Overview
The Bhutan Photography Expedition is designed to capture the deep shadows, crisp mountain lighting, and rich colors of the Himalayas.
This package features early morning departures, specialized permits for landscape tripods inside historic courtyards, and coordinated portrait sessions with locals wearing heirloom festival attire. It provides you with optimal angles and pristine light throughout the journey.
Trip Highlights
- A senior guide trained in scouting camera locations, with golden-hour timing every day.
- Sunrise at Buddha Dordenma and street portraits at the Centenary Farmers Market.
- The 108 chortens of Dochula in dawn mist against the Eastern Himalayas.
- Special permission for interior tripod use at Punakha Dzong.
- Candlelit morning prayers at Gangtey Goemba and wood-smoke farmhouse interiors.
- Rinpung Dzong reflections at sunset, Tiger’s Nest in morning light and a private heirloom portrait session.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive in Paro. Meet your senior guide, who is trained in scouting camera locations. Drive to Thimphu, arriving in time for an evening golden hour shoot at the grand courtyards of Tashichho Dzong, capturing the red monastic robes against white fortress walls as the lights turn on.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Depart at 5:30 AM for a sunrise shoot at Buddha Dordenma, capturing the morning mist lifting off the Thimphu valley floor. Spend your afternoon at the Centenary Farmers Market, capturing close-up macro shots of local produce, incense, and portraits of village traders. Shoot the sunset over the National Memorial Chorten.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Thimphu
Leave early to cross Dochula Pass (3,100m) at dawn. Photograph the 108 chortens surrounded by morning mist against the crisp background of the snow-capped Eastern Himalayas. Descend into Punakha and hike through the rice paddies of Sopsokha to capture the unique architecture of Chimi Lhakhang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Punakha
Spend the morning capturing the intricate woodcarvings and symmetric corridors of Punakha Dzong, utilizing special permission for interior tripod use. Shoot portraits of young monks walking across the stone courtyards. Enjoy a private champagne picnic along the Mo Chhu river to capture reflections on the water, followed by a late-afternoon hike up Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Punakha
Drive to the wide, treeless glacial Phobjikha Valley. Arrive in time to set up landscape gear for the afternoon golden hour, capturing the wide marshlands, old stone villages, and the dramatic silhouette of Gangtey Monastery on the ridge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Phobjikha
Photograph the early morning prayers inside Gangtey Goemba, capturing the soft candlelight illuminating the ancient statues. Spend your afternoon capturing the textures of rural life inside a traditional stone farmhouse, focusing on wood-smoke lighting and old looms.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Phobjikha
Drive back to Paro, stopping at high mountain passes to capture prayer flags blowing in the wind. In the evening, set up along the Paro Chhu riverbank to shoot the sunset reflections of Rinpung Dzong and its traditional wooden cantilever bridge (Nyamai Zam).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Start your hike to Taktsang Monastery by 7:00 AM. Stop at key viewpoints to capture the cliff-hanging monastery as the morning sun hits its white walls. Continue up to shoot the dramatic gorge entryways and the thousands of prayer flags draping the cliffs.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Host a private indoor portrait shoot at your heritage resort. Your guide will arrange for a local man and woman to model intricate, heirloom silk textiles (Kushutara), allowing you to focus on the details of traditional patterns and jewelry under controlled lighting. Relax in a traditional hot stone bath afterward.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Paro
Transfer to Paro Airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
What’s Included
- Private Transport & Guide: All ground transportation in a private vehicle with an English-speaking licensed guide.
- Accommodation: Twin/double-sharing rooms in 3-star tourist-standard hotels.
- Meals: All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary.
- Sustainable Development Fee: The daily SDF is included.
- Hydration: Bottled water during transfers and sightseeing.
- Government Dues: Government royalty and applicable taxes.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare: International/regional airfare to and from Paro.
- Visa Fee: Bhutan visa processing fee (arranged in advance by Gu-Mar as part of permit clearance).
- Personal Expenses: Laundry, telephone, beverages and tips.
- Insurance: Travel insurance.
- Pony Hire: Pony hire for the Tiger’s Nest hike (optional, paid on-site).
- Other Services: Any services not mentioned under Inclusions.
Good to Know
- Licensed Operator: All non-Indian, non-Bangladeshi and non-Maldivian nationals must travel through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator such as Gu-Mar; we process visa clearance and the SDF on your behalf before arrival.
- Hotel Upgrades: Hotel categories can be upgraded to 4-star or boutique/heritage properties under our Deluxe or Luxurious collections.
- Flexible Sequencing: Itinerary sequencing may shift slightly depending on flight timings, road conditions or festival dates — your guide will confirm the final day-by-day plan on arrival.