Guide to Bhutan Photo Tour - What to Photograph, What to Pack, Restrictions and More

Bhutan is one of the most beautiful places in the world, located in the lower slopes of the mighty Himalayas, along the edge of the vast Tibetan plateau. Even the most basic description of its location conjures up images of high mountains reaching for the sky, dense forests that man has yet to set foot in, and beautiful people that live lives of peace and tranquility. Small wonder that Bhutan has become a major destination for photography tours and professional photographers from around the globe.

The stunning beauty of this land draws the crowds of photograph lovers. And for any trip to photograph the beauty of Bhutan, you need to make sure you plan well, so that you are not short of something you need, and are in the right place at the right time.

What to Photograph on your Bhutan Photo Tour

Knowing the best places to photograph while you are in Bhutan is important, and while you can get amazing photos of forests and mountains, there are some sites that make incredible photos at any time of year.

Impressive Monasteries and Dzongs

Bhutan is filled with impressive monasteries and ancient Dzongs, the fortresses that were built in the 15th and 16th centuries to defend the kingdom from the invading Tibetans and Indians. However, of the hundreds of monasteries and Dzongs that can be found all across the country, two stand out above the rest as the top spots for photography where religious buildings are concerned.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery - known here as the Taktshang Monastery, is the most unique Buddhist temple in the world. While many monasteries lie on top of mountains, the Tiger’s Nest was built on a narrow ledge more than 900 meters above the Paro Valley, and can only be accessed by a long trek and a chain bridge across the gully or from above. The monastery was built on the site of the caves where Guru Rinpoche first landed and spent more than three years in meditation. Legend says he flew from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress that was his former consort. And while the views from the monastery are stunning, the views of the monastery, perched precariously on its narrow ledge, are outstanding.

Punakha Dzong - is the other major religious building you should not miss photographing, located in the town of Punakha to the east of the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Renowned as being the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, this ancient fortress lies on the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers, and is a spectacular sight. Lined around the outside of the walls with lilac-blossomed jacaranda trees, the Dzong lives up to its reputation well.

Incredibly Beautiful Mountain Pass

Mountain passes are just gaps between mountains to many people, but in Bhutan, they are much more and are often considered to be sacred sites in themselves. And none is more sacred than the pass at Dochula, on the road between Thimphu and Punakha. The pass is beset with the famous 108 chortens, as well as the Dochula Lhakhang. The chortens were built to commemorate the 108 soldiers who dies defending the kingdom from insurgents from the Indian State of Assam to the south of Bhutan.

Each chorten represents one of the men who gave their lives in defense of their country, and are guarded over by the main chorten in the center, which represents the King of Bhutan, who fought alongside them in the war. To one side of the pass is the renowned Lhakhang, which was built to maintain the chortens, and is the residence of several dozen monks who maintain their monastery here.

Beautiful Valley Scenery

Valleys abound across Bhutan, and with thousands to choose from, you really are spoilt for choice. However, there are a couple that are often recommended for photographers, and noted as being two of the most beautiful in the kingdom.

Haa Valley - to the southwest of Paro, is reputed to be one of the most stunning valleys in western Bhutan, and is only reached by passing over the highest road pass in Bhutan, the Chele La Pass at 3,988 meters. A beautiful garden valley that stretches on for miles, the Haa Valley is steep and runs north to south, with a beautiful narrow green valley floor.

Phobjikha Valley - is another site that is beset with beauty, in more ways than one. While the valley itself is stunning, it is also the location of the Gangtey Monastery, a beautiful monastery that has become an icon for Buddhism. Every year, the black-necked cranes, considered to be auspicious birds in Buddhism, come to the valley and circle the monastery three times before landing. They do the same on departure, and it is considered to be an auspicious sign that the birds do this without reason.

Traditional Tshechus

Tsechus are the traditional festivals in Bhutan that are held in very Dzongkhag and city and town and village. In fact, anywhere with a temple has a Tshechu. And with more than fifty across the country, you have plenty of festivals to choose from. There is not a month in the year that does not have a Tshechu.

