Explore the land of the happiest people in the world – the secluded Kingdom of Bhutan nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Let us take you on a photographic journey of the contrast between bustling city streets and ancient monasteries, lush landscapes and the majestic Himalayas, vast rice terraces and fields of drying chili peppers laid out like an Impressionist painting. Bhutan is truly a feast for the eyes.
Sisse Brimberg is a highly experienced photographer who, during her long career with National Geographic, has photographed over fifty stories for National Geographic Magazine and National Geographic Traveler. She has covered a variety of stories, ranging from a feature on living in the Art Deco city of Casablanca, to the wilderness of Antarctica. Through the large variety of subjects, the red thread running through her career is that Sisse is a true expert in the art of visual storytelling. Sisse has a keen ability to use the camera to discover the many different layers of a place, and then pull them together in a visual narrative. She is an award-winning photographer who has received acclaim from Pictures of the Year International, the National Press Photographers Association, and Communication Arts. Sisse’s work continues to be exhibited around the world, including at the prestigious Leica House in Germany, followed with a cover story at LFI Magazine.
For the past 15 years Sisse Brimberg has spent part of the year travelling to remote and exotic locations teaching photography. She has also worked closely with Better Moments on our exclusive photo workshop program to Morocco, Tibet and Nepal, some of the most desirable regions to visit today for photographers and film makers. As a Bhutan expert, Sisse is excited to share her experiences with you and show you this very unique place and introduce you to the happiest people in the world.
Our adventure begins when we meet at Bhutan International Airport. We will start our journey towards the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Along this scenic route, there will be opportunities for both landscape and portrait photography. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel, and then will spend the rest of the day exploring Thimphu and its bustling, colorful street life. After dinner, we will have the opportunity to discuss today’s images, and Sisse Brimberg will give a presentation focusing on the key elements and skills you can use to make your photography practice the best it can be.
We leave Thimphu and board our 4×4 bus in the morning which will take us through the lush valley to the surrounding countryside with several photo stops along the way. From here, we will have magnificent views of the Himalaya Mountains, the tallest mountain range in the world. In the city of Punakha, we will visit one of the country’s most impressive monasteries, the Punakha Dzong, located in between two rivers. It dates from the 16th century. The brightly colored dzong is a vibrant place, and we will see the monks milling around with the worshippers. This makes for exciting photography. Afterwards, we will cross Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge (100 m) which is only accessible by foot, and explore how to capture the shifting evening light. After dinner, Sisse Brimberg will present on her experience as a National Geographic photographer.
Today, we will have the rare opportunity to spend the day with locals to learn more about the Bhutanese culture and traditions. We are invited to take part in a home-cooked meal with a local family. We will have the chance to photograph the preparation and cooking in a classic Bhutanese kitchen. This is followed by a visit to a traditional Bhutenese bath, prepared by heating rocks on a fire, filling a sunken wooden tub with water, and heating the water by placing the hot rocks in the tub. As archery is the national sport of Bhutan, and a great possibility for taking dramatic photos, we’ll watch one of the local teams practicing later on. If time allows, Sisse will be available for one-on-one guidance.
Today, we set out early and head towards Paro, passing through breathtaking landscapes with several photography stops along the way. In the afternoon, we have the chance to visit Rinpung Dzong in Paro, a massive construction which stands on the hillside overlooking the valley of Paro. This dzong is unique because it plays both civic and religious roles.
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GETTING THERE
Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan. The airport is located 6 km from Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu at an elevation of 2,200 m. Druk Air, the Royal Bhutan Airline, is the national airline of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The schedule changes by season, but normally there are three flights per week from New Delhi and a daily flight from Bangkok.
VISA
All applications for tourist visas must be initiated by a Bhutanese tour operator. After checking that the trip has been paid, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu issues an approval letter to the tour operator. The tour operator then makes a final application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When the visa clearance is issued, a visa confirmation number is sent to the tour operator and to Druk Air. Upon arrival in Bhutan, the visa officer will produce the approval form from the file, and the visa will be issued on the spot.
WEATHER
The climate varies widely depending on the elevation. In the southern border areas, it is tropical; at the other extreme, in the high Himalayan regions, there is perpetual snow. In Paro the temperature ranges from -5°C in January to 30°C in July, with 800mm of rain.
The ideal time for trekking and for traveling throughout the country is autumn, from late September to late November, when skies are generally clear and the high mountain peaks rise to a vivid blue sky.
LANGUAGE
Dzongkha is the official language. English has been the language of education since 1964, but there is growing emphasis on learning Dzongkha to strengthen national identity.
CURRENCY
The Bhutanese monetary unit is the Ngultrum (BTN)
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