Bhutan Seeing With Stillness - A Mindful Visual Journey
Bhutan - Seeing With Stillness
A Mindful Visual Journey
10 November – 23 November 2026 | 14 Days / 13 Nights
This is not just a trip. Is a transformation.
Step off the beaten path and into the heart of Bhutan - a land where time slows, mountains whisper, and simplicity reigns.
Join renowned photojournalist Mathias Heng on an immersive journey designed for those who seek more than snapshots.
This is not about rushing through itineraries.
It is about being present.
About connecting deeply with still pictures transforming to realism.
About discovering stories that matter.
Why Bhutan?
Here in Bhutan authenticity is alive.
Families welcome you with warmth, even when they have little to give. Life moves gently, teaching us contentment and humility. In remote villages, you will witness a purity that grounds you - a reminder of what truly matters.
What Makes This Journey Different?
Mindful Exploration
Slow down. Observe. Feel the rhythm of Bhutanese life.
Purposeful Encounters
Visit homes in remote villages, share conversations and give back in meaningful ways.
Visual Storytelling
Learn from Mathias Heng how to capture not just images, but emotions, narratives and in-depth images that speak to you.
Community Impact
Every step supports local families and encourages education for children.
Immersive Experiences
Attend local festivals and connect with local communities.
Eastern Bhutan Discovery
Explore the less travelled regions of eastern Bhutan - raw, authentic, and untouched by mass tourism.
Itinerary Brief
A guided photographic journey through Bhutan with Mathias Heng, designed for photographers seeking cultural access, visual storytelling and hands-on instruction in diverse environments - from festivals, portraits to landscapes and remote village life.
Day 1: Arrival in Paro | Orientation & Evening Shoot
Arrive in Paro and transfer to your hotel. The workshop begins with a short orientation covering logistics, cultural etiquette and shooting considerations in Bhutan. In the early evening, head out for an easy walk through Paro town for the first group shoot, focusing on street photography, observational storytelling and working with natural light. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2: Paro to Bumthang | Aerial Views & Environmental Portraits
Fly from Paro to Bumthang, offering aerial perspectives of Bhutan’s valleys and peaks. Upon arrival, begin photographing rural village life, with guidance on environmental portraiture and visual narrative. A shared meal with a local family in their farmhouse provides opportunities for intimate, respectful documentary work. Late afternoon street shooting in Jakar town. Evening image review and group discussion. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 3: Bumthang Valley | Storytelling in Sacred Landscapes
Explore Bumthang Valley with a focus on photographing villages, monastic life, and natural landscapes. A short hike leads to a monastery, ideal for lessons on composition, scale, and working in low-contrast forest light. Afternoon shooting continues with individual mentorship. Evening critique session. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 4: Bumthang to Trongsa | Travel Photography & Landscapes
Morning shoot capturing early light in the valley before departing by road toward Trongsa. The drive becomes a mobile photography day, emphasizing landscapes, road narratives, and shooting from varied vantage points. Short stops are planned for instruction on framing vast mountain scenery. Overnight in Trongsa.
Day 5: Trongsa Festival | Action & Cultural Photography
Morning dedicated to photographing the Goenpai Drupchen at Trongsa Dzong. Instruction focuses on festival photography - anticipating movement, capturing emotion, layering subjects, and working respectfully in crowded ceremonial spaces. After the festival, travel to the Tang Valley, shooting rural life along the way. Evening review session. Overnight in Tang Valley.
Day 6: Tang Valley to Mongar | Visual Transitions
A full travel day through Bhutan’s shifting landscapes. Emphasis on visual continuity, documenting change in architecture, dress, and terrain. Informal shooting throughout the journey, with discussion on building cohesive photo essays. Overnight in Mongar.
Day 7: Mongar to Lhuentse | Textile & Artisan Photography
Travel north to Khoma Village, known for its traditional weaving. This day centers on photographing artisans at work - hands, textures, patterns and portraiture - along with instruction on working indoors with available light. Evening discussion on editing cultural stories. Overnight near Lhuentse or back to Mongar.
Day 8: Lhuentse to Trashiyangtse & Trashigang | Scouting & Composition
Drive east to Trashiyangtse, photographing remote villages and landscapes en route. Continue to Trashigang, where the group scouts festival locations and key viewpoints around the Dzong. Instruction on pre-visualization and preparing for major shoots. Overnight in Trashigang.
Day 9: Trashigang Tshechu | Major Festival Shoot
Full-day photography at the Trashigang Tshechu. Participants focus on building strong visual narratives through costume, gesture, ritual, and crowd dynamics. One-on-one guidance provided throughout the day. Evening architectural and low-light photography of Trashigang Dzong, followed by an extended critique session. Overnight in Trashigang.
Day 10: Trashigang to Merak | Humanistic
Travel to the highland village of Merak, home to the Brokpa community. The workshop shifts to humanistic and lifestyle photography, emphasizing cultural sensitivity, consent, and long-form storytelling. Homestay accommodation allows for immersive documentation. Overnight in Merak.
Day 11: Merak | Daily Life & Morning Light
Early morning shoot capturing village routines, portrait, environmental portrait and landscape details. Late morning departure back to Trashigang. Afternoon at leisure for rest or editing. Evening image review. Overnight in Trashigang.
Day 12: Yongphula to Paro | Aerial Storytelling
Fly from Yongphula to Paro, offering aerial photographic opportunities when conditions allow. Afternoon free for personal shooting, image organization, or one-on-one mentoring sessions. Overnight in Paro.
Day 13: Taktsang Monastery | Iconic Landscape Masterclass
Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), focusing on landscape composition, scale and storytelling across viewpoints. Instruction on pacing, patience, and working with changing weather and light. Afternoon concludes with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath. Final group critique and workshop wrap-up. Overnight in Paro.
Day 14: End of photo workshop. (Departure)
Transfer to Paro International Airport for departure.
Arrangements will be made for airport transfer.
PHOTO WORKSHOP FEE:
USD$8,700.00
Eearly Bird: USD$8,500.00 for bookings made by 30th April 2026
Contact Information:
For further information contact: m35reportage@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram: mathiasheng
Terms & Conditions:
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Full fees must be paid on prior to the start of the workshop.
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Maximum Participants: 9 participants.
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We reserve the right to cancel groups with less than 4 participants.
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We reserve the right to change or alter the program advertised.
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Cancellations. We will reimburse all the registration costs except for a 10% of the costs for administrative fee, if you inform us of cancellation at least 20 days before the first day of the Workshop. Beyond this time limit, we will charge the following: 50% of the cost if cancelled between 19 and 5 days before the workshop commences. 100% of the cost if cancelled on the 4 days before the workshop commences.
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Fee included: Visa, Transportation, accommodation and meals on workshop dates.
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Fee not included: air flight, travel insurance and photography equipment.