Bhutan: A Photographic Journey Through Bhutan’s culture, festivals and sacred landscapes
23 Feb – 04 Mar 2026
Bhutan, a country nestled in the Himalayas between India and China, is a realm of breathtaking beauty, unique culture and profound spirituality.
The towering Mountains, lush valleys and sparkling rivers create a dramatic backdrop for landscape photography. The scenic villages showcase traditional Bhutanese architecture and life, and we will spending time capturing this unique way of life through the camera lens.
We will attend 2 major festivals which will provide an opportunity to photograph masked dancers, musk and traditional food.
Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that truly practises high value, low impact sustainable tourism ensuring that tourism benefits the environment and local communities.
So your money will be well spend!
Highlights:
- Opportunity to photograph the Paro Taktsang – Tigers nest monastery 10,000 feet above sea level in a spectacular setting
- Spectacular landscape photography
- Connect with the Bhutanese people and learn about their unique culture and traditions
- Visit traditional markets and photograph the Bhutanese people in their traditional clothes
- Improve your people, culture and landscape photography skills
- Visit Buddhist Monasteries and photograph traditional religious life
- Attending two major festivals
- Please note this tour is also suitable for non photographers as there will be many cultural highlights and opportunity to learn from the Bhutanese people.
The journey begins in the city of Paro , where we meet on Feb 23 rd. There are various flight options to Paro from Bangkok and Delhi.
I have engaged a very experience team of guides, drivers to accompany us and ensure this is something extra special.
This exciting experience will be limited to maximum 6 participants. This photographic journey through Bhutan’s spiritual heartlands, where tradition and tranquility converge against a
Himalayan backdrop. In Thimphu, the capital city that blends modern life with ancient customs, you’ll document vibrant urban spirituality—from the golden-lit serenity of the National Memorial Chorten to the towering Buddha Dordenma overlooking the valley. Street photography comes alive at the bustling Ka Ja Throm market, where crimson-robed monks, artisans, and families in kira and gho mingle amid stalls bursting with color and culture. A hike from Buddha Point to Changangkha Lhakhang offers ethereal scenes of fluttering prayer flags, forest-filtered light, and candid interactions with locals seeking blessings—a photographer’s dream of portraiture, symbolism, and scenery intertwined.
Your lens then turns to Punakha, where the Punakha Dromchoe Festival transforms the 17th-century Punakha Dzong into a living canvas of Bhutanese devotion. Capture dramatic reenactments of historical battles, masked cham dancers in motion, and the vibrant energy of sacred rituals performed by monks and laypeople alike. The golden-lit dzong at dusk, reflected in the still waters of the Pho Chhu River, offers exquisite architectural compositions. In Gangtey, explore the peaceful Phobjikha Valley, winter home to the endangered black-necked cranes. From misty dawns over glacial wetlands to intimate village rituals and contemplative monastery scenes at Gangtey Goempa, every frame evokes timeless serenity. Conclude in Paro with the iconic ascent to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), where dramatic landscapes, sacred spaces, and traditional life converge in one breathtaking visual narrative.
The itinerary includes two major festivals:
- Tsechu Festival in Punakha
- Chorten Kora Festival in Trashiyangtse
Includes:
All Meals
9 Nights accomodation
Transport in comfortable van
Local Guides
Entrance fees to temples and parks
Excludes:
- Alcohol
- Tips
We require a 500 USD deposit to secure your place.
Please contact me directly if you wish to join , via email davidmetcalf312@gmail.com / davidmetcalfphotography22@gmail.com or WhatsApp +62 8111331255
