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
Having yeoman service from our organizer, Micheal Lee aka Leica ambassador, photographer/film producer/guide Chencho Tshering and driver Sigay, helped `make our recent trip to Bhutan pleasant and memorable. Chencho answered my queries succinctly and authoritatively. Ever helpful Sigay cleaned my wife’s soiled pillow when she vomited from motion sickness without her asking. The grandeur of Bhutan’s valleys, rivers and festivals were breathtaking. But I was more impressed by Micheal’s contacts he had made over the years.
We joined this trip only because it was led by Leica Ambassador Michael Lee. We had traveled with him before during our Silk Road adventure.
I was warned that food in Bhutan will be BAD. So I brought along lots of snacks - biscuits, chocolates and bak kwa. We didn't need any. The restaurants that we were brought to by Michael and the local guide Chendo Tshering were excellent. Who says Bhutanese food is bad??
Get a good guide!! That's the crux!!
Bhutan has always been on my bucket list and it didn’t disappoint. It is truly a beautiful country, with an amazing culture and lovely, friendly people. We joined Michael Lee’s photography tour and were treated to some heartwarming moments, like a visit to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery in Punakha where we got to meet the sweet and friendly nuns. That experience will stay in my heart for a long time. Kudos also to our excellent guide Chencho Tsering and driver Sigay. What I really loved was the flexibility, eg, traveling to more remote and less crowded places, and bringing us to eat where the locals eat, away from the tourist street (the best momos, better than all the fancy ones!). It gave the feeling of a less commercial, more personal tour. Thank you, and we will be back!
Bhutan is a truly beautiful and peaceful country with amazing landscapes and the most friendly and kind people. We had an amazing week-long tour that covered Thimphu, Punakha and Paro, and we witnessed two Tshechu festivals in Thimphu and Gangtey. I don’t even know where to begin as there were so many memorable moments on the trip. Our photography guide Michael Lee was excellent as he had been to Bhutan 9 times before this and planned the itinerary for us. Our local guide Chencho Tsering was also exceptional - he was very knowledgeable about Bhutan’s history, culture and traditions and always so nice and helpful. He took such good care of us and helped me navigate the uneven surfaces and many steps we encountered along the way. Our driver Sigay was so nice too and a very experienced driver
