Travel in cars, not a bus.  15 days in country, all the way across Bhutan.

Resources and Links

After you make a reservation, we will send you further information on practicalities, such as clothing, expected weather, medications, immunizations, and other important considerations. In the meantime, we recommend that you continue to research travel to Bhutan. Here are a few of our favorite resources.

At libraries, book stores, and Amazon.com

• Lonely Planet, Bhutan, updated 2014, 5th Edition This is a must-have book to take with you to Bhutan to follow your journey on the map and in the description pages. Lonely Planet, Bhutan has recommended Rainbow Photo Tours in their 3rd, 4th and now 5th and latest edition. (Page 266, "Photography enthusiasts should check out the expert-guided itineraries of Rainbow Photo Tours.")

• Timeless Books, Bhutan, by Francoise Pommaret, Bhutan guidebook, Odyssey publications (revised ed.), Hong-Kong-London, 2003.  This book is long out of print but if you can find it used on eBay or by searching the Web it is a wonderful guide book, I rate it even better than Lonely Planet for detailed descriptions and in-depth information on places but outdated for advice for lodging, money, etc. Pommaret, known to her friends as Tashi Wangmo, was recently awarded the National Order of Merit, Gold for her contribution in the field of education research.  She is an associate Professor at the College for Language and Cultural Studies in Taktse, Trongsa and His Majesty The King has granted her Bhutanese Citizenship.  See if you can find it, a wonderful resource.

• Beyond the Sky and the Earth, a Journey Into Bhutan, May, 2000, Jamie Zeppa was 24 when she left a stagnant life at home and signed a contract to teach for two years in the Buddhist hermit kingdom of Bhutan. Much more than just a travel memoir, Beyond the Sky and the Earth is the story of her time in a Himalayan village, immersed in Bhutanese culture and the wonders of new and lasting love. Whether you're travelling to Bhutan, looking for the best travel writing around, or wishing to be transported to a culture, mindset, and spiritual ethos wonderfully different from your own, Beyond the Sky and the Earth is a joyous and lush memoir that will transform the way you think of faith, Western life, and love. Can still be found on Amazon, 7th printing so that tells you something. Jamie married one of her students and he went on to be a movie director who created a fun comedy movie, The Cup, also found on Amazon; search "The Cup Khyentse Norbu."

• Documentary: The Unmistaken Child This independent award-winning documentary follows a Tibetan Buddhist monk's search for the reincarnation of his beloved teacher, the world-renowned lama(master teacher) Geshe Lama Konchog. The filming, which began in October 2001, spans a time frame of five and a half years. It follows the deceased lama's closest disciple – a modest young monk named Tenzin Zopa, who speaks English well – as he walks through the Himalayas seeking to find the child who is his master's reincarnation.

That's it! There are hundreds of books on Bhutan and quite a few movies made by Bhutanese independent producers but only these four that rate my recommendation.

On the Web

• There are over 50 "excellent" reviews of our tours on TripAdvisor.
• Bangkok Airport
• www.kuenselonline.com Daily news, from the national newspaper, Kuensel.
• US Library of Congress Country Study
  US Library of Congress “Country Study” written Sept. 1991. A huge bank of information from government surveys of Bhutan over the years, with an easy-to-use outline of links, ancient history to entering the outside world, 1972-1986. Loads of cultural and political info, too.

Do you have more Questions? Please feel free to Email Robin!

Rainbow Photo Tours of Bhutan on Facebook

Other References about Rainbow Photo Tours (listed on our site)

2017 Lonely Planet Guide (PDF)
2013 Lonley Planet Travel Guide (PDF)
2007 Edition Lonely Planet Travel Guide (PDF archive)
September 2009 Shutterbug Magazine (PDF archive)