Bhutan Through the Lens

Discover Bhutan’s spirit through the eye of a storyteller.

A Photography Journey with Ron B. Wilson

11 NIGHTs | 23 November - 4 december 2026

US$5,325* | Early bird price US$5,225** | DEPARTS: PARO, BHUTAN***

TRIP CAN ALSO BE JOINED IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL
14 NIGHTS | 21 NOVEMBER - 5 DECEMBER 2026
US$5,955* | Early bird price US$5,855** | DEPARTS: KATHMANDU, NEPAL****

Join internationally acclaimed photographer Ron B. Wilson on an intimate journey through Bhutan — the Land of the Thunder Dragon. This exclusive small-group photography tour invites you to explore the country’s deep spiritual traditions, breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.

Guided by Ron’s unique approach to visual storytelling, you’ll learn how to move beyond taking pictures — and instead, craft images that speak to the heart.

What Makes This Tour Special

• Learn from Ron – Hands-on mentorship, daily image reviews, and personal feedback in the field.

• Authentic Access – Photograph monastic rituals, remote valleys, and village life with trusted local guides.

• Golden Light Moments – Capture dawn mist, festival colors, and breathtaking mountain sunsets.

• Immersive Experience – Explore Bhutan up close with guided, behind-the-scenes access.

• Cultural Connection – Meet artisans, monks, and families who open their doors to share their stories.

• Hidden Festivals – Witness celebrations in Central Bhutan off the usual tourist path.

• Black-necked Crane Mornings – Shoot images of these iconic birds in the early morning light in the secluded Phobjikha Valley.

Sample Highlights

• Monks & Locals – Capture authentic portraits and daily life.

• Tiger’s Nest Hike – Early morning trek to Bhutan’s iconic monastery.

• Tshechu Festivals – Experience color, energy, and pageantry.

• Valley & Highland Light – Capture prayer flags, fields, and villages in soft, evocative light.

• Village Life – Observe and photograph everyday Bhutanese culture.

• Evening Reflections – Review your images and share stories from the day.

Meet Your Mentor: Ron B. Wilson

Ron B. Wilson is an award-winning travel photographer and visual storyteller whose work spans the globe — from Southeast Asia to Africa — capturing the beauty, spirit, and humanity of the places he explores.

Fresh from a scouting trip across Bhutan, Ron personally selected each location, guide, and shooting opportunity for this tour to ensure authentic access and unforgettable photographic moments. He has photographed community projects in Nepal with Beyond The Clouds and First Steps Himalaya, and collaborated with Photographers Without Borders on assignments in Guyana, Botswana, Chernobyl/Ukraine, Guatemala, and India. A two-time Xposure International Photography Festival speaker and published author, Ron is passionate about mentoring photographers, sharing not just techniques, but the deeper practice of patience, empathy, and storytelling through the lens.

Experience a photography journey that balances artistic depth with cultural authenticity. Step into the rhythm of Bhutan — where every frame tells a story.

Tour Details

Best months: October to December & February to May
Group size: Minimum 8 participants
Accommodation: Boutique lodges & traditional Bhutanese hotels
Skill level: Suitable for enthusiasts and professionals alike
Single supplement: US$45 per night (subject to availability)

Our itinerary is timed to align with Bhutan’s best light, weather, birdlife and festivals — ensuring every day brings exceptional photographic opportunities.

Trip Inclusions

Transport

• Private vehicle throughout Bhutan

• Domestic flight Paro → Bumthang

• Transport to Kathmandu airport (if joining from Kathmandu)

• Return flights Kathmandu - Paro (if joining from Kathmandu)

Accommodation & Meals

• 11 nights handpicked hotels in Bhutan (including 2 nights in 4-star with pool, sauna & steam)

• 3 nights tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast (if joining from Kathmandu)

• All meals & mineral water

Guides & Experiences

• English-speaking Bhutanese photography guide

• Photography guidance and mentoring with Ron

Visa & Entrance Fees

• All entrance fees at monasteries and museums

• Bhutan visa

• Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US $100 per person per night included

Group Experiences

• Group meal in Kathmandu (if joining from Kathmandu)

TRIP Itinerary

nepal: Day 1 - 21 november

Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal: Your journey begins in Kathmandu, Nepal’s bustling capital, and transfer to your hotel. Take some time to relax and settle in, or explore the city at your own pace. In the evening, join the group for a welcome meal; a perfect opportunity to meet fellow travellers and hear from Ron about the journey ahead.

