8-Day Bhutan Photography Tour from Paro with Punakha and Haa Valley

8 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Grab this opportunity to capture the best of Bhutan's historical and natural attractions on an 8-day photography tour from Paro. Photograph iconic sights such a...

Duration: 8 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Not included · Transport: Not included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Thimphu, Wangdue, Paro, Punakha, Haa Valley · Languages: English

Know before you go: One will be able to witness the beautiful landscape of the last Shangri La.; The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. If you wish to photograph local people, their houses, and shops, always ask by gesture if it is okay to do so, though Bhutanese people normally smile at you as a gesture of permission to take pictures.; Also, while visiting dzongs, monasteries, temples, and other religious institutions, please follow your guide's instructions carefully. As per regulations, taking pictures inside sacred temples and monasteries is strictly prohibited.

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Bhutan

Haa Valley

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What's Included

English-speaking Bhutan tour guide

Not Included

Medical/travel insurance coverage
Airfare to/from Bhutan
Any horse riding to Tiger's Nest
Laundry services
Telephone calls and internet charges
Alcoholic beverages
Personal shopping
Any tips to the Bhutanese guide/driver
Single room supplement of US$ 150
Any itinerary extensions are subject to additional cost

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and First Photo Walk

The excitement begins today as you arrive in the small Bhutanese town of Paro. As you near Paro Valley, enjoy the lush and scenic surroundings with views of Paro Dzong and the National Museum. The excitement begins today as you arrive in the small Bhutanese town of Paro. As you near Paro Valley, enjoy the lush and scenic surroundings with views of Paro Dzong and the National Museum. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Later, visit the archery ground, where you can photograph local archers. On arrival, check in to the hotel. Later, visit the archery ground, where you can photograph local archers. Enjoy an evening stroll around Paro town. Enjoy an evening stroll around Paro town.
2

Day 02

Tiger's Nest Monastery and Paro Sightseeing

Following breakfast, visit and photograph one of the iconic sights of Bhutan - Tiger's Nest Monastery, dramatically perched on a steep vertical slope. As we begin early, we will have plenty of time to see and shoot at the monastery before heading back on a slow drive to Paro. Following breakfast, visit and photograph one of the iconic sights of Bhutan - Tiger's Nest Monastery, dramatically perched on a steep vertical slope. As we begin early, we will have plenty of time to see and shoot at the monastery before heading back on a slow drive to Paro. If time permits, stop at Drukgyel Village and Dzong on the way. The dzong, now ruined by fire, has a creepy atmosphere and was built as a strategic point on the route to Tibet. If time permits, stop at Drukgyel Village and Dzong on the way. The dzong, now ruined by fire, has a creepy atmosphere and was built as a strategic point on the route to Tibet. Return to our hotel for an overnight stay.
3

Day 03

Drive to Thimphu and Cultural Photography

Following an early breakfast, head out towards Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. It is a picturesque drive along the Paro Chu River, which joins the Wang Chu River at Chuzom. Drive past terraced rice fields and old houses along the way before reaching Thimphu. Following an early breakfast, head out towards Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. It is a picturesque drive along the Paro Chu River, which joins the Wang Chu River at Chuzom. Drive past terraced rice fields and old houses along the way before reaching Thimphu. Check in to the hotel. Later in the afternoon, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum (13 traditional arts and crafts) to see artists creating religious Thangka paintings. Check in to the hotel. Later in the afternoon, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum (13 traditional arts and crafts) to see artists creating religious Thangka paintings. Further, go to Trashichoe Dzong, a large complex that houses the central monastic body of Bhutan. Further, go to Trashichoe Dzong, a large complex that houses the central monastic body of Bhutan. If time allows this evening, wander the town with our cameras for interesting sights in the city. If time allows this evening, wander the town with our cameras for interesting sights in the city.
4

