Bhutan Cross Country Cultural and Photography Tour

On arrival at the Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide and driver. Check into your hotel and after a brief orientation from your Guide and your tour leader, start your magical experience of Photography by first visiting the following places:

• Rinpung Dzong/Fortress of Heaped Jewels, a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture.  The Dzong is located in the heart of the town and a few minutes walk through Nyimazam, one of the few last remaining traditional cantilever bridges in Bhutan. Dzongs serve as both monastic institutions and district administrative offices.
• National Museum Located above the Dzong is the National Museum that houses various antiques and artifacts of Bhutan and provides a glimpse into Bhutan’s cultural and religious history.
• Dungtse Lhakhang/temple Visit the 3 storied Dungtse Lhakhang/temple, built in the mid 1430’s by Thangtong Gyalpo, an iron bridge builder, to subdue a demon and the temple is firmly chained to the ground. The three floors of the temple represent hell, heaven and earth and houses some of the finest murals in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Pre Dawn hike (3 hours uphill and 2 hours down) to the Tiger’s Nest with your guide and driver assisting to carry your photo gears. Breakfast at the classic viewpoint overlooking the Monastery. It’s the iconic landmark in Buddhist religion as its sacred and a pleasure to photograph it as the three storied multi buildings clings itself on the vertical cliff overlooking the valley.

Photography is suggested at:

• On the way up
• At the lunch point
• At the spot nearest and overlooking the monastery

In the evening drive to the town, visit the clock tower square and the children’s park and photograph the people and children as they relax and play around. Towards dusk drive for a few minutes to the View Point from where you can have excellent shots of the well-lit Dzong, Museum and the Cantilever bridge.

After Breakfast drive to Thimphu. Today is a day for shooting:

• City-scape of Thimphu,
• Landscape of Thimphu Valley
• Bhutanese people at the vegetable market selling fresh and organic fruits and vegetables

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and is one of the last few capital cities without traffic lights and the traffic still managed by traffic policemen. Thimphu is the most populated city with about a little more than 100,000 people and truly a combination of the ancient and the modern. While strictly maintaining the traditional style of architecture in modern building, there are also very old temples and numerous monasteries in and around the city, and few discotheques and Karaoke.

Soak in the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley from the site of the gigantic Lord Buddha, a 169 ft bronze Shakyamuni Buddha statue gilded in gold

The Memorial Chorten/stupa is a great place to photograph the charming elderly people, with their rosary and prayer wheel in their hand, it is another favorite with the tourists and a regular sight for congregation of devout Buddhists circumambulating the Chorten from dawn till dusk.

Visit the Simply Bhutan Museum which is a living studio showcasing the age old culture and traditional heritage of Bhutan. The restaurant here offers authentic delicious Bhutanese cuisine, if you are interested ask your guide to arrange your lunch.

If you want to shoot some good pictures of fresh and organic vegetables and fruits the Centenary Farmers Market is the place to be. You could even stock up on your organic fruits for the coming days.

Visit the Jungshi handmade paper Factory, where you get to photograph the process of making traditional handmade paper.

 Check in the hotel after a brief rest you can head towards the city view point to shoot the lights of Thimphu city followed by a dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast check out of your hotel and drive for about three hours to Wangdue and Punakha valleys. Today’s photography would circle around:

• Mountain Passes and snowcapped Himalayan ranges
• 108 stupas at the Dochula Pass
• Beautiful village and rice field at Lobesa
• Surprising objects, phallic paintings and weird stories at the Temple of Fertility in Wangduephodrang
• Bhutan’s most beautiful Punakha Fortress

Enroute your drive from Thimphu stop over at the Dochulaa Pass (3150 meters) for  breathtaking shots of the mighty Snow Capped Himalayan ranges on a clear day. The 108 small stupas built over a small hill is also a beautiful sight. The road from the Pass winds down to the warm and fertile valleys of Punakha and Wangdue valleys.

Visits the Fertility Temple / Chime Lhakhang- It is a pleasant 30 minutes walk through mustard and paddy fields. Standing on a picturesque hilltop the Lhakhang is famous for its fertility wish grants to couples. Inside the walls of the Lhakhang are beautiful frescoes depicting the colorful life of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman regarded for his crazy methods of teaching which included blessing women in the form of copulation!

After lunch drive towards the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong meaning the Fortress of Great Bliss was built by in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the first spiritual & political leader of Bhutan) to commemorate the final victory against numerous Tibetan invasions. Located on a piece of land between two rivers Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu (literally meaning male and female rivers), the Dzong is massive, huge and magnificent in all its architectural grandeur. Although ravaged by flood, fire and earthquakes many times, the Dzong was always rebuilt with its original pattern and design.