Driving time: 20 minutes
Overnight: Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,400 m

nepal: Day 2 - 22 november

Kathmandu, Nepal: Spend the day exploring the city. Recommended destinations include the ancient stupas at Boudhanath, the Monkey Temple at Swayambhunath, and Patan Durbar Square. Return to the hotel for some leisure time and explore the tourist area of Thamel with abundant outdoor clothing outlets, book shops, and handicrafts.

Overnight: Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,400 m

Bhutan: Day 1 - 23 November

Theme: First Impressions & Framing Bhutan’s Spirit

Arrive in Paro, Bhutan: Paro is in a valley framed by gentle hills and known for its distinct Bhutanese architecture. Begin your photographic journey with a relaxed walk through Paro town, capturing everyday scenes, colorful facades, and the intricate details of traditional woodwork. Cross the Nyami Zam footbridge and visit Rinpung Dzong, the fortress-monastery rising above the Paro River. Photograph the interplay of light and shadow on its walls, monks in crimson robes moving through courtyards, and wide views of the surrounding valley. In the late afternoon, explore nearby fields or quiet town corners for environmental portraits and atmospheric compositions. Enjoy dinner at the popular Mountain Café, followed by a short image-review session with Ron. On your first night in Bhutan, join a welcome meet-and-greet to connect with fellow participants and get oriented before the adventure begins in earnest tomorrow.

Photographic Highlights:

• Architectural details and patterns in Paro town

• Monks and local life around Rinpung Dzong

• Environmental portraits and soft-light field compositions

• River and hillside vistas for wide-angle shots

Driving time: 30 minutes
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,200 m

Bhutan: Day 2 - 24 November

Theme: Jambay Lhakhang Festival & Cultural Storytelling

Bumthang: Start the morning at Paro Viewpoint, capturing sweeping valley and town views. Fly to Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, framed by rolling valleys and rivers. Attend the Jambay Lhakhang (Singye Cham) Festival, photographing dynamic masked dances, sacred rituals, and candid expressions of devotion. Capture both wide shots of temple courtyards and intimate close-ups of performers and devotees. Later in the day, guests check into the Swiss Guest House, renowned for its warm hospitality and excellent home-cooked meals.

Photographic Highlights:

• Masked dances and ritual performances

• Monks, locals, and festival candid moments

• Wide-angle temple and courtyard compositions

Flight time: 30 minutes
Driving time: 30 minutes
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

Bhutan: Day 3 - 25 November

Theme: Heritage, Valleys & Spiritual Atmosphere

Bumthang: Drive to the serene Tang Valley to visit the Ogyen Choling Museum, a beautifully preserved ancestral home showcasing Bhutanese rural history and craftsmanship. Capture textures of old wood, farm tools, and panoramic valley views. Return to Bumthang and visit Jakar Dzong and Kurje Lhakhang—focusing on exterior architecture, courtyards, and surrounding landscapes. Conclude the day at Tamshing Lhakhang during evening prayers, photographing respectfully from outside as soft light, flickering butter lamps, and chanting monks create a contemplative atmosphere.

Photographic Highlights:

• Monks and temple exteriors

• Shooting silhouettes

• Villagers in traditional attire

• Valley and temple landscapes in afternoon light

Driving time: 3 hours
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

Bhutan: Day 4 - 26 November

Theme: Nalakhar Festival & Highland Traditions

Bumthang: Attend the vibrant Nalakhar Festival, photographing masked dances, rhythmic drumming, and intricate costumes. Capture expressions of devotion and joy among locals and monks, using wide-angle shots to frame the courtyard and surrounding landscape. In the afternoon, visit nearby villages and farmland for environmental portraits and highland landscapes under soft light.

Photographic Highlights:

• Masked dances and ritual performances

• Villagers and monks in candid moments

• Highland village and farmland compositions

Driving time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

Bhutan: Day 5 - 27 November

Theme: Bumthang to Phobjikha via Trongsa & Arrival Wildlife

Phobjikha: Drive through scenic valleys to Phobjikha, stopping at Chumey’s Yakra Weaving Center to photograph artisans and the intricate textures of traditional textiles. Continue to Trongsa Dzong for architectural details and panoramic valley shots. Upon arrival in Phobjikha, visit Gangtey Monastery and the village, framing the monastery against rolling hills. Late afternoon offers opportunities to photograph black-necked cranes in their wintering wetlands, creating memorable wildlife and landscape compositions.

