Kimkim Trip Reviews for Bhutan

4.9
Based on 54 ratings
Read 54 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

My trip to the last Shangri lah
Bhutan | Dec 18 - Dec 24, 2022

Sreeks
Sreeks K.
Singapore | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2022

My guide was Tashi & my driver was Sonam from Windhorse travels. I couldn’t have ask for a more polite & understanding crew. Simply said: THEY WERE FANTASTIC!!
Overall, the trip was amazing & Mieke had done a marvellous job with the details and itinerary.
Highlights :
1) The Dzong (Fortress) at Punakha
2) The Kitchu temple in Paro
3) The trek to the Tiger nest monastery
4) Outstanding service at the hotels- especially Uma Punakah
6) Just the people in Bhutan.
Something that caught... read more

My guide was Tashi & my driver was Sonam from Windhorse travels. I couldn’t have ask for a more polite & understanding crew. Simply said: THEY WERE FANTASTIC!!
Overall, the trip was amazing & Mieke had done a marvellous job with the details and itinerary.
Highlights :
1) The Dzong (Fortress) at Punakha
2) The Kitchu temple in Paro
3) The trek to the Tiger nest monastery
4) Outstanding service at the hotels- especially Uma Punakah
6) Just the people in Bhutan.
Something that caught me by surprise:
- While the view from my room at Uma Punakha was beautiful, the size if the room (in relation to tye price of the room) was underwhelming!

Hotel Reviews
Uma Punakha
Punakha

Fantastic hotel. Great service across the board: Room service, service at the restaurant, SPA etc., Genuinely warm & friendly staff. I was a bit underwhelmed by the size of the room (I had a valley facing room). One would have expected a bit more generosity for the price tag :-)

Authenticity & Character
The property just has great character & charm
Location
Within 30-40 mins drive of most things to do in Phunakah. The location offers 100% tranquility
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa
Paro

Nice spacious rooms. GREAT SERVICE all round: room service, restaurant, reception etc., The wifi service in the room was sub-optimal!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Like the tranquility the property has to offer. Easy driving distance to most attractions in Paro.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Resort Thim Dorji
Paro

This hotel is “being built” & I used this as i used this as a transit hotel. Met my need 100%. The resort part owner and GM - Dorji was a fantastic host. The room was functional for the most part. If you looking for the “lap of luxury” this is probably not it. Having said that I will need to caveat my review - since the property is under construction.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Punakha Dzong (Punakha)
Punakha

A must visit location. Amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chorten Nebu hike (Punakha)
Punakha

A short hike up the paddy fields. A intriguing monument.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chimi Lhakhang (Punakha)
Punakha

Quirky is the way I would explain this. To me this place associates with some kind of an obsession for the male phallus!! As with all monuments in Bhutan there is a story of “good over evil prevailing” A small restaurant on the way to this temple dishes out outstanding local food that is safe to eat.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Prayer ceremony at local nunnery (Punakha)
Punakha

Skipped this experience. Ive have just plugged some ratings as the web page wouldn’t allow me to proceed without a rating. Perhaps something that Kimkim should take note of. Travelers shd be allowed to skip, especially when they have not visited some aspect of their planner itinerary

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Lungchutse Lhakhang from Dochu La pass
Punakha

Skipped this part of my itinerary

Quality of Experience
Zaw
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chele La pass (38110 m) & Kila nunnery (Paro)
Paro

Kila nunnery was nothing special. Ok to go if the objective is “have nothing else to do”

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba (Paro)
Paro

Highlight #1 of my trip. OUTSTANDING.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kyichu Lhakhang (Paro)
Paro

Highlight #2 of my trip. The tranquility & serenity that this 1400 year old temple presents is a must experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Dec 28, 2022

Thank you Srikant, for your kind words and for taking the time to review the trip and all services! On behalf of Wind Horse family, we loved hosting you here and hope that maybe one day you can bring the rest of your family as well :)
Best regards,
Mieke

Our adventures with Himalayan Kingdom Expedition!
Bhutan | Dec 4 - Dec 12, 2022

Prujal
Prujal P.
India | Reviewed on Dec 25, 2022

Our trip to Bhutan would have been quite nice in itself owing to the scenic vistas, the serene people, the pristine architecture, and the rich culture. But the gap between "quite nice" and extraordinary was bridged by the team at Kimkim: Mr Thinley, our tour and trekking guide who was adept at history, art, and wordly insights alike; Mr Tashi, our very friendly chauffeur, who was as merry and bright as he was peaceful behind the wheel.
Mr Vishal was our trip planner and he had made the... read more

Our trip to Bhutan would have been quite nice in itself owing to the scenic vistas, the serene people, the pristine architecture, and the rich culture. But the gap between "quite nice" and extraordinary was bridged by the team at Kimkim: Mr Thinley, our tour and trekking guide who was adept at history, art, and wordly insights alike; Mr Tashi, our very friendly chauffeur, who was as merry and bright as he was peaceful behind the wheel.
Mr Vishal was our trip planner and he had made the process so easy right from the time we got in touch with him after deciding to spend our honeymoon at Bhutan. He took us out for a wonderful dinner at Thimphu and it was great interacting with him in person.
The farmstay at Punakha, hotel at Thimphu and the luxury camping at Paro gave us really memorable and unique experiences in the valley. We did easy to moderate hikes for 4 separate days- very scenic and well planned to make us comfortable throughout. Mr Thinley made sure the activity and locations were all catered to our personal palates the evening prior to the activity planned. He gave us a very nice spiritual insight to Buddhist culture which we were seeking actively when we were planning the trip. Both Mr Thinley and Mr Tashi made sure we had the most relaxing yet adventurous trip. Mr Vishal made sure we are taken care of well and we hope to be back soon- Central Bhutan is on our list next. 🙏

Activity Review
Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal monastery
Punakha
Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Dec 26, 2022

Dear Doc,

Thank you so much for your kind words. We thoroughly enjoyed organizing your trip and am hopeful Bhutan has inspired the both of you, as you embark on this wonderful Journey. Tashi Delek to both of you and very best for future. Thank you for everything and your patronage. With regards Vishal

Cameron, UK
Bhutan | Nov 9 - Nov 28, 2022

C
Cameron D.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2022

Outstanding throughout. The booking had to be changed several times for reasons beyond our control and Mieke was proactively helpful the whole time. Guide Jonten was excellent throughout an itinerary that was ideally tailored to me. Bhutan is a truly exceptional place that I will never forget, and I intend to return.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Dec 03, 2022

Thank you so much Cameron! It was lovely hosting you and we look forward to seeing you back in the Land of the Thunder Dragon!

First class trip with amazingly informed and ...
Bhutan | Oct 29 - Nov 7, 2022

C
Chris C.
Lakewood, CO | Reviewed on Nov 16, 2022

First class trip with amazingly informed and helpful guides.Kinlee and sonom were extremely kind, fun to be with and went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed. Kinlee helped me find the perfect Piece of art and is following up making sure the shipping and everything goes smoothly. Vishal was very helpful from the start helping me to plan and organize The trip to fit my needs. Definitely exceeded my expectations and would not hesitate to use this company again! Namaste🙏 Chris

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Nov 16, 2022

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for your kind words.
It was a pleasure hosting your trip. Each trip is a learning for us as well and your inputs are greatly appreciated. Please reach out to us, if you need anything from our end.
Take Care Vishal

The best guide ever!
Bhutan | Oct 30 - Nov 9, 2022

Alicja
Alicja T.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 11, 2022

Our trip was amazing. Starting with a very smooth planning and organizing by Mieke.
Our tour guide , Namgyal was treating us like family. He was very patient, attentive and professional. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Bhutan’s history, culture and religion. Our team during the trek was excellent. They even baked a birthday cake for my husband.
The only comment I would make is about our accommodation in Paro. It was far away from the town so we could not wander... read more

Our trip was amazing. Starting with a very smooth planning and organizing by Mieke.
Our tour guide , Namgyal was treating us like family. He was very patient, attentive and professional. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Bhutan’s history, culture and religion. Our team during the trek was excellent. They even baked a birthday cake for my husband.
The only comment I would make is about our accommodation in Paro. It was far away from the town so we could not wander around. We also were surprised that the car was not allowed to drive close to the house.

