Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Arrival & Paro Valley Floor Fields
Arrive at Paro Airport and head straight away from town into the upper Paro Valley. In May, the valley floor meadows are carpeted in early summer wildflowers. You will find easy, flat roadside pull-offs along the Paro Chhu river where you can photograph the rushing glacier water framed by blooming orchards and lush green hills.
Day 2 : Splendor at Chele La Pass
Drive up to Chele La Pass (3,988 meters). The road takes you directly to the crest, meaning zero hiking is required for world-class alpine views. May is the peak blooming season for high-altitude pink and red rhododendrons. Arrive at dawn to photograph the heavy morning mist drifting through the flower canopy with the massive white wall of Mount Jomolhari in the background.
Day 3 : Haa Valley Meadow Strolls
Take a relaxed, flat walk through the broad, open meadows of the Haa Valley. The valley floor is incredibly quiet and completely natural. You can easily stroll right out of your transport into fields filled with irises and primulas, capturing the soft, diffused light of the morning mist lifting off the forested ridges.
Day 4 : Panoramic Views at Dochula Pass
Travel eastward over Dochula Pass (3,140 meters). The road drops you right at the summit. In May, the air begins to warm up, creating a natural thermodynamic effect where thick, dramatic cloud banks rise from the low valleys and collide with the pass. Use a telephoto lens right from the roadside to capture the distant Himalayan peaks peeking over a sea of rolling fog
Day 5 : Cascades & Subtropical Rivers.
Descend into the warm Punakha Valley. Head straight to the Basochhu Waterfall. This massive cascade is highly accessible, letting you set up a tripod for long-exposure water shots just a short, flat walk from the vehicle. Later, drive along the pristine Po Chhu (Male River) to shoot the dramatic turquoise glacial melt slicing through deep, green forested gorges.
Day 6 : The Forest Gorges of Nobding
Explore the steep, wild ravines around Nobding by car. This area is a haven for misty, moody photography. Because the road clings to the edge of the cliffs, you can step out onto safe, roadside overlooks to photograph clouds getting trapped in the dense, mossy jungle canopy below.
Day 7 :Flower Slopes of Pele La Pass to Phobjikha
Ascend the winding mountain highway over Pele La Pass (3,390 meters). The high-altitude highway passes directly through thick forests of blooming rhododendron and magnolia trees. You can shoot stunning macro and wide-angle flower landscapes right from the shoulder of the road before descending into the wide, flat Phobjikha Valley.
Day 8 : Phobjikha Wetland
Phobjikha is a completely flat, wide glacial valley. Instead of climbing hills, spend the day on the Phobjikha Nature Trail boardwalk. It is a completely level, effortless walk that takes you right into the heart of the marshlands. In May, the marsh is vibrant green, and early morning frost creates a layer of low-lying fog that hovers just feet above the ground.
Day 9 : Low-Angle Foothill Layers
Begin the relaxed drive back toward Paro. Your guide can stop at remote, unstructured mountain turnouts. May afternoons often bring dramatic, fast-moving sky conditions and sunbeams piercing through the clouds, perfect for capturing the endless, receding blue layers of the Himalayan foothills.
Day 10 : Tiger Nest Monastery
Today we hike to the most iconic landmark in Bhutan which dates back to the 8th century, the cliffside Taktsang (Tiger nest) monastery. The hike is through alpine forests with spectacular views of Paro valley. There will be several vantage points along the way to photograph the monastery itself as well.
Day 11 : Departure from Paro international airport.
Above itinerary is subject to change given weather, road conditions and best locations for wildflowers. Throughout our adventure in Bhutan we will be having multiple post processing sessions. This will give us not only an opportunity to review images acquired, but also learn how to how to optimize image rendition to suit your individual creative vision.
Workshop fee: $6500 (double occupancy). Single supplement $1000.
Includes: Transfer to and from airport, accomodations for 10 nights, all meals, all domestic ground transportation, entry to national parks, personal porter for Tiger Nest hike, the mandatory sustainability tax and visa fees.
Excludes: Alcoholic drinks, misc expenses. Domestic flight from Trashing to Paro. Airfare to Bhutan and back.
Cancellation Policy
If workshop is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances a full refund will be issued. If canceled by participant 6 months prior to workshop travel credit will be applied to future workshop of your choice. If canceled within 6 months of start date no refunds can be issued.
Detailed itinerary and packing list will be sent to registered participants one month before the workshop.
