Photographic Tour of Bhutan (11 days)

Please note: this tour costs US$7995 which is approximately AU$ 11595. The final price will depend on the internal flight price, transfer fee & exchange rate at the time of payment. 

The Kingdom of Bhutan is an extraordinary place known for the concept of Gross National Happiness. In the foothills of the Himalayas, it is full of temples, fortresses, forests, beautiful landscapes, animals and has a unique culture. It is one of the few countries which is carbon positive due to the large areas of forest and low pollution. We have designed a shorter photography tour for those who can not commit to our extended 19 day tour. Whilst it is shorter in duration the experience will be just as incredible. 

To make the most of the time we will be making an internal flight to Central Bhutan (hoping for clear skies the see the Himalayas from above) and then driving back through picturesque villages, valleys and over high mountain passes topped with temples and prayer flags. We will visit 2 traditional and colourful festivals which will give us the opportunity to mix with the locals in their beautiful national costumes. We will be expecting to photograph landscapes, people, cultural scenes, magnificent Dzongs, flora and fauna along the way. Our professional photographer will be on hand for technical and compositional support. We have engaged one of the most experienced Bhutanese guides who guides many other photography tours so understands exactly the different expectations of a group of photographers over a regular tour group. 

Please note the price is based on $US 7999 which is approximately $AUD11,595. This amount in AUD may vary up or down depending on the exchange rate. The correct rate will be determined for you on booking. Please contact us for clarification. 

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change:  

Day 1 Paro (LD)

Arrive in Paro - Explore town with market, archery field and picturesque Dzong (Dzong is a fortified monastery)

Overnight Paro

Day 2 Paro-Bumthang (BLD)

We fly into Central Bhutan and will head to the first of our traditional festivals with colourful masked dancers and locals in their finest costumes. The festivals are important religious and cultural events with the dances having various significance from chasing out evil to blessing the harvest. 

After lunch we will go to Mebartsho or the Burning Lake. It is not actually on fire but gets it's name from a legend dating from the 15th Century. It is a pretty water hole nestling in a deep rocky gorge It is a sacred site and has an area where people come to lit candles and pray. 

As we return I hope we can visit the Red Panda Micro Brewery and have time for some street photography in the town we are staying in. 

Overnight Bumthang

Day 3 Bumthang (BLD)

Today we are heading to Chummey, a small village that hosts several festivals during the year. As we will be here most of the day with time not only for photography but to soak out the atmosphere and be in the moment. It has a intimate courtyard that the dances take place in which means we are very close to the dancers and audience for great action and candid shots. We will have a picnic lunch on a nearby hillside before returning to the festival. If we have time on our return to our hotel we will stop at a local craft centre with beautiful products great for photos and gifts. 

Overnight Bumthang

Day 4 Bumthang to Phobjikha (BLD)

We start our drive westward stopping along the way for photography. We will visit the lovely Trongsa Dzong which is perched on the hillside overlooking the town and surrounding valley. It has some resident monkeys who are a little cheeky but make for some great shots. We will cross the Lawa La Pass at 3300 metres which is topped by a picturesque Chorten surrounded by white prayer flags. There is a change of seeing yaks and their herders in the meadows below the Pass as we descend into the towards the Gangtey Gomba, a striking monastery overlooking the glacial valley below. We will take the 1.5km nature trail from the monastery into the wide Phobjikha valley below with the hope of seeing some of the black necked cranes who migrate to the valley for the Winter at this time of year. The valley is known for a large variety of flora and fauna . 

Overnight Phobjikha 

Day 5 Phobjikha to Punakha (BLD)

We return via the Lawa La Pass through a heavily forested area before following the Puna Tsang Chu river on our drive to Punakha so we should have many landscape opportunities today. 

We will visit Punakha Dzong, one of my favorite buildings in Bhutan. It is surrounded by jacaranda trees and is situated on the banks one of the tributrities of Puna Tsang Chu river. We will photograph it from various positions inside and out. We will return in the evening when then building is flood lit. 

Overnight Punakha

Day 6 Punakha to Thimphu (BLD)

We will take a short trek to Khamsum Yuling Namgyal Chortan, a stunning 3 level temple with views over the valley and the mountains beyond. We will have lunch at a farmhouse before continuing our drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's Capital. We have an optional stop at the Royal Botanical Park at the base of the Dochu La Pass. It has some lovely gardens and a lake that attracts local wildlife. There is a nominal entry fee to enter. The Dochu La Pass (3150km) is one of the most famous of the Bhutanese passes as it's home to 108 memorial chortens standing in memory of Bhutanese fallen soldiers. There is also a lovely tea house on top of the pass. If we have a clear day we will see the surrounding mountains. We will stop on the Pass to photograph Sunset before descending into the valley and Thimphu. 

