*Please note the price is based on $US9995 which is approximately $AU$14250. 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. 

We need a minimum of 3 people for this trip to go ahead so please do not book flights until the trip has been confirmed. Although the tour commences on April 8th 2027 in Guwahati, India and finishes in Paro, Bhutan on April 25th 2027. The final price will depend on the internal flight price, transfer fee & exchange rate at the time of payment. An early bird $Au500 discount is in place for bookings placed before April 6th 2026 which will be taken from your final balance.

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 and has a unique culture. 

Join this amazing small group tour (maximum 10 people)  to the Land of Happiness with professional photographer Anna-Mair Francis who will be on hand for technical and compositional support. We will be entering Bhutan from Assam, India, flying into Guwahati International Airport. We will meet our guides and drive up the foothills of the Himalyas and enter Bhutan from Samdrupjongkhar, crossing the country from the East which are rarely visited by Westerners into Central and Western Bhutan. We will attend one (hopefully two) local festivals in villages away from huge crowds where we will mix with locals and monks in their beautiful traditional dress to watch masked performers who enact historic dances about the fight between good and evil. We will visit a remote mountain town where women create complex silk  fabrics in their homes which sell worldwide. We will be expecting to photograph landscapes, people, cultural scenes, magnificent Dzongs, flora and fauna and so much more along the way. 

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 and has a unique culture. Our professional photographer will be on hand for technical and compositional support. 

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change but our route will be via Samdrupjongkhar, Trashigang, Khoma, Jakar Valley,  Phobjikha,  Panakha, Thimphu, Haa Valley and Paro. 

Day 1. 8/04/2027  Guwahati – Samdrupjongkhar (D)

The main party will enter arrive from Singapore but you can fly from other Cities so long as you are there for our pick up time to meet our guide. 

Arrive in Guwahati by 1440 and meet our expert guide, Namgay and drive to Samdrupjongkhar.

We will stop at a local Tea Garden for refreshment and photography en route to the border crossing. 

Overnight in Samdrupjongkhar

 

Day 2. 9/04/2027 Samdrupjongkhar – Trashigang (BLD)

 After an early breakfast, we have about  5-6 hours drive (with photo stops) up the Himalayan foothills to Trashigang, the major town in the East which nestles about a scenic valley with paddy fields above it. 

Overnight in Trashigang

 

Day 3. 10/04/2027 Trashigang (BLD)

 Day excursion to town of Trashiyangste with it's  wood turning and arts and crafts school which teaches traditional methods giving us some interesting images. We will  visit beautiful Gomphu Kora (temple) which sits on a river bank. 

Overnight in Trashigang

 

Day 4.11/04/2027 Trashigang (BLD)

Today we will head out to meet the Merak or Brokpa People. These semi nomadic yak herders have a unique culture and are known for their colourful costume and unusual headgear.   We will also spend some time in Trashigang township which is the centre for trade in the region. There will be many opportunities for street photography and to capture day to day life in Bhutan. 

Overnight in Trashigang

 

Day 5. 12/04/2027 Trashigang - Khoma (BLD)

 After an early breakfast, drive to Khoma, Lhuntsi via Mongar. Our route takes us through the valley between the Dangme Chu River and the Mountains. The drive is about 5-6 hours with photo opportunities en route. We will stop in the town of Mongar for lunch before heading North through wooded valleys to our home for the next 2 nights, the village of Khoma. Khoma is famous for it's weavers who produce the most beautiful textiles which are sold world wide. 

Overnight in Khoma Home stay

 

Day 6. 13/04/2027 Khoma (BLD)

 I opted to spend 2 nights in this village so we have time to soak up local life and photograph and documenting the women weaving Kushithara (textile) in Backstrip looms. Most homes have a loom set up on the porch on which ladies produce the most amazing fabric. We hope to visit the local school for some interaction between the local kids. In the evening we will visit the nearby Lhuntse Dzong. 

