Bhutan & East India Photography Adventure

Arrive independently to Delhi airport and meet your tour representative. Depending on the arrival time of your flight, you will either transfer to an included airport hotel for a freshen up and some breakfast, or head straight for your included flight to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Fly into Paro and then transfer by road to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, where you will stay for the next 2 nights. Once you are settled in you may want to explore some of the sites of Thimphu and we have planned a drive through some of the various sights of the city. Since it will be relatively late in the day you may want to catch some nightscapes.

During your time in the Bhutan area, your trip will focus on photographing some key interests, including;

People Photography: considered globally as one of the happiest countries in the world, capturing the unique smiling faces of the Bhutanese is a must for all visiting the country. What makes the country even more unique is that everyone in Bhutan dresses up in their traditional outfits which truly differentiates them as limited westernization has crept into the way of life here.

Rural Life: There are a few large cities in Bhutan and most of the country has a rural lifestyle which is interesting to photograph.

Architecture: Bhutanese architecture is simple, yet intricate and colourful. Their unique architectural feature adds a lot to every image you take – be it landscapes, cityscapes or even people photography. Throughout your time here you will have chance to photograph various Dzongs (distinctive fortresses which serve as the religious, military, administrative, and social centres of their district), Lhakhang (traditional Bhutanese temples) and much more.

Landscapes: With a small population of less than 800,000, 70% forest cover and wonderful snow-covered mountains, this fantastic Himalayan country is excellent for landscape photography.

Festivals: Most festivals celebrated in Bhutan are related to Buddhism and its sects. The festivities usually take place in the Dzongs as well as the monasteries. Key festivals are the Tsechu festival. ‘Tse’ means date and ‘Chu’ means ten hence Tsechu festival is celebrated on every 10th day of the lunar calendar. The Tsechu festival is celebrated to mark the great deeds of Tantric maestro Guru Padmasambhava (who was supposed to have brought Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. Since we do not have the dates of festivals for 2023, we have planned a cultural evening which we can do in Punakha instead of Thimphu as you will have more time in Punakha. This will allow you to focus on photographing various kinds of masked dance and cultural performances without having to deal with crowded festivals where one is stuck on the outskirts of the arena and a relatively fixed angle to photograph.

Back to Thimphu, and tonight we will take a short drive through the city to get a brief insight on the important buildings within the city centre that you may want to spend more time photographing the next day. take a drive on the outskirts of the city to explore the Great Buddha Dordenma - a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan.

Note: The Buddha faces the valley looking in an east-ward direction, so based on whether you would like to photography it as the sun comes up or photograph it with the sun setting behind it you can decide to explore it this evening or next morning.

2 night’s accommodation in Thimphu with meals included.

The plan this morning is to get up early to visit the Sangaygang Viewpoint around sunrise for some magical views over the entire Thimphu valley. This will be a fantastic opportunity to photograph the sun lighting up the valley, and also get some good time-lapses of the valley coming to life. On the way back to the city you will stop at the Royal Takin Preserve to photograph the unique Takin - the national animal of Bhutan.

After breakfast back in Thimphu, you can visit the National Memorial Chhorten. This is the center of worship for the people living in Thimphu and contains many religious paintings and tantric statues. The stupa was built in 1974 to honour the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972). It is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan".

In the afternoon you can visit Simply Bhutan – a living museum that introduces you to the traditional life in Bhutan – before heading on to explore Changangkha Lhakhang. This traditional Bhutanese temple is perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu and hums with pilgrim activity.

Your full day of activity will conclude with a visit to the splendid Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu’s grandest building.

On the morning of day 3 you will transfer by road to Punakha at the southern boundary of Jigme Dorji National Park. Enroute you will cross the scenic Dochula Pass and we will attempt to time our journey to coincide with the sun rising over the mountains.