Activity Reviews
Memorial Chorten (Thimphu)
Thimphu
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba (Paro)
Paro
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Lungchutse Lhakhang from Dochu La pass
Punakha
Quality of Experience
It
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (Punakha)
Punakha

Amazing views and a close encounter with local village and farmers.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dagala Trek day 2: from Gur to Labatama
Gur

Wonderful hike with amazing views of Himalayas

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dagala Trek day 3: Labatama resting day
Labatama

Beautiful hike but be aware of altitude. Take it easy.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dagala Trek day 4: from Labatama to Panka
Labatama

Views were incredible and autumn’s colours added to great experience.

Quality of Experience
Look
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Nov 12, 2022

Dear Alicja and Lech,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I will also pass it on to Namgyal. I am so happy that you had nice clear skies and an overall good experience.
Sorry to hear that the (location of) accommodation in Paro was not a good match. Some guests enjoy the rural and remote setting, but I guess it was my misjudgement of proposing it to you. Next time we'll pick something closer to town! Best regards, Mieke

Bhutan Re-opened!
Bhutan | Oct 6 - Oct 13, 2022

C
Chris B.
Orlando, FL | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2022

Vishal and his team Tek and Migma were fantastic. This trip was initially planned and payed for prior to the pandemic. Vishal was great with navigating the new requirements and updates from teh government once Bhutan reopened. He put together a great itinerary with multiple option throughout each day and Tek was great at making any last minute adjustments as we went through our adventure. Vishal even met up with us for dinner on the first night and introduced us to another of his tour... read more

Vishal and his team Tek and Migma were fantastic. This trip was initially planned and payed for prior to the pandemic. Vishal was great with navigating the new requirements and updates from teh government once Bhutan reopened. He put together a great itinerary with multiple option throughout each day and Tek was great at making any last minute adjustments as we went through our adventure. Vishal even met up with us for dinner on the first night and introduced us to another of his tour groups which we had a farewell dinner with at the end. I can't say enough about Vishal and Tek's commitment to making sure I had an amazing trip. Your plans are in good hands with this team.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Oct 22, 2022

Dear Chris,

It was great to finally have met you. Like you said the Trip was many years in making, and I am glad to hear that we were able to live up to your expectations. I hope you will have lingering memories of Bhutan and the destination will call you again for another adventure.

Till then take care and thank you for everything. With warm regards from the Kingdom. Vishal

The trip of a lifetime! In trying to coordina...
Bhutan | Sep 25 - Oct 1, 2022

Scott
Scott B.
Singapore | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2022

The trip of a lifetime! In trying to coordinating this trip with reopening of the Kingdom of Bhutan provided an extra challenge for Bas and his team, but they went above and beyond to ensure that I had the itinerary that I wanted. I will definitely travel with Kimkim again. read more

The trip of a lifetime! In trying to coordinating this trip with reopening of the Kingdom of Bhutan provided an extra challenge for Bas and his team, but they went above and beyond to ensure that I had the itinerary that I wanted. I will definitely travel with Kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews
Le Meridian Thimphu
Thimphu

The staff and service here are fantastic. The food was good and the location was central. However, being in the city center, there is quite a bit of noise like construction all day and dogs barking most of the night. If you are a light sleeper, I might look somewhere else.

Authenticity & Character
Very clean and modern.
Location
Walking distance to city square and restaurants. It felt very safe.
Staff
The front desk is welcoming and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
A very comfortable place to stay.
Dewachen Hotel
Phobjikha

This is only rated as a three star hotel, but it definitely deserves to be four or five. The location is remote but very comfortable. There are gorgeous views of the valley and exactly the kind of tranquility you travel to Bhutan to find. My room had candles and a fireplace which were perfect for the stormy evening I spent there. The bathroom was a little dated, but clean and practical. There's no WiFi in the rooms only the lobby and dinning area, which for me was an added benefit. The food was good and serving sizes were plentiful. If I ever make it back to Bhutan, this is the first place I'm booking. This place is leans heavy on charm and authenticity, but that's exactly what I was looking for. A great stay!

Authenticity & Character
This felt more like a mountain cabin getaway then a hotel experience. The staff was there when you needed them, and out of your attention otherwise.
Location
The views of the storm coming up across the valley were amazing. Likewise, the sunrise the next morning was equally as impressive. The grounds are simply stunning.
Staff
Caring and warm. They provided exactly what I needed without being too invasive or distant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
They were ready for the return of tourists and had obviously kept up the place during covid. It felt like they never missed a beat.
Zhinkham Resort
Punakha

Out of all the hotels I stayed in, this was the most disappointing. While the views are stellar, the service and rooms felt cold and impersonal. The food was likewise as it lacked any identity besides trying not to upset anyone. The walls were paper thin and conversations from down the hall or out on other balconies could easily be heard in my room with the doors closed. I wasn't sad to leave.

Authenticity & Character
This was a typical tourist hotel, the exact same that's found near every great sight. Impersonal and cool interactions and rooms define this place far more than the views.
Location
The view couldn't be better. The drive to up the hotel couldn't be worse. Once you are there, you aren't going anywhere.
Staff
The staff stayed in their assigned positions without ever trying to provide more than the basic service they were tasked with.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms (specifically the bathrooms) had just been reopened after a two and half year covid closure. They could have used that time to update, or at least thoroughly clean.
Risum Resort
Ha

The Risum staff carry the reputation at this under construction hotel. From the very first interation to the very last, the staff was helpful and warm and welcoming. They obviously wanted to make a great impression. The rooms and dinning were nothing exciting (no WiFi in the rooms).

Authenticity & Character
I could tell the hotel was trying hard to improve the lodging for the guests. Lots of construction and projects happening. My room was adequate, although not impressive.
Location
Set outside of the main town of Ha, this hotel feels removed and remote.
Staff
If the rooms and location were one star, then the staff made this a three star hotel. Their service was five star. I would return here simply because they cared about me as a guest.
Cleanliness & Comfort
A work in progress, but progress is being made.
Le Meridien Riverfront Paro
Paro

Although not a nice as the Le Meridian in Thimpu, this hotel is near the airport and has a nice view of the river. It is more geared towards business than tourist travelers. My stay was adequate for a three/four hotel star but by no means exceptional.

Authenticity & Character
There are small touches which go a long way. The serving of hot apple cider upon arrival was nice, but didn't take away from the fact that the atmosphere was business.
Location
You're near the airport, but not near anything else.
Staff
Helpful but not warm or wanting to go above and beyond.
Cleanliness & Comfort
By far the best/newest rooms I stayed in. Very modern and professionally serviced.
Activity Reviews
Thimphu City Walk (Thimphu)
Thimphu

Arrived too late to for this experience.

Trying out bicycles
Thimphu

Arrived too late for this experience. I took the bicycle I was offered.

From Thimphu to Phobjikha by car and bicycle
Thimphu

Good climb out of Thimphu, the weather held off but the clouds obscured any views. The road was wide and traffic was light. 99% of cars and trucks gave us lots of room on the road. The descent from the pass was smooth and fast. We got off the bikes in Wangdue and took the truck up to Lawa La Pass. The road was very narrow and under construction. From Lawa La Pass the ride down into the valley was easy and beautiful. A good day on the bike.

