Bhutan Photography Workshop

October 19th - 28th 2027

Journey through Bhutan’s ancient fortresses and mountain passes, ending at the Royal Highland Festival, where remote communities gather to celebrate their highland heritage.

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Bhutan is a dream destination for many - a Himalayan kingdom where ancient traditions still guide everyday life. Timed with the Royal Highland Festival, this workshop takes you through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and deep into the mountains to photograph vibrant celebrations, remote villages, and ancient Buddhist culture. It’s a rare chance to experience Bhutan at its most alive, and capture moments few travellers ever witness.

The Itinerary

Day 1: Paro → Thimphu

Welcome to Bhutan! Upon arrival in Paro, we make our way to the capital, Thimphu, on a scenic drive through valleys and mountain passes.
If time allows, we visit the Memorial Chorten, a lively stupa where locals gather to pray and spin prayer wheels - a perfect first opportunity to photograph the Buddhist devotion that lies at the heart of Bhutanese life.

A relief sculpture of a person with long hair and an open mouth, lying on their stomach on a colorful wavy surface, mounted on a cracked orange wall. There are green plants with yellow and orange flowers at the bottom of the image.

Day 2: Thimphu

We start the day at the Great Buddha Dordenma, overlooking Thimphu Valley, to photograph the morning light hitting the valley and locals making offerings.
Next, we’ll visit the Institute for 13 Traditional Arts, where students practice traditional Bhutanese crafts - a fantastic opportunity for portraits and detail shots.
After lunch, we explore the streets and markets of Thimphu, before visiting the Tashichho Dzong fortress after 5pm, when monks return for evening prayers.

Day 3: Punakha

An early departure as we drive through the mountains to Dochula Pass, where 108 chortens sit beneath snow-capped peaks.
We stop to photograph prayer flags and morning mist before descending into the lush Punakha Valley.
In the afternoon, we visit the Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple), surrounded by rice paddies and traditional farmhouses, and if time allows, the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery - a peaceful spot for portraits and culture as the light softens over the valley.

A person dressed in traditional clothing, sitting on the grass near a white and red painted monastery wall with ornate golden accents, under a clear blue sky.

Day 4: Journey to Laya

We start the morning photographing Punakha’s suspension bridge, where monks, locals, and schoolchildren cross in soft morning light.
After breakfast, we continue north through Gasa District, passing terraced hillsides, rivers, and remote villages before beginning our hike up to Laya. The hike is around 2 hours into the mountains.
It’s a long but rewarding day, with dramatic changes in landscape, yak herders along the trail, and endless opportunities to capture the wild, remote side of Bhutan.

Silhouette of a person standing near a Buddhist stupa with prayer flags in a mountainous landscape at sunrise or sunset.

Day 5: Royal Highland Festival

We spend the day immersed in the Royal Highland Festival, one of Bhutan’s most important annual celebrations. The festival brings together highlanders from across the mountains to showcase their traditions through song, dance, and yak competitions - a vibrant expression of life in one of the country’s most remote regions.
It’s a photographer’s dream: bold colours, energetic performances, and the festival unfolding against a backdrop of vast Himalayan peaks.
As evening falls, we return to our camp beneath the stars, surrounded by the stillness of the high Himalayas.

Four hikers in red and black jackets walking in a line on a flat, grassy area with a mountain range in the background. Several birds are flying in the sky among the mountains, some snow-capped peaks are visible under cloudy skies.

Day 6: Laya + Gasa Village

We start the morning exploring Laya Village, photographing daily life as the sun rises over the mountains - smoke curling from rooftops, prayer flags fluttering, and villagers beginning their day.
After breakfast, we begin our hike back down to Gasa, retracing the trail through forests and open ridgelines with plenty of stops for photos along the way.
If the weather holds, we spend the late afternoon photographing Gasa Monastery, perched dramatically above the valley with sweeping views of the surrounding peaks. A perfect way to end the day, if I do say so myself.

A person wearing a red shawl with black text, multicolored beaded necklaces, and a black garment, with a view of the sky and clouds in the background. The person's face is not visible, and their shadow is cast on the red shawl.

Day 7: Gasa → Punakha

We start the day photographing sunrise from the viewpoints overlooking Gasa Dzong, with soft morning light illuminating the fortress and the valley below.
After breakfast, we begin the drive back to Punakha, stopping along the way for any last mountain scenes.
In the evening, we unwind with a traditional hot stone bath, a well-earned way to relax after the journey from the highlands.

A person wearing a head covering and a jacket is performing a ritual or prayer inside a temple, with smoke or incense rising in the background. The temple has decorative elements and stacked yellow prayer wheels.

Day 8: Punakha + Paro

We start the morning at Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most photogenic fortresses, with monks crossing the bridge and light filtering through courtyards.
After lunch, we drive back to Paro, stopping for any photo opportunities along the way, and settle in ready for an early start tomorrow to hike Tiger’s Nest.

