Great Bhutan Trip (and great servicing too!) - I booked our trip with Bhutan Travel Club knowing that they were one of the top agencies from 2016-2019 and true enough they did not disappoint. From the moment I inquired on the trip to actually booking and flying there, all touch points were handled very well. All my queries and requests were answered and accommodated. They proposed an itinerary for us to follow but also gave us enough time to see and do what interested us. We requested to add several several activities to our itinerary like river rafting in Punakha (definitely a must try experience!), and archery. Aside from this, we also wanted to try on their attire and to these three they definitely delivered. Upon landing in Bhutan, our driver and guide gave us a traditional Bhutanese welcome. They were both of great help during the trip as they accompanied us to all the sites and experiences we went on. I was amazed by how our driver expertly navigated the winding roads like it was nothing. Our guide on the other hand was knowledgeable on all things Bhutanese. The hotels booked for us were clean and spacious. The food for all meals may it be breakfast, lunch and dinner were all filling. (Don’t expect continental meals though!) We got to try local dishes like momos and ema datshi. We also got to try fruits in season at the local market. (We got to try pomegranates, pears and persimmons. We also bought puthka honey there too!) Our itinerary was well paced, not too fast nor too slow. We spent just enough time at each destination. The better adjective to describe the itinerary is immersive. We went to several dzongs and temples and we got learn a lot on the history and culture of Bhutan. We met locals making and selling art and we got to know their stories too. (Buying art is a great way to help the locals, it does make a great souvenir too!) To top it all off, we felt as if special guests since we didn’t encounter any tourist crowds. I would say though that the highlight for our trip were the hikes we took. We went on at least four hikes during our short stay. The first hike we took was from the Bhudda Dordenma to Changka Lakhang (if memory serves me right). We enjoyed the crisp mountain air and the majestic view of Thimpu. We went on another walk in punakha through rice fields and local villages to get to Chimi Lakhang. The views of rice paddies during harvest season is one of the little things that lends Bhutan its bucolic charm. Little things like these are proof of a well thought of itinerary not all visitors get to enjoy that truly adds to our memorable stay in Bhutan. Of course the highlight of the trip was our hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery. En route to the monastery, we got to learn more about the country’s history. Our guide adjusted to our pace which actually allowed us to enjoy both the journey and the destination. From the scenic drives and hikes, to the spiritual temples and dzongs, Bhutan definitely lived up to the beauty and spirituality of the postcard perfect pictures online. (We felt right at home during our stay!) All this was delivered thanks to the impeccable service and hospitality of Bhutan Travel Club.

A very relaxing and refreshing vacation - The trip was short but amazing! As soon as we stepped on the tarmac it felt so refreshing. The breath of clean air was just the start of it. The people were very kind and accomodating. Our driver and guide attended to our needs and gave us the best views of Paro, Thimpu, and Punakha! There were hikes each day and views that were just breath taking! I wiuld absolutely book my next tour with them if given the chance!

Excellent trip with Bhutan Travel Club + planning tips - I planned a trip to Bhutan only 2-3 weeks in advance, and Bhutan Travel Club (BTC) made it easy. After getting quotes from several agencies, I ultimately chose BTC given their quick and friendly responses as well as their mention in the NYTimes. Highlights of BTC - Energetic guide and careful driver who made the windy roads seem smooth. - One-stop shop for a tour that includes your hotels, meals, guide, driver, visa and more - Responsive team that was easy to understand and seemed to care about making this tour the trip of a lifetime. Planning Notes 1) Four nights seemed like the right amount of time to see the highlights of eastern Bhutan. 2) BTC will ask you to pay them by wiring money to their bank in Bhutan. At first I was hesitant, but I did some research and this process is standard for tour companies in Bhutan. I just compared the wiring instructions to those from other tour companies to confirm the account numbers were correct. 3) BTC will assign you hotels in each of the cities you visit. Do some research on those hotels to make sure they look appealing to you. For example, in Thimpu I switched to the Dhumra Farm Resort and I'm glad I did. It had the most wonderful farm-to-table restaurant and incredible views of the town. Also in Paro I wish I had switched from Metta Resort to a more modern property. 4) You'll be spending a lot of time with the guide! In advance of the trip, tell BTC what you'd like to learn during that time so they can prepare. For example, I was interested in the country's political history. 5) Tiger's Nest was definitely the highlight of my trip. DO NOT SAVE IT FOR YOUR LAST DAY OR YOU MIGHT MISS IT! There was a lot of rain and fog while I was there in March. Luckily I still made it to Tiger's Nest, but the next day it poured and I heard the trail was too wet to hike. Things to know once you arrive 1) Like other tours, BTC pricing does not include admission to temples, monasteries, museums, etc. Tickets ranged from Nu 300 for the Takin Preserve to Nu 1000 for the Tiger's Nest hike. I'd recommend bringing about Nu 1000 per day. 2) Favorite meals: breakfast at COMO Uma Paro (paid outside of tour), lunch at Mountain Cafe in Paro (included in tour), dinner at Dhumra Farm (see above). 3) After the Tiger's Nest hike, a popular activity is a hot stone bath. The bath was very soothing - go for it - but the bathing hut at a local farm was noisy and dark. I would recommend asking BTC for a more peaceful place instead. If you want to splurge, you could try the spas at Aman and COMO Uma, but their baths were US$100-200+ vs US$8 at local places. 4) Take a ridiculous number of photos because you will want to remember every moment of this trip!

A must try! Experience Bhutan at its best - A cultural experience that’s on the top places I’ve been to. It’s the vibe, the people and clean air! Our tour guide was very kind and didn’t rush in finishing the daily activities.