The Spirit of Bhutan: An 8-Day Cultural and Photography Adventure guided by Andy Marty

The day begins with an early visit inside one of the world’s largest sitting Buddha statues at Buddha Dordenma, where you will photograph monks, locals, and the panoramic views of Thimphu Valley at sunrise. You will then explore Thimphu’s city center, capturing urban street scenes and portraits at the Third King’s Memorial Chorten. Lunch will be served at Babesa Village Restaurant, a centuries-old farmhouse. In the afternoon, you will transfer to Punakha and plant a tree sapling with Green Bhutan. Later, you will visit the village of phalluses and the Chimmi Lhakhang fertility temple before enjoying a sunset photography session of Punakha Dzong.

The morning begins with an early hike to Khamsum Yuelley Lhakhang for a sunrise shoot with resident monks. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will explore the architectural beauty of Punakha Dzong, cross Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge, and spend the afternoon at a traditional farm home. Here, you will photograph weaving demonstrations, natural textile dyeing, and participate in a festive shoot by the river, in the forest, and in nearby fields with cultural performers. The day concludes with folkloric singing and dancing around a sunset bonfire, followed by a home-cooked Bhutanese dinner.

After breakfast, you will transfer to Gangtey. Upon arrival, you will visit the Black-Necked Crane Centre, where you will meet and photograph the endangered cranes Pema and Karma. Lunch will be served at your hotel. In the late afternoon, you will spend time at KD Farm Home, documenting traditional Bhutanese farm activities such as food preparation, farming work, and cow milking. Dinner and a bonfire will follow.

This day begins with a visit to Gangtey Goenpa Monastery, where you will take part in a butter-lamp offering and join the monks for their morning prayers. You will photograph their daily rituals in the courtyard before walking the scenic Gangtey Nature Trail. A home-cooked lunch will be served in a local farm home. In the afternoon, you will meet and photograph the students at Beyta School.

After a sunrise landscape session overlooking the Gangtey Valley, you will have breakfast and begin the five-hour transfer to Paro. Lunch will be enjoyed at Khu Kham House. Along the way, you will stop at Dochula Pass (3,100 m) to photograph the 108 chortens and sweeping Himalayan views. Local performers dressed as masked dancers and in traditional cultural attire will join you for a creative photo shoot, and you will have time to photograph the surrounding forests of juniper, rhododendron, and hemlock.

In the morning, you will embark on the iconic hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which takes approximately three hours. You will have the option to photograph the monastery at sunrise and will also be joined by locals dressed in masked-dance costumes and traditional attire for a unique portrait session. During the visit, you will enter the sacred cave beneath the monastery and hang prayer flags to send blessings across the valley. After descending, you will take part in a Bhutanese cooking lesson followed by a mountainside comfort picnic. In the afternoon, you will relax in a traditional hot stone bath infused with local herbs at a farm home. At sunset, you will return to Paro for a photography session at Rinpung Dzong with resident monks. Dinner and the final night’s stay will be at Tenzinling Resort.

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your departure flight.