 Overnight in Khoma

 

 Day 7. 14/04/2027 Khoma – Mongar  (BLD)

 Today we start our drive towards Central Bhutan but we will break the journey part the way there so we avoid a massive drive.  We will stop to photograph a long wooden suspension bridge, suspended high above a raging river. It's decorated with pray flags perhaps to gaurantee a safe crossing! After lunch on Mongar we will visit Kadam temple and photograph lay monks.

Overnight in tbc

 

Day 8. 15/04/2027 Mongar – Bumthang  (BLD)

Today will be the longest drive (6-7 hours) through the Thrumshing la National Park. If we are lucky, we might see red panda and hornbills. The road is slow due to the many switch backs which wind through wooded valley following the edge of the mountain. There will be waterfalls and other photo opportunities. As we leave the high country for a while we visit Ura valley before heading to Bumthang. If time allows we will stop at the Red Panda Brewery and Cheese Factory. Entry price, a beer! The local town of Jakar offers us some great street photography opportunities. 

Overnight in Bumthang

 

Day 9. 16/04/2027 Bumthang (BLD)

 Today we will attend the Dhomkhar festival in one of my favourite locations. It is in the court yard of a village temple at which we will mix with locals dressed in their colourful traditional costumes. The festival is will be full of ancient dances about the fight between good and evil or for fertility lead by musicians with local instruments. The photo opportunities are endless. If time allows we will also visit the Burning Lake, a sacred waterhole steeped in legends. It is a pretty gorge with surrounded by steep cliffs and small waterfalls. Locals come to pray and light candles.

Overnight in Bumthang

 

Day 10. 17/04/2027 Bumthang – Trongsa (BLD)

 We continue West today stopping for a second visit to the festival before driving on to Trongsa. The town nestles in the valley with the beautiful Trongsa Dzong on the cliffside above it. The Dzong has some resident monkeys who are on the mischievous side so watch what you put down as it may not be there when you turn around! 

Overnight in Trongsa

 

Day 11. 18/04/2027 Trongsa – Phobjikha  (BLD)

 Today we will drive  on to Phobjikha Valley via Pele la mountain pass (3500 metres). This pass used to be the demarcation between east and west in the olden days and is surrounded by rhododendron forests and topped by a chorten and pray flags. It offers views of Himalayan peaks like Mt. Jomolhari if we have clear skies. We will have a special stop at our Guides home village of Tshangkha. We will stop at Gangtey Monastery, an impressive building standing proud over the Phobjikha Valley before descending into the valley to hike through the Natural Trail (approx 1.5 hours). Phobjikha Valley is a wetland of international importance and the winter home to the black headed crane. The fauna recorded are deer such as muntjacs (barking deer) and sambar plus black bear and leopards are occasionally seen.

Overnight in Phobjikha

 

Day 12. 19/04/2027 Phobjikha – Punakha  (BLD)

 We head back over the Pele la Pass through mossy forests stopping in a valley full of paddy fields to visit the Divine Madman's 15th Century Temple, Chimi Lhakhang. After a local lunch we will head to Punakha, home to the Punakha Dzong. This stunning building is built between 2 rivers and lined with Jacaranda trees. We will visit the inner courts this afternoon and return in the evening to photograph it under floodlights from the river. 

Overnight in Punakha

 

Day 13. 20/04/2027 Punakha – Thimphu (BLD)

We head to the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu , via Dochu La pass  (3150m). The Dochu La is topped by 108 Memorial white and gold Stupas, known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens, built to honour Bhutanese soldiers who died in a 2003 military operation. On a clear day we can see some of the Himalayan mountains but often the pass is covered in mist which will give us some very atmospheric shots. Once we reach the City we have options. It is not a large city and had a very traditional feel about it.  We may visit oldest dzong in the country, Semtokha dzong, a fortress with thick walls giving us some interesting shots of red robed monks in an ancient building or Thimphu's Nunnery for something different.  Zorig Chusum Art School is another option which trains students in the 13 traditional arts and crafts preserving ancient methods of carving and painted. 

