Day 1 – Bangkok => Paro => Thimphu (L, D)
You’ll meet your photo tour leader at Bangkok airport and catch an early morning flight to Paro international airport. On a clear day you will be captivated by the amazing scenery of mighty mountains all around. We will be met at Paro airport by our local guide and will begin the short drive to the capital city of Thimphu. This afternoon our photoshoots get going by exploring Paro. It’s then on to a temple where we will capture some wonderful photos of the locals as they spin the prayer wheels that you’ll see all over Bhutan. Our day ends with a sumptuous welcome dinner.
Day 2 – Thimphu => Punakha (B, L, D)
We start our day with an early morning drive up to a lookout point that gives an amazing view of the city, and the mountains in the background. Then it’s a short drive to the Big Buddha that overlooks the city which is the biggest sitting statue of Buddha in the world. After our early morning shoot we drive to the riverside town of Punakha via Duchula Pass. We’ll stop for lunch and some photos at the pass. At over 3,000 meters high, the view is simply breathtaking. Once we arrive in Punakha we will head to the majestic Punakha Dzong. Our shoot for the day ends with a blue hour shoot of the Dzong.
Day 3 – Punakha (B, L, D)
Today we will spend the day exploring the rest of Punakha including a nunnery, the temple of the Diving Madman, and a short hike to a prayer wheel that overlooks the city.
Day 4 – Punakha => Phobjikha Valley (B, L, D)
After an optional sunrise shoot and breakfast, we’ll begin our drive to the Phobjikha Valley. This is a beautiful valley and home to the critically endangered black neck cranes birds that migrate here during the winter months. The drive to Phobjokha Valley is spectacular and on our way, we will stop at a monastery that overlooks the valley. You’ll be sure to see monks standing around and roaming in its courtyard. This afternoon we’ll head up to a viewpoint to capture some beautiful sunset shots of the valley.
Day 5 – Phobjikha Valley (B, L, D)
It’s an early morning start as we drive to a beautiful spot to hopefully capture the early morning mist that sometimes fills the valley. After a leisurely breakfast we will visit a local school where we will be able to photograph the kids playing during the lunch-time break. Our late afternoon shoot involves some young local monks who will be our models. Our location offers fantastic views of the valley, not to mention prayer flags and even a simple but beautiful stupa. The combination of the landscape and the monks makes for fantastic photo opportunities.
Day 6 – Phobjikha Valley => Trongsa => Bumthang (B, L, D)
We have another opportunity to capture the mist in the valley with an early morning shoot. Then after breakfast we make the long drive to Bumthang. En route, we will stop at the awe-inspiring Trongsa Dzong – arguably the most impressive in Bhutan. After spending a couple of hours exploring the many different courtyards that are often dotted with monks and locals, we continue on to Bumthang.
Day 7 – Bumthang (B, L, D)
Bumthang is an important region in Bhutan. This is where Buddhism started and spread across modern-day Bhutan. Our day involves visiting no fewer than four important temples and a nunnery. Then after a couple of hours to relax in the afternoon we drive up high into the mountain to visit a local temple during evening prayer. As the lights go out and the candles light the prayer hall, we will be allowed to photograph the monks praying. This is an incredibly unique experience as photography is strictly forbidden in temples in Bhutan!
Day 8 – Bumthang Festival (B, L, D)
Today we witness the splendid colour and costumes of a Bhutanese festival. The Bumthang Jakar Tshechu festival lasts for three days. It is the official Bumthang District’s festival of the year. The Festival takes places inside the gigantic Jakar Dzong. There will masked dances by the Buddhist Monks as well as songs and dancing from the local villagers. It is truly a sight to behold.
Day 9 – Bumthang => Punakha (B, L, D)
We have an optional sunrise shoot planned for this morning where we will drive to our lookout point to photograph the Dzong that overlooks the city. We will be hoping for mist in the valley which will give a wonderful serene look. After our shoot and breakfast, we make the long drive back to Punakha stopping on route for lunch and photos. After our long drive, we will enjoy a barbecue dinner around the fire at our hotel.
Day 10 – Punakha => Paro (B, L, D)
It’s a relaxed start to the day before we drive to Paro. In the afternoon we will have a private photo shoot with a group of male and female masked dancers who will dance and model for us in the local setting of a farmhouse. After our shoot, we will be given a demonstration of traditional Bhutanese cooking and will enjoy dinner in a local farmhouse.
Day 11 – Paro (B, L, D)
It’s our final full day in Bhutan and it’s finally time to tick off that bucket list item. Today is all about the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery that sits high on the mountain face. We will make the tough hike up to capture those postcard shots of the monastery. We will then enjoy a delicious catered meal before walking back down. For those who are not tired, there is an optional stroll around Paro town where you can indulge in some shopping. Later in the evening, we will have a blue hour shoot of Paro Dzong from the riverside. Then it is time for our farewell dinner together.
Day 12 – Paro => Bangkok => End of Tour (B)
After breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport and will fly back to Bangkok. Upon arrival, we will say our goodbyes and go off on our onward journeys.
