Featuring the Ura Festival

Bhutan is an immensely beautiful and serene land, and is a place where the Buddhist faith of its people remains the nation’s most vital cultural force. The Bhutanese joyously express their fervent faith during their festivals; in particular, the annual Ura Yakchoe is one of Bhutan's most preeminent Buddhist festivals.

The Ura Valley is considered one of the holiest locales in Bhutan. People from all over the country gather at Ura to pay their respect and in turn be blessed at the Ura Yakchoe festival. Dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry, Bhutanese people attend the Ura festival in celebration of purification and religious blessings. Arrays of colorful brocades whirl through the air as the dancers spin and dance the “thunderbolt step.” Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place.

Outline Itinerary – 2013

Days 1 & 2, April 10 & 11: USA to Bangkok.

Day 3, April 12: Arrive Bhutan
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of some of the world’s highest peaks. We drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital and spend the afternoon photographing the city.

Day 4, April 13: Exploring Thimphu
Today we will visit the local bazaar where everyone goes to buy fruit and vegetables, rice, grains, chilies and other fresh foods - a great portraiture day.

Day 5, April 14: To Punakha/Wangdi Valley
A landscape photography day as we drive to Punakha, over Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft), with impressive views of many towering mountain peaks.

Day 5, April 15: Exploring Punakha/Wangdi Valley
We get up close to rural Bhutan as we hike past (and photograph) terraced rice fields to the temple of Chimi Lhakhang.

Day 6, April 16: To Bumthang
Explore Wangduephodrang Dzong and then continue our drive over Pele-la pass (3,300 m/10,800 ft) to Trongsa.

Day 7, April 17: Reach Bumthang
Day to visit and photograph Trongsa Dzong, built in 1648, and was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Driving over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft) we reach Bumthang.

Days 8 & 9, April 18 & 19: At Ura Tshechu Festival
Two full days to partake in and photograph the festivities and enjoy the celebration of the Buddhist festival in Ura. People from all over Bhutan gather at Ura to pay their respects and in turn be blessed at this social gathering. Dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry, Bhutanese people attend the Ura Tshechu in celebration of purification and religious blessings.

Day 10, April 20: To Gantey Valley
Today we head to Gantey Valley, one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. We will explore and photograph Gantey village and the monastery.

Day 11, April 21: Paro Valley
A few kilometers beyond the Gantey Monastery, we visit the village of Phobjikha before continuing on to our next destination, the idyllic Paro Valley.

Day 12, April 22: Paro Valley / Taktsang Monastery
On our last day in Bhutan we visit the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries, Taktsang, Guru Rinpoche’s “Tiger’s Nest”. This evening we will take a stroll around Paro market and the town before enjoying our Farewell Dinner.

Day 13, April 23: Depart Bhutan
Today we leave Bhutan, taking the return flight from Paro to Bangkok.

Day 14, April 24: Arrive USA.

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