Festival Photography Tour

Festival Photography Tours in Bhutan

Dochula Pass, Thimphu

Explore the Land of Thunder Dragon on 13 days Festival Photography Tour covering Western and Central Bhutan. Bhutan provides a stunning array of photographic opportunities, the snowcapped mountains, historic temples, monasteries, colorful festivals and photogenic local Bhutanese. The main highlight of this journey is to capture beautiful photographs of Domkhar Festival which happens in Bumthang Valley. In this festival you can capture the local people dressed in unique traditional dress, masked dance, cute little monks and beautiful valley. Join the local people in dancing and singing which will be a precious moment for you. Don’t forget to take selfies with kids who are cute with red cheeks. To book this tour, write to HBT and enjoy this tour. Festival Photography Tours in Bhutan. 

Day 01: Arrival at Paro
After one of great scenic high landings in the world (there has never been a major incident despite the online hype about it being dangerous) we’ll stop to photograph Paro Dzong. Options include the town square, people & giant prayer wheel for motion blur images, & blue hour at Paro Dzong. The evening wraps with a fantastic Welcome Dinner and introduction to sumptuous Bhutanese cuisine.

Day 02: Cultural Paro & Thimphu
Wonderful private morning shoot with cultural performers donning traditional clothes, masks, dancing, playing instruments and more. Good fun and some excellent photo opportunities. Drive to Thimphu with photo stops along the way. Thimphu is one of the last capital cities in the world without traffic lights, where traffic is managed by police in white gloves! Many photo shooting session today, including the Memorial Chorten & Farmers market.

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha
Drive over Dochula Pass with awesome Himalaya views & changing light on the 108 stupas at the top of the pass. Lovely lunch overlooking the Punakha Valley. This afternoon explore the Sopsokha valley, including small villages & Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery perched high atop a mountain. After the nunnery is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, followed by a visit to Punakha Dzong for blue hour & nightscapes.

Day 04: Punakha – Phobjikha
The serene and stunning glacial valleys of Gangtey and Phobjika are among the most beautiful in all of Bhutan. Shooting options include Himalayan mountain landscapes; Punakha Dzong in the morning light; interiors of Punakha Dzong with lots of monks, interesting architecture for impromptu portraits and temple scenes. Lunch outdoors at nearby Zomlingthang on the Mochu River before the 3 hour scenic drive to Phobjikha. Stop to photograph nomadic yak herders that often camp in a small valley here.

Day 05: Phobjikha halt
Morning drive to Gangtey Goemba – the awesome monastery on a hill overlooking Gangtey. This is an important monastery of the Nyingmapa School of Buddhism. Outstanding photo opportunities with monks walking in foreground and impressive monastery in background, both high and low angles. From the monastery, trek through the cool and fresh forest and mountains to a remote and little visited novice monastery where we’ll have lunch with the monks and then spend the afternoon photographing them.

Day 06: Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang
The glorious drive into Central Bhutan takes five short Himalayan hours with plenty of landscape and small village photo opportunities, as well as the massive Trongsa Fortress. Photograph the fortress as part of a landscape, and later, up close and personal with resident monks. Trongsa Dzong, built in 1648, is perhaps the most extraordinary in all of Bhutan. It was the seat of power for the first and second kings of Bhutan, and still holds great royal significance.

Day 07: Domkhar Festival – Chamkhar
Bhutanese festivals celebrating the history and tradition of the country’s mythology are colorfully expressed through very photogenic, outdoor dance dramas. It begins with traditional music played by monks on trumpets, and on a large drum and clanging cymbals. Masked men in colourful dress spin and dance in interesting formations, all part of the drama. Afterwards head over Kiki La Pass & a million prayer flags for sunset!

Day 08: Chamkhar – Ura Valley – Monastery of the Great White Bird
Today begins with an excursion to Jakar Dzong, or “Fortress of the White Bird”. Very few visitors ever make it here, which is what we as photographers love! There are number of stunning images to be made of various scenic frames, especially with monks in them to add a colorful human element. Then walk through serene farming areas to Jambay Lhakhang temple. After a relaxing picnic lunch it’s off to the remote Ura Valley and our warm & charming Homestay.

Day 09: Ura Yakchoe Tshechu – Inside Access & Private Photo Shoot
A day of excitement as we spend time with locals involved in the festival, and march with them as part of the procession through the streets of the village! You are free to photograph the procession from the outside, or from the inside as a special guest participant! Once at the temple, in addition to ground level, we have arranged for exclusive high angle access looking down on the performance. Yeah, we spoil you a little!

Day 10: Ura Yakchoe Festival – Bumthang – Masked Dancers & Monks
Second day of the Ura festival will be just a half day. Today is the official mask dancing performances (yesterday was sans masks for the most part) to which we will have the same exclusive access. Break for a well-earned lunch and then drive to Bumthang. Afternoon visit Kharchu Dratshang monastery to photograph inside a large prayer room with monks, followed by some street shooting in Chamkhar.

Day 11: Bumthang – Paro fly
Enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel before heading to the airport for the 10 am, 25 minute flight back to Paro. This afternoon is optional free time for spa or shopping, free shooting around town, and or image review and Photoshop Tips & Tricks with your guide. *Please note: If the flight does not operate due to plane shortage, we will drive back to Paro.

Day 12: Tiger’s Nest hike
Tiger’s Nest is the most iconic site in Bhutan, for obvious reasons. The hike begins about 8:30 am from the hotel and takes about 3 hours up, and 2 hours down. This is by far the longest hike of the tour, but is not that difficult. Plenty of break time that includes a stop for lunch. A traditional surprise awaits you on return to the hotel, followed by a very special Farewell Dinner.

Day 13: End of the Tour
Departure from the Kingdom of Bhutan

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