Quality of Experience
Great way to get acclimated to the elevation.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide struggled with the climbing at points. Blamed the bike, previous injuries, weather, gear, but really, I don't think he was expecting me to be fit enough to ride at these elevations.
Transport
Felt safe even on the narrow roads.
Gangtey Goenba (Phobjikha)
Phobjikha

Gorgeous temple. Worth the stop!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed learning from him.
Transport
From Phobjikha to Punakha by bicycle
Phobjikha

Great climb on quiet road going back the way we came into the valley. The descent from the pass was a bit hair-raising at points as the speed of the traffic and the narrow road made this no place for beginner road cyclists in some places.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Punakha Dzong (Punakha)
Punakha

This is why you travel all this way. A stunning fort and temple rich with history and culture. I enjoyed every minuted here.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable.
Transport
Prayer ceremony at local nunnery (Punakha)
Punakha

We missed this because of a change in our schedule. While the views from the nunnery were spectacular, I don't think this was worth the time to get up to the site.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
From Punakha to Thimphu by bicycle
Punakha

Huge climb! Loved every pedal stroke. The roads were in good condition and we made great time up to the Dochula Pass.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again the climb was too much for my guide who abandoned after 19km. I climbed the rest of the way solo. He supported from the vehicle every 3-5km, but I would have felt more comfortable riding with someone on the busy highway.
Transport
Trashichu Dzong (Thimphu)
Thimphu

We did not make this stop because of schedule.

Memorial Chorten (Thimphu)
Thimphu

We did not make this stop because of the schedule.

From Thimphu to Ha Valley by bicycle
Thimphu

By far the longest day on the bike. The guide said it was downhill, an uphill, and then flat. But it was really hilly the whole way with over 1200m of elevation gain in the first 75kms of the 105kms. From 50km the road was under heavy construction and turned from a decent highway into barely passable farm/back road comprised of a single lane of mud and rough riding.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
My guide rode the downhill section and got off the bike at 19km when we started the climb. At 50km the truck stopped for the restroom and that was the last I saw of them for 25km as there was a series of bottlenecks and moving road closures. If I had known I wouldn't see them again for 2 hours, I would have taken on more sunscreen, water, and food at 50km when we stopped together. Both the guide and driver seemed surprised by both the extent and magnitude of the road construction work too.
Transport
Driver did the best he could under the circumstances to stay with me as I rode, but the conditions did not allow him to keep up with me.
From Ha to Paro by bicycle
Ha

Big climb up to majestic heights! I loved every second of this ride. Stunning views and a real sense of accomplishment to crest over 3990m. I'd come back to Bhutan just to do this ride again. We covered 60km and climbed 1100m in just over 3 hours. A great day on the bike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba (Paro)
Paro

Stunning views and the temple visit is well worth the big hiking effort after the ride.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Oct 03, 2022

Dear Scott,
So nice to hear you had a trip of a lifetime in Bhutan! Thanks for your your kind words and detailed feedback, much appreciated. Hope to see you again some time in Bhutan!
All the best and many greetings,
Bas.

This was a fantastic trip!
Bhutan | Nov 29 - Dec 3, 2019

K
karin f.
Lawrence, KS | Reviewed on Dec 13, 2019

This was a fantastic trip! Everything went smoothly, and they did everything to make it as good an experience as possible. The guide and driver, Tek and Migma, We’re friendly and helpful and always on the lookout for interesting things to add to our itinerary. Vishaul was also very responsive both before and during the trip, and answered all of our questions promptly. Bhutan was such an amazing and relaxing experience. We did tours of Thimphu and Paro,, and a hike to Tigers nest. Don’t miss these!

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2019

Dear Karin,

Thank you for your kind words and this opportunity. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting your trip and great to hear that the destination lived up to your expectation. Hopefully bhutan beckons you again in not too distant future.

With best regards, Sonam

Wonderful whirlwind tour of Bhutan!
Bhutan | Oct 11 - Oct 18, 2019

Vish
Vish K.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2019

Memorable trip! We had a fabulous experience with Sonam as our guide, and Prem as our enthusiastic, very skilled driver (how we navigated those narrow roads without a scratch, I'll never know!). Bas and the team were fantastic in tailoring the trip to our specific dates and needs, including arranging for my flight tickets to and from Kabul (which proved to be much more problematic than I'd anticipated). I'd indicated a preference for photography and hiking, and the team managed to provide us... read more

Memorable trip! We had a fabulous experience with Sonam as our guide, and Prem as our enthusiastic, very skilled driver (how we navigated those narrow roads without a scratch, I'll never know!). Bas and the team were fantastic in tailoring the trip to our specific dates and needs, including arranging for my flight tickets to and from Kabul (which proved to be much more problematic than I'd anticipated). I'd indicated a preference for photography and hiking, and the team managed to provide us with lots of memorable experiences! Highlights include meeting the Queen on a hiking trail, doing an ad hoc photo shoot with a flurry of nuns at a convent, and of course the march up to Tiger's Nest. Thank you muchly to Sonam, Prem and Bas!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Oct 28, 2019

Dear Vish and Neal, Thank you so much for your kind words! We were happy to host your trip and this really is what keeps us going: guests who had a memorable and fabulous experience. Hope you will cherish these memories for a long time and feel free to come back to Bhutan any time ;-)
All the best for you and many greetings,
Bas.

Bhutan walking trip with kids
Bhutan | Oct 8 - Oct 16, 2019

D
Delaney S.
Dublin, CA | Reviewed on Oct 18, 2019

We had the most magical experience in Bhutan. Vishal did a terrific job planning for us and our two children. Our guide Jem was very knowledgeable and warm and also was great with our kids. He was constantly entertaining them (and the grown ups). We loved Jem and our driver Karma was also great (which is important on the narrow and windy roads in Bhutan). Vishal picked great hikes for us and great lodging - including a historic house in Haa and a homestay in Paro with a family that... read more

We had the most magical experience in Bhutan. Vishal did a terrific job planning for us and our two children. Our guide Jem was very knowledgeable and warm and also was great with our kids. He was constantly entertaining them (and the grown ups). We loved Jem and our driver Karma was also great (which is important on the narrow and windy roads in Bhutan). Vishal picked great hikes for us and great lodging - including a historic house in Haa and a homestay in Paro with a family that had a son the same age as our son (they had so much fun). We enjoyed having dinner with Vishal and his wife Sonam. We loved, loved, loved Bhutan and we are already talking about when we can come back. Vishal and Jem were a huge part of this being such a great experience.
I would also highly recommend the Kim Kim app because it was so easy to use and communicate.
As a side note I never write reviews for anything so the fact I am for this experience should say a lot! We are very experienced travelers around the world and I will definitely use the Kim Kim app a second time.
Delaney

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2019

Dear Delaney,

It was great pleasure hosting your family in Bhutan. We had a great time interacting with you all.
We are thankful for this opportunity and glad to hear that the services were up-to your expectations. Look forward welcoming again for the next adventure.

With best regards Sonam and Vishal

India, Bhutan & Nepal Trip 7 days
Bhutan | Oct 2 - Oct 8, 2019

Q
Quoc T.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 13, 2019

Bas organised a fantastic trip for us through Bhutan, India and Nepal.
The accommodation was world class and the tour ran really smoothly!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Oct 28, 2019

Dear Hung,
Great to hear you enjoyed your trip! Within a week you have seen so many places in 3 different countries, happy to hear the trip ran smoothly!
All the best,
Bas.

