Photographers certainly have curiosity to explore the world in fresh ways. The beautiful snow capped himalayas, mountain passes, river valleys, abundant flora & fauna, historical & cultural sites, festivals in Bhutan are the prominent attractions to capture. The festivals are most colorful & lively. This tour explores intensity of festivals, pristine nature, peace & tranquility of countryside at different areas. While travelling, itinerary provides adequate time to interact with the people, learn about their life-style, traditions and shoot the images of exquisite temples, Dzongs (Fortress), farming villages, towering himalaya. Hike into the forests and capture breathtaking scenery of the environment. Our guides are very much concerned towards your interest and give you enough time to go around the villages, towns, market places etc. They will also take you to private temples complex that allow photography inside the temple. You can do a private photographers tour with us or with friends or join one of our group trips. Group trips have lot of interaction and fun.

Best Seasons for Photography: March, April, May, September, October & November

Tour Highlights:

• Capture images of daily life in Bhutan on hikes to local villages and excursions to lively markets.
• Hike to Bhutan's most famous pilgrimage site, Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger's Nest Temple).
• Photograph the exquisite carvings and sculptures of the newly renovated Gangtey Gonpa temple.
• Mingle with community leaders and government dignitaries at a banquet dinner and gain insight into modern Bhutan.

Photography Tour Itinerary - 14 days/13 nights

Day 01: Arrive by flight to Paro (Between 7 and 10am) The flight to Bhutan takes you over Himalayas, offering glimpses of the highest glacial peaks. Upon your arrival at Paro we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel through the valley of Paro. After a short orientation to the tour we will have lunch and explore Paro town. Day 02: Paro sightseeing After breakfast, visit to Rinpung Dzong (the fortress of the heap of Jewels built in the 17th century), photography is allowed in the expansive courtyards and outside of the Dzong but not actually within the sacred shrines. After lunch visit the Drukgyel Dzong ruins, its surrounding villages and rice fields. Next we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century and one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. We will spend the afternoon and dusk wandering around Paro town. Overnight in hotel. Day 03: Paro - Thimphu (56 Kms - 1.5 hours) After breakfast drive to Thimphu about hour and half. Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan. We will visit the Grand Memorial Chorten and the Big Buddha sitting above the city. Visit to temple (Wangditsi or Zangho Pelri near market place - photography allowed in shrine room) We overnight in hotel. Day 04: Thimphu sightseeing. Morning Thimphu sightseeing includes - visit to Folk and Heritage Museum; Late King's Memorial Stupa; Textile museum; Takin (National animals); weaving center; and Traditional Hand made Paper Factory. Afternoon, visit Painting School, which preserves our traditional paintings, sculpting and wood carving; National Handicraft Emporium. (some photographers may choose to omit these visits to allow more time for leisurely photography) Evening at leisure in Thimphu City. Day 05: Thimphu - Punakha (74 Kms - 3 hours driving) Depart to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,100m). On a clear day, the pass offers spectacular views over the greater eastern Himalayas including the highest peak of Bhutan. Dochula pass is about one hour from Thimphu, and we will stop here for one hour beside the spectacular 108 Chortens at the top of the pass. On the way to Punakha we will stop for a short hike of about an hour to the temple of the Divine Madman, also well known as the "temple of fertility". The villages in this area are surrounded by rice fields. In the afternoon we visit Punakha Dzong built in 1638, Punakha was the capital city of Bhutan till 1955 and still the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot, resides there during the winter season. Overnight in hotel. Day 06: Punakha - Bumthang (210 Kms - 8 hours driving) Drive to Trongsa about 5 to 6 hours. Short stop at Wangdi town. Continue our journey crossing Pele la Pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. Stop for lunch at Chendebji near a large Nepalese style stupa, then continue for about 3 hours to Bumthang. Overnight at tourist Lodge. Day 07: Bumthang sightseeing Bumthang is a very lush green valley and often described by Swiss visitors as reminding them of home, it also has the highest concentration of the most sacred temples in Bhutan. Morning: - visit Kurjey Lhakhang, Guru Rinpoche meditated here in 8th century; Jambey Lhakhang built in 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gempo. Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 15th century by Pema Lingpa, the treasure revealer. Kencho Sum Lhakhang. We will visit a combination of state and private temples (that allow photographs inside the temple) Later see the Jakar Dzong. Evening take a stroll through Bumthang market area. Overnight in hotel. Day 8: Bumthang sightseeing Extra day in Bumthang - photography time around town, or optional short hike. Day 9: Bumthang - Trongsa (3 hours driving) Morning in Bumthang, then back to Pelela Pass (alt. 3,300 m) to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong. Then visit Ta Dzong (watchtower museum) (option for photographers to choose more photographic time instead of museum visit). Overnight in Hotel Day 10: Trongsa Gangtey/Phobjikha (4.5 hours driving) Early morning departure to Phobjikha - one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked crane, which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. The valley is wide and open and quite a contrast to the usually steep valleys that characterise Bhutan. Explore Phobjikha and also visit Gangtey Monastery, the largest Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. This monastery features incredibly ornate architectural highlights. Overnight in Hotel. Day 11: Phobjika - Thimphu (5.5 hours driving) Morning drive north of Punakha valley, hike 45minutes to Khamsum Namgyel Chorten. Depart Punakha for lunch in Thimphu and stroll streets of Thimphu in the evening. Overnight in hotel. Day 12: Thimphu - Paro Morning in Thimphu at leisure. Optional visit to the fresh produce market. Vendors from all over Bhutan bring a range of colorful fruits and spices to this market in central Thimphu. Lunch Thimphu. Depart to Paro. Overnight in Paro. Day 13: Paro. Morning hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest) in the Paro Valley - the most popular tourism site in Bhutan. The hike to Taktsang takes about an hour uphill to the viewpoint and another hour to the monastery. Guru Rinpoche meditated here in the 8th century. The Desi Tenzin Rabgye extended the temple in the 17th century to present structure, however it has undergone significant rebuilds due to fires. Lunch at Cafeteria, then amble down to pick up point. Afternoon in Paro at leisure. Overnight in Paro. Day 14: Paro - Exit. After early breakfast in the hotel drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.