Bhutan provides a stunning array of photographic opportunities- mountainous landscapes, ancient temples and monasteries, lively, colorful festivals, a timeless Buddhist culture and fascinating people.
Consistently ranked in the top ten “must see” destinations in the world, the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is truly unique. A cradle of Buddhism that clings to its traditional ways, the country only recently opened its doors to foreign travelers. Thoughtful policies to protect the nation against mass tourism still limit visits to a fortunate few. But this stunningly beautiful country isn’t trapped in the past. Red-robed monks check their cellphones. And the well-educated, fun-loving locals are both well-informed yet deeply protective of the pristine environment and their cultural heritage. This happy harmony of ancient and modern is what makes Bhutan such an endlessly fascinating Shangri-La.
Then there’s the sensational photography! The sublime mountain landscapes with snow-capped peaks soaring above emerald forests and chartreuse rice fields… The monasteries teeming with monks in flamboyantly crimson and yellow robes… The flutter of prayer flags and the blurring whirl of prayer wheels… And, of course, the riotous religious festivals for which Bhutan is famous!
Early Bird Special Through Aug 2nd!
Led by Art Wolfe
Limited to 10 participants
Transportation and Accommodation
All meals, lodging, and transportation specified on the itinerary are included. The flight to Bhutan from Bangkok and back is included, but you are responsible for your international flights.
Itinerary
Festival dates are determined by the lunar calendar and have recently been confirmed!
Day 1 Sunday March 30th Bangkok (D)
Arrive Bangkok International Airport. Welcome to Bangkok! Transfer to the hotel via a free 24-hour shuttle bus.
This evening there will be a welcome dinner with Art Wolfe and his assistant instructor Gavriel Jecan.
Accommodation: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 Monday March 31st BKK-Paro – Thimphu (B,L,D)
Day one Guests are greeted for their morning arrival in Paro, Bhutan, and drive to thimphu for 1hour 30 minutes where Art and our guides will share special locations and subjects to photograph such as an artful array of prayer flags and valley landscapes.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Day 3 Tuesday April 1st Thimphu – Gangtey (B,L,D)
An early morning departure will start the day to capture scenic moments along the way to Gangtey. Traveling through Dochula Pass and Wangdue affords a number of stops to photograph a variety of subjects.
Two-night stay in Gangtey.
Day 4 Wednesday April 2nd Gangtey (B,L,D)
In Gangtey, we’ll visit the spring home of the black-necked cranes, which arrive in the valley in mid-October. Art will also guide the group to special hike through village with some monks for special photography then everyone will return to the cranes to experience conditions at different times and light.
Day 5 Thursday April 3rd Gangtey – Bumthang (B,L,D)
After breakfast, the group drives further to Pelela Pass and then on via Chendibji and Trongsa filming locations and subjects along the way. In Trongsa, we’ll enjoy lunch and visit the largest dzong in the country. After lunch, we continue the drive to Yotongla Pass and gradually descend to the Chumey and Jakar Valleys.
Three-night stay in Bumthang.
Day 6 Friday, April 4th Bumthang and Surrounding Towns (B,L,D)
With Bumthang as a base, Art will take everyone to sights on the outside of town before returning back in the early evening. Special temples and palaces take up the morning filming and after lunch, everyone will be at their leisure to explore Chamkhar and Jakar towns. In the evening, those interested can go back with Art to film the candlelight prayers conducted by the local monks.
Day 7 Saturday, April 5th Bumthang and Surrounding Towns (B,L,D)
We’ll pack a lunch and drive to the scenic Ura Valley for the day to see rural Bhutan with scenic farm houses and communities.
Day 8 Sunday, April 6th Bumthang – Punakha (B,L,D)
The group drives to Punakha with a lunch stop and photographing in Chendibji town. After lunch, we’ll continue on to Punakha.
Two- night stay in Punakha.
Day 9 Monday, April 7 Punakha (B,L,D)
A morning visit to the local, but vibrant, weekend market starts this day and the group will move on to visiting one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan, the Punakha Dzong. After lunch, we drive back through the valley to continue photographing rural sites and unique flora.
Day 10 Tuesday, April 8 Punakha – Paro (B,L,D)
Today, we return to Paro stopping in Wangdue along the way to photograph and then Thimphu for a lunch stop. Those interested can join Art to watch and photograph an evening archery match.
Two-night stay in Paro.
Day 11 –Wednesday, April 9 Paro festival. (Paro Festival April 08 -12th) (B,L,D)
Photographing the sights of Paro selected by Art Wolfe will follow lunch and continue through the early evening.
Day 12 – Thursday, April 10 Paro Festival (B,L,D)
This is the first official day of the annual Paro Festival. With permissions, Art will position everyone for photographing the colorful dance festivities in the Paro Dzong.
Day 13 Friday, April 11 Paro (B,L,D)
We’ve saved the most scenic for the last and a chance to stretch our legs with a trek up to Taksang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery that the monks pilgrimage to. For those who prefer a horseback trek to this site, we can facilitate this request. The rest of the day will be at the leisure of the group to photograph in the town of Paro along with Art.
Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 14 – Tuesday, April 12—Paro – Departure (B)
Following breakfast, our Bhutan arrangers will transport all participants to the Paro International Airport for their departures.
Departure Day
Services Included
- Accommodations (twin sharing basis) as indicated above in the itinerary.
- All meals noted on the itinerary.
- Services of Air Conditioned Van
- Services of English speaking guide escort accompanying the trip
- Entrance fee to visit monuments.
- Services of local English guides during city sightseeing (as required)
- Mineral water during all meals, transfers, drives and sightseeing (available in vehicle)
- Daily Sustainable Development Fee Required by Bhutan
*Note: We will make every effort to connect you with a roommate should you like to share a room. However, if we’re unable to make a match, the single supplement will apply.
Services Not Included
- Any international Airfare, travel insurance or medical insurance. (health insurance is mandatory and travel insurance is highly recommended)
- Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
- Tipping to accompanying escort is not included in our quote.
- Any expenditure of personal nature like alcoholic drinks, Fruit shakes, sodas, laundry, telephone calls, or internet
- Anything ordered from room service at any hotel including mineral water (other than what being offered by the hotels on their compliment).
- Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of god, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control.
- To keep our instructors and clients safe and healthy as well as streamlining the process of acquiring destination venues and accommodations, we are asking that all workshop participants be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.