 Overnight in Thimphu

 

Day 14. 21/04/2027 Thimphu (BLD)

One of the more quirking sights in Thimphu is it's famous traffic Police. They tried to install traffic lights to control the flow of traffic but it was decided that traffic lights did not fit with the Bhutanese philosophy so they were removed and a traffic policeman now directs at the busiest junction with a series of complex hand movements. 

We will also visit the Centenary Farmer's Market and the nearby covered bridge for some interesting people and cultural shots. The takin is the national animal of Bhutan, a very strange looking animal that looks like a cross between a yak and a goat with a bit of deer thrown in. We are unlikely to see them wild so we will make a quick stop at the Motithang Takin Preserve to photograph them. Towering over Thimphu is one of the largest Buddha stupas in the world at 54 metres,  the Buddha Dordenma Statue. It is made of bronze and gilded with gold. It gives us a great vantage point for the surrounding area. 

 Overnight in Thimphu

 

Day 15. 22/04/2027 Thimphu – Haa Valley (BLD)

We depart Thimphu and drive towards an area which was off limits to travellers for many years and it still few visit. It is an agricultural area with  untouched alpine forests, traditional villages, and rich cultural heritage so we should get some great people and landscape photo opportunities

Overnight in Haa

 

Day 16. 23/04/2027 Haa – Paro (BLD)

We will get up early for the soft light and explore the village and photograph farmer doing their morning chores before driving over the Chele La Pass the highest motorable road in Bhutan (3988m). There are often yak grazing on the side of the road as we wind up the mountain to the summit which is covered with pray flags. We will had descend towards Paro where we will explore the town for street and architectural photography.

Overnight in Paro

 

Day 17. 24/04/2027 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 18. 25/04/2027 Departure (B)

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

Lok Jay Gay (see you again)!

 

Costs: USD $ 9995(approx AUD $14250)per person twin/double* room 
 
*Single supplement addition of USD $800(approx AUD $1125) applies

#Pay a $AUD2000 deposit (AUD $500 of which is non refundable) on this site to hold your place and we will instruct you how to pay the balance in US Dollars once we have reached minimum numbers. If we do not reach minimum numbers we will return your deposit in full. Please do not book flights until we confirm departure.  This price are subject to change until we pay in full with our Bhutanese Agent.

Includes:

• 17 nights and 18 days in Bhutan

• Visit to Merak to meet the semi nomadic yak herders

• One (hopefully two) authentic cultural festivals

• Visiting traditional weavers in Khoma

• Small group size 

• All your accommodation and meals on Tour


• Highly experienced Bhutanese guides and drivers


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

What’s not included:

• Flights to Guwahati or 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.

• Entry to sites not on the itinerary 


• Excess baggage


• Travel Insurance

• Bhutan or Indian Visas

Please note that the main group will fly from Singapore and return via Bangkok but if you are travelling from Europe then flights should be arranged via India. 

Payment schedule: Deposit of AUD $2000 to secure the booking (AUD $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. We need 4 people for the trip to go ahead, if we cancel the trip we will refund your full deposit to you(minus any bank or transfer fees). Please do not book flights until we confirm departure. 

See our Terms and Conditions

 This price are subject to change until we pay in full with our Bhutanese Agent.

Please note: this tour costs US$6995 which is approximately AU$ 9995 per person in a twin room. A single supplement of $US400 extra for our own room. This is US$7395 approximately AU$10495. The final price will depend on the internal flight price, transfer fee & exchange rate at the time of payment. An early bird $Au500 discount is in place for bookings placed before April 6th 2026 which will be taken from your final balance.

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. 

 The final price paid will be determined may vary up or down depending on the exchange rate, transfer fees and internal flight price. The correct rate will be determined by our Bhutanese agents when the balance is due. 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 $6995# twin/double room

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

Includes:

• 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. Bank transfer costs and international fees may be deducted. 

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.