Hi Ugyen Rinzin,
I first met with Bhutan Green Travel in January this year at Destinations Travel Show in Manchester – I was looking to see what couls be offered by companies to someone who had become recently a solo traveller. After passing the stall a few times I spoke Ugyen who suggetsed that best tour for me would be the Royal HIghland Festival in October. After a number of emails going back and forward I settled on the tour and to do it just on my own, not as part of a group. Bhutan only allow local guides and drivers to take you round an have a large daily tax which goes to government supporting the needs of the country, pensions, education and health. BY the way the guide told me that health was free for tourists as well as locals in Bhutan. The organisation was excellent and the only thing I ahd to sort was to get to one of the 4 airports that fly into Paro (only a few pilots are qualified to land there). I chose ICT Delhi and had about 12 hour stop either side to allow for any changes to schedules. This made for an unhurried and relaxing arrival and departure. Everything is organised by them, Bhutan Visa, Bhutan Air travel, Accomodamtion, Food, Entry Fees, everything you could think of. As it was a trip to the Festival, walking up to Laya I was joined by 3 other other groups that Ugyen had organised and we camped together. Great to talk to others and have a laugh, sharing our experiences. Ugyen was correct the Festival was spectacular, emotional, colorful, and clearly enjoyed by the higlanders that it was designed to celebrate. We had to wait until the KIng had set off towards Laya on the day before and he and the princes walked to the site – no mena feet. The tour included Dzong (Forts), Watchtowers, Temple, Stupa, Passes and Tiger Nest Temple… to mention but a few. The people of Bhutan mainly wear national dress, are happy, helpful, will run after you if you have left or dropped something. The experience was educational, emotional, opening up to the Buddhist faith of the country. Would I go again yes – Ugyen is keen to get people to go the East which is relatively unspoilt and hardly touched by tourists. That seems like the best idea for the next travel. There are lots to see, animals, birds included and different seasons produce different sites. The March Rhododendron blooms and festivals with over 50 different types colour some of the mountains. Would I travel with Bhutan Green Travel, yes, I was cared for from the moment I first said yes to the moment I got home. I felt safe, cared for, valued and had the experience of a lifetime in a country of about 800,000 and a King that is forward thinking and loved, revereed by his people. He even spoke to me at the Festival. Look at the country, ask the questions and Ugyen will give you a wise and honest answer. Go and be amazed and transported to a completely different place.
Andrew, South Yorkshire, UK
