(5)
Review left 12/29/2022
This was my fifth RS trip and while they have all been excellent, this is my favorite thus far. The incredible Kingdom of Bhutan as seen and shown through the eyes of our amazing Bhutanese guides is beyond compare. Our access to the local festivals, cultural and spiritual traditions, agriculture, and environmental landscapes including all the unique fauna and wildlife was beyond my imagination. The pandemic changed our travel world forever and the ease and flexibility of Tim, Kealey, and Sonam to give us the best possible access and experience was simply unparalleled.
Tim has a natural aptitude to lead. His love and intimate knowledge for all things Bhutan, is evident in all the activities, places, and people we were exposed to. He explained everything so well, patiently answered all questions, was attentive to people’s needs and demonstrated genuine concern for the group experience to be a positive one. His sense of humor, obvious synergy with his fellow guides made for a seamless and fun adventure!
I knew Bhutan was remote, and that modern infrastructure was a fairly new commodity throughout the country. I was so impressed with the way our guides planned our activities, traversing the country with the expert driving and navigation of the extraordinary Sonam, giving us opportunities to get out and walk, stretch our legs, savor majestic views, witness nature at it’s best (Bhutan’s many beautiful birds, brown monkeys and Grey Langur monkeys, yaks, horses, many, many dogs!)
The ’surprises’ to our program were incredible, from the delectable dinner at a family-owned restaurant, the ‘el fresco’ lunch overlooking the river, attending the Druk Wangyel Tshechu annual festival at the Dochula Pass and meeting the Queen Mother, her daughter the Royal Princess and the Prime Minister; the National day celebration, immersing us in the rich cultural traditions and history of the kingdom, and so many more.
I cannot recommend this trip enough!