Day 04

Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass

Following breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu for interesting insights into Bhutan's culture and plenty of food for the camera. Following breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu for interesting insights into Bhutan's culture and plenty of food for the camera. Later in the afternoon, start the drive to Punakha Valley, passing through some of the most scenic landscapes Bhutan has to offer. An hour's drive up winding hilly roads will bring us to Dochu-La Pass at an elevation of 3,150 m, where we can see the snow-capped mountains in the distance on a clear day. Later in the afternoon, start the drive to Punakha Valley, passing through some of the most scenic landscapes Bhutan has to offer. An hour's drive up winding hilly roads will bring us to Dochu-La Pass at an elevation of 3,150 m, where we can see the snow-capped mountains in the distance on a clear day. After a leisurely lunch on the way, drive downhill and come across the terraced fields and homesteads of the Punakha Valley, a beautiful drive through pleasant rural landscapes. After a leisurely lunch on the way, drive downhill and come across the terraced fields and homesteads of the Punakha Valley, a beautiful drive through pleasant rural landscapes. Stop after descending to the banks of the small river that waters the valley and walk across the fields to a small temple on a hillock dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, a much-revered monk dear to the people of Bhutan. Stop after descending to the banks of the small river that waters the valley and walk across the fields to a small temple on a hillock dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, a much-revered monk dear to the people of Bhutan. Towards evening, stop at a viewpoint from where you can take perfect photographs of Punakha Dzong, with the mountains looming behind it and two rivers meeting in front. Towards evening, stop at a viewpoint from where you can take perfect photographs of Punakha Dzong, with the mountains looming behind it and two rivers meeting in front.
5

Day 05

Punakha Dzong, Chorten Hike, and Wangdue Valley

Following breakfast, we will visit Punakha Dzong this morning, crossing a lovely wooden bridge lined with prayer flags. We will spend some time exploring and photographing the dzong for most of the morning. Following breakfast, we will visit Punakha Dzong this morning, crossing a lovely wooden bridge lined with prayer flags. We will spend some time exploring and photographing the dzong for most of the morning. In the latter half of the day, we will drive up the Punakha Valley to the west side of the Mo Chu River, passing through villages and farms. In the latter half of the day, we will drive up the Punakha Valley to the west side of the Mo Chu River, passing through villages and farms. Cross the suspension bridge and take a short hike to Kham Sum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten through rice terraces and agricultural fields. From the temple, you can take as many good photos as you can of the Punakha Valley below with the Mo Chu River. Cross the suspension bridge and take a short hike to Kham Sum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten through rice terraces and agricultural fields. From the temple, you can take as many good photos as you can of the Punakha Valley below with the Mo Chu River. Later in the afternoon, drive to Wangdue Valley and take beautiful pictures of the valley and the dzong. Later in the afternoon, drive to Wangdue Valley and take beautiful pictures of the valley and the dzong.
6

Day 06

Return to Paro via Dochula Pass

Following breakfast, drive back to Paro via the same road, crossing Dochula Pass. You will have a second opportunity to take photographs of the eastern Himalayan ranges, if you are lucky with the weather. Following breakfast, drive back to Paro via the same road, crossing Dochula Pass. You will have a second opportunity to take photographs of the eastern Himalayan ranges, if you are lucky with the weather.
7

Day 07

Excursion to Chele-la Pass and Ha Valley

Take a winding drive up the hills through alpine vegetation and carpeted, flower-decked fields to Chele-la Pass, a good viewpoint for the lush Paro Valley below. Chele-la is a windy pass filled with white prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. En route, we may encounter yak-herder huts and grazing yaks. Take a winding drive up the hills through alpine vegetation and carpeted, flower-decked fields to Chele-la Pass, a good viewpoint for the lush Paro Valley below. Chele-la is a windy pass filled with white prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. En route, we may encounter yak-herder huts and grazing yaks. Further, drive down to the picturesque Ha Valley and take a short walk to Chhundu Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the local deity of Ha. Further, drive down to the picturesque Ha Valley and take a short walk to Chhundu Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the local deity of Ha. Return to Paro in the evening via the same route. Return to Paro in the evening via the same route.
8

Day 08

Departure from Paro

Following an early breakfast, drive to Paro International Airport. Following an early breakfast, drive to Paro International Airport.