BHUTAN PHOTO TOUR

March 31 to April 10, 2025

Join Jim for this extraordinary photography tour to one of the most exotic countries in the world. Nestled in the Himalayas is the Kingdom of Bhutan which has only been open to Westerners since the 1970's. Buddhism arrived in Bhutan in the 8th century A.D., and it is ever present here. Exquisite temples are surrounded by beautiful mountains and often framed by turbulent rivers. The unique festivals are like nowhere else on earth, and the people are warm and welcoming. All of your photographic skills will be tested because the diversity of subject matter is incredible: Ancient architecture, portraits, dance, festivals, birds, landscapes, and temple interiors. This tour will be one of your most memorable.

What you will learn on this tour:

How to do hand held HDR

Finding optimal backgrounds for outdoor portraits

Choosing the best shutter speed for action

The classic landscape technique

How to expose for the sun in your frame

When to use auto ISO

How to take wide angle portraits

How to replace the sky if needed

Day 1, March 31, Monday

Depart from home and arrive in Bangkok on this day. If you are flying from North America, take into account the day lost when crossing the International Dateline. We meet in the lobby of our hotel at 6pm for a meet and greet, and we'll discuss the upcoming tour. Jim will be happy to answer any questions you have about photography in preparation for the outstanding photo opportunities we'll have in Bhutan. We enjoy a welcome dinner and then we'll retire early because we have an early morning flight. Overnight at the incredible Lebua at State Tower Hotel where we'll have our welcome dinner in a rooftop restaurant with a stunning view of Bangkok at night. 5 stars.

Day 2, April 1, Tuesday

This morning we transfer to the Bangkok Airport (BKK) and fly to the Paro Airport in Bhutan (PBH). After we clear immigration, we are met by our local guide and taken directly to Thimphu via a 1-1/2 hour scenic drive. On the way we visit the Tachogang monastery and its iron bridge built in the early 15th century. The bridge provides a classic leading line. We arrive in Thimphu in time for lunch, followed by an exploration of this beautiful capital of Bhutan. We photograph the dramatic Memorial Stupa that honors the 3rd king of Bhutan and the 12th century monastery/fortress Blue Stone Dzong, and late in the day we head to the center of town for a guided walk and street photography. We then enjoy dinner in a local restaurant and return to the hotel. Overnight Namgay Heritage Hotel, Thimphu. 4 star.

Day 3, April 2, Wednesday

Following breakfast, we visit the "13 Arts School" that provides instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts such as furniture painting, woodcarving, embroidery, mask making, and more. The craft demonstrations are a photographer's dream and it's hard not to be impressed with the consummate skill and discipline of the young students. After lunch at the hotel, we visit the massive statue of Shakyamuni that reaches a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). It is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. It is made of bronze and is gilded with gold and sits atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park overlooking the southern entrance to the Thimphu Valley.

In the late afternoon, we visit a center devoted to handmade paper and a weekend market. After dinner, we will take twilight and night shots of the Trashicho Dzong. Overnight Namgay Heritage Hotel, Thimphu (4 star).

Day 4, April 3, Thursday

After breakfast we leave Thimphu and head towards Punakha. Enroute we stop at Do Chula pass for its majestic elevated 280 degree panoramic view of the snow capped Eastern Himalayan range. We also photograph the beautiful Druk Wangyal temple, a spiritual destination for Bhutanese. The drive to Punakha is 2 1/2 hours from here, and we arrive after lunch and proceed to the village of Sopsokha to photograph the monastery of Chimi Lhakhang, which is also known as the Fertility Temple, built at the end of the 15th century. This site was founded by Saint Drupe Kuenley who advocated the use of the phallus symbol as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house tops. Traditionally, symbols of an erect penis in Bhutan are intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip.

After spending the day taking amazing pictures, we return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at the Khuru Resort in Punakha (4 star).

Day 5, April 4, Friday

'Tshechu' is an annual religious Bhutanese festival held in each district on the 10th day of a month in the Tibetan lunar calendar. We photograph this amazing festival with the backdrop of the most striking dozong (fortress) in the country. In Spring, lilac-colored jacaranda trees bring a palpable sensuality to the dzong's towering whitewashed walls. The richly painted gold, red and black carved woods embellish the exotic scene, and your photographs will be amazing. We will be able to take closeup portraits of the costumed and masked dancers as well as when they are performing. This will be a day to remember.

We return to the hotel for dinner and then take some great night photos of the illuminated Punakha Dzong. Jim will discuss using HDR when shooting during twilight and after dark.

