Departure September 20 – October 2, 2013
This is a photo tour workshop to Bhutan with international travel photographer and photography workshop instructor William Yu.
The Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, landlocked between China and India, is one of best preserved wonderlands of the world. With its ancient history, cultural traditions, temples, monasteries, castles, beautiful Himalayan landscapes and most importantly the peace loving people, Bhutan is one of the top travel destinations of the world, which provides abundant photography opportunities to discover this great country through your lenses.
Tell the Story of Bhutan Through Your Lenses!
Here’s a list of exclusive activities not offered in other tours:
***The expert photography instruction of international photographer William Yu.***
– Traditional Bhutanese Welcome and Tashi Kadar with Tea A specially granted request
– Paro Archery Grounds
– Night visit to Paro Rinpung Dzong
– Blessings from local lamas A specially granted request
– Traditional hot stone bath
– Visit a Bhutanese Farmhouse and have a traditional dinner with the family A specially granted request
– Remote Haa Valley
– Hang your own prayer flags at Chelela Pass
– Kuenselphodrang vista
– Meditate with Lamas and dinner with a Rinpoche (Buddhist High Priest) A specially granted request
– Cultural show A specially granted request
– Visit The School of Thirteen Arts A specially granted request
– Dechen Phodrang Monastic School—meet monks and see unique art A specially granted request
– Takin Preserve
– Jungshi handmade paper factory
– Folk Heritage Museum
– Phobjikha (known for Black Necked Cranes)—potato farmers A specially granted request
– Private archery match with chance to try yourself A specially granted request
– Farewell blessing for a safe journey homebound A specially granted request
Workshop Itinerary:
Day 1 – Friday, 20th September 2013: Paro
Arrive at Paro:
Altitude: 2250 Meters
Upon arrival you will be greeted by our Bhutanese Representative with Tashi Khadar. Then you will be given authentic Bhutanese gifts and Bhutanese tea (Suja) in traditional Bhutanese way.
You are privately driven to your hotel.
After lunch, explore the Paro town and valley, with ample opportunities of Photography of people, handicrafts, the valley and the town.
We will visit the Paro Archery grounds where there is a formal match or Practice session going on most of the time.
Drive to the Paro Ta Dzong, which now houses the National Museum of Bhutan, located on a promontory overlooking the Paro Valley.
Before dark, drive to a location near the Paro Rinpung dzong. The night view of this dzong (fortress) with the lights around it makes a perfect capture.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 2 – Saturday, 21st September 2103: Paro
Altitude: 2250 Mts
After breakfast, start early to Taktshang Monastery. Hike uphill for approx. 2.5 Hrs to Taktshang or otherwise you may ride a pony through the forested path to Taktshang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest.
Steady Tripods for the camera with 200 mm lens are recommended, to capture the clear view of the monastery amongst the rifts from the popular vantage points.
After lunch, visit a village and a Bhutanese Farm House.
Take environmental portraits of villagers. Other photo opportunities are the natural scenery around the Valley.
Enjoy hot stone bath at the farm house. After the hot stone bath, dinner with the local Bhutanese family.
Observe and take photographs of Bhutanese way of cooking inside of a local Bhutanese Kitchen. Also take photographs of the traditional hot stone bath.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 3 -Sunday, 22nd September 2013: Paro/Haa
Driving Distance: 65 Kms
Driving Time: 1.5 to 2 Hours
After breakfast, walk around the Paro Town and along the Paro Chu (River) to take pictures of the Paro Dzong and the watchtower above. Take photos of the traditional bridge with huge gates leading to the Interior of the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong an take photographs from different angles.
Drive to Chelela Pass. Stop at Chelela Pass.
With the Blessings from a lama, you place your own Lung ta (horizontal) Prayer Flags at the Pass to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom.
Picnic Lunch at Chelela Pass.
After lunch, drive to Katsho Village in Haa for a lot of Photo opportunities of the rural Bhutan which is off the beaten Map for most tourists. Take photos of the picturesque Haa Valley opened to tourism only in the year 2002.
While in Haa, visit The Lhakhang Karpo (White temple) and the Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). Also take photographs of the Haa Dzong.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4 – Monday, 23rd September 2013: Haa/Thimphu
Driving Distance: 115 Kms
Driving Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Altitude of Thimphu: 2350 mts.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu.
Stop at places along the way for photography as you travel among the Himalayan slopes and passing numerous small but beautiful villages.
Lunch at Thimphu. After Lunch, visit the Kuenselphodrang (Kuen- All, Sel – Clear) Vista. Take photographs of the Thimphu Valley and the Huge Statue of the Buddha.
On your Way back to Thimphu, visit the National Memorial Chorten. Take photographs from different vantage points.
In the evening, practice meditation with a Buddhist Lama.
Enjoy a traditional cultural show as you are having your dinner. Taste the Local Arra (Alcohol) during the dinner with your Bhutanese hosts. You may take photographs of the performers in different Bhutanese traditional costumes.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 5 – Tuesday, 24th September 2013: Thimphu
Altitude of Thimphu: 2350 mts.