The first King of modern Bhutan was crowned in Punakha Dzong. Important religious ceremonies are still held in the Dzong. The Royal Wedding ceremony on 13th October 2011 of the Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to Jetsun Pema was conducted in Punakha Dzong.

In the evening drive to the longest suspension bridge adorned with colorful prayer flags and is still used by the villagers to get from one village to the other. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

Get your camera ready to shoot:

• Glacial valleys of Phobjikha and Gangtey
• Typical Bhutanese villages with houses built and painted in rich age old traditional art and architecture,
• If its between November to February, capture the majestic Black Necked Cranes dancing in the open valley of Phobjikha

Today you drive for about 3 hours to the serene, beautiful and remote valleys of Gangtey and Phobjika. Gangtey, Phobjika and the surrounding villages are located in one of the most beautiful glacial valleys of Bhutan and a favorite with tourists. The valleys are also home to the endangered and graceful Black Necked Cranes in the winter and you can see them in the marshes in the middle of the valley. In the summer the cranes fly to Tibet.

On the way visit a Community School in Bjena Geog.

Visit the Gangtey Monastery located atop a hill overlooking the valley. Gangtey Goemba is an important Monastery of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism.

Hike through the serene Gangtey Nature Trail for about an hour.

Excursion of Gangtey, Phobjika and neighbouring villages, stroll through the valley and visit few traditional houses. Overnight at your farm stay or hotel in Gangtey.

Today is to shoot:

• The beautiful landscape of central Bhutan with high mountains, lush green unexplored vegetation
• Shoot awesome landscape of the spurs and low mountains from Pelela Pass (3,420m)
• The huge spectacular Trongsa Fortress is one of the striking photos of all the photographers

The 5 hours drive from Gangtey to Trongsa valley is scenic via the Pelela Pass at 3,420 meters and across quaint little highland villages of Sephu, Rukubjee, Chendebjee, Tangsibjee and many other small rural settlements along the way.

The 18th century Stupa of Chendebjee is said to be a copy of the Boudanath Stupa of Nepal.

At the Trongsa viewpoint, enjoy the view of the majestic Trongsa Dzong/Fortress of the Vanguard of Warriors and the neighboring villages.

Visit the spectacular Trongsa Dzong.

Stroll through the small one line of shops in the town. Overnight at your hotel in Trongsa.

Visit the Royal Heritage Museum located above the Dzong. Amongst the many sacred collections, the Museum houses the Raven Crown and Padma Kathang the biography of Guru Rinpoche written by his consort Yeshey Tshogyel in the 7th Century.

From Trongsa it is about two hours drive to Bumthang via the Yotongla Pass at 3,400 meters. Enroute stop over at the Yathra Weaving Center in Chumey village where you can watch men and women weavers at their loom weaving yak and sheep wool products.

Check into your hotel, rest and relax. Then stroll through the small town and just above is the Kharchu Dratshang / Institute for Buddhist monks from for photographing the monks and the valley below. Overnight at your Homestay or hotel in Bumthang.

Bumthang abounds in stories of ghosts, local deities and demi gods consuming on or preying on humans and is still believed to be prevalent; clash of local deities for power and territory before Guru Rinpochey introduced Buddhism and through magical powers converted these evil forces into the protectorate of Buddhism. Myths and legends still linger in the minds and talks of the area even now.

Today is the opportunity to take photograph of:

• Scared monasteries
• Beautiful landscape of Bumthang
• Unique Bumthang cuisine
• Local shops and restaurant displaying yak produce and serving locally famous Puta

After a typical Bumthang breakfast, visit the Jakar Dzong/Fortress of the White Bird and walk at a leisurely pace to the four temples of Jambay Lhakhang/temple, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamzhing and kenchosum Lhakhang. All the monasteries are ancient and with their unique history and beauty.

After lunch drive to the Mebar Tsho / Burning Lake. Legend has it that in 1475, a renowned Terton / Treasure Discoverer discovered spiritual treasures from the bottom of the lake that were hidden by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century.

In the evening stroll through the town and have dinner at a local restaurant serving the unique Bumthang cuisine as compared to other parts of the country.

You will be immersed in capturing:

• The beautiful Tang valley with the houses scattered over open wheat and potato field,
• For a change selfie time as you enjoy your picnic lunch with your co - travellers by the gentle glacial river or at the Eco Park,
• The beauty of ancient Ugyen Choling Palace turned Museum, the amazing wooden architect still beating against time.  Feel ancient as you take photographs of a bygone life of a manor.

Tang Valley is another remote and beautiful wide-open valley of Barley, Wheat and potato fields with the gentle flowing Tang Chu (River) flowing in between the villages. This river forms the Burning Lake at the end of the valley.