Accompanying my spouse who has a work trip
Bhutan | Aug 27 - Sep 8, 2019

J
Jane B.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2019

Wow what a trip we have just had! Firstly, a huge thank you to Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and to Thinley (our guide) and Migmar (our driver) who made our 2-week trip so memorable, informative, fun, with seamless travel connections and full of chilli cheese!
From the start, organising this trip was made easy with the communication, advice and support provided by Vishal. Ric was on an invite working visa with the Ministry of Health and Vishal went out of his way to navigate the... read more

Wow what a trip we have just had! Firstly, a huge thank you to Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and to Thinley (our guide) and Migmar (our driver) who made our 2-week trip so memorable, informative, fun, with seamless travel connections and full of chilli cheese!
From the start, organising this trip was made easy with the communication, advice and support provided by Vishal. Ric was on an invite working visa with the Ministry of Health and Vishal went out of his way to navigate the complexities of the various itineraries and different visa types Ric and I had to have in place.
The hikes that Thinley and I undertook together (while Ric was working) around Paro were fabulous, walking through pine forests and we hardly saw another soul on any of them, apart from a few local farmers, monks and friendly dogs! Thinley has a wealth of knowledge about his country, Buddhism, the history of the various monasteries, Dzongs, temples we visited and of Bhutan’s flora and fauna. He could even talk with the birds! And our very respectful driver, Migmar, was a delight to be around and we always felt in safe hands on the mountainous roads.
In the second half of our trip, Ric joined us for hikes and sightseeing in and around Punakha and Thimphu. We loved watching the national sport of archery, and even came back to Australia with a traditional bow and arrows!!
We were also lucky enough to be in Thimphu to watch the Tour of the Dragon – one of the World’s toughest mountain bike races which sees cyclists covering 268 kms, up and down 4 mountains all in one day! Even the Prime Minister of Bhutan took part.
We stayed in the 3-star Tourist hotels organised by Vishal and all were of a high standard, with scenic views of dzongs, temples or the breathtakingly beautiful countryside. All the hotels were clean and comfortable, and we were certainly well fed!
The only thing that we got wrong was the weather! Bhutan is on the same latitude as Cairo and Miami and at high altitudes and at the time of year we went (end of August/September), it was hotter and more humid than we had planned for! Be prepared to wear long sleeves to enter the zdongs and temples and also not every hotel, restaurant and/or shop takes credit cards so take in some hard currency (preferably US$).
We loved our time in Bhutan, with its proud people and strong national identify and it seems decades before its time in terms of the environment – at the Paris Climate talks, Bhutan didn’t commit to becoming carbon neutral – they committed to staying carbon negative (i.e. their forests absorb more carbon than the country emits)! It really is a special country.
We plan to come back with our family to do a 6-day hike and will certainly, without a doubt, be in touch with Vishal and Sonam and go through Trophel Tours again.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2019

Dear Jane and Ric,

Thank you very much for talking the time to share your experience and we truly appreciate this opportunity to show our country. Thank you once gain and we forward hearing from you on the family trip. Thanks Sonam .

Himalayan Adventure
Bhutan | Jun 3 - Jun 13, 2018

M
Matthew D.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2019

My wife and I took our trip to the incredible treasure of a country, Bhutan, a bit over a year ago now. That it took me a year to write a review is entirely a reflection on myself and not at all 9n our gracious and accommodating hosts and guides.

Vishal and Sonam, our tour organizers, we're incredible from the initial contact about considering the trip, all the way through to leaving for home.

During the booking discussions they made the process easy and worry free for us. They spoke with... read more

My wife and I took our trip to the incredible treasure of a country, Bhutan, a bit over a year ago now. That it took me a year to write a review is entirely a reflection on myself and not at all 9n our gracious and accommodating hosts and guides.

Vishal and Sonam, our tour organizers, we're incredible from the initial contact about considering the trip, all the way through to leaving for home.

During the booking discussions they made the process easy and worry free for us. They spoke with us about our goals and desires, planned a wonderful tour that was tailored to our needs and wishes, and then handled all of the paperwork for us. All we had to do was pretty much show up.

Once we arrived we were personally greeted at the airport and welcomed warmly. We met our guides (more later) and were off on the journey. Throughout our 10 day trip we were constantly in contact with Vishal who made sure that everything was going well and that all of our hopes were being met. When we had an issue with one of our accommodations, Vishal bent over backwards to ensure that we were moved to an accommodation that suited our needs even under difficult circumstances of last minute booking.

Near the end of our trip we were treated to a family style meal at Sonam's family restaurant. This was one of the highlights of our trip, the food was amazing and the service was second to none. We hope that we can someday return to this very establishment in addition to the country itself.

As for our guides, they were absolutely incredible. Our guide was Ughyen, UT for short, and our driver was Mikmar.

Let's start about UT. He was a wealth of information about his country, as well as a deep pool of interesting anecdotes and pleasant to talk to for 10 straight days. He listen to our non-stop rambling, and our constant wonder at the natural beauty and amazing culture of his country. He never seem to get genuinely bored of listening to us ramble on. Part way through the trip we were lucky enough to take part in a local ceremony at a private residence that UT organized for us. Being Buddhist ourselves this was absolutely the highlight of our trip. It felt like something that most visitors to Bhutan would not have access to. And while this may not be something that every visitor could count on, we were so thankful that UT went out of his way to ensure that our trip was the trip of a lifetime.

We also spent our one year wedding anniversary in the country, and our guides arranged with a local monastery for us to receive a religious blessing, in what we understand to be a fairly uncommon ceremony with access to a Lama that made us feel very welcome and part of a beautiful culture that we are privileged to have taken part in.

Our driver Mikmar was unbelievable as well. He spoke very little but when he did he had an incredible sense of humor and he also put up with our non-stop rambling about his country and how excited we were. The roads in Bhutan have a much deserved reputation for being scary, through the mountains and even in the cities to some extent there is traffic and sharp drop offs as the entire country is built in the mountains. Unlike many of the drivers we saw who would have terrified us to be in their cars, Mikmarmade us feel comfortable constantly. His driving was incredibly professional and made us feel safe happy and enjoy our trip.

About Bhutan as a whole, we could not say better things. The entire country was beautiful. The people were friendly and wonderful to outsiders. The culture is so unique and so interesting, we feel privileged to have been a part of this rare opportunity in this very remote country. We felt that the country itself is a rare jewel, the culture is opening to the rest of the world and as we understand it changing slowly. We hope that it will retain its unique character and look forward to visiting again to see how things change and how they evolve for the better of all of the residents.

in the year since our visit, we have spoken frequently about this trip as perhaps the highlight of all of our travels in our lives now or in the future. There are many beautiful places in the world to visit and many interesting and unique beautiful cultures. However for us Bhutan was the pinnacle of what we hoped and dreamed to experience.

Our trip was made possible by our wonderful guides and tour operators. Although I am certain that visiting Bhutan would be an extremely rewarding experience no matter how you managed to go, we strongly encourage anyone considering a visit to contact Sonam and Vishal via this website. We hope to visit Bhutan again in the near future and if we manage to do so we will certainly be engaging their services again. The cost to visit Bhutan are not inconsiderable, however the value we received from Sonam and Vishal's service was extremely high. We believe that the money could not be better spent and hope that everyone has an opportunity to visit this gorgeous country.

We thank everyone involved in making our trip a success and wish everyone considering a trip a wonderful journey.

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sama Sambuddhassa.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jul 16, 2019

Dear Matt and Denise,

Thank you very for talking the time and effort to pen down this detailed trip experience. We are totally thrilled to hear of this feedback. Thank you for this opportunity in planning your trip and look forward to working on another bhutan adventure. Thanks Sonam

Asian hike adventure
Bhutan | May 13 - May 31, 2019

P
Pat S.
Pacifica, CA | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2019

What rating do you give a tour when the guides – literally – saved your life? We arrived in Bhutan and began acclimatizing to the higher altitudes. Part of this process included hiking to Tiger’s nest (which was utterly amazing) and we hiked from Cheila Pass to Kila Goemba (a monastery). In regard to altitude, we were hiking at altitudes as high as 3,988 meters. While I did experience some issues, I got through both hikes, relatively, unscathed. In case one wonders, I was taking medicine to... read more

What rating do you give a tour when the guides – literally – saved your life? We arrived in Bhutan and began acclimatizing to the higher altitudes. Part of this process included hiking to Tiger’s nest (which was utterly amazing) and we hiked from Cheila Pass to Kila Goemba (a monastery). In regard to altitude, we were hiking at altitudes as high as 3,988 meters. While I did experience some issues, I got through both hikes, relatively, unscathed. In case one wonders, I was taking medicine to help me acclimatize. On day four we began our trek in earnest.

