Bhutan Photography Tour

The flight to Bhutan takes you over Himalayas, offering glimpses of the highest glacial peaks. Upon your arrival at Paro airport we will welcome by tour guide and transfer you to your hotel. Break for while and then 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. Break for lunch and 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. Overnight at Hotel

After breakfast drive to Thimphu about hour and half. Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan.  Thimphu sightseeing includes – visit to Folk and Heritage Museum, National Memorial Stupa, Textile museum; Takin zoo (National animals), Traditional Handmade Paper Factory. Then in the afternoon visit: Painting School, National Handicraft Emporium and Buddha Point. Evening leisure in Thimphu City. Overnight at Hotel

Depart to Punakha after breakfast. You will 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 then stop here for one hour beside the spectacular 108 Chortens at the top of the pass. On the way to Punakha you 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 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 at Hotel

After breakfast drive to Bumthang via Trongsa about 5 to 6 hours. This journey will be more interesting with the fascinating view of landscape and pristine environment and crossing Pele la pass (3,300m. Stop for lunch at Chendebji, and then continue for about 3 hours to Bumthang on the way you will mystical Trongsa dzong. Overnight at Hotel

Bumthang is a very lush green valley with the highest concentration of the most sacred temples in Bhutan. Morning: – visit Kurjey Lhakhang, where Guru Rinpoche meditated during 7^th 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. Overnight at Hotel

Extra day in Bumthang: after breakfast drive to Mebar Tsho(burning lake) where Terton Pema Lingpa revealed the treasure from the lake and break for lunch. After lunch photography time around town. Overnight at Hotel

After the breakfast drive back to Trongsa crossing Pelela Pass (alt. 3,300 m). Visit Trongsa Dzong. Then visit Ta Dzong (watchtower museum) (option for photographers to choose more photographic time instead of museum visit). Overnight at Hotel

Early morning departure to Phobjikha where one could see the endangered bird Black Naked crane usually migrate from Tibet to Bhutan during winter season. Explore Phobjikha by doing short hike. Visit Gangtey Monastery, the largest Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. This monastery features incredibly ornate architectural highlights. Overnight at Hotel

After breakfast drive back to Paro. On the way do some photographic. Overnight at Hotel

After breakfast drive to the base of Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest) the most popular tourist site in Bhutan. Then from the base hike to Taktsang takes about an hour uphill to the viewpoint and another hour to the monastery. Taktshang was the place where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century to subdue the evil spirit causing harm to propagate the Buddhism. Later the 4^th Desi Tenzin Rabgye extended the temple in the 17th century to present structure, however it has undergone significant rebuilds. Lunch at Cafeteria, and then walk down to pick up point. Afternoon in Paro at leisure. Overnight at Paro Hotel

After early breakfast in the hotel drive to the airport for flight off to your own destination.