Fringes of Bhutan a Photography Journey | April 20 to May 5, 2016
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The Wild East -Fringes of Bhutan A Photography Journey | April 20 to May 5, 2016 Since spending a month in Bhutan as a guest of the Queen a decade ago, I have traveled to many places in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and yet when people ask me the most beautiful country I've visited. I never hesitate to tell them Bhutan. A country, as you may know, created the concept of Gross National Happiness which is evident in the safeguarding of their culture and shepherding of their environment. The landscape is breathtaking, the dzongs aesthetically beautiful, and the Bhutanese culture rich and sustaining. A trip to Bhutan will be very high on your list as one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime and you will also return with images that will clearly show how you have become a better photographer. With the advent of digital photography, everyone has become a "photographer" yet there are few who really see and create images that are compelling and dynamic. During this trip, we will work with each other to help develop his or her unique vision and will culminate in a collection of images that will be visual gifts to us all. The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan will provide an untouched paradise of astonishing landscapes, from thick pine-forested mountains surrounding sublime valleys against the backdrop of the majestic snow-capped Himalayas. Before departure, we will review each participants work, give feedback, and suggest each person write a short paragraph on what they like about photography, their purpose in making images, and what themes they want to express in their work. In preparation for the trip, participants will receive detailed trip notes, including suggested equipment, with practical details such as batteries, image file handling and backups, and cultural considerations when traveling in Bhutan. The body of my work has focused on people, and though we will have every opportunity to photograph the incredible landscapes of Bhutan, we will be engaging with the people of the country frequently and as often as possible. Although, we will follow a planned itinerary, the informal environment, small size of our group, and our unrushed schedule allows for flexibility and spontaneous, authentic photographic opportunities throughout the trip. Before, during, and after our return we work as a group on post production techniques with Photoshop and Lightroom, learning and sharing how we can get the most out of our favorite images. INDOCHINA TRAVEL | (415) 731-4377 U.S.A. | [email protected] www.indochinatravel.com THE WILD EAST TRIP ITINERARY the way to Saling village, pausing for photographing as we go. The area is home to a rare highland ethnic Getting There group called Dakpas, who live primarily in the twin Please contact us for international flight assistance and pre- villages of Merak and Sakteng. The 253-square-mile and post-tour hotel and other arrangements at (415) 731- Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is near Trashigang, 4377 or [email protected]. Bangkok is our gateway actually created in part to protect the migoi or as we for the start of this trip. know it, the mythical yeti. The area is home to a variety of bird species including rufous-necked Wednesday, April 20 | North America to BANGKOK hornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Chestnut-breasted Overnight Bangkok Airport Novotel Partridge (Arborophila mandellii), and Pallas’s Fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoruphus). En route, we will Thursday, April 21 | BANGKOK – SAMDRUP JONKHAR witness some raw silk weaving in the village of Radhi. Our first morning we fly direct from Bangkok to Guwahati, In the afternoon, drive back to Trashigang and before India. After arrival and clearing immigration (visa required), dinner explore the city market and massive Dzong meeting with our local guide and driver and after a stroll overlooking the Gamri-chuu River. around Old Guwahati, depart towards the border. En route stopping to visit to a small village, witnessing local life, including traditional silk weaving, the mainstay of the local economy. Almost every house has an adjacent shed or karkhana that houses the traditional bamboo looms, the gentle click-clacking of which can be heard along the streets. Talented weavers create intricate patterns on gold ‘muga’, a rare wild silk that presents a striking tableau for photography this first day. Afterwards, driving to the border and after immigration formalities (Bhutan visa required), arrive into the busy border town of Samdrup Jongkhar, our final destination for the day. Bangkok to Guwahati by Druk Airlines (1hr 30 minutes) Guwahati to border – by bus (about 3 hours) Overnight in local hotel Friday, April 22 SAMDRUP JONKHAR – TRASHIGANG Today, depart early morning on an all-day overland