Bhutan Photography Trips

THREE EXCEPTIONAL TRIPS

All photos by Mark Tuschman

Vietnam & Angkor Photography Series

Our other photography tours Mark and Indochina Travel have partnered on include Myanmar and earlier trips to Vietnam & Angkor, concentrating on places providing exceptional photography opportunities, including the stoic capital, Hanoi, Halong Bay, hilltribes and mountain vistas of Sapa, and the emerald green vistas of the Mekong Delta. In Cambodia, the now bustling capital city of Phnom Penh was visited, and the tour culminated in shooting at what was the center of a great civilization, the Khmer temples of Angkor. View images taken by participants.

The Wild East: Fringes of Bhutan

Eastern Bhutan is the least explored region of the kingdom, offering authentic cultural experiences, sublime natural beauty of towering mountains and pristine forest, and in addition to small local festivals, an region where the country’s most ancient spiritual practices, including animist-shamanist religious rituals, are found.

Our trip begins in Guwahati, India, crossing in Bhutan into the pre-Himalayan ranges, exploring the remote outposts of Samdrup Jonkhar, Trashigang, Mongar, Lhuntse—one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan with spectacular mountain scapes of stark cliffs and steep gorges, en route to Jakar, where we'll spend a day visiting the highlights of the Bumthang Valley.

During this two week trip, explore the lush, breathtaking landscapes of the eastern region that feature spectacular areas for short hikes. Bhutan’s largest river, the Dangmechu, here and we'll pause in Trashigang town, set on a scenic hillside a former trading outpost for trade between Tibet. Today it is the junction of the East-West highway, with road connections to Samdrup Jongkhar and then into the Indian state of Assam. Trashigang remains the principle market place for the semi-nomadic people of Merak and Sakteng, whose unique way of dress stands out from the regular Bhutanese Gho and Kira. At trip's end, we'll pass through Paro, with an optional extra day to trek to the famed Tiger's Nest Monastery—Taktsang. Please note, this trip stays in rustic accommodations—local inns that are very basic.

 View Fringes of Bhutan Photography Trip Detailed Itinerary

The only real disappointment of our trip, is that we could not stay longer in Bhutan. The hotels you chose were wonderful, and added greatly to the experience and we enjoyed the flexibility of the itinerary which allowed for spontaneous and what were for us some of the most meaningful experiences of the journey.
—Ken Taymor

Pre- or post-trip, consider lingering for a few days more in Rajasthan.

Sacred Dances Bhutan Photography Trip

There is no better highlight during a visit to Bhutan than attending tshechu, what Bhutan's famous Drukpa Buddhist festivals are called. Bhutan Festivals, mean "day ten," as in the tenth day of a month of the lunar Tibetan calendar and these annual festivals feature vivid dances based on traditional Bhutanese themes and are the largest social gatherings in Bhutan, promoting bonding among families, townspeople and people scattered in remote villages.
Group size - smallest

The focal point of the tsechus are the sacred Cham dances (now banned in neighboring Tibet). The Thimphu and Paro festivals are the largest each year, which you will attend and photograph during this trip similar 2011 Bhutan tshechu tour (view our 2011 Bhutan trip itinerary).

Cultural highlights of this trip include hilltribe arts and crafts, markets, local life, and attendance at Bhutan's splendid annual festivals—the Thimphu Drubchen in the capital city, and the colorful-costumed dancing of the Wangdue Tshechu, and the country's largest and most celebrated festival, Thimpu Tshechu where we will have up close seating for photography alongside tour leader Mark Tuschman.

The Myanmar workshop with Mark was a remarkable experience with exposure to many locations, people and shooting environments. Our small group environment allowed each of us to work alongside Mark, who I have always admired as a photographer especially his ability in photographing people which is exceptional. I would¹t hesitate to take another workshop with Mark.
—Irene Searles

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Read more about Bhutan's festivals

Sacred Dzongs & Mountains

A classic two-week itinerary that take advantage of Winter's crisp clear skies for vivid landscape photography, while visiting the country's renowned dzongs in Thimpu, Punakha, and Jakar.

This trip will also encompass the popular highlights of Bhutan but also lesser known ones, such as travel to the Haa Valley for a rare shaman festival. , along with unique activities, including emphasis on customs, arts, cuisine, religion at the heart of the country, exploring rural village life, and experiencing personal encounters where few tourists venture. We will journey into the heartland of the ethereal kingdom, from the gravity defying Tiger’s Nest monastery to the bizarre temple of the Divine Madman, this trip combines spectacular scenery during short hikes, and visit to the country's renowned dzongs (monasteries).

Explore the astonishing landscapes of four distinctly different and scenic valleys; the bustling capital of Thimphu in a valley dotted with monuments, museums and markets; the almost tropical Punakha/Wangdue valley with its magnificent dzongs; and the emerald valley of Paro with its rice paddies and ancient temples; Phobjikha valley, the winter home to a few hundred rare and endangered Black-Necked Cranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateau to winter here; and finally, the emerald green Haa Valley, where few other travelers venture. In the Haa Valley, we'll be guests at a new year's shaman festival. Throughout the adventure return nightly to the understated luxury and comfort of the Uma lodges and the Taj Tashi hotels.

Personal encounters (including visiting homes, schools, and monasteries) will be a focus of our trip.

"I have known Mark for more than 20 years and have been very much taken with the beauty of his images. Initially I had contracted Mark to do a project for a biotech company that I was involved with. Later on his work really inspired me so much that I decided to make photography my second profession. Mark has 35 years of great experience, which he was willing to share with a group of us during photography trip to India. He encouraged us to understand the critical elements of the image that is attractive to our eyes and sensitize us to all the elements that make a memorable photograph, whether photographing a person or a landscape. He emphasized the critical role that light plays in photography and how we can use light as a paint brush in our photography. He made me more aware of light, composition, foregrounds and backgrounds, and gestures. He encouraged us to develop a personal style of our own and helped me create more compelling images.
—Ari Azhir

What to expect

• Attentive pre-tour support, including international airline, insurance, visas and trip preparation assistance.
• Comprehensive pre-tour package with packing, reading lists, cultural primer, maps, readings, and photography topics relevant to these trips, and more.
• Lodging at the finest boutique and luxury hotels.
• A one of a kind journey, each of our trip's is a unique itinerary designed by Mark Tuschman, Kesang Namgyel, and Patrick Morris, each with over 25 year's experience traveling and organizing trips within Asia.
• Emphasis on people photography and authentic and genuine people-to-people cultural encounters.
• Equally a cultural as much a photography trip featuring exclusive insider experiences, such as attending a private shaman festival in the Haa Valley.
• A Fun, enjoyable trip—no trip to the land of Gross National Happiness would be complete without sharing this aspect of Bhutanese culture.
• Value: compare our smaller size, longer and more comprehensive trips with National Geographic and others.
• Experience: Indochina Travel has been organizing trips in Asia for over 20 years, longer than almost any other North American tour operator.