Day 6, April 5, Saturday

After breakfast, we have more opportunities to take festival pictures as the Tshechu Festival lasts for three days. We can mingle with the local festival participants and take closeups of their colorful costumes and incredible masks as well as intimate unmasked portraits. There are also two temples inside the Dzong that offer excellent backgrounds for the festival photographs.

After lunch we leave for Thimphu. Enroute we'll stop at a mountain pass with panoramic views of Bhutan's northern Himalayas consisting of peaks ranging from 16,000 to 23,000 feet. Upon arrival, we check into our hotel and have dinner. Overnight at the Namgay Heritage hotel in Thimphu (4 star).

Day 7, April 6, Sunday

After breakfast, we head towards the beautiful Haa Valley. The road narrows as we pass through old villages surrounded by classically beautiful rice terraces. We'll stop a number of times to capture Bhutan's dramatic landscapes as well as village life. We will visit the famous monastery, Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple), followed by a visit to Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). Following this, we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight in the Sonam Dzongkha hotel, Haa Valley.

Day 8, April 7, Monday

After breakfast, our minibus will shuttle us to Yangtong village where we start our small village hike. The walking trail winds along farmland that's fenced with cobblestone to protect domestic animals from wild predators. We may be invited to visit one of the houses for a cup of tea or local drinks and snacks.

After this we drive up to visit the Yangtong Gompa, a large and impressive 300 year old temple set majestically on a hilltop. In the late afternoon we then check into our hotel and have dinner. Overnight in the Sonam Dzongkha hotel, Haa Valley.

Day 9, April 8, Tuesday

Today following breakfast we proceed to Paro, driving uphill to the Chelila Pass through forests of blue pine, fir, and oak. We stop at the 13,000 foot pass to photograph the distant mountain ranges including the double-peaked Mt. Jichu Drake at 23,000 feet. It's an impressive sight! We can hike a little bit above the pass to see and photograph hundreds of colorful prayer flags. The view is mesmerizing! We then drive to a lower elevation through a forest of blue pine and rhododendron and reach Bondey. From here it's a short distance to Paro. Paro boasts Bhuan's tallest building, 6 stories, that was built in 1649! We will pursue street photography of the local activities, and as there are many sacred sites here we will also photograph the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang with its

beautiful wall paintings as well as the Paro Rinpung fortress. In the late afternoon we'll visit the Drukgyal Dzong built to commemorate the victory over invading Tibetans. We then drive to our hotel for dinner. At twilight we'll photograph the beautifully illuminated Paro Dzong. Overnight in the Naksel Boutique Hotel, Paro (4 stars).

Day 10, April 9, Monday

We leave this morning for the only long hike on the tour -- to the 17th century Tiger Nest monastery. Walking slowly, it is 2 to 3 hours to reach the monastery, and the elevation is 3120 meters, or 10,200 feet. If you don't want to do this hike, you can stay in the village and photograph there. If you do want to make the trip, but would like to hire a porter to carry your camera equipment, this can be easily arranged. The hike goes through beautiful shady pine forests, and there will be plenty of rest stops. This is the major iconic shot of Bhutan. After our exploration of the monastery, we return to the home. The entire excursion covers 5 to 7 hours and is 3 1/2 miles roundtrip. Overnight in the Naksel Boutique Hotel, Paro (4 stars).

Day 11, April 10, Tuesday

After breakfast we check out of the hotel and proceed to the airport for departure, knowing we've taken outstanding images of this exotic Buddhist kingdom that was established in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.

The flight time to Bangkok is usually at 11am to 3:10pm. Due to weather conditions in the Himalayas, this can be delayed. Flight scheduling changes can also occur. Therefore, to allow a rest before the long journey home and to avoid any tight connections, Jim is overnighting the group in Bangkok this evening. The group farewell dinner will be in the outdoor restaurant on the 51st floor of the hotel with an unparalleled view of the city. This is one of the most beautiful dinner experiences ever.

Make your departure flight from Bangkok at any time on April 11. Overnight at an airport hotel.

Day 12, April 11, Wednesday

At your convenience based on your departure time, you'll transfer to the Bangkok International Airport for your flight home.

Tour cost: $7395. Includes all lodging in Bhutan, two night's lodging in Bangkok, all Bhutanese fees including tourism development fees, internal taxes and charges (including the royalty for Bhutan), visa fee, all meals starting from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 10, hike to Taktsang with option of using a horse instead of walking, English speaking guide, all ground transportation, and photo instruction.

Single room supplement: $850

Airfare from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan: $885 (subject to change)

Not included: International airfare from your home to Bangkok, Bhutan, travel and trip cancellation insurance, items of a personal nature, drinks during meals, tips for guide and driver, and alcoholic beverages.