Bhutan Photo Adventure

14 days
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3.5/5 Great
30 reviews  
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Group Tour
With age-old temples perched on cliffs and hilltops, yak-herders’ villages nestled in lush valleys, and a constant backdrop of breathtaking Himalayan peaks,Bhutan is effortlessly photogenic. Exploring this hard-to-reach country on foot affords unparalleled photographic opportunities, whether you’re taking portraits of herders you meet in the meadows, document...
From$6,995
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Document some of Bhutan's most beautiful and sacred places, from the icy crest of Jhomolhari to the Buddhist sites of Bumthang.
    • Take portraits of yak herders and farming families on hikes through Bhutan's stunning valleys.
    • Focus on the exquisite details of Buddhist architecture, from medieval dzongs to the intricately painted monasteries that dot the landscape.
    • Capture the color and pageantry of local culture on photo shoots with traditional dancers, archery experts, and monks.

What's this trip about?

    With age-old temples perched on cliffs and hilltops, yak-herders’ villages nestled in lush valleys, and a constant backdrop of breathtaking Himalayan peaks,Bhutan is effortlessly photogenic. Exploring this hard-to-reach country on foot affords unparalleled photographic opportunities, whether you’re taking portraits of herders you meet in the meadows, documenting daily life during lunch at a family farm, or framing a temple-studded vista from a high mountain pass. From historic dzongs to sacred peaks to the exquisite landscapes of Bumthang, capture the beauty and tranquility of Bhutan from its winding trails.

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Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBangkok
End CityBangkok

Travel Themes

  • Education / Learning
  • High Adventure
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Photography

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Bhutan
  • Thailand

Attractions

  • Bumthang Valley
  • Taktsang Monastery
  • Thimpu

Activities

  • Adventure & Adrenaline
  • Hiking
  • Photography

Trip includes

    • Accommodations
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Pre-departure information
    • Entrance fees, excursions, and sightseeing noted as included in the itinerary
    • Ground transportation during the expedition
    • Transfers to and from group flights where applicable
    • Services of an adventure consultant, guides and any other staff, and on designated “Photography” departures, a National Geographic Photographer
    • Taxes, port charges, baggage handling, and service charges
    • Itineraries that include camping, camp and cook staffs, tents, kitchen and dining tents and necessary Trip equipment (e.g., sea kayaks, rafts, personal floatation devices, etc.) Are provided
    • Internal airfare is included on some international expeditions as indicated in itinerary,

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1 & 2: Bangkok, Thailand/Paro, Bhutan

Meals: Lunch and Dinner ( Day 2)

Accommodation: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel; Zhiwa Ling Hotel

Arrive in Bangkok late in the evening. The following day, board an early morning flight to Paro, and, if weather permits, capture aerial shots of...

Day 3: Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Zhiwa Ling Hotel

The day begins with a drive up to the mountain pass of Cheli La (12,500 feet). From here, take landscape shots of a panorama of icy summits, which can include the sacred peak of Jhomolhari a...

Day 4: Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Druk Hotel

Travel to Thimpu, Bhutan's present-day capital. Our climb today is steep but rewarding: we'll hike an hour to Cheri Geomba, a monastery established in 1620, and continue another hour to Tango Goem...

Days 5 & 6: Punakha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Kunzangzhing Hotel

Journey over Dochu La pass (10,000') to Punakha, Bhutan’s ancient capital today. Venture into the magnificent Punakha Dzong, which guards the southern end of the valley at the confluence o...

Day 7: Phobjikha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Dewachen Lodge

Set on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, Phobjikha is considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. It is also the largest wintering site for endangered black-necked cranes,...

Day 8: Gangtey/Trongsa/Bumthang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Yugharling Resort

Head out on a morning photo shoot at Gangtey Goemba, one of the oldest Nyingmapa monasteries in Bhutan. Recently renovated, the monastery showcases the fine workmanship of Bhutan’s best woo...

Day 9: Bumthang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Yugharling Resort

Spend the day photographing the important Buddhist sites around Bumthang, some of which date back more than a thousand years. On an easy walk from Jambay Lakhang to Kurjey Lakhang, take sho...

Day 10: Bumthang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Yugharling Resort

Today's hike is full of fantastic photographic opportunities. We'll cross the river to a secluded trail that ascends steeply through pine forests and meadows. Frame the view from various st...

Day 11: Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Zhiwa Ling Hotel

Catch a morning flight from Bumthang to Paro. After checking into our hotel, set out for the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above the Paro Dzong. The museum’s collections include displays of spectacular thangkas (religious scroll paintings), bronze statues, and elaborate stamps.

Day 12: Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Zhiwa Ling Hotel

Set out on a steep, two-hour hike to a teahouse that affords fantastic vantages of the legendary Taktshang Lhakhang, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which clings to a cliff nearly 3,000 feet abov...

Days 13 & 14: Paro/Bangkok, Thailand/Home

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Hotel

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight to Bangkok. The following morning, board your homebound flight.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,995
Price per day$500
Last Updated: 5/15/2023

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with National Geographic Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare
    • Optional gratuities
    • Personal items
    • The “Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner” notations apply to the period during the expedition only and do not include any meals on flights to/from the Trip

Accommodation

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Meals Included

11 Breakfasts 10 Lunch, 10 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
nation-bhuphonat

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