Todays photographic highlights includes the following:
The Tashichhodzong & the Institute of Zorig Chusum ( The school of Thirteen Arts) where students are taught 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Dechen Phodrang Monastic School, for photographing monks and the unique art and architecture, Sangaygang Viewpoint (2685 meters), The Takin Preserve Center, The Changangkha Lhakhang, Jungshi handmade paper factory & the Folk Heritage Museum.
In the evening, practice meditation with a Buddhist Lama. Dinner with a Rinpochhe (High Buddhist Priest)
Overnight in hotel.
Day 6 – Wednesday, 25th September 2013: Thimphu/Punakha
Driving Distance: 76 kms
Driving Time: 2.5 – 3 hrs
Altitude of Punakha: 1310 mts.
After breakfast, we drive over Dochula Pass (10,000 feet) for scenic views of the Himalayas and the Druk Wangyal Chortens.
Descend into the terraced valley of Punakha for a stroll through rice fields and tiny villages to Chimi Lhakhang (the Temple of Fertility).
After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, to photograph monks and richly-gilded dzong architecture.
In the evening witness a private archery match organized for our group and we can freely take part in the match.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 7 – Thursday, 26th September 2013: Punakha
Altitude of Punakha: 1310 mts.
After breakfast, the exploration of Punakha continues this morning with a walk to the Khasum Yulay Namgyel Chorten for majestic views of the valley and terraced fields below.
In the afternoon we visit the hillside village of Nobgang, photographing village life.
In the evening, drive to Wangduephodrang for any photographic opportunities you would not want to miss such as the Rinchengang Village.
Dinner and overnight in hotel in Punakha.
Day 8 – Friday, 27th September 2013: Punakha/Gangtey
Driving Distance: 78 kms
Driving Time: 2.5 – 3 hrs
Altitude of Gangtey/Phobjikha: 2900 mts.
After breakfast, drive over the Lawala Pass and descend through stands of dwarf bamboo and stop to photograph beautiful Phobjikha Valley, wintering ground of endangered black-necked cranes and one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas.
Overlooking the valley and the Black Mountains is the Gangtey Monastery dating back to the 17th century, one of the most important schools of Buddhism in Bhutan. Meet local villagers and photograph farmers at work in the potato fields.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 9 – Saturday, 28th September 2013: Gangtey/Bumthang
Driving Distance: 168 kms
Driving Time: 6 hrs
Altitude of Bumthang: 2600 mts
After breakfast, drive over the Pele La Pass (11,000 feet) to Trongsa.
Before reaching Trongsa, we take our first photograph of the impressive Trongsa Dzong, with the Mangdechu river cascading in one continuous flow down through the valley beneath, telephoto lens is recommended.
You shall also have the opportunities to catch the moments when monks are walking in and out of the dzong. Then drive to Bumthang over Yotongla Pass.
Many photographic opportunities are possible this afternoon when we stop at the Yathra weaving center at Chummey Valley en route to Jakar (Bumthang).
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 10 – Sunday, 29th September 2013: Bumthang
Altitude of Bumthang: 2600 mts
After breakfast, photograph the ancient and sacred monasteries, Jambay, Kurjey and Chakar Lhakhang including the Bumthang farmlands and valley.
In the afternoon, we visit Jakar Dzong. Visit a typical farmhouse to taste the local wine (araa) and buckwheat noodles (puta).
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 11 – Monday, 30th September 2013: Bumthang/Punakha
Driving Distance: 197 kms
Driving Time: 7 hrs
Altitude of Punakha: 1310 mts.
After breakfast, drive to Punakha.
In the evening leisure time, we will share tips of post processing your photos.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 12 – Tuesday, 1st October 2013: Punakha/Paro
Driving Distance: 141 kms
Driving Time: 4.5 hrs
Altitude of Paro: 2250 Mts.
After breakfast, drive to Paro.
As you drive towards Paro, stop at vantage points between Thinleygang and Wangduephodrang for photographing villages and people and the beautiful valley with the slow Punatshangchhu meandering down the valley.
Stop at Lamperi to visit the Royal Botanical Garden. Photograph different flora and fauna in the garden. Close-up lens or extension tubes are recommended.
A Grand picnic Lunch shall be hosted in this place.
After lunch, drive to Paro. Stop and visit the Tamchog Lhakhang, One of the oldest iron bridge on the way to the Tamchog Lhakhang. A small farms provide ample photo opportunities.>
Farewell dinner with your Bhutanese hosts and overnight in hotel.
Day 13 – Wednesday, 2nd October 2013: Depart Paro
After breakfast, A small Bhutanese ritual shall be held by lamas for a safe journey home, blessing the group with Tashi Khadar and holy water.
You are driven to the airport for your departure flight homebound.
For Cost and Frequently Asked Questions:
CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791
NEW Discounted Cost $4745.00, per person
NOTE: Internal flights on Druk Air are at an additional cost
