GANGRI BHUTAN
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
(15 days)
This is a general photography tour. If you have specific interests – like nature or culture or people – let us know so that we can send you a different itinerary.
Duration: 15 days
Entry: Paro, western Bhutan
Exit: Guwahati, Assam, India
Best seasons: March-May, September-November
Highlights
Landscape, culture, people, flora, fauna, spectacular views of the world’s highest mountains, mind-boggling gorges, waterfalls and other wondrous manifestations of nature.Among thousands of flowers which carpet the mountainsides in spring, it has more than 55 different varieties of rhododendron alone and about 500 species of orchids. This tiny country has over 700 species of birds, more than the whole of North America.
Day 1:Bangkok/New Delhi/Kathmandu-Paro
Get a seat on the left side of the aircraft; keep your camera ready (battery charged, of course), and follow the instructions of the pilot as he/she guides you through the world’s highest mountains, one after another – Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse, etc. On a clear day, the views are nothing short of spectacular.
Get a bird’s view of Paro International Airport, a black strip in a narrow valley that is considered to be among the breast of a hillock which commands a spectacular view of the capital city.
• Sangaygang– The perfect viewpoint for Thimphu city.
• Memorial Stupa – the most beautiful stupa in Bhutan built in memory of the father of modern Bhutan, king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
• Vegetable Market – people from various ethnic backgrounds and diverse culture
• Norzin Lam (street) – The busiest place in the capital
• Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Art and Craft
world’s 10 most challenging airports. Here on, you have entered the “dreamland”, so to speak, for photography.
Day 2: Paro
Potential areas for photography
• Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels), National Museum, 7th century Kyichu Temple among several other ancient religious monuments and sites
• The ruins of Drugyal Dzong and Taktshang (Tiger’s Lair) Monastery, famed for its religious significance and architectural wonder\
• Chelela Pass (3,988 meters) and from there stunning views of Mt Jomolhari (7,326 meters) which is revered as the Abode of Goddess Remati. Also, numerous species of alpine flowers, and birds like Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, and Kalij Pheasant
• Villages, farmhouses, people
Day 3 & 4 : Thimphu
Potential areas for photography
• Tashichhodzong – the magnificent 500-year old seat of Bhutan’s governance and the palace/office of the king.
• Parliament Building – An epitome of modern Bhutanese architecture combined with traditional grandeur.
• Buddha – the world’s biggest Buddha built on the
breast of a hillock which commands a spectacular view of the capital city.
• Sangaygang– The perfect viewpoint for Thimphu city.
• Memorial Stupa – the most beautiful stupa in Bhutan built in memory of the father of modern Bhutan, king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
• Vegetable Market – people from various ethnic backgrounds and diverse culture
• Norzin Lam (street) – The busiest place in the capital
• Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, School of Art and Craft
Day 5: Thimphu-Punakha/Wangdue
Potential areas for photography
• Semtokha Dzong, the oldest monastery fortress of Bhutan.
• Dochula, the 3,116 meter pass which provides a breathtaking view of the mighty Himalayas
• Different types of vegetation, from alpine to the sub-tropical, rare birds and flowers
• The Wangdue-Punakha valley, farms and villages, ancient monasteries including Chimi Lhakhang (the Temple of Fertility)
• Punakha Dzong, the old capital of Bhutan and Bhutan’s most prized monument
• The ruins of Wangdue monastery-fortress
• White-Bellied Heron, the world’s rarest bird, in Punatsangchu basin.
Day 6: Punakha/Wangdue–Trongsa
Potential areas for photography
• Verdant forests, rare birds (including the exotic black-necked crane) and animals, and beautiful alpine flowers.
• Pelela pass (3,390 meters), the Black Mountain range, hamlets along the way.
• 18th century stupa at Chendebji
• Views of Trongsa Dzong – the monastery fortress which is one of the biggest in Bhutan and traditionally the power centre of central-east Bhutan.
• The Watch Tower of Trongsa
• Trongsa town
Day 7: Trongsa–Bumthang
Potential areas for photography
• Views of Mangde valley
• Yotongla pass (3,400 meters)
• Bumthang valley, one of the most beautiful in Bhutan, filled with old palaces, historical and religious monuments.
Day 8: Bumthang
• Jakar Dzong (Castle of the White Bird)
• Wangdicholing Palace and Domkhar Palace
• The famous Kurjey Temple and 7th century Jambay Lhakhang (temple)
• Tamzhing Monastery, and the legendary Mebartsho (Burning Lake)
• Airstrip, villages, nature trails, towns, etc.
Day 9: Bumthang–Mongar
• Thrumshingla National Park and the Thrumshingla Pass (3,780 meters)
• Sengor-Yongkala-Lingmithang area, which is known as the Birding Capital of the World. Has the world’s highest density of birds, including some of the most rare.
• Ruins of Zhongar Fortress
• Kurichu Hydroelectric Dam and power house
• Lingmethang and Mongar towns
Day 10: Mongar-Trashigang
• Korila Pass and the surrounding views of the landscape of eastern Bhutan
• Yadi zig, and shots of the valley carved by Dangmechu, the biggest river of Bhutan
• Gomphu Kora, a great site of pilgrimage for Buddhists
• Trashigang Dzong, historically the powerhouse of the regional ruler
• Trashigang town
Day 11: Trashigang
• North Trashigang, the most populated area of Bhutan and the centre of local culture, customs, traditions, lifestyle
• Brahmi, a tribal community in Chaling and Phongmey
• Merak, area of semi-nomadic tribe called Brokpa, and nearbylandscapes
• Folk festival, dance and music in the region
Day 12: Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar
• Dozens of villages along the way – culture, customs,architecture.
• Sherubtse College (Bhutan’s first), Yonphula airstrip, and the adjoining views.
• Numerous ancient temples and monasteries enroute
• Ancient iron smithy at Barshong
• Bird watching areas at Moshi, Dewathang
Day 13
Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati airport for onward flight.