During your time in Punakha the itinerary will be flexible to help maximize opportunities for morning and evening photography. Places you are likely to visit include the Punakha Dzong which is arguably the most beautiful Dzong in the country. It lies on the confluence of 2 rivers, and it is worthwhile visiting at different times of the day to get different perspectives on the backdrop and scenery. Since the Dzong front that faces the river is also in the western direction, evening sunset shots of the Dzong along with the river and the landscape can make very impressive images. Also spend some time after the sun goes down to capture images of the Dzong as it is lit up. Interesting photographs can also be taken from the river level with slow shutter speeds so that the rapidly moving water smooths over showing movement with the Dzong in the backdrop. You might need to spend time exploring vantage points for such images.

Punakha is all about the natural Himalayan beauty. There is a confluence of two rivers – Mo Chhu & Pho Chhu and there are suspension bridges on the river from where interesting landscape pictures can be taken. Pho Chhu suspension bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan and makes for a very interesting subject.

You will also visit the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten which is located about a thirty-minute walk uphill from the footbridge in Yepaisa Village. It was built with the intention of bringing peace in the world in general, and to clear obstacles for the country of Bhutan in particular. Its architecture is very interesting with pagoda like exteriors.

We recommend some time is spent in monasteries and in the farmland where one can capture interesting people photography. As mentioned, we will plan a cultural evening on one of the days so that you get an opportunity to photograph traditionally dressed performers.

2 night’s accommodation in Punakha with meals included.

On the morning of day 5 you make your way back to Paro. Enroute, we may stop to take a 30 minute hike to Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a small hilltop. The temple is dedicated to the great Yogi known as Drukpa Kuenley (the Divine Madman), who dramatized Buddhist teachings using songs. Couples who seek fertility often come to this temple for blessings.

Paro itself is a charming town which lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street, only built in 1985, is lined with colourful painted wooden shopfronts and restaurants. Paro an historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area making it one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot, and is worth an hour or two's stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing.

On day 7 you will wake early to set off to the world-famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the Himalaya's most incredible sights, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the floor of the Paro valley. Visiting is the goal of most visitors to Bhutan and while getting there involves a bit of uphill legwork, it's well worth the effort. It usually takes travellers a good part of the day hiking up, exploring around and returning from the monastery, and the rest of the evening will be at your leisure in Paro.

2 nights’ accommodation in Paro with meals included.

This morning you visit the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The 'Tiger's Nest Monastery' is one of the Himalaya's most incredible sights, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the floor of the Paro valley. Visiting is the goal of most visitors to Bhutan and while getting there involves a bit of uphill legwork, it's well worth the effort.

Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan, which was then part of Tibet, and is the tutelary deity of the country. Taktshang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) is one of thirteen Tiger's Nest caves in historical Tibet in which Padmasambhava practiced and taught Vajrayana.

It usually takes travellers a good part of the day hiking up and returning from the monastery. We have thus kept the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 7 will see you bid farewell to Bhutan as you take your included flight to the India city of Kolkata. Upon arrival you will join your transfer to your accommodation for the next 2 nights - the Glenburn Penthouse - a discrete, elegant residence in the heart of historic Kolkata. A haven of sophisticated luxury, the Glenburn Penthouse features spectacular views of Kolkata’s iconic landmarks; From Victoria Memorial to Eden Gardens, the lush green expanse of the Maidan and the majestic bridges that cross the River Hooghly.

Kolkata has a lot to offer in terms of culture, customs, and heritage, thus late this afternoon we have planned a short excursion. We begin with a visit to Kumartuli or the Potters’ Market, where giant life-like religious idols are created for the city’s numerous festivals out of river clay, bamboo, and straw, and then adorned with elaborate jewellery and clothes, with beautifully painted features.

The following day you can enjoy a full day of exploration starting with an early morning walk, cameras in hand, through this vibrant and bustling city. As the city wakes up, we will witness the passage of humanity from the streets where her people live and work, to the great River Hooghly where they perform their early morning rituals to cleanse and purify themselves. Where better to witness this than in the colourful riverside flower market where all the city’s religious flowers originate.