On this initial hike of our trek, we were scheduled to gain, roughly, 770 meters. About 4 miles into a 13 & ½ mile hike I began to experience difficulties, my legs felt extremely heavy and I was having a hard time catching my breath. I sat down on a rock and promptly passed out, the first of ten times. Two of the guides (after administering oxygen a number of times) put me between their shoulders and took me back down to where we started the hike (lower elevation and that was the first place a helicopter could land). When we reached where we started our hike, the tour company had arranged for us to be met by army personnel, including a medic, who administered an IV drop. I was air lifted out and taken to the hospital in Bhutan.

At the hospital, the medical staff treated me for severe dehydration, my kidneys were not functioning properly. I spent two nights, three days in the hospital and the tour company insured that someone was in the hospital with me the entire time, insuring that I understood what was being asked, checking on the care that I was given (chasing down medical staff when they thought I needed attention), bringing food and blankets.

Amazing group of individuals, whose sole concern was for my safety and comfort – if they hadn’t acted the way that they did, it is NOT hyperbole to say that I may not be here today. I cannot say enough good things about them. If you are planning on hiking in Bhutan, I would strongly recommend using them.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2019

Dear Pat

Thank you for this opportunity to plan your trip. While it was unfortunate that the adventure did not come to its natural outcome. Nonetheless, i would like to believe that these were bigger leanings of LIFE for all of us. We wish you the best and look forward to organizing another adventure. With best regards Sonam and Vishal

We had a great time hosting you and happy to hear that the trip was upto your expectation. Thank you for the opportunity in executing the trip. With best regards, Sonam

Bhutan adventure
Bhutan | May 6 - May 15, 2019

J
Janine C.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2019

Just got back from a fabulous trip to Bhutan. Our guide Thinley and our driver Karma were fantastic. Thinley was a fund of information on the many temples, stuppas and dzongs we visitied and his knowledge on the local flora and fauna added greatly to the trip. His knowledge of the local birds and the way he explained their habits and songs added to the interest.

Even before we left, Vishal had everything sorted out and was prompt and open to the changes we asked for in the itinerary.

The... read more

Just got back from a fabulous trip to Bhutan. Our guide Thinley and our driver Karma were fantastic. Thinley was a fund of information on the many temples, stuppas and dzongs we visitied and his knowledge on the local flora and fauna added greatly to the trip. His knowledge of the local birds and the way he explained their habits and songs added to the interest.

Even before we left, Vishal had everything sorted out and was prompt and open to the changes we asked for in the itinerary.

The accommodation and food organised by Trophel Tours was first rate and the way in which we were treated was well above what we expected.Even the Chilli Cheese was enjoyed by us all.

The walks and hikes we did, some up around the 4,000m mark were tailored at our pace and fitness level and Thiney made sure that we completed these safely and with photos and memories we will never forget.

Some of the highlights were of course the Tigers Nest, Gantey Valley and Nature Trail, Chimmi Lhakang and the hike through the fields to get there,the Mochu River white water rafting, the day hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal monastery, Chele La Pass and the walk down through the Rhododendron forest, hot stone baths, home stay visits and many many more. Everyday was an adventure and one we did not want to end.

Even the fly fishing organised was successful. Many of the roads high up in the mountains, even though they were rutted and washed away, our driver Karma was calm and steady, the vehicle was comfortable and very well maintained and we always felt that we were safe in his hands. He was the quiet giant but usually had a funny line to throw in just as we needed it.

We also had adequate free time to do our own thing and meet and socialise with the locals in the many stores and bars. This was also a highlight of the trip.

Even the flights in and out of Paro supplied some of the most breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas imaginable

I could not rate this tour highly enough and anyone contemplating a trip Bhutan should get in touch with these guys for an unforgettable holiday

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2019

Dear Janine

Great hearing from you and thank you for this kind feedback. We are thrilled to hear you had great time. Thank you for this opportunity and believing in us to execute this trip. With best regards Sonam

Nature and Culture in Bhutan - 10 Days
Bhutan | Apr 19 - Apr 25, 2019

I
Ian C.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2019

Bhutan is a fascinating country. The positives about the trip were the guide and driver, (both excellent)the opportunity to see the lifestyle of the bhutanese at our own pace and the major attractions in the country including the tigers nest monastery, fortresses and the rhododendrum festival. The food disappointed with the lack of variety and blandness eg 2 buffets per day including chicken curry and rice almost every meal when we were aware that there were other local dishes that could have... read more

Bhutan is a fascinating country. The positives about the trip were the guide and driver, (both excellent)the opportunity to see the lifestyle of the bhutanese at our own pace and the major attractions in the country including the tigers nest monastery, fortresses and the rhododendrum festival. The food disappointed with the lack of variety and blandness eg 2 buffets per day including chicken curry and rice almost every meal when we were aware that there were other local dishes that could have been made more freely available. ,What we got for effectively US 190 per day per person (being the $250 charged less $60 govt tax) was not great value considering the relatively low local prices for food and accommodation.

Local specialist: Pelden Dorji
Pelden
Pelden Dorji
Local specialist in Bhutan | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2019

Dear Ian, thank you for your review. We really appreciate you took the time to leave us a review. Throughout your trip, we were in touch with our crew to see if everything was going well, and they reported that you were having a great time in Bhutan. I'm sorry the food wasn't up to your expectation, but may I mention that during peak seasons, tourist standard restaurants rarely provide Ala Carte meals. Most hotels provide buffet/table-service with a wide variety of meals that are both local... read more

Dear Ian, thank you for your review. We really appreciate you took the time to leave us a review. Throughout your trip, we were in touch with our crew to see if everything was going well, and they reported that you were having a great time in Bhutan. I'm sorry the food wasn't up to your expectation, but may I mention that during peak seasons, tourist standard restaurants rarely provide Ala Carte meals. Most hotels provide buffet/table-service with a wide variety of meals that are both local and palatable to the western tourist. We did take you to some local restaurants for Ala Carte meals to give you more experience of the authentic side of Bhutanese culinary. May I also stress that we provided you 20% discount for your family with was worth USD 200 per day per person, and after all tourism taxes, we are left with USD 135 to provide nice hotels, meals, transport, tour guide and driver, attraction fees. as as such we also provided you a number of value-additions to make your holiday worth remembering for a lifetime, which I'm sure you will agree. We thank you for your review and definitely try to improve working with restaurants to improve the overall food quality in Bhutan. Thanking you.

Bhutan Laya Gasa Trek
Bhutan | Apr 1 - Apr 21, 2019

Jonathan
Jonathan L.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2019

Background: I was originally supposed to do the 12 day Laya Gasa Trek, but we had to abort after 3 days (at Mt Chomolhari Base Camp), due to heavy snow on the passes. Consequently, we completed on alternative trek. Either side of my visit to Bhutan, I stayed in Kathmandu for 24 hours while waiting for my flight to Paro. Dates for trip 1/4/19 until 22/4/19.

Comments on KimKim: In short, the service from KimKim and Bas in particular was superb. I cannot fault it. Since this trip encompassed 3... read more

Background: I was originally supposed to do the 12 day Laya Gasa Trek, but we had to abort after 3 days (at Mt Chomolhari Base Camp), due to heavy snow on the passes. Consequently, we completed on alternative trek. Either side of my visit to Bhutan, I stayed in Kathmandu for 24 hours while waiting for my flight to Paro. Dates for trip 1/4/19 until 22/4/19.

