Bhutan Photography Tour

The Land of Happiness - Monks, Momos & Festivals

15 Days in Bhutan
Starting November 19, 2023
Starts and Finishes in Paro Bhutan
Maximum Group Size: 8

               

Winter in the Himalayas is a great time of year for photographers, festivals and brilliant sunshine. Join Trent Lanz & Ewen Bell for a journey into photo journalism and the Bhutanese way of life. Immense color, drama and culture. This tour explores both the intensity of festivals and the peacefulness of the countryside. Avoiding the easy to reach festivals of Paro and Thimphu we head east to Bumthang. Along the way the itinerary gives us time to learn about Bhutanese people and traditions.

The Land of Happiness - Monks, Momos & Festivals


Day 1 | Thimphu | 7656’
We arrange to arrive in Paro on the same day, via connections from Bangkok, Singapore or Kathmandu. Our team in Bhutan can handle this, along with the visa arrangements.

On arrival in Paro we have a slow drive through the countryside to reach Thimphu, and usually make a few stops on the way. Normally this drive takes about 1 hour, but with a group of photographers we like to take all afternoon. Once in Thimphu we’ll get acclimated to the pace of life in Bhutan and visit some local spots for photography and discussion. Aside from acclimating to the Bhutanese culture, Thimphu has some beautiful temples to visit and will help us prepare for the cultural immersion of Central Bhutan.

Days 2-3 | Punakha | 4075’
Punakha is home to one of the most beautiful Dzongs in all of Bhutan can be found, along with some stunning villages and beautiful rivers. We have the option of an early morning hike to watch the sunrise across the rice fields.

Days 4-6 | Phobjikha | 9843’
This secluded valley gets really cold at night but we’ll be cosy in a farmhouse with log fires and hot stone baths. The valley still continues with a very basic rural style and offers us a chance to really slow down and contemplate the art of photography. This is home to the potato farmers and the Black Necked Crane, which will be starting to arrive in the valley for winter and are easily observed from a distance.

Day 7 | Trongsa | 7119’
This drive is beautiful and dramatic with lots of scenic stops along the way. Trongsa is a major highlight of the journey with my favorite Dzong of all Bhutan dominating the view. The chance to see monks engaged in their traditions is excellent, and there’s often a chance to see monkeys engaged in mischief too.

Days 8-12 | Bumthang | 8530’
Bumthang is worth visiting regardless of festivals, but the presence of two unique festival events on the calendar makes it even better. No two festivals in Bhutan are the same and each day of dance is a new experience and new opportunity. They are spectacular, and a little challenging. We’ll have time to talk about techniques plus reviews to help us advance our skills and try again the next day. There are many other around the Jakar valley and we’ll have a chance to visit some of the quiet ones.

Days 13-14 | Paro | 7218’
We return back to Paro for a little pampering in the most scenic valley Bhutan has to offer. We’ll get up close to the scenery in a serious way by ascending the trail to the Tigers Nest. The Tigers Nest is remarkable, a fitting highlight to finish our journey.

Day 15 | Departure
Wave goodbye at the airport. Connecting flights can be made via Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi or Kathmandu.

Please read the PDF brochure for full details on the itinerary, accommodations and inclusions.

Tour Highlights

  • EXPERIENCE

    Let us show you the very best of Bhutan as only an expert can. We have made a career in photography, travel and mentoring. Bhutan is one of our #happyplaces.

  • FESTIVALS

    We select our tour dates to match up with remote festivals far from the tourist trail. A powerful cultural experience and rich photographic inspiration.

  • PHOTO LOVE

    Ewen & I want you to go home with some incredible photos and we’ll do our best to get you to the right places and offer the right advice. We have 15 years experience at this and each year we try to go one better.

  • HAPPINESS

    Travel in Bhutan is not just about photography, it's an experience. When you love the place and the people it shows in your photography.

  • TEAM BHUTAN

    One of the reasons this is such a great tour is because we have a great team behind us in Bhutan. It takes more than just photographers to make a great photo tour, it takes a travel team who cares about your journey.

  • HIMALAYAS

    We have some really lovely accommodation on this trip, ranging from a cosy family run guesthouse to a luxury resort and spa. Some of the upgrades we keep hush about so we don't spoil the surprises!

Curated Just For You

One of the distinctive benefits of our photography tours is that you will have the luxury of being accompanied by two expert photographers throughout the trip. Our photo vacations are unique in their emphasis on slowing down travel to allow for deeper exploration and more meaningful experiences in fewer locations. We venture into the mountains in jeeps, giving us the freedom to halt and capture stunning photographs whenever we come across something worth capturing. Our trips are not a typical package tour designed for the masses, but rather, they are photographic journeys that have been curated by photographers, for photographers.

Trent Lanz & Ewen Bell

Photography Guides

Hello.
My name is Trent.