In our mind, it is important to start our journey here, as this is really where it all began. On the banks of this grand river, the battles of Europe were fought in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Alongside Armenian and Portuguese churches, and Jewish synagogues, we embark upon a journey that started the British Raj in India, in and around Dalhousie Square, dating back to the time of the Black Hole, from where it transformed itself into a City of Palaces. The famous Writers’ Building – the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, the magnificent Governor’s House, and the almost forgotten Charnock.

You will take a private boat cruise up the River Hoogly to discover the unseen side of Kolkata, with a ring-side view of the myriad happenings on the river’s ‘Ghats’. You will sail past Belur Math, headquarters of The Ramakrishna Mission, as the city’s two huge and famous bridges, Howrah and Vidyasagar Setu pass overhead. It is a wonderfully relaxing end to the day with a sumptuous tea menu comprising popular Indian snacks and refreshing Glenburn Darjeeling Tea.

2 nights’ accommodation at Glenburn Penthouse with breakfasts and dinners included.

You will now travel to Bawali on the outskirts of Kolkata for two days to learn all about life in rural India. These two days will offer up a number of memorable cultural experiences. Your home for the next 2 nights will be Rajbari Bawali, a 300-year-old ‘zamindar’ home (landlord home) that has been elegantly converted into a luxury heritage property.

During your time here you can enjoy a number of experiences including:

A rustic village walk that will take you into the heart of the village town of Bawali. Most of the people who work at The Rajbari are from the village that surrounds it. Feel their colourful lives as you walk around and ingrain your minds with the beautifully rustic houses, the unperturbed ponds, and the smiling faces that greet you at every corner. Every step will take you closer to the core of Bawali. Welcome your morning as you breeze past the farms where the elders toil, to the playgrounds where the children soil, to the ponds where the mothers mingle over chores, and the temples where the families pray.

Sandhya Aarti: Settle into your evening and treat your senses with an enchanting spectacle at the magnificent stairs and experience the Sandhya Aarti. A ritual traditionally performed only in Bengali households, prepare to be swept away, as the chants of the charming shlokas resonate across the walls of The Rajbari. The fusion of the lights from the flames of the diyas, energetic but graceful drumbeats and sweet smell of the incense sticks is bound to stimulate your senses. This surreal experience under the tease of the moonlight will surely nourish your spiritual side.

Another highlight will be a culinary demonstration. There is so much more to Indian cuisine than just ‘curry.’ Irrespective of the city you travel to, it is impossible to miss the variety of fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and aromatic spices prevalent in that particular region. But there are so many different influences on the food of a particular region, from the invaders who ruled to the geography of the land, and West Bengal is no exception. Freshwater fishes, prawns, mustard, poppy seeds, and rice form the staple Bengali Cuisine. Learn how these have been influenced over time alongside one of the chefs at the Rajbari Bawali. Discover the secrets of the Indian Masalas tampered to perfection and Mishti Doi, a classic Bengali Dessert.

2 nights’ accommodation at Rajbari Bawali with all meals included.

The final 3 days of your trip will offer up an unforgettable experience. After breakfast on day 11 you will transfer to Kolkata Airport for your included flight to Dimapur in the eastern state of Nagaland to experience the wonderful Hornbill Festival. Once you land at Dimapur you will transfer by road to your hotel in Kohima.

The state of Nagaland is home to many tribes. Since these are largely agricultural tribes most of their festivals revolve around agriculture. To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December. The first festival was held in 2000. The festival is named after the Indian hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state's tribes.

A Naga heritage village is prepared for the festival which is where all the events take place. These events give you an amazing insight into the lives of these people which means a closer understanding of the people and culture of Nagaland, and an opportunity to experience the food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland. Your guides will keep you informed of all the activities and make sure you don’t miss a moment of the experience.

3 nights’ accommodation at Kohima Camp by TUTC with all meals included.

As your Bhutan and East India tour comes to an end, you will take your included flight back to Delhi where it will be time for your onward or homeward trips. Please enquire if you require any assistance or advice with international flights, or even extending your stay in Delhi.