Comments on KimKim: In short, the service from KimKim and Bas in particular was superb. I cannot fault it. Since this trip encompassed 3 weeks, several towns and two countries and I was very specific about what I wanted to see and do, this holiday could have been a nightmare to organise. However, it was so easy: I merely inputted my wishes and needs, then was allocated Bas, who organised everything, including the visa for Bhutan and flights between Nepal and Bhutan. Any queries were answered expertly and punctually. I also really appreciated their flexibility: when I needed to change the dates for my guided tour in Kathmandu, it was dealt with rapidly and seemlessly. I cannot thank Bas enough. Due to the fantastic organisation of the holiday by Bas, everything apart from the weather went smoothly in that the guides were waiting at the airport for me and hotel rooms were ready when I arrived. The accommodation was satisfactory, with the exception of the Druk Hotel in Thimpu, which was fantastic; a real bit of luxury after the rigours of hiking and camping.

Comments on Windhorse:
Kimkim allocated Windhorse Tours to look after me on this trip. They provided me with a guide (Pema), cook (Long De Bu), assistant cook and horsemen. I was very happy with the team. They went out their way to put me first and make my holiday special. The equipment provided was satisfactory and did the job. The only thing I would say is that the eating tent has quite a lot of mould on the covers: it either needs to be replaced or scrubbed between trips.

Special mention must go to my guide, Pema, and the cook. Pema was punctual, knowledgeable and passionate about trekking and Bhutan. His English was brilliant. Even though he was super fit and I was super slow, I never felt rushed while walking. The cook, Long de Bu, was amazing. I never thought that, at 4100 metres, I would be eating popcorn, pizza, noodles etc. The food was so good and I was so well fed that I actually gained weight despite a total of 10 days of hiking! Despite being away from the their families and coping with tough weather conditions, the team were always singing, laughing and smiling.

Comments on Bhutan: in contrast to Kathmandu, which was dirty and overcrowded, Bhutan was clean and fresh. It was so quiet and the scenery wherever you look is breathtaking. The Bhutanese are the friendliest people in the world. They are full of song and laughter, yet are also softly spoken and gentle. Whenever I looked a bit lost, the locals were quick to stop and give me directions.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on May 07, 2019

Dear Jonathan,
Thanks for taking the time to share some feedback on your trip. We are very happy to hear that you were impressed by the friendliness of the Bhutanese and the breathtaking scenery. Also great to hear you were happy with the services provided by Pema and Long. We wish you all the best on your future endeavours and hope to see you again sometime in Bhutan!
With kind regards,
Bas.

Trekking with friends
Bhutan | Apr 7 - Apr 14, 2019

Y
Yalmaz S.
Las Vegas, NV | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2019

Trophel tours arranged an absolutely splendid 8 day experience for us in Bhutan. From the moment we were picked up, through our incredible 4 day Druk Parh trek, to the sad final departure...the service was exemplary. Tek was an incredible guide, supported by a capable team, and Vishal was very helpful and accommodating during planning. We would highly recommend their services. Yalmaz (USA), Kevin (NZ), Damian (India)

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2019

Dear Yamaz, Kevin and Damian,

We had a great time hosting you and happy to hear that the trip was upto your expectation. Thank you for the opportunity in executing the trip. With best regards, Sonam

Discovery and experiential
Bhutan | Mar 31 - Apr 10, 2019

V
Vicki B.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2019

My husband and I have just returned from 10 magical nights in Bhutan which was organised by Trophel Tours and Treks. Vishal and Sonam the owners of Trophel Tours dealt with the many questions we had in organising our tour. They always responded promptly and professionally which made us feel very confident that we were in good hands. The itinerary they organised gave us a good overview of western Bhutan. The accommodation was a mix of top hotels to farmstay, all of which we enjoyed immensely.... read more

My husband and I have just returned from 10 magical nights in Bhutan which was organised by Trophel Tours and Treks. Vishal and Sonam the owners of Trophel Tours dealt with the many questions we had in organising our tour. They always responded promptly and professionally which made us feel very confident that we were in good hands. The itinerary they organised gave us a good overview of western Bhutan. The accommodation was a mix of top hotels to farmstay, all of which we enjoyed immensely. Our guide Gembo was a gem. He was warm, friendly, caring and always extremely professional. He listened well and was flexible in changing our itinerary to suit the weather and our needs. His knowledge of Bhutan was amazing. Our driver Mingmar navigated the sometimes tricky roads of Bhutan with great skill and we always felt that we were in safe hands. All in all we loved Bhutan and hope to return again. All of this thanks to the team at Trophel Tours and Travel.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2019

Dear Vicki,

Great hearing from you and thank you for this kind feedback. We are thrilled to hear you had great time. Thank you for believing in us to execute this trip. With best regards Sonam

highlights of bhutan
Bhutan | Mar 2 - Mar 7, 2019

P
patty m.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2019

Bas did a wonderful job of planning a fabulous week for us in Bhutan. What a beautiful country it is and we were lucky to enjoy everything in perfect weather. Our trip included some beautiful hikes away from the Tourist coaches ...they started out short and easy, through planted farm lands and worked up to the ultimate..Tigers Nest which was our reason for the visit. The challenge we had was the altitude (coming from our home in San Francisco at sea level) but our expert guide; Nomgay and... read more

Bas did a wonderful job of planning a fabulous week for us in Bhutan. What a beautiful country it is and we were lucky to enjoy everything in perfect weather. Our trip included some beautiful hikes away from the Tourist coaches ...they started out short and easy, through planted farm lands and worked up to the ultimate..Tigers Nest which was our reason for the visit. The challenge we had was the altitude (coming from our home in San Francisco at sea level) but our expert guide; Nomgay and land pilot; Sonnam took it nice and easy. Bas chose a perfect team for us! We even fit in a nice bike ride! Our luck held as we had clear skies to admire the mighty Everest on our flight out. We highly recommend KimKim aka Wind Horse.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Mar 20, 2019

Dear Patty,
We are delighted to hear you had a nice experience with us in Bhutan! It was a pleasure to host your visit. So nice to see your pictures and - even better - your smiles! We hope to see you again some time in the Himalaya!
All the best and many greetings from Thimphu,
Bas.

highlights of bhutan
Bhutan | Mar 2 - Mar 7, 2019

A
azah B.
PA | Reviewed on Mar 11, 2019

Wonderful itinerary and accommodations! Lovely caring and professional guide (Namgay) and driver (Sonam). Will cherish my memories and would go with Bas and Windhorse again and highly recommend to utilize those interested in visiting Bhutan either via biking and trekking.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2019

Dear Azah, Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to host your trip! Very glad to hear you were happy with Namgay and Sonam. We hope you will cherish your memories for a long time and of course, we hope to see you again some time in Bhutan! All the best, Bas & Wind Horse Team.

Nature and Culture in Bhutan - 10 Days
Bhutan | Feb 9 - Feb 22, 2019

T
Trisha S.
Bakersfield, CA | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2019

We had a great experience with Vishal and his team. They were experienced and flexible. Our guide and driver were fantastic. Our guide was very knowledgeable about Bhutan history, Buddhism, and culture of this magical country. We highly recommend using this company. They can tailor your trip to your own interests and will provide you with excellent service.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2019

Dear Trisha,

Thank you for this opportunity to showcase our country. Hopefully, Bhutan has inspired you.
I will be certain to pass on your kind comments to Tek and Migmar. Thank you once again and best for your project. With thanks Sonam

TajKatBhutan
Bhutan | Jan 19 - Jan 25, 2019

Cie Ann
Cie Ann S.
Fountain Hills, AZ | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2019

If you decide to go to Bhutan, Windhorse is a good choice for anyone. They customize, advise and will comply to your needs, budget and visits you want to make along your way. The pick ups were very important; we don't know who to trust, so we don't have this worry. Bas was dependable and pleasant at all times and that gave us the opportunity to have the trip we desired. The Bhutan staff was super-professional, prompt, informed and tried to accomodate our desires. Yentin was crystal clear... read more

If you decide to go to Bhutan, Windhorse is a good choice for anyone. They customize, advise and will comply to your needs, budget and visits you want to make along your way. The pick ups were very important; we don't know who to trust, so we don't have this worry. Bas was dependable and pleasant at all times and that gave us the opportunity to have the trip we desired. The Bhutan staff was super-professional, prompt, informed and tried to accomodate our desires. Yentin was crystal clear and all of these things and we were grateful!

