Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Tigers nest

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't be put off by the price as in Bhutan everything is included except drinks etc. and money needed for souvenirs. I only spent £80 in Bhutan on drinks etc. its generally £2-3 for a beer. If you have time, and willing to pay a bit more for a few nights accommodation its worth coming out early and spending a few days in Kathmandu, which is always a great place to visit. The hotel I stayed in was very central and walking district to Thamel and Durbar square.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight of the trip was the trek to the Tiger's Nest Monastery. It looks unreachable (and strangely familiar from the famous photos) and then suddenly you are standing outside! The Thimpu Festival was also spectacular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kemey was organised, articulate and incredibly eager to do anything he could to make us comfortable. We were given a very warm welcome.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The day that we visited the Thimpu Festival it rained. This is apparently not unusual. We were therefore sitting out in the rain for about 3.5 hours. It helped to have a good waterproof, something to wrap around your legs to keep them dry (poncho) and a sit mat so that we were not sitting directly on wet concrete. The temperature varies throughout the trip - it helps to have layers. We travelled in October and it was warmer than we expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were lucky enough to go on the Thimphu Festival departure - and were even luckier to get to the Gangtey Monastery to see the festival up in the glacial valley - it was spectacular! To have been able to see the festival in Thimphu, to learn and understand more about the culture - to then be lucky enough to experience another festival high in the mountains was just a magical and beautiful occasion - we then walked through the valley back to the hotel. This was the best experience during the trip, but a trip of epic experiences, included of course was the walk to the Tigress Nest Monastery, all of the Dzong's which I adored and just learning and seeing this great country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kemey was wonderful. Patient, knowledgable, flexible and very very kind. He made the trip for all of us, he packed the days with so many activities and made sure we had everything we needed. Thank you Kemey for showing us the heart of Bhutan.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The September trip was certainly not cold in any way - so don't pack too many warm clothes, instead take lots of layers as you move from high passes to tropical valleys in the same day. Change more money than you think you need at the start, there is very little opportunity to do this during the trip (or if you do the rate is very bad). Sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery - the team will take care of you.

Suggestions

If you are thinking about this trip and are not sure I would urge you to book it and just go. This is a magical land, with the most friendly beautiful people - I want to go back again for more festivals and for the flowers in spring.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Tigers Nest was just wonderful as were many of the monasteries and forts - mesmerising with the monks chanting and the haunting sound of the horns and drums. The mountain village of Gantey was also wonderful so natural and unspoilt - just lovely - and its local festival and market much nicer than the very large main Thimpu festival.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A really nice, knowledgeable and helpful guy - although safety and timekeeping weren't strengths

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take waterproofs and walking boots. And be aware that the roads are inherently dangerous with large drops in some places.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing to Tiger's nest monastery Gangtey festival

Thoughts on Group Leader

Friendly,knowledgeable ,funny and kind. He gave me a hot water bottle at the hotel at Gangtey to keep me warm as there was a power cut.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a small waterproof cushion to sit on at the festival. We had a wet day and I spent 4hrs sitting in a puddle of water!

Suggestions

The road to and from Gangtey was very unstable due to excessive rainfall. The drivers and guides were excellent and we were navigated safely but I think the road should have been closed as we were passing landslides which forced us to the very edge of a mud track that was falling away into the valleys below. I asked to get out and walk over the most unstable parts but the guide encouraged me to stay in the bus to avoid falling rock. Travelling on this road was beyond the risk I am prepared to take for sight seeing but once we were on our way it wasn't easy to turn back. I would not take this risk again.

Most Inspirational Moment

I woke up early in Gangtey, decided to go out to get some pictures in the mist. I walked past the monastery only to find an early morning festival and blessings. I walked in to be surrounded by local people being surrounded by dancers and people seeking a blessing by the monks. I stepped aside to not invade their personal event but the devotion and love of the locals to Buddhism was very moving, a very special moment. Tigers Nest was very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Did very well, represented his country very well. Always adaptable and trying to please us. Able to pass on knowledge of the monarchy, Buddhism and his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get more than the $50 suggested by our guide at airport, depending on u $100-200 better, u can always convert back when leaving or use it as your tip. ATMs never worked for us in small towns so bring $US, even banks sometimes do not have a money delivery so u cannot exchange. Costs are just drinks but u may want to buy local crafts (often no cards taken) so have local currency. If worried about tiger nest monastery hike (especially if u got a virus in Nepal) consider doing horseback riding half way up. I would suggest u embrace the local festivals as a religious celebration we are lucky enough to observe but not invade. If u are combining trips, the hotel in Kathmandu has relatively inexpensive fast laundry service, my quick dry clothes were slow to dry in Kathmandu.

