We have wanted to travel to Bhutan for many years but it was meeting Ugyen at the travel show who explained to us the “all inclusive pricing” system and reassured us that you can choose an itinerary to suit your requirements that eventually enticed us into booking.
We have just returned from an 18 day trip which exceeded all our expectations.
Bhutan is a unique, beautiful, colourful, wonderful Kingdom which really does seem to have a balance between protecting their country and people and encouraging tourism. High quality, low impact tourism really makes sense once you have visited.
We are normally independent travellers so had some concerns about always having a guide with us. However we quickly realised that the guide was there to facilitate the trip and our Guide Kins and driver Sanga were a fantastic team.
Kins, made changes as required once he knew what we wanted, what our interests were, what food we liked, our walking capabilities etc and gave us as much space as we required.
Kins’s in-depth knowledge of just about everything in his country, nature, Buddhism, history, politics, art etc really added to our enjoyment of the trip. He organised meals to our liking ( we don’t eat much meat) made sure we were comfortable, in fact he dealt with just about everything smoothly and efficiently. We took a slower trip than most people, adding in an extra day in some areas which enabled Kins to take us to less visited places which we really enjoyed.
Sanga was a wonderful driver, reliable and careful. The twisty mountainous roads were smoothly driven and he always appeared at a good time with our picnic. Very important.
Everyone we met along the way were so friendly and helpful.
If Bhutan is on your list of places to visit I suggest you move it to the top, it is a unique experience.Please don’t book through a third party company, book directly with a Bhutanese company and we highly recommend Bhutan Green Travel. We can’t thank them enough for our wonderful experience,
Things we learned on our trip
Things we learned on our trip
Spring is a good time for the flowers but November has beautiful blue skies, warm weather
(t shirt warm) in the day and colder at night. Great for photography and walking.
Stay as long as you can, it won’t be long enough! It is cheaper to stay longer then have to return ( which we will do)
Having a Guide really enhances your trip.
The three star hotels were much better than we expected. Ranged from nice to really nice.
Despite all my research I didn’t realise that English is the common language.
Do try and see a festival, the atmosphere and colour is beyond description .
If you can, try and to add a few days into the suggested itinerary so not to rush from one place to another. We enjoyed some more remote places / temples or walks by having an extra day in an area.
Unexpected experience we hadn’t read about. Staying at Ogyen Choling Heritage Hotel.
This certainly was one of the best trips we have ever done, a unique wonderful experience. We hope to return in the future.
Tashi Delek.
Moira and Graeme, Salisbury, England, UK
Dear Ugyen,
I hope this email finds you feeling better.
I wanted to write to you to you on behalf of myself and the group to thank you and Pema and Pala for all you did to make this a wonderful trip.
Every day was well organised and full of experiences for us all . We enjoyed the company of Pema and Pala , and being able to see so much of Bhutan and to meet local people along the way.
All of our accommodation was a pleasure , including the homestay, and the food went down very well !
Thank you for listening to those things we asked to experience , like the archery , and making sure we did that . Pema did very well in the choice of the venue for our massages and the Hot Stone Baths.
The festival and the Tigers Nest were our two main aims , but the other days were just as much a memorable time.
Thank you for lending me the traditional costume for the festival . It was a privilege to try this and I found the outfit very comfortable as well . We really enjoyed that day and I think the choice of that location worked very well for us . It was pleasing we were with so many local people.
Thank you for my football kit and also for having the meal with us ( especially when you weren’t feeling well ).
Several of us posted photographs we took on Facebook throughout the trip . I referred to Bhutan Green Travel in my posts , so those looking knew who had organised this for us . I have now done a final post offering anyone interested in visiting Bhutan to contact me and I can pass on their interest to you . I know of people who would like to visit and I think others looking at the pictures may now think of a trip.
Of course Covid made organising this trip even more work for you than normal . The passing of Linda , Barry dropping out , Matt and Shirley having to postpone and then Alison’s difficulties only added to the challenges you faced and the changes you had to make . l thank you for doing that so readily and with understanding .I am meeting Matt and Shirley tomorrow as they prepare for their trip.
I know one or two of the group would like me to mention how much they appreciated the care and attention Pema and Pala gave on some of the more challenging walks and climbs . It meant they were able to take part with confidence and experience as much as possible.
Visiting Bhutan had been a personal wish of mine for several years now , so to finally get there has made it that much more special.
I wish you and your family and all those who work with you the very best for the future . I hope it’s a long , happy and healthy one.
Charles and Group, Chester, England, UK