The Ugyen Choling Palace/Museum houses Granaries, agricultural implements, kitchen, room for making alcohol, reception rooms, bedroom, caravan and trade room, textiles, bamboo and ratan rooms, religious dances costumes and masks room, library and printing-rooms of an ancient era.

Either stay the night at the Ugyen Choling Heritage house or in the evening drive back to Bumthang.

It’s a long ride but advised to make numerous stops to take photographs of:

• Ura Village – a model village of Bhutan
• From Thrimshungla Pass (3,780 m)
• Beautiful landscape of Sengor Village from the Pass,
• Stop at Lingmithang satellite town with few houses with different characteristics
• Idle place for bird watching from Thrimshungla to Lingmithang (5hours drive through the thick tropical to subtropical vegetation)

Today you will be driving further east towards Monggar the Eastern Hub of Bhutan. Places from hereon are very rural and you will notice the glaring difference between the Western and Eastern Bhutan. It is about 7 hours drive from Bumthang to Monggar through high mountain passes and rural villages. You will be driving through Serthang La pass at 3,506m and then descend down to Ura village. Ura is a clustered settlement and you can walk through the village and visit the main temple. The drive from Ura leads up to Thrumshing La Pass at 3,780 meters – the second highest driving point in Bhutan (the first being the Chelela Pass in Paro). Continue drive through Sengor village, Namling ridge, Yonkola, Thridangbi villages till you reach the warm settlments of Lingmithang. Located by the riverside Lingmithang is very warm so you can take a breather in the hot air after your cold drive till then.

From Lingmithang drive for another hour till you reach Autsho village also located by the riverside.

An evening stroll through the single line of shops at Authso and overnight at your hotel in Autsho.

In general, women in Lhuentse and in particular Khoma village is known for weaving the intricate Kushuthara amongst other delicate and detailed woven products.

• Visit Khoma village to see women (sometimes even men) in action weaving one of the most intricate, design packed and detailed Kushuthara, a renown and reputed kira (women’s dress) usually worn in mega festivals and occasions,
• Photography them at their loom
• Rising from below, the Lhuentse Tse Fortress
• The largest status of Guru Rimpoche in Takila, Lhuentse

Visit Khoma village, which is well known for its hand-woven textiles. These silk hand woven textiles are very beautiful and intricate in design and you will find both men and women working on their looms. Visit few of the traditional houses and interact with the villagers.

Drive to Lhuentse Fortress, a few kilometers away from the village.

Drive for another 2 hours back to Tangmachu village where a huge statue of Guru Padmasambhava overlooks the entire valley. The golden 154-ft tall statue of the patron saint of Buddhism Guru Rinpoche seated on a 38-ft high lotus-base has been only recently completed and consecrated.

Overnight stay at the farm house nearby the Statue (optional) or drive back to your hotel in Autsho.

Today you will experience the typical Bhutanese way of treating and bidding farewell to the guest by the Bhutanese rural people.

The crowd will gather at your farm house or at one particular convenient place, in the middle of the village or in the field with some food and gift, mostly consisting of ara – locally brewed alcohol, eggs, rice and fresh fruits. Some will make the offer to the guest while others jest, dance and laugh.

Make sure you capture the moments, faces of the villagers, the hospitality of rural Bhutanese people and their life style of bidding farewell to their guests. A white scarf will be waved singing the sad sentimental farewell song until the guests is out of their sight.

Drive to Monggar by evening and rest.

Nothing much to see in Monggar however the walk to Yagang, a family owned monastery over looking the Monggar town and Sherubling Higher Secondary School may be worth some shots. Drive leisurely to Drametse, Monggar.

It’s another day for capturing the beautiful, quite and scattered villages of the east surrounded by rich vegetation. Monastery is located at the hilltop and the view of the surrounding mountains falling before you is worth capturing in your lenses.

On demand, a private festival will be organized here at this monastery. Few local people might join to witness the festival. Dress yourself in colorful Gho and Kira and witness the most celebrated sacred festival of the east.

In the evening drive to Trashigang and overnight at your hotel in Trashigang.

Today’s drive is a 6-7 hour drive from the temperate Himalayas to the tropical foothills of the Himalayas. You will notice the sharp change in vegetation and climate. The drive is supposed to be one of the most beautiful drive with scenic landscape and it is a well known for sighting different species of exotic birds.

 Samdrup Jongkhar bordering India is also known as the gateway to eastern Bhutan holds the distinct honor of being the oldest town in Bhutan. You will come across Dewathang village which is a historical site as the Father of the First king Ugyen Wangchuk led the Bhutanese troops to battle with the British and finally signed the “Sinchula treaty” with the British in 1865 on a peace note. Overnight at your hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar. In the morning you will drive for about 3 hours to Guwahati International Airport where your guide and driver will bid farewell. We hope you had a pleasant stay with us.