BHUTAN

06 FEB 2018 | 8 NIGHTS 9 DAYS

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People of Bhutan love to stay in the valleys rather than hill tops. Bhutan is a country of many beautiful valleys offering plenty of photographic opportunities. After entering Bhutan one can experience the difference with adjacent Himalayan states like Sikkim, Arunachal, Assam etc. Different culture, different architecture and different kind of living of people made the small country unique in every way. Though the primary focus of this tour is wildlife, we definitely will have some opportunity to plan and click landscape and people .There are five primary target species, Black tailed Crake, Blood pheasant, White-bellied Heron, Black Necked Crane and Gee's Golden Langur, which are not only desired by photographers, but a very few photographers have bagged good images of these illusive beauties. Other than these, we may encounter plenty of other rarities like Khalij Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan, Whitewinged Grossbeak, Brown, Great and Black Throated Parrot-bills, Ibisbill, Alpine and Rufous-breasted Accentors, Rusty Cheekedand White-browed Schimitar Babblers and many more.

However a photography tour to Bhutan is waiting for you with all new experience and with a bagful images to share with your friends.

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Day 01 l February 06 | Tuesday | Siliguri - Phuntsholing - ParoStart from Siliguri at at 9 am, drive to Phuentsholing by road (4 Hrs). After obtaining required Visa/permit, transfer to Paro. Reach Paro by the evening and stay overnight at Paro. (Optionally One can directly fly to Paro from Kolkata, Delhi or Mumbai. Transfer from airport to hotel can be arranged)

Day 02 l February 07 | Wednesday | Paro - Chelela - ParoDepart for Chelela Pass (a 12000 ft pass joining Ha valley with Paro valley) early in the morning for Birding , we will look for Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Satyr Tragopan and other birds. Return to Paro by 12 noon. Post lunch birding in Paro Valley, BIack-tailed Crake, Brown Dipper, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper would be the main target species. Stay overnight at Paro.

Day 03 l February 08 | Thursday | Paro - Chelela - Thimphu - PunakhaIn the morning do birding and photography in Pa-chu riverbed. Later transfer to Thimphu. Obtain required extension of visa/permitand transfer to Punakha. Spend some time for birding in the eastern slope of Dochula. Stay overnight at Wangdue/Punakha.

Day 04 l February 09 | Friday | Punakha - Phochu Valley - ZigmeDorji NP - PunakhaDrive to Phochu Valley early in the morning, in search of White-bellied Heron. Visit Zigme Dorji National Park in the afternoon also visit Punakha Dzong on the way back to Punakha . Stay overnight at Punakha/Wangdue.

DAY 05 l February 10 | Saturday | Punakha - Phobjika ValleyEarly in the morning transfer to Pelela, a wonderful birding destination and a good place for landscape hunters. Reach Phobjika before lunch. Post lunch look for Black Necked Cranes. Stay overnight at Phobjika

Valley.

DAY 06 l February 11 | Sunday | Phobjikha - TrongsaDo birding and photography in the morning and enjoy the beauty of world's one of the most picturesque valleys. Post breakfast transfer to Trongsa and stay overnight stay at Trongsa.

DAY 07 l February 12 | Monday | Trongsa - TingtibiPost breakfast start for Tingtibi. Birding and photography enroute. Visit Bertey riverbed for birding in theafternoon. Stay overnight at Tingtibi.

DAY 08 l February 13 | Tuesday | TingtibiBirding and photography in and around Zhemgang and Tingtibi. This place in one of the best place in the world to shoot the endangered Gee's Golden Langur. Stay overnight at Tingtibi.

DAY 09 l February 14 | Wednesday | Tingtibi - BongaigaonPost breakfast transfer to Bongaigaon via Gelephu. Transfer to New Bongaigaon Rly.Stn in the afternoon. (Optionally One may opt transfer to Guwahati Airport, a 3 hrs. drive from Bongaigaon, which can be arranged with an extra charge)

Approaching Phobjika Valley | image © Siddhartha Goswami

Photographing birds and other wildlife.

Landscape photography.

Macro Photography.

Indoor session on basics of photography.

Discussion on post processing.

White-bellied heron at Phochu river bed | image © Siddhartha Goswami

DSLR Camera body with tele-photo lens.

Extra camera body (optional)

Wide angle and macro lens.

A steady tripod.

A pair of walking shoes.

Warm clothes

Wind guard.

Cap/Hat.

Note book and pen.

Voter’s ID card/Adhaar Card/Passport (Original and a photocopy)

2 Copies of photographs for identity (2.5 cm X 3.5 cm)

Laptop (optional)

Brown dipper at Pa Chu river bed | image © Siddhartha Goswami

Cost includes: Accommodation in twin/Triple share basis.Breakfast during the tour.All transfers and visit to photography destinations.Arrangement of indoor workshop.Local guide where ever required.Resource Persons.

Cost excludes:Train ticket/Airfare.Bottled water.Cost of personal habit or any other personal expenses.Cost of food other than mentioned in inclussion.Tips or gratuities.Anything that is not mentioned above.

Cost per person:

₹ 32,500/- + Service Tax. or GST whichever is applicable.

Blood pheasant at Chelela Pass | image © Siddhartha Goswami

Dochula Pass | image © Siddhartha Goswami