Photographic Highlights:

• Artisans and weaving details at Yakra Center

• Trongsa Dzong and panoramic valley views

• Monastery and village compositions in Phobjikha

• Black-necked cranes in golden-hour light

Driving time: 1 hour
Walking time: 4.5-5 hours
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 2,800 m

Bhutan: Day 6 - 28 November

Theme: Phobjikha Valley, Monastic Serenity & Black-Necked Cranes

Phobjikha: Begin the day with early morning photography of black-necked cranes in the misty valley. Capture wetlands, local birdlife, and interplay of light on the landscape. Photograph monastery architecture, farmers at work, and rural village life. Afternoon light highlights textures in the hills, farmland, and monastery walls, providing rich opportunities for landscapes and environmental portraits.

Photographic Highlights:

• Sunrise crane photography and wetland reflections

• Village life and farmers at work

• Monastery architecture and misty valley panoramas

Driving time: 30 minutes
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 2,800 m

Bhutan: Day 7 - 29 November

Theme: Phobjikha Sunrise & Journey to Punakha

Phobjikha → Punakha: Depart Phobjikha in the morning, traveling through scenic mountain roads with opportunities for roadside landscapes and village compositions. Arrive in Punakha and visit the iconic Punakha Dzong, capturing its imposing architecture, intricate details, and reflections in the Dangchu River. Cross the nearby suspension bridge for unique compositions of the dzong framed against the river and surrounding hills. Conclude the day at Dhumra Farmhouse, photographing the terrace views during golden hour.

Photographic Highlights:

• Sunrise cranes and misty valley landscapes

• Roadside mountain and village photography

• Golden-hour compositions of Punakha Dzong and Dangchu River

Driving time: 3.5-4 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude: 1,200 m

Bhutan: Day 8 - 30 November

Theme: Valley Landscapes & Iconic Views

Punakha → Thimphu:
Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for panoramic views of Punakha Valley and surrounding mountains. After lunch, drive to Thimphu, stopping at Dochula Pass to photograph the 108 memorial chortens framed by the Himalayas. Conclude the day with a stroll along Norzin Lam, capturing street life, local interactions, and colorful stalls.

Photographic Highlights:

• Panoramic valley and mountain views

• Chortens and prayer flags at Dochula Pass

• Street photography and local interactions

Driving time: 2.5-3 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude 1,200 m

Bhutan: Day 9 - 1 December

Theme: Himalayan Views & Spiritual Connections

Thimphu: Morning hike to Wangditse Monastery for wide-angle views over Thimphu Valley, including Tashichho Dzong and Buddha Dordenma. Visit Buddha Point, the Centenary Farmers’ Market, the School of 13 Traditional Arts, and the General Post Office for vibrant cultural scenes, artisan portraits, and architectural details.

Photographic Highlights:

• Panoramic Himalayan and valley landscapes

• Artisan portraits and street details

• Temple architecture and local culture

Driving time: 30 minutes
Overnight: Thimphu
Altitude: 2,334 m

Bhutan: Day 10 - 2 december

Theme: Paro – Culture, Creativity & Wellness

Paro: Drive to Paro to photograph Drugyal Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, focusing on temple architecture, prayer flags, and serene surroundings. Enjoy lunch in town before checking into an upgraded hotel with wellness facilities, perfect for relaxation after a day of photography.

Photographic Highlights:

• Temple architecture and contemplative compositions

• Artisan activities and cultural moments

Driving time: 1.5 hour
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,200 m

Bhutan: Day 11 - 3 december

Theme: Paro – Tiger’s Nest & Himalayan Iconic Landscapes

Paro: Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), capturing the cliffside monastery from multiple perspectives. Photograph wide-angle landscapes, forested trails, prayer flags, and architectural details, with golden-hour light adding depth and texture. Return to Paro for a relaxed evening and final sunset shots of the valley or town.

Photographic Highlights:

• Tiger’s Nest Monastery from multiple angles

• Forest trails, waterfalls, and prayer wheels

• Wide-angle valley landscapes and architectural details

Driving time : 1 hour
Walking time: 6 hours
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,200 m

Bhutan: Day 12 - 4 december

Theme: Final Reflections

Depart Bhutan: Transfer to Paro Airport for departure. Reflect on a journey through Himalayan landscapes, sacred temples, vibrant festivals, and intimate village life. Depart with a diverse portfolio capturing the essence of Bhutan. Free time in Kathmandu for any final shots of the vibrant and colourful city.

NEPAL: Day 3 - 5 december

Depart Kathmandu