Tsechus are the celebrations of the life of Padmasambhava, who is known in Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche, and often feature cham dances that tell of his actions in life, as well as performing many of his great deeds. Held on the 10th day of the month, the Tshechus are a great way for people to socialize as well, and many only come into the towns from the remote areas for the annual Tshechu.

There are some great Tshechus in the country, but for the best festivities and celebrations, the Tshechus at Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha outshine the others by far. And with the Thimphu Tshechu being a national holiday in Bhutan, people come from all across the country to be seen at this auspicious socio-religious festival.

Happy and Satisfied Bhutanese People

Bhutan has been an isolated kingdom for centuries, and this isolation has led to a unique culture of kindness and hospitality that appears to be second to none. It is not known whether the famous Bhutanese hospitality stems from its ancient culture, from the Tibetan Buddhist religion that is the national faith, or a combination of both or neither. But the Bhutanese people are among the friendliest you will find anywhere on the planet.

Children are polite and friendly in general, and the monks that wander the streets and pray at the temples are gracious and reverential, while still managing to be friendly and pleasant to those that do not believe or understand their religion. When it comes to tolerance, few can match that of the Bhutanese monks.

However, while they may all make great photos for your albums, it is important to make sure that you ask the permission of the person that you wish to photograph first. Buddhists believe that images of the body and head can capture a piece of the soul, and that can prevent their rising to heaven or moving on to the next life in reincarnation.

When Is the Best Time for a Bhutan Photo Tour?

If you are planning a Bhutan tour for photography, then you really need to travel in spring and autumn for the very best weather. Running from March to May and September to November, spring and autumn are times when the weather is warm and pleasant, with clear skies and bright sunshine. And with little rain and few clouds in the sky, you can almost guarantee the best photos possible.

What to Pack for your Bhutan Photography Tour

Photography Gears

Bhutan is a place where you can often need to walk a lot to get the best photo. Ideally, travel light, to make the most of ease of movement. Bring a single body with multiple lens types. And try going for a Gorilla Pod instead of a tripod, since they can be heavy and hard to transport.

Clothes to Wear

Spring and autumn can be warm for the most part, but you should always bring a couple of warm sweaters and a good jacket with you to beat the cold in the evenings. And you might want to bring some hiking boots for some Bhutan trekking tours like the trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery and other places that have rough terrain. Personal Use

Sun cream and sun block are a necessity in Bhutan, as the higher altitude makes the sun’s rays more harmful than at sea level. And bring moisturizers for your face and hands, to prevent chaffing from the winds. Lip balm is also useful for this. A hat is a good idea too, to keep the harsh rays of the sun off the top of your head, as well as keeping your head warm on colder nights.

Restrictions on Bhutan Photography

Bhutan does have some restrictions on photography, and it is important to pay close attention on them, or you may find yourself in trouble.

Photography is strictly prohibited inside monasteries – The general rule is, anywhere you need to take off your shoes, you cannot take a photo. This includes all monasteries, Lhakhangs, and Dzongs, but only on the inside. That said, some lamas will allow you to take a couple of photos with permission, as long as you do not photograph the altars.

Don't photograph a member of the royal family – There are strict approval requirements for taking photos of and publishing photos of the Royal Family. All photos must be approved by the royal body before being published, so if you get the chance to photograph them, make sure you get permission first, or you could be in trouble.

There is an extensive set of rules and restrictions for filming in Bhutan – Filming of movies in Bhutan has its own set of strict rules and restrictions that apply to anyone with a camera that takes video footage. This includes video cameras on cellphones. Make sure that you learn of them from your guide and stick to them absolutely.

Conclusion

Taking a Bhutan photography tour is a remarkable experience that will give you a unique opportunity to shoot some of the most outstanding sights in the world. From mountains to monasteries and lakes to Lhakhangs, you will have so much to shoot you may need to bring additional memory cards to store it all on. One thing is for certain, you will never find another place that has so much to offer the budding amateur photographer.