tamchog Lhakhang and the Chuzomsa.

   Check in hotel in Thimphu. Towards late afternoon, set out to photograph the Thimphu city and its people.The school children returning home, the main traffic without traffic lights and white gloved traffic police managing the vehicles would be a good addition to your collections.

   Also visit the National Memorial Chhortenfor the photography of the Monument and people. Being the Centre of Worship for the people of Thimphu, you shall come across people of different ages and from different walks of life here. When it’s dark, drive to Kuenselphodrang to photograph the night view of the Thimphu town.

   Dinner and overnight in hotel.

2. Day 2 Thimphu ▾

   • 2,300 m Altitude of Thimphu

   After breakfast, drive to Changangkha Lhakhang. At the Changangkha Lhakhang we will encounter many pilgrims. In addition, the inner murals of this 13th century temple are easily photographed. The view of the Thimphu Valley shall be bonus. Meet an astrologer to determine which prayer flag is appropriate for you based on your birth date and hang the prayer flag.

   Drive to the National Institute of Zorig Chusum to photograph students working on different forms of traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. Finally visit the Folk heritage Museum. A typical Bhutanese Lunch in the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant.

   Afternoon, drive to Kuenselphodrang to photograph the biggest Statue of Buddha Dordenma, the view of Thimphu Valley, the nature park, and the people. You make choose to hike the Kuenselphodrang Trail. In the evening visit the Tashichhodzong.

   The unique architecture outside and inside the Dzong is worth adding to your collection. Monks and the Flag Lowering ceremony can also be photographed here. An interactive session with your Bhutanese hosts in the evening. Dinner with your Bhutanese Host.

   Overnight in hotel in Thimphu.

3. Day 3 Thimphu - Gangtey ▾

   • 140 km Driving distance
   • 4 hr Driving time
   • 2,900 m Altitude of Phobjikha

   As you drive towards Phobjikha, you shall first see the Simtokha Dzong and then the winding roads leads you through blue pine forests and the villages of Hongtsho (2890m) and Yusipang. The local villager sell apples, walnuts, dried cheese in this area.

   The road climbs through the forest till you reach the Dochula Pass (3150 m), the highest point between Thimphu and Wangdue/Punakha valleys. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the higher Himalayas and the visit the 108 Druk Wangyal Chhortens. Follow the road downhill, vegetation now changes from oak, maple, and blue pine to a forest of Hemlock, fir, Rhododendron, alder cypress, etc. leadingyou to the Royal Botanical Park and then slowly descends towards Thinleygang.

   The wind gets warmer and the vegetation is mostly of cactus, oranges, bamboo, pine and paddy fields. Drive further to Gangtey Valley via Lobesa, and the Wangduephodrang bridge. Drive along the slopes of bare hills following the river (Drang Chhu) until you reach Chuzomsa, (the confluence of the Dang Chhu and the Pe Chhu).

   After crossing the bridge the road goes uphill through pine forests often encountering small villages, where women spinning yarns on their porches, older men idling their time and children frolicking around could be the most common sights. A small linear settlement at Nobding shall provide some photo opportunities and houses, people, and sceneries.

   Visit a School in this village. (Subject to that we get the permission to visit). Stop at Lawala and certain point after whichever place provides a good view of the Phobjikha Valley. We will do our lunch on the way and shall grab all the photo opportunities that come on the way from Thimphu to Phobjikha.

   Dinner and overnight in hotel.

4. Day 4 Phobjikha/ Gangtey ▾

   In the morning, drive to Gangtey Goemba overlooking the large green expanse of the Phobjikha Valley. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple.

   WE will take time to shoot this impressive monastery from different angles. This impressive monastery will take time to shoot as we will do it from various angles. Then hike the Gangtey Nature Trail. The two-hour gentle trek lets you get immersed in the beautiful Phobjikha valley till you reach the Khewang Lhakhang.

