Druk Asia
Preparing your journey…
Uniquely designed Photography Trip to Bhutan with Michael Lee
Michael Lee, a UKMPA(United Kingdom Master Photographer Associate)-certified MPA, specializes in travel photography, leading tours in Asia and Africa for over 20 years. He emphasizes cultural respect and engagement, capturing the essence of Asia and its people. With expertise in street candid, travel, and cultural photography, Michael is a respected guest lecturer at NAFA and a photography instructor with Leica Akademie Asia Pacific. His workshops aim to enhance photographic pleasure and knowledge, offering a holistic experience to aspiring photographers. Follow us to Bhutan with Michael leading his 11th photo trip to the Himalaya Kingdom.
All our tours are fully customisable — the itineraries you see are simply a starting point. We'll work closely with you to tailor every detail.
Uniquely designed Photography Trip to Bhutan with Michael Lee Itinerary
1 Arrival in Paro
- Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge - A historic suspension bridge in Bhutan that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can walk across the bridge and admire the view.
- National Memorial Chorten - This stupa is unlike others as it does not enshrine human remains. Only the Druk Gyalpo’s photo in a ceremonial dress adorns a hall in the ground floor
2 Thimphu
- Buddha Point - Massive statue of Buddha Dordenma, symbolizing peace and happiness.
- Takin Enclosure - On the way to the viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, a strange looking beast some say looks like a bee-stung moose.
- Traditional Paper Making - The paper factory uses traditional methods to produce the authentic Bhutanese paper known as Deh-sho.
- Tashichhodzong (Thimphu Dzong) - The “fortress of the glorious religion” was first constructed in 1641 and restored by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s.
- Simtokha Dzong - Enthrall yourself with the most noteworthy artistic feature in from of over 300 finely worked slate carvings behind the prayer wheels in the courtyard
- Visit Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu in Bhutan (VAST) - Founded in 1988, VAST has taken on the mission to create a creative society through the arts and over the years has been fertile ground for the nurturing of youth in Bhutan
3 Thimphu – Punakha
- Travel to Dochula Pass
- Lobesa Village - A quaint settlement in Bhutan known for its scenic beauty and traditional way of life
- Chimi Lhakhang Novice Monk hostel (will skip Chimi Lhakhang if possible) - A place where young monks receive education and training in Buddhist practices
- Punakha Drubchen - Punakha Drubchen takes place in the first month of the lunar year and ends with 'Serda', a magnificent procession that re-enacts an episode of the war against the Tibetan in the 17th century.
- Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery - A serene retreat for Buddhist nuns, providing a peaceful environment for spiritual practice and contemplation.
4 Punakha to Trongsa to Gangtey
- Trongsa Museum (Taa Dzong) - Sits high above the valley at a strategic vantage point over Trongsa Dzong. The "Tower of Trongsa" tells the stories of the dzong and the valley that it has watched over for centuries.
- Gangtey Goempa - The largest Nyingma monastery in western Bhutan, it was founded in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinlay.
5 Gangtey to Paro
- Paro Dzong - Explore Rinpung Dzong, which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’. Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong stands on a hill above Paro Township.
- National Museum (Ta Dzong) - On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower.
- Paro Town - A charming destination with traditional Bhutanese architecture, shops, and cafes.
- Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang - The temple is notable as it is in the form of a chorten, very rare in Bhutan. It is located on the edge of a hill between the Paro valley and the Dopchari valley, across the bridge from Paro
6 Paro
- Taktsang Monastery - Also known as the Tiger’s Nest, this monastery set dramatically on the cliffs of Paro Valley, is Bhutan’s most famous landmark. In fact, some tourists would even say that “A trip to Bhutan is not complete without climbing to Taktsang.”
- Paro town and Local Market - Explore the main street of Paro town and check out if there's anything you will like to pick up as a souvenir!
7 Departure
Community Partners
Your journey contributes directly to local communities. Complete a feedback form after your tour and Druk Asia will donate to your chosen cause.
Gyalyum Trust
VAST Bhutan
Museums of Bhutan
Let's Customise Your Dream Bhutan Adventure
Join over 22,940+ happy travellers who've trusted our Bhutan experts to craft journeys that are anything but ordinary.
- Visa guaranteed — or your money back
- Pick your perfect stay — charming farmstay or luxe hotel
- Design your day — change activities even while you're in Bhutan
- Add a vibrant festival — timing around Bhutanese celebrations is pure magic
- Hike more, or hike less — totally your pace
- Experience Bhutan like a local — hot stone bath, cooking session, astrology reading
What Our Travellers Say
Druk Asia has strong networks with DrukAir and local tour agencies, making logistics a total breeze. The itinerary was well-planned yet flexible enough to accommodate different needs. We could decide when we wanted to get up, which places to visit or simply recuperate in solitude. Will go with Druk Asia again if I were to go back for spring or autumn. Won’t have it any other way!
My trip to Bhutan was pleasant and well organized by Druk Asia. I was very happy and comfortable with my tour guide, Tshering, and had absolute confidence in my driver, Chimmi. Tshering kept me entertained throughout the trip with histories and stories about Bhutan while Chimmi was an excellent driver. Bhutan is a very beautiful country with its unique Buddhist culture and a nation of very warm people. The sceneries were spectacular and its culture charming. I will definitely visit Bhutan again and recommend Druk Asia to my friends.
I knew this Druk Asia through my friend who initially asked me to go to Bhutan. I have to say this travel is excellent. We went to Bhutan through Thailand and the next day we missed the flight. Bhutan’s flight is a bit strange in a sense that we need to be at Thai’s airport 2 hours before departure. The gate closed quite early. Druk Asia helped us a lot to arrange our next day flight. During our time in Bhutan, this travel agent frequently asked our condition there whether we were alright or not. This sense of caring is simply excellent, particularly for the country like Bhutan which is in the Himalayan continent. I really grateful to go to this country with Druk Asia. Excellent!
Just wanted to let both of you know that we had a great time in Bhutan. Thanks for looking into the details. Both our guide and driver were great. Thanks again!
Back from Bhutan, I wanted to let you know that this has probably been the best holiday I ever had. Bhutan is really a wonderful place, the people are so friendly and the landscape gorgeous. We also had the best weather one could ask for, and that helped. We have been very happy the whole tour. One suggestion I would give you is to propose your future clients to spend 1 night in a farmhouse. We did, and we loved it. The host was absolutely nice and the experience of sharing dinner, breakfast and the ordinary life of a Bhutanese family was absolutely fantastic.
An unique experience! We had wonderful time in Bhutan. Though it was a short trip, we enjoyed natural beauty, spectacular view and warm friendly people. We have been many countries but this trip was something different, ...memorable and nostalgic.
