Rainbow Photo Tours of

Day 1 – Fall Itinerary – {date1}

Arrive Paro, check in to Nak Sel Resort, full day photographing and touring popular and little-known sites around Paro, including the our first dzong, centuries old temples and just strolling through the small market town of Paro. Since we are two-to-a-car you are the captain of your own ship, just take your time getting comfortable in your room and then your own personal guide and driver will make suggestions for a great day of cultural exchange and photography according to your personal schedule.

Day 2 – Fall Itinerary – {date2}

Two-hour drive to Thimphu and picnic lunch beside a roaring river at the base of Cheri and Tango monasteries. But before that go straight to the School of 13 Traditional Arts and crafts because on Saturdays it is in session only half a day and this is a must-see place. After that is lunch and after you can choose from Robin's list of favorite things to do in Thimphu.

 Day 3 — Fall Itinerary – {date3}

After spending another busy day in Thimphu you then drive to our next hotel, The Dochula Resort. This hotel is the only one in Bhutan that is located in a high pass.

Day 4 — Fall Itinerary – {date4}

Drive to Punakha Dzong stopping as many times as you like along the way. We have lunch in a restaurant that overlooks the Divine Madman's Temple, you can go there before spending a few hours at Punakha Dzong.

Day 5 — Fall Itinerary – {date5}

Punakha to Phobjhika: Through the Black Mountains to one of the most scenic landscapes in all of Bhutan, Phobjhika Valley, known for being the winter roosting grounds of the legendary black neck cranes that fly in from Tibet and Siberia. Herein lies Gangtey Monastery, established in 1613. One-hour hike through the forest to lunch at a farmhouse and then visit Khewa Temple (built in the 14th century) for private puja (ceremony) to bless the tour. Rainbow is a sponsor of this temple so interior photos are allowed—monks chanting, horns blaring, cymbals clashing, etc. Then visit the monastery's incense "factory."

Day 6 — Fall Itinerary – {date6}

Phobjekha to Trongsa: We leave for a six-hour drive to Trongsa, again through very scenic terrain. We will also make numerous stops to photograph yaks and their herders, alpine flowers, lovely picturesque villages, and other roadside and panoramic scenes. After PeleLa Pass (10,825 ft.), we get our first glimpse of the Black Mountains. This drive between Phobjekha and Trongsa is one of the most scenic and exciting legs of our journey into the clouds. The crimson-roofed Trongsa Dzong, with the Mangdechu river cascading in one continuous waterfall down through the valley beneath will come into view with ample opportunities for distant and close-up photographs.

Day 7 — Fall Itinerary – {date7}

Trongsa to Jakar, called Bumthang by the locals: Along the path we will stop at the local Yathra (cloth) handicraft co-op outlet in Chumey Valley, this is where we recommend purchases of authentic Bhutan-made cloth products. Then on to Jakar where we check into hotel and start to check off all of the interesting places to see in Bhumtang, the cultural and religious heartland of Bhutan. Some of the most historic temples in Bhutan are here so put them first on your list. See the full itinerary for a list of Robin's favorites.

Day 8 — Fall Itinerary – {date8}

Early morning touring of Jakar and then noon departure to the Tang Valley and the mystical Ugyen Choling Cluster Village where we spend two nights. (From now on and through the end of our journey all stops are for two nights.) We stop along the road for a picnic lunch and then tour the Pema Choling nunnery. There are lots of stops along this road, it is truly the cultural and agricultural heart of Bhutan. The road ends at the Ugyen Choling Palace where the owners have converted it to a guest house and museum. The tour has missed stopping here for two years while they renovated the rooms of the guest house--the owners have done a remarkable job of maintaining the historic architecture and charm of the place.

Day 9 — Fall Itinerary – {date9}

Full day of private festival, archery, hosting villagers to our private party.  After breakfast we will have a blessing ceremony for the prayer flags that we will later hoist in a high pass.  Before the blessing you can write the names of loved ones on your flag and then a local gomchen (lay monk) will conduct a ritual and read prayers for good health, remembrance and prosperity, a traditional Bhutanese ceremony that is enacted thousands of times each day across the country.  Then the main event of the day! The local temple Cham Master will come to the courtyard with an entourage of dancers with their costumes and perform traditional festival dances, the same dances they perform when celebrating the authentic Buddhist festival in Jakar Dzong.  Local ladies will also perform cultural dancing and singing in between the Cham dances.  Also, we will host an archery and a lawn dart game called khuru, everyone is asked to join in if only from the beginner's tee.

Day 10 — Fall Itinerary – {date10}

Bumtang to Mongar. According to the annual Tourism Monitor only 200 foreign visitors go beyond this point each year—most return to Paro to the airport to exit, doubling back on what they have already experienced. This is the longest drive on the tour, approximately 8 hours with plenty of stops.
The journey takes us through mist-covered ThumshingLa Pass, which at 13,500 feet is the highest motor-able pass in Bhutan.

Day 11 — Fall Itinerary – {date11}

Day Excursion around Mongar. We will visit the local high school of over 400 students on special invitation of the principal. After their opening assembly in the courtyard where they sing the morning prayer and national anthem, we are invited by couples into the classrooms to interact with the students. Then on to the primary school where we are treated to their annual staged program of folk and modern dances from first-graders to sixth-graders.  Too cute!

Day 12 — Fall Itinerary – {date12}

Mongar to Trashigang: This morning we make the sixty mile, three-hour drive from Mongar to Trashigang. We will cross the 8,000 ft. KoriLa pass and stop there to place our own prayer flag that stretches from hillside to hillside.
Also on this drive we stop at the only ancient temple along the way and gain special access to the room where they store their festival costumes.

Day 13 — Fall Itinerary – {date13}

Exclusive! Brokpa yak herder program, end of the road, as far east as you can go.

Day 14 — Fall Itinerary – {date14}

Flight from the nearby domestic airport in Yongphula to Paro.

Day 15 — Fall Itinerary – {date15}

Tiger's Nest and Paro:  This sacred place got its name when Guru Rimpoche rode there on the back of a flying tigress and meditated in a cave behind the present-day monastery. Sadly, in 1998, the central temple was destroyed by fire leaving the country in mourning for their holiest of spiritual places. But religious leaders and the King quickly developed a plan to rebuild Taktsang and donations poured in from Buddhist centers all over the world. Today, the magnificent temple is completely rebuilt to its original glory. Tiger's Nest is once again the subject of cloud-shrouded posters that say, "Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon."

Day 16 — Fall Itinerary – {date16}

Departure, Paro.

Next:  Start reading our fantastic Fall Tour Itinerary from Day 1 all the way across Bhutan to Day 16! 

Have Questions? Please Email Robin!