   Visit this little old monastery for a photo shoot of young monksand the area. In the evening, visit a local village house for a cooking demonstration. Enjoy Home cooked dinner at the place. Overnight in hotel.

5. Day 5 Phobjikha - Punakha ▾

   • 80 km Driving distance
   • 2 hr 30 min Driving time
   • 1,310 m Altitude of Punakha

   After breakfast, drive to Punakha stopping on the way for photo shoots of landscapes that were missed earlier. Drive to Punkaha and immerse traditional village of the Sobsokha. We will photograph people in the fields and the women cooking in their humble abodes.

   If the group wants more landscape shots we will do that.Our photo group will visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. The nunnery is perched on a ridge amid pine trees overlooking Punakha and Wangduephodrang. The temple complex houses a permanent learning and meditation center for nuns where apart from religious training; it provides skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.

   During the visit you can spend time in the prayer hall and listen to the nuns chanting and reading religious books. The winding road then leads to the longest suspension bridge in this Buddhist land. The last shoot of the day will be timed for blue hour at the Punakha Dzong.

   Punakha Dzong is said to be one of the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially when we are there and the lilac-colored jacaranda trees bring a lush visual component to the dzong’s towering whitewashed walls. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s.

   All of Bhutan’s kings have been crowned here. A group slideshow before dinner. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

6. Day 6 Punakha/ Wangdue ▾

   • 1,310 m Altitude of Punakha

   After breakfast, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten. Take a short drive to the base and then walk through paddy fields before you climb a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. The hike is amazing and the views from the Chhorten are absolutely thrilling.

   On the way you shall have the opportunity to photograph the farmers working on the fields. Reaching the hilltop shrine, the breathing taking views of the fertile valley below shall be an add on for your collections. Afternoon, Rafting in the Mochhu till Zomlingthang.

   Picnic lunch at Zomlingthang in the banks of Mochhu River. Afternoon, visit the Nalanda Buddhist University for a portraiture event where the monks will be our friendly subjects. Architectural photography will also be encouraged. In the evening explore the Khuruthang town or Bajo Town whichever is nearby as per out hotel location.

   Dinner and overnight in hotel.

7. Day 7 Punakha - Paro ▾

   After breakfast, drive to Paro. On the way stop to visit the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi. Further on the way visit the Tamchhog Lhakhang to experience the river, the iron chain bridge and to visit the temple. Lunch at Paro. After lunch, the following activities awaits you.

   Explore the Paro Town and Valley shopping souvenirs Experience National Dress and Archery Spend some time in a coffee shop or a handicraft shop Visit the Ta Dzong overlooking the Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1951 as a watch tower. This Dzong is round, more like parts of a European castle.

   The Dzong was established as the National Museum of Bhutan since 1967 and holds fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangka, etc. In the evening, a traditional cultural show. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

8. Day 8 Paro ▾

   Today we will photograph the most well-known location in Bhutan, Tiger’s Nest. Leaving our hotel after a hearty breakfast, we will make the three hour climb. We saved this till the end so that you are full acclimatized. The hike is not overly difficult and we will have porters assist us.

   We will have lunch along the climb. Coming down should take two hours. Legend states that Guru Rinpoche—also known as Guru Padmasambhava—arrived in Bhutan by flying on the back of a tigress. He visited several caves and cliff sides in order to meditate and subdue local demons.

   He spent a large amount of his time on the mountainside above the Paro Valley, sanctifying the place that would later become one of Bhutan’s holiest monasteries—Paro Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest. Towards late afternoon, drive to a Village House for a traditional hot stone bath.

   It is believed that the hot stone bath has medicinal values. Once back down group members can go for an optional massage. A slideshow presentation of your selected captures and farewell dinner with your Bhutanese Hosts Overnight in hotel.

9. Day 9 Departure ▾

   After breakfast, Drive to airport and bid farewell to Bhutan.

What is and isn't Included?

Getting there & when to go

Trip facts

Travel cost details