KE Adventure

• Bhutan Photo Adventure with acclaimed photographer Colin Prior
• A complete Traverse from West to East
• Unknown festivals of Eastern Bhutan
• The rare black-necked cranes at Gantey
• Capture Bhutan now, before it changes!

At the eastern end of the Himalayas, the remote 'Shangri La' kingdom of Bhutan has changed little over the centuries. It is a land of stunning mountain scenery, charming people and outrageous Buddhist festivals known as 'tsechus'. KE has put together this unique photo special trip in association with Colin Prior, one of Britain's leading landscape photographers, who will accompany the group in Bhutan. Colin is very much looking forward to revisiting Bhutan, having taken a KE group on a similar Bhutanese photographic adventure in 2007. This trip will cross the country from west to east and take in many of the most spectacular locations. Starting out in the idyllic Paro Valley, the dramatic Taktsang or 'Tiger's Nest' monastery will provide a first unmissable photo stop. Travelling by way of Thimpu and the superb Punakha Dzong, the group will stop off at Gantey in the timeless Phobjikha Valley and have the chance to see the rare Tibetan black-necked cranes that spend the winter here. All of this is just an introduction to the main event, however, as the group arrives in eastern Bhutan, a fascinating part of the country, rarely visited by even the most adventurous travellers. Here, there will be the opportunity to spend four days at a series of unbelievably colourful festivals that have been witnessed by only a handful of foreigners. These festivals, at Mongar and Tashigang (and possibly also at Wamrong) will provide unique photographic possibilities and a taste of Bhutan at its most authentic. Offering the best of the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon' and the chance to benefit from Colin's expertise, this is a dream trip for travel photographers. Although Bhutan is one of the last unspoiled corners of the Himalaya, changes are taking place in the country as outside influences inevitably make themselves felt. This is your opportunity to visit the country and to document a unique way of life - before it is too late.

KE and Colin Prior

KE Adventure Travel and Colin Prior go back a long way. We have helped Colin with several of his photographic projects, including a trip to the Karakoram Mountains of northern Pakistan a dozen years ago, when he was collecting material which would subsequently be used in the British Airways Calendar and in the book Living Tribes.  Colin has also hosted KE photographic holidays in the past, including a trip to the Nepalese side of Everest in 2003 and an earlier running of the Bhutan Through a Lens trip in 2007. Colin is hoping to be able to revisit the Karakoram in the near future and this is something that KE will be assisting him with. For more information about Colin's work visit  www.colinprior.co.uk