First of all, let me start out by saying, I love photography! Especially the moments in time I have captured in some incredible places in this amazing world we live in. Come along with me and my great friend, Ewen Bell (he's also an award winning photographer) to explore Nepal, Bhutan & India. Yep, two photographers at your disposal at any time you need any assistance. Nobody cares more about your experience than we do. For over a decade we've been designing ground-breaking tours and workshops. You want the best... and now you've found it.

Meet Ewen Bell

This is Ewen Bell, the gentle soul who designs these tours so you can come home with great photos and experience a marvelous adventure. His work is published all over the world in travel brochures, the travel media and photography magazines including National Geographic in the USA and Food & Travel in the UK. His depth of experience with leading tours is impressive, with over 50 tours and workshops completed in recent decades across Asia, the Himalayas, Australia, Antarctica and Scandinavia. He is a master in photography and how to teach anyone from a beginner to an expert about photography. Perhaps most importantly, he cares about making sure YOU go home with fantastic photos.

  • "Above all, Ewen & Trent are the kind of people you would invite into your own home to share a great meal. They are kind, patient, knowledgeable and always wear a great smile. It's no wonder so many on our tour were repeat clients."

    Melissa L. - Bhutan 2017

  • "Attending three days of local festivals, around which the itinerary was carefully planned, was definitely a highlight. Held at off-the-beaten-track Buddhist temples, and nearly devoid of other tourists, being immersed in these local events was truly special."

    Lauren S. - Bhutan 2019

  • "We both had a wonderful time and learnt so much! I look forward to more trips with you in the very near future. Please add my name to your special mailing list. My feedback to you both is this... don’t change a thing!"

    Ken B. - Bhutan 2015

  • "A team I would happily entrust for any future visit to this special country. Organization, photographic opportunities and guidance were all first rate."

    Alastair and Helen F. - Bhutan 2018

  • "He has a quiet, gentle way of teaching people that is really lovely, and perfect for when he is dealing with a group of introvert photographers. I highly recommend traveling with him, particularly if it's to Bhutan."

    Sharon S, - Bhutan 2017

Book Your Tour Today!

The Land of Happiness - Monks, Momos & Festivals

15 Days in Bhutan
Starting November 19, 2023
Priced from USD $10,288
Starts and Finishes in Paro Bhutan
Maximum Group Size: 8

Only 4 Spots Remain

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Only 4 Spots Remain 〰️

If you have a few questions and want to chat with me, just click the button below and email your questions. When you're ready to book just use the booking form below. Once you've paid the deposit of $2,800 your place on the tour is confirmed. If you wish to upgrade to a single room we can add that to your booking as well.

FAQ’s About Bhutan

  • After September 2022 there are no restrictions on vaccinated travelers coming to Bhutan.

  • It's been 13 years since we first started guiding trips to Bhutan. Our favorite season is winter when the air is cool and dry in the mountains, giving clear views of snow-capped mountains.

  • Not much at all. All meals, permits and ground transport are covered already. If you're not buying much in the way of souvenirs then $20 for a sim card and maybe another $50 for drinks should cover the basics. We also provide a more detailed "Pre-Departure Pack" when you book in the tour.

  • This is the really tough one. Anyone can do it, you just need to take your time and don't rush it. The trail is steep on the way up, and the final section is mostly stairs. Coming back down at the end of the day can be tough if you have knee trouble. We offer an alternate day out for those who want to sit out the Tiger's Nest.

  • Aside from the hike to Tiger’s Nest, most of the walking is very very easy. There are a few steep bits that are very short, but we also have the added impact of a little altitude in the mix. So we do everything gentle, and every walk is optional.

  • The terrain in Bhutan is often uneven, which means solid walking boots with high ankle support is recommended. We don't do heavy walks on our photography tours, but we do expect to traverse dusty and rocky trails.

  • Very warm indeed. Bhutan is plentiful with trees and hydro-electricity, and everywhere we stay you can expect either a log fire that turns the room into a sauna, or electric panels that offer more regulated control of warmth. Often we get the benefits of both.

  • Yes. Everywhere we travel is good for electricity, although the supply can drop out for hours at a time. Charging camera batteries or a laptop each day is never a problem.

  • Yes there are mobile networks at every place we stay on the tour. The networks do vary so roaming connections may vary also. We recommend a local sim-card for cheap internet access as hotel internet is often slow.

  • We supply all travelers with a detailed Pre-Departure Pack when they book for a tour, which includes how to apply for "Visa on Arrival" and a lot of other information such as help with packing. For more general information we recommend you read through the PDF brochures.

  • Masks are a part of daily life in Bhutan and will be suggested in many public settings. We ask that all travelers obey all local public health regulations during the trip. Will keep you updated as these requirements have loosened for 2023.