Overnight in Thimphu

Day 7 Thimphu (BLD)

Thimphu is a Capital city like no other, it has very traditional buildings and shops. It is known for having no traffic lights instead a white gloved policeman directs the traffic on the busiest junction with a complexed series of hand signals. 

Our full day in the Thimphu will give us some great photo opportunities. We will visit the Kaja Throm (the central market) which is close to a traditional covered wooden bridge.  We will go to Semtokha Dzong which is the oldest in the country and will give us some interesting photographs of the monks there. We also hope to visit the nearby Nunnery, home to a lovely group of women who gave us some wonderful joyous images on our last visit. If there is time we will make a optional stop at the Takin Preserve to see the national animal which we are unlikely to see in the wild. The takin is an unusual animal so whilst we will be seeing them in a zoo like setting it's certainly worth the effort. There is a nominal entry fee to enter. There is one of the largest statues of Buddha that over stands over the City. The 54 metres bronze statue is gilded in gold and will give us some amazing images. 

 Overnight in Thimphu

Day 8 Thimphu to Haa (BLD)

The Haa Valley is a pretty Valley which for many years was closed to tourists. It is one of the most important agricultural regions including dairy farming but also known for stunning landscapes with alpine forests, small villages and mountain peaks. We hope to stay in a homestay to have an authentic, rustic experience this may mean that single rooms and private bathrooms will not be available. 

Day 9 Haa to Paro (BLD)

We leave early to drive up the highest drivable mountain (3988m) pass in Bhutan,  Chele La Pass. The road switches back and forth up the mountain until it reaches the top which is crowned with prayer flags and on a clear day commanding views of the surrounding mountains. We will have many photo opportunities on route to Paro and a short hike. 

We will explore Paro town including some street photography. 

Overnight in Paro

Day 10 Paro (BLD)

Our last full day of photography will start with a hike to the most famous of Bhutan's monastery, Taktshang or Tiger's Nest. The trek is a round trip of around 6 km and is described as moderate, it's path snakes through pine forest past waterfalls, pray flags and shrines. There is an option to hire a horse (approx US$20) for those under 85 kg. The horse ride will go part the way up the path as far as the cafeteria.  Although there is no photography within the monastery itself there will be so many photo ops on route. For some of the group walking to the top of the monastery steps is reward enough for the trek whilst others will want to commit to the extra distance to visit the iconic building. 

After our day of trekking we will go to a farmhouse to soak our muscles in traditional hot stone bath at a farmhouse. There will also be an opportunity to try your arm at archery before we have our final dinner together. 

Overnight in Paro

Day 11 Paro (B)

Departure for Paro International Airport to your chosen transfer hub and then to your home country. For those coming from Australia Bangkok is probably the best option although there are other choices. 

Costs: USD $7995# twin/double room

*Single supplement addition of USD $450 applies. Please note that single rooms may not be available in heritage homes. 

• All internal transport including internal flight


• 11 full days in Bhutan


• Two authentic cultural festivals


• Small group size maximum 12 people


• All your accommodation and meals on tour

• All entry fees to listed locations

• Traditional hot stone bath on day 10

• Highly experienced Bhutanese guides and drivers


• Photographic support from internationally renowned photographer Anna-Mair Francis.

What’s not included:

• Flights to/from Paro to your home city** 


• Alcohol or soft drinks with meals


• Photographic equipment


• Laundry, gratuities, etc


• Horse ride up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery café  if required (approx US$25)


• Excess baggage


• Travel Insurance

**Please note that the main group will enter and exit Paro from/to Bangkok but you can also access from other hubs including India, Nepal or Singapore. You need to be in Paro for the start of the tour on 25th October 2026. 

Payment schedule: Deposit of US $2000 to secure the booking (US $500 of which is non refundable). Please note that the trip is not locked in totally as far as the Bhutanese agency is concerned until the total balance is received. So the balance will need to be paid as soon as practical.

See our Terms and Conditions

# Price is based on cost of internal flight from Paro/Bumthang. This price are subject to change until we pay in full with our Bhutanese Agent. The exchange rate between the US$ and AU$ will also affect the final cost. 

Ask about our multi tour discount.