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Photography tour in Bhutan 2024 / 2025

Bhutan is probably the most sought after destination for photo / photography tour. The country has the most stunning mountains and landscapes dotted with monasteries and dzongs with beautiful architecture and is a haven for photographers.

Whether you wish to photograph our village folks, the monks in the monasteries, the birds, Bhutanese arts in the dzongs, houses, monasteries and government offices, we have it all.

Bhutan is also famous for the spectacular festivals which are held at various time of the year. These festivals are held in the courtyard of the ancient monasteries, temples and majestic forts. The highly recommended ones are held in spring and autumn. Please contact us for the latest dates.

Photography tour in Bhutan for 8 days.

Tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world (51.5 m).

Bhutan photo tour – Trip highlights:

  • Magnificent dzong, ancient monasteries & temples.
  • Scenic landscapes.
  • Meet local people.
  • Bhutanese villages and farm houses.
  • Museums and government institutions.
  • Spectacular festivals.

The best time for photography tour in Bhutan:

The best time for photography tour in Bhutan is from February – April & October – December. The sky will be clear and blue and the day will be warm and sunny. Spring is also time for colorful festivals where people from all walks of life meet. The valleys and mountains bloom with wild flowers during spring season and autumn is the harvest season.

Bhutan Travel Links

Itinerary for photography tour in Bhutan:

  • Day 1. Arrive Paro – Thimphu sightseeing | 54 km | Drive: 1 hour | Altitude: 2334 m.
  • Day 2. Thimphu sightseeing | Altitude: 2334 m.
  • Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha sightseeing | 76 Km | Drive: 2 hours | Altitude: 1242 m.
  • Day 4. Punakha – Gangtey sightseeing | 75 km | Drive: 1 ½ hours | Altitude: 3000 m.
  • Day 5. Gangtey – Thimphu sightseeing | 143 km | Drive: 4 hours | Altitude: 2334 m.
  • Day 6. Thimphu – Paro sightseeing (Excursion to Chelila pass) | 94 km | Drive: 2 1/2 hours.
  • Day 7. Paro sightseeing –  Hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery (Taktsang) | 7 km | 4 hours.
  • Day 8. Paro – Departure (End of photography tour in Bhutan).

Nature of trip: Private and guided travel to Bhutan.

Related Bhutan Tours

Bhutan photography tour cost:

The cost given on this page is inclusive of sustainable development fee (SDF) of US $ 100 per person per night and Bhutan visa fee US $ 40 per person. Please note that the entrance fees for museums / monuments and festivals visits should to be paid at the counter of each monument / museum and are not included in the cost.

The package tour cost is same irrespective of month of travel.

  • Solo travel: US $ 2420.00
  • 2 pax: US $ 2000 per pax.
  • 3 pax or more: US $ 1860 per pax.
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Bhutan photography tour itinerary includes visit to the beautiful Punakha Dzong.

The Majestic Punakha dzong.

The Iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery is the highlight of photography tours in Bhutan

Tiger’s nest monastery in Paro.

Photo tour in Bhutan - Detailed itinerary.

Your tuide and driver will receive you at the Paro airport and drive to Thimphu. On the way, view Tamchog monastery built in the 15th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo.

Afternoon – visit memorial chorten built in honor of the third King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Then visit tallest statue of sitting Buddha in the world which stands at 51.5 m (One of the main highlights of Bhutan photo tour) and craft bazaar.

In the evening, visit to Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat. This massive and magnificent dzong is an architectural delight.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, excursion to Cheri Monastery where Shabdrung is believed to have spent several years in retreat.

After lunch, visit the school of 13 arts and crafts and Changangkha monastery.

Then visit the weekend market and Takin preserve center. Takin is believed to be a mix of a cow and a goat and is the national animal of Bhutan.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the Morning, drive to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan until the rule of the Third King of Bhutan.

On the way, visit the beautiful Dochu la pass (3140 m).  This pass is a haven for photographers. Then visit Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as “The divine madman”. The temple is also known as “the temple of fertility”.

Afternoon – visit Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan. This magnificent dzong is located at the confluence of Pho chu and Mo chu rivers.