Silhouette of a person holding prayer beads, sitting against a white textured wall, with a yellow object displaying black text in front.

Day 9: Tiger’s Nest

We start early for the hike up to Paro Taktsang, better known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most sacred and iconic sites. Perched dramatically on a cliffside 900 metres above the valley floor, it’s believed to be where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century, introducing Buddhism to Bhutan.
The hike is steady but rewarding, with breathtaking views and countless photo stops along the way. We spend time exploring the monastery and its viewpoints before descending to Paro in the afternoon.
In the evening, we come together for a traditional farewell dinner.

A monastery perched on a cliff surrounded by dense forest, viewed through a natural frame of trees and hanging mosses.

Day 10: Departure

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Paro Airport for onward flights - ending our journey through one of the world’s most photogenic and peaceful countries.

Pricing

Total price: $6,250 USD

Payable today: $1,000 deposit to secure your spot

Remainder payable: 10 x monthly installments

Total number of participants: 8

reserve your spot

- 9 nights of accommodation in carefully selected 3* & 4* hotels (including 2 nights camping in Laya), twin sharing, with single occupancy available on request.
- All on-ground transportation (private bus with driver, pick-up truck for Gasa-Laya-Gasa, luggage vehicle for entire trip, horse to carry bags for RHF).
- Sustainable Development Fee for 9 nights.
- Bhutan visa.
- All meals, non-alcoholic drinks with meals, and bottled water throughout the trip.
- Snacks for the road to keep you fueled during long shooting days.
- All entrance fees and gratuities for locals when photographing them.
- Dedicated local guides and fixer for the entire journey.
- Editing workshops with Jord, covering beginner to advanced post-processing techniques.
- Photography lessons in the field, focused on storytelling, composition, and technique.
- Photo review sessions to refine your work and elevate your creative vision.
- Your flights to and from Bhutan (these can be arranged through our local partner)
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses

FAQs

All workshops are open to photographers of every skill level, from complete beginners to experienced shooters. Groups are limited to just 8 participants, so there’s plenty of time to work with everyone individually, whether you’re learning the basics, trying to refine your approach, or looking for more advanced guidance.
All international flights arrive at Paro International Airport (PBH). You can fly in via Bangkok, India, Kathmandu, or Singapore, depending on your location. Once you land, everything is taken care of from start to finish - and if you need help arranging flights, we can assist with recommendations and booking guidance.
Yes - comprehensive travel insurance is required for all participants. It must include medical coverage and emergency evacuation due to the altitude and remoteness of some areas.
October is one of the best times to visit Bhutan, so you can expect clear skies and mild temperatures, averaging between 10°C and 25°C. The sun can be strong at altitude, so sunscreen and a hat are essential. It can drop close to freezing in Laya, so pack a few warm layers for the higher regions.
You’ll need a camera and a selection of lenses covering roughly 16-200mm, giving you plenty of flexibility for landscapes, street photography, portraits and details.
You’ll also need a laptop or tablet for editing sessions during the workshop.
A full recommended gear list will be sent before the trip.
Drone permits are extremely limited and difficult to obtain, so please plan to leave drones at home.
Absolutely. Many guests join solo. You’ll share a twin room with another participant unless you’d prefer a single room (available for an additional supplement).
This trip is limited to 8 participants, keeping the group small and personal so everyone gets plenty of shooting time and guidance.
A $1,000 deposit secures your spot and is non-refundable. The remaining balance can be paid in instalments.
For more info, take a look at the full refund policy here →
Once your deposit is paid, you’ll receive a welcome email with all the details you need, including packing lists, gear suggestions, and arrival information.
A WhatsApp group will also be created about a month before the trip so everyone can connect, ask questions, and get updates before we set off.
Bhutan’s altitude ranges from 1,200m in Punakha up to nearly 4,000m in Laya, so expect some thinner air in higher regions.
The hike to Laya and the Tiger’s Nest climb both require moderate fitness, with steady uphill sections and uneven trails. No technical hiking experience is needed, just good health, comfortable walking shoes, and a sense of adventure.
A detailed packing list will be sent ahead of the trip, covering everything from clothing layers and hiking gear to camera recommendations, so you’ll know exactly what to bring.

Hey, I’m Jord

I’m a travel and documentary photographer from the UK, and I’ve spent more than a decade living, travelling and photographing across Asia.

Bhutan had been on my list for years, but it wasn’t until I finally photographed it that I realised how well it suited the kind of work I’m most drawn to. The combination of mountain landscapes, monastery life, festivals, architecture and quiet everyday moments makes it an incredibly rewarding place to photograph, and somewhere I knew I wanted to return to with a workshop group.

From the chanting halls of hilltop monasteries to remote highland festivals surrounded by the Himalayas, Bhutan feels timeless - a place where faith, nature, and daily life exist in perfect balance. I can’t wait to share this dream destination with you and help you experience the magic of Bhutan through your own lens.