Peaks, Passes & Dzongs
Autumn's crystal skies for the great Himalayan panoramas and the monumental dzongs of the west and centre.
October and November bring Bhutan's clearest skies, when the snow peaks of the northern border stand out sharply above the valleys. This journey chases those views from the high passes and pairs them with the monumental dzongs.
Pre-dawn starts are part of the plan, balanced with slow afternoons.
Highlights
- Sunrise over Jomolhari from Chele La
- Dawn at Dochula
- Harvest season in Punakha
- Trongsa Dzong in morning light
- Jakar Dzong at sunset
Day by day
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Day 1
Arrive in Paro
Settle in, with an evening shoot at Rinpung Dzong.
Rinpung Dzong · Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 -
Day 2
Chele La sunrise · Haa
A pre-dawn drive to Chele La for sunrise over Jomolhari, then down into the Haa valley.
Chele La · Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 3
Haa to Thimphu
Village scenes in Haa, then on to the capital.
Lhakhang Karpo · Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 4
Dochula dawn · Punakha
Leave before dawn for Dochula, when the northern peaks are most often clear, then descend to Punakha.
Dochula · Photo: David Broad, CC BY 3.0 -
Day 5
Punakha
The rice harvest in the terraces and Punakha Dzong at golden hour.
Punakha Dzong · Photo: Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn), CC BY 2.0 -
Day 6
Punakha to Trongsa
Over Pele La, stopping at Chendebji Chorten.
Chendebji Chorten · Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0 -
Day 7
Trongsa to Bumthang
Trongsa Dzong in morning light, then over Yotong La.
Trongsa Dzong · Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 8
Bumthang
Valley temples by day and Jakar Dzong at sunset.
Jakar Dzong · Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 9
Bumthang to Paro
Domestic flight back to Paro (schedule permitting); sunset at Drukgyel Dzong.
Drukgyel Dzong · Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 10
The Tiger's Nest
Hike to Paro Taktsang for the classic view.
Paro Taktsang · Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Day 11
Depart
Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight.
Paro International Airport · Photo: Ganesh Dhamodkar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Included on this journey
More journeys
Spring Light: Dzongs & Jacaranda
Punakha Dzong framed in lilac jacaranda, rhododendrons on the passes and soft spring light, with time built in for every frame.
Cranes of Phobjikha
Winter in the glacial Phobjikha valley, where endangered black-necked cranes arrive from the Tibetan plateau.
Village Life & Portraits
Slow, human photography: farmhouse kitchens, harvest in the paddies, archery matches and the faces of rural Bhutan.
Make it yours.
Tell us your dates and wishes, and we'll tailor this journey around you.
- Private & tailor-made
- Licensed by Bhutan’s Department of Tourism
- Every enquiry answered personally