journey to Trashigang, the largest city in Eastern Bhutan and trade center with India. Leaving the plains behind, our drive ascends over several mountain passes, through tropical April 24 | TRASHIGANG – LHUNTSE forests of teak and bamboo, terraced fields, and through Today we continue meandering through the smaller rustic villages where we will pause for photography. mountain valleys and over passes towards Mongar, Also stopping at a handloom center in Khlaing, where we will moving through the verdant forests and passing over meet with younger women who are trained in traditional the eight thousand foot Korila Pass. Along the way, backstrap weaving and natural dyeing. In the afternoon, pausing in small villages. We’ll see the rearing of lac arrive into Trashigang, our base for the next 2 nights. on trees obtained from the scarlet resinous secretion Trashigang by bus (112 miles, about six hours) of a number of species of insects, that produce Overnight in local hotel various shades of red dye widely used in Bhutanese clothing. We continue to Autsho where we will stay in April 23 | TRASHIGANG a small family run guesthouse. In the afternoon, we In the morning, driving to Rangjung for leisurely trek arrive into Lhuntse, nearly fifty miles from Mongar, through the verdant landscape and mountain vistas on one of the most isolated regions in Bhutan with INDOCHINA TRAVEL | (415) 731-4377 U.S.A. | [email protected] www.indochinatravel.com spectacular landscapes featuring stark cliffs and Tuesday, April 26 | MONGAR – BUMTHANG gorges rich in dense coniferous forests. The area is Today, traveling overland to central Bhutan along one known for its weavers producing textiles that are of the most beautiful routes in the Himalayas crossing generally considered the finest in the country. the 4,000 m (12,300 foot) Thrumsingla Pass. Traveling Autsho – Phayul Guest House westwards winding into the beautiful valley of Bumthang in the heart of Central Bhutan, stopping to Monday, April 25 | LHUNTSE – MONGAR visit Ura in the Ura valley, a traditional village with a We drive about 1½ hours to Khoma a pastoral village medieval feeling. Continue to Choekhor Valley. nestling in a valley in the Himalaya with traditional Overnight in Lodge houses and cobbled stone courtyards, renowned for the artistic weaving of complex and intricate patterns Wednesday, April 27 | BUMTHANG called Kushutara and Ngoshom, among the most After breakfast, visiting the 7th-century Jambey expensive textiles in Bhutan. A wonderful opportunity Lhakang (temple), one of the oldest in Bhutan and to meet and interact with the weavers many of whom Kurje Lhakang where all the Kings of Bhutan are work outside on backstrap looms in the paddy fields. cremated. Drive across the river to Tamshing village In the afternoon, visiting with monks at the beautiful and monastery. We visit a local house and spend time Lhuntse Dzong perched in the hill overlooking the in Jakar market with its eclectic mix of small open- expanses of the Lhunste valley. In the afternoon, drive fronted shops before moving on to stop by a farm to Mongar. Mongar marks the beginning of eastern sampling the local buckhwheat noodle (putta), araa- Bhutan. The second largest town in the subtropical local wine, and salted butter tea. Late in the day, we east, Mongar, like Trashigang further east, is situated will visit the Jakar Dzong and explore the Chamkar on the side of a hill in contrasts to other towns of bazaar before dinner. western Bhutan which are built on the valley floor. Overnight in Lodge. Mongar Dzong is one of Bhutan's newest Dzongs, built Thursday, April 28 | BUMTHANG – TRONGSA only in 1930s, yet was built in the same way as ancient In the morning we drive to Trongsa, en route stopping Dzongs without any drawings and no nails have been to see the yatha weaving center at Zukney. Trongsa, used. A visit to the Dzong gives visitors an impression one of Bhutan's oldest towns (its first monastery was of how traditional Bhutanese architecture has built in 1543). continued to thrive through the centuries. Overnight in hotel A highlight of a visit here is the magnificent dzong, which will occupy our afternoon as we photograph the the structure and spend time with resident monks. Constructed in 1644, it served as the original seat of power of the of the ruling dynasty of Bhutan. All kings of Bhutan are first given the title of penlop (governor) of Trongsa, and the first and second kings ruled from the town. The main bazaar is situated along a striking lane of white traditional houses. It is a good place to break the journey from Thimphu to Jakar. In the afternoon, visit the Museum and Trongsa Dzong. Overnight in hotel. INDOCHINA TRAVEL | (415) 731-4377 U.S.A. | [email protected] www.indochinatravel.com Friday, April 29 | TRONGSA – PUNAKHA and follow ancient riverside trails amid whitewashed We drive to Punakha, en route visit the Chendibji farmhouses. We continue to Punakha and in the chorten. (about 5 to 6 hrs).