In the evening, hike to the imperial Khamsum Yulley monastery. It was built by Her Majesty Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for long life of His Majesty and the world peace.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Gangtey. A short stop on the way to view Wangdue Phodrang dzong (The famous Wangdue festival is held here) built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

While in Gangtey, visit Gangtey monastery founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley.

Afternoon, visit to the crane information center.

Then explore Phobjikha valley, the roosting ground of the rare black necked cranes in winter.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the Morning, drive to Thimphu. We occasionally stop on the way for photography.

Then visit Simply Bhutan museum for cultural show, wine tasting and visit to folk museum.

Afternoon – Witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Paro and visit Ta dzong, the national museum of Bhutan.

Then visit Rinpung dzong (where the famous annual Paro festival takes place) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Afternoon – excursion to the scenic Cheli la pass (3988 m). The pass boasts of highest motorable road in Bhutan at 3810 m. You can see the beautiful view of the higher Himalayas including Mt. Jomolhari.

On the way back, visit the beautiful Kila Gompa nunnery that houses around 70 nuns. This nunnery is at the edge of a cliff and overlooks Paro valley below. It is one of the highlights of photography tour in Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

In the morning, drive to Satsam chorten and 2 hour hike till the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang). This temple is probably the most photographed monument in Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche who brought Buddhism to Bhutan flew here on the back of a flying tigress, Dorji Drolo.

Afternoon – visit Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. 

Then visit Kichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Airport and farewell (End of Bhutan photo tour).

Photography tour in Bhutan - FAQs.

Bhutan is a perfect destination for photography tour. Whether you want to photograph the monks, village folks, snow-capped blue mountains, festivals, rare birds like Black necked cranes or White Bellied Herons, we have it all.

The hills and mountains are dotted with numerous ancient temples and monasteries and every valley boasts of a majestic dzong (Forts). These temples and dzongs host colorful annual festivals called “Tshechus” and they are a delight to the photographers.

The Best time for photography tour in Bhutan are mid February to April & mid September to December. From mid Feb – till April, the weather will be clear and you can see snow-capped mountain around, the valley and mountains will look beautiful with wild flowers blooming.

There are also major festivals like Paro Tshechu, Punakha Tshechu and Ura festival in Bumthang.

Autumn in Bhutan is a harvest season and also there are many colorful festivals in western and central Bhutan like Thimphu Tshechu, Jakar Tshechu and Jambay lhakhang Drup.

Yes, you can visit the Tiger’s nest monastery (Taktsang) in Paro valley if you book 7 days Bhutan photography tour.

If you are extremely fortunate, then you can see the rare White-Bellied Heron is Pho Chu river area in Punakha valley.

The Blacked-necked cranes are migratory birds and they migrate to Phobjikha valley (central Bhutan) / Bomdeling in Tashi Yangtse (eastern Bhutan) in winter. They usually arrive in the 1st week of November and by mid April, they fly back to Tibet.

The best monuments to be included in Bhutan photo tour are:
  1. Tiger’s nest monastery. This is the most photographed monument in Bhutan and a must visit site for photo enthusiasts.
  2. Drugyel dzong, the victory fortress.
  3. Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat.
  4. Buddha Dordenma statue.
  5. National memorial chorten.
  6. Punakha dzong.
  7. Imperial Khamsum Yulley monastery.
  8. Wangdue Phodrang dzong.
  9. Dobji dzong.
  10. Trongsa dzong.
  11. Jakar dzong.
  12. Trashigang dzong and many more..
There are many beautiful landscapes and sceneries and to name a few, the list is below:
  • Dochula pass (3149 m).
  • Paro valley.
  • Chelila pass.
  • Sangaygang view point.
  • Punakha valley.
  • Phobjikha valley.
  • Kikila pass.
  • Bumthang valley and more.
Yes, a licensed guide is mandatory for Bhutan photography trip as per the regulation of Department of Tourism, Bhutan.

Absolutely no … you cannot photograph inside the temples and monasteries in Bhutan without a permission in writing from the Department of Culture under Ministry of Home Affairs, Thimphu Bhutan.

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