Suggestions

U may want to add another extra day in Kathmandu to explore the region. Several of us developed GI problems in Nepal so come prepared. Nepal visa on line works very well but u can do at airport.

Most Inspirational Moment

* Climbing to the Tigers Nest monastery ,,, physically challenging ... mentally and spiritually stimulating. * Witnessing the festivals at Thimpu (capital city) and Phobjikha (small village) and interacting with the people in festive mode at each event. Calm and reserved people give way to excited participants. * Being in a country where the "National Highway" is an abominable "track" and everybody (locals and tourists) enjoys it ... part of the Bhutan's famous Happiness Index.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was a quiet man with a calm personality, ideal for his situation in this unique country. He was helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and humorous, willing and able to expound an all aspects of Bhutan, the people, the way of life, the history and the cultural changes that tourism in introducing . His input at every level enhanced our experience and added to the enjoyment of our trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

* Don't have expectations or preconceptions of Bhutan. The reality will in all likelihood be different. Accept the calm of the place and the people. Enjoy the uniqueness for what it is. Be part of it while it is as it is. *Try for a window seat on the left when flying in to Bhutan and the same on the right when flying out. Hope for a clear sky and you'll enjoy a magic view of the Himalayas.

Suggestions

I enjoyed in equal parts the atrocious road condition, the beautiful clean air (by law 65% of the country must remain at forested National Park) and the people and their attitude to life, not the mention the visual enjoyment of the unusual architecture and mountain scenery. I felt fortunate to see this unusual place before its character changes and possibly disappears, although the current generation are determined not to let this happen . I sincerely hope they're true to their word!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the Tigers Nest and also the Thimpu Festival.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great leader, very informative. Also wonderful driver on terrible roads.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a lot of driving on rough roads.

Suggestions

A wonderful experience and I would highly recommend this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think just landing at Paro airport was amazing.  Quite apart from the actual descent, zig-zagging through the valleys (rather close to some very large mountains), it's like a fairytale scene when you arrive: beautiful scenery, amazing buildings, and everyone in national costume.  Not all airports are like this!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our local guide (Kinley) in Bhutan was fantastic - he knew everything about his country and made sure we saw whatever we wanted.  The Exodus team in Kathmandu were all very friendly and well organised too. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

The food in Nepal and Bhutan was all excellent, although you might be advised to stick to a mainly non-meat diet.  Bhutanese cuisine is renowned for its spiciness and the use of chillis as a main dish, not just as a flavouring.  There is no need to worry, though, if you don't like hot food as they don't serve this sort of thing to the tourists.  In fact, being a real spice fan myself, I had to plead with my guide to get local food!  Momos (dumplings) in Nepal are delicious, addictive and very cheap.  Also, the veggie curry I had for breakfast every day in the hotel in Kathmandu is one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted, even at 6am on my last day.  Note to non curry lovers - they have eggs, bacon, toast and muffins as well, if that's more your thing.

Suggestions

The only low point was the extension to Chitwan in Nepal.  We had hoped for a real wildlife adventure to round off our trip but instead found dingy, dirty accommodation and a handful of staff who couldn't really be bothered.   Maybe this was due to visiting out of season when the place was practically shut down: I wouldn't advise you to visit during the monsoon season unless you are a big fan of leeches.   It also took 8 hours each way to get there, so our actual time in Chitwan was rather more limited than we realised.  Even the frisson of a tiger loose in the village wasn't as exciting as it could have been.  Despite the whole village turning out to watch the government officers on elephants with their tranquiliser guns closing in on the tiger hidden in a rice field, we were shepherded back to our lodge.  I could go on but I gave much more specific feedback to Exodus on my feedback form, so I won't go on about it any more!