Additionally we visited Agra, New Delhi, Kathmandu and Chitwan. All of the ground staff was prompt and courteous. in Agra was accommodating. Laxman in Kathmandu was very helpful and pleasant. He stored some bags while we took a flight so we could travel lighter and he generally understood our needs.

The Resort in Chitwan was very lovely and memorable! Our naturalists/guides Saki and Krishnan were amazing. They made certain we had a memorable time!

Incidentally, I cannot fault Kimkim for anything but I don't think Kimkim was helpful. In fact, they didn't answer the phone when I needed something. I don't know if Kimkim cares at all! It's hard to understand what they do(?)

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2019

Dear Cie, Thank you very much for your kind words about Wind Horse. We were happy to accommodate your visit to India, Bhutan and Nepal. We thank you also for being flexible as you were, as visiting 3 countries in 7 days meant a very tight travel schedule! We hope you will cherish your memories for a long time and hope to see you again sometime in the Himalaya! All the best, Bas.

3 girlfriends to Bhutan
Bhutan | Jan 1 - Jan 5, 2019

K
Karen H.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2019

It was a really great experience, our guide Pema was super attentive as for our driver, both super nice and took really good care of us. Beyond that, the knowledge and experience was very important for us and we enjoyed every sightseeing and spot we visited.
Would totally recommend it to our friends and family.
Thank you!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Jan 19, 2019

So nice to hear that Karen! Wonderful to hear you enjoyed your visit and that you were happy with our service! See you again some time and all the best, Bas.

trek Bhutan
Bhutan | Dec 23 - Dec 31, 2018

S
stanley f.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2019

Gem and Migmar provided excellent professional service. There were few problems but when one occurred it was resolved quickly and in a professional manner. Gem was flexible and adapted the schedule to suit my individual needs when required.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2019

Dear Stanley,

Thank you for this opportunity to showcase our country. Hopefully, Bhutan has inspired you.
I will be certain to pass on your kind comments to Gem and Migmar. Thank you once again and best for 2019.

With best regards Sonam

Bhutan nature trip
Bhutan | Nov 12 - Nov 27, 2018

D
David R.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2018

The trip was fantastic everything worked perfectly - we saw many amazing birds (over 135 species and we are not twitchers), himalayan bears, golden langurs, squirrels , butterflies and plants and incredible landscapes and temples. We stayed in some good and reasonable hotels and the camping was fine. We enjoyed great food (especially by the camp cook). We became great friends with Subash Rai our truly excellent guide and also our safe and careful driver. The car was fine for the roads and the luggage. We shared a lot of laughs and remain in touch. Thousands of photos now to process!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Dec 18, 2018

Dear David and Liz,
So glad to hear you enjoyed your trip! Delighted also to hear you became friends with Subash, and that you appreciated his services as well as the skills of the driver and the cook! Seems like you did see a lot of bird species indeed. And spotting a Himalayan black bear also requires some luck - or karma? ;-) Great to hear this. On behalf of the entire team, we thank you again for choosing Wind Horse for your trip. We really enjoyed hosting your trip. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again sometime!
Best regards,
Bas.

Bhutan
Bhutan | Nov 10 - Nov 23, 2018

Ryan
Ryan A.
Miami, FL | Reviewed on Nov 29, 2018

Amazing trip to Bhutan and Nepal. Thanks Erin for your suggestions and trip planning. Bhutan guide Dorji was excellent. Fascinating road trip across the pristine lands of Bhutan! The mask festival at Trongsa was memorable. Also happy to meet guide Pratikshya in Nepal for a second time. Vespa ride with Ritesh to Kathmandu villages was also an awesome experience. I feel I have new friends in this part of the world!! Hope I can come again next year and discover new places!

Local specialist: Erin Green
Erin
Erin Green
Local specialist in Kathmandu and San Diego | Reviewed on Dec 06, 2018

Hi Ryan! So glad to hear you had a great trip, and had such great guides. Thank you for the feedback. Please do come back and visit us again next year! There's Tibet, and some more beauty to be experienced in Nepal, too.
See you again!

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek - 12 Days
Bhutan | Oct 31 - Nov 11, 2018

G
Guy P.
Slate Hill, NY | Reviewed on Nov 18, 2018

we had a fantastic trip. everything was very well organised and we were looked after luxuriously. we got on great with our guide and he did a lot to anticipate our needs. I would definitely recommend them.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2019

Dear Guy and Sara,

It was great fun for us to interact with you, while in Bhutan and truly appreciate the opportunity and faith to organize the trek. We will be pleased to pass on your lovely comments to Tek. Hopefully the uncharted trails of Bhutan have inspired you and look forward to organizing another one in not too distance future.

With best regards Sonam

Druk Path trek and cultural highlights
Bhutan | Oct 29 - Nov 11, 2018

Jane
Jane G.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 17, 2018

THe booking was easy and straight forward and Bas was efficient in responding promptly, however the order of activities could have been much better as we suffered from altitude sickness all through the hike - whihc we did only 2 days after arriving from sea-level. As we were there for two weeks with only 5 days on teh hike it would have been possible to do more of the lower altitude activities first so as to acclimatise better before the hike. The hotels turned out to have very different... read more

THe booking was easy and straight forward and Bas was efficient in responding promptly, however the order of activities could have been much better as we suffered from altitude sickness all through the hike - whihc we did only 2 days after arriving from sea-level. As we were there for two weeks with only 5 days on teh hike it would have been possible to do more of the lower altitude activities first so as to acclimatise better before the hike. The hotels turned out to have very different quality rooms and even though we paid 6 months in advance we seemed to get almost the worst room in each hotel. This may have been cost saving but was not even discussed with us if we would like to have a decent room and pay a bit more.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2018

Hello Jane,
Thanks for letting me know. I am very sorry to hear you were disappointed with some arrangements and that you suffered from altitude sickness during your trek. We will surely use your feedback to evaluate our services and try to improve them for future guests.
All the best to you and Nigel, greetings from Bhutan and from the Netherlands!
Bas.

Highlights of Bhutan - 5 Days
Bhutan | Oct 8 - Oct 12, 2018

Vasanti
Vasanti P.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 12, 2018

Amazing trip in Bhutan. Starting off with Bas who put together an itinerary to meet my requirements. My guide Namgay Dorji was fun and informative and I could not have felt more safer on those mountain roads with a driver like Dhanbir. An experience where the memories will stay with me forever. I’ll definitely be coming back.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Nov 13, 2018

Hello Vasanti, very glad to hear you had an amazing trip! Looking forward to welcoming you again in the future. Till then, all the best for you! Regards, Bas.

Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan | Oct 19 - Nov 3, 2018

L
luke g.
Vancouver, WA | Reviewed on Nov 08, 2018

Bhutan was an incredible adventure and one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Vishal and Sonam put together a great trip!! I feel like Migmar and Gem were not only the best driver/guide in the whole country but lifelong friends as well. I had a great time and highly recommend Vishal and his team

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2019

Dear Luke,
Thank you for this opportunity to build lifelong friendship with us and off course Gem and Migmar.
We are glad to hear you had an incredible adventure and the kingdom lived up to your expectation.
We look forward to organizing yet another adventure in not too distant future.
With best regards Sonam

Nature and Culture in Bhutan - 10 Days
Bhutan | Oct 16 - Oct 29, 2018

H
Helen H.
Australia | Reviewed on Nov 08, 2018

The whole trip was amazing. Thanks to the incredible organization by Vishal the trip ran smoothly and to plan, but we always felt there was flexibility to cater for the unexpected.
As I said, the trip was extremely well organized to cater for the two of us. Neither of us are young but we are both fairly energetic still. The activities, visits, walks suited us very well. Vishal constantly kept in contact with our guide to make sure everything ran smoothly for us.
We were both very pleased... read more

The whole trip was amazing. Thanks to the incredible organization by Vishal the trip ran smoothly and to plan, but we always felt there was flexibility to cater for the unexpected.
As I said, the trip was extremely well organized to cater for the two of us. Neither of us are young but we are both fairly energetic still. The activities, visits, walks suited us very well. Vishal constantly kept in contact with our guide to make sure everything ran smoothly for us.
We were both very pleased with the high standard of accommodation Vishal organized for us throughout the trip.
Vishal chose a driver and a guide both of whom can only be described as amazing.
I suffer from travel sickness. The driver and guide were both aware of this and kept a very close eye on me, particularly when we were on the very windy roads.The driving was also adjusted to ensure I had a comfortable ride. Our every need was anticipated.The driver never hesitated to find a safe place to stop when we wished to take photos.
My traveling companion doesn't like certain foods, our guide always checked to make sure that what was offered was suitable for her, and if not suitable had something else cooked for her.
Our guides general knowledge was amazing and he showed a great love for his country.
I can't say there was one place that was most memorable as each place we visited had its own story and its own beauty. Enhanced by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.Every day and every activity provided us with an endless set of wonderful memories.There were no low points in the trip.
I have already started recommending Vishal and Bhutan to my friends who are interested in traveling there.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jan 05, 2019

Dear Helen and Fay,

What a delighted it was for us to host you in Bhutan, brought along fond memories of Australia. We truly appreciate this opportunity to showcase our country and glad to hear that the services were up-to your expectation. Thank you once gain. Stay adventurous’ and blessings from Bhutan. Sonam

Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan | Oct 16 - Oct 28, 2018

L
L S.
Bassett, VA | Reviewed on Nov 02, 2018

Karma and Sam were both very friendly, knowledgeable and extremely professional.
The Dagala trek was a highlight for me and a special adventure. Although the cultural sites were rich and came alive with Karma,s descriptions and history.
I hope to return to Bhutan again and I would certainly recommend Vishal and his team.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2018

Dear Leigh,

Thank you for this opportunity and It was such delight hosting you on this solo adventure.

We are happy to hear of the positive comments, I am certain karma and Sam would be most delighted to hear of it.

Thank you once again and Till we work on another adventure, take care and best wishes from Bhutan.

With best regards sonam

Bhutan discovery
Bhutan | Sep 22 - Sep 29, 2018

Iain
Iain L.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Oct 03, 2018

Very enjoyable and well organised trip. Thank you Vishal. Hotels exceeded my expectations. Guide Younten was very effective and looked after everything without fail. I did not catch everything he told us but that was mainly due to my deafness. The driver Sonam was safe and alert at all times and despite challenging mountain roads I never felt nervous. The Hikes were just wonderful although the altitude and my old age made them fairly tough.

We sometimes wished for additional activities... read more

Very enjoyable and well organised trip. Thank you Vishal. Hotels exceeded my expectations. Guide Younten was very effective and looked after everything without fail. I did not catch everything he told us but that was mainly due to my deafness. The driver Sonam was safe and alert at all times and despite challenging mountain roads I never felt nervous. The Hikes were just wonderful although the altitude and my old age made them fairly tough.

We sometimes wished for additional activities between 3.30 and 6 pm. I think many customers would have been happy with the free time and we would have been happy to have a swim but hotels do not have pools. Of course the highlight was Tigers nest but the Simply Bhutan experience was also fun and informative. The Archery and Darts were also a lot of fun albeit seemed a bit dangerous by european health and safety standards.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2018

Dear Iain,

Thank you for this lovely feedback and the opportunity to host you. We are glad to hear that you had a great time with your son. I am certain Yonten and sonam would be thrilled to hear about your feedbacks.

Duly noted your constructive comments, truly appreciate it. Going forward we will certainly provide background information on the traditional archery’s and Khuru. Tourism infrastructure stills remains rudimentary and hopefully our hotel infrastructure will come up to that level soon.

Take care and hope to host another trip soon.

With fond memories and best regards Sonam

Hummingbird Bhutan
Bhutan | Aug 26 - Aug 31, 2018

Mark
Mark P.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 13, 2018

Vishal and his lovely wife, Sonam, looked after our group of 19 people as if we were family. I recommend their services because they have provided 100% of what they promised to us, plus more. I will certainly continue to use their skills because they are honest, genuine people who made all the arrangements for our complicated group, easy. Thank you Vishal and Sonam.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Dear Mark,

Thank you for trusting us to execute this group. It gives us great pleasure to note that months and months of planning had come to fruition. While, it was complicated, however, we thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and had excellent learnings. We thank you and the entire group for bearing with us and limitations of destination and lastly giving us this opportunity.

Wishing you the best and look forward hosting you again in Bhutan soon.

With lots and lots of blessing from Bhutan. Sonam

Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan | Aug 26 - Aug 31, 2018

Sarita
Sarita M.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 11, 2018

Absolutely loved what the Kim Kim Team offered. Professional, fun, informative tour guides that made my stay absolutely wonderful. Can't wait to go back to Bhutan and check out more.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Dear Sara,

Lovely hearing from you. I and the team take great pride in learning that you have a great time in Bhutan. Wishing you the best and look forward hosting you again in Bhutan soon.

With lots and lots of blessing from Bhutan. Sonam

4 night add on trip
Bhutan | Aug 22 - Aug 26, 2018

K
kerrie m.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 10, 2018

The trip was outstandingly well prepared and the tour guide and driver were meticulous in their care and service throughout the time in Bhutan. I could not have wished for more. I felt comfortable, safe and very well looked after. Further there was good intuition about what it was we wanted to do and this was well met. Bhutan was an exciting and different place to visit. it was gentle, clean, safe and spectacular throughout the four days.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Dear Kerrie,

Truly appreciate your kind words. We are fortunate to have had an opportunity to create meaningful experiences for you. We are hopeful that our paths will cross again in future. Till then take care and lots of blessings from Bhutan.

With best regards Sonam

4 night add on trip
Bhutan | Aug 22 - Aug 26, 2018

B
Beth T.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 07, 2018

We had a fantastic trip to Bhutan guided by Ut. He was such a lovely person and went out of his way to make sure everything was going well. We covered a lot of Bhutan, but it was also varied. Our homestay was a highlight of the trip getting to know a beautiful family. I would highly recommend the Kim Kim team when planning a trip to Bhutan, especially Vishal.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Hi Beth,

We are humbled to hear of your kind words. Sonam and I had a great time hosting and interacting with you in our country. I am hopeful, that you take back home, beautiful and meaningful experiences. I am certain UT would be pleased to hear of your feedback and rest assured as suggested we will actively promote the homestays.

With lots of love - Sonam and Vishal

Friend trip
Bhutan | Aug 23 - Aug 25, 2018

M
Meredith V.
Raritan, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 01, 2018

Awesome! Guides were great and trip was wonderful. Thank you so much!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Hi Meredith, Wonderful to hear that! We are happy we got the opportunity to show you Bhutan for a few days. Be well and see you again! Best regards, Bas.

Jumolhari Round Trek and Cultural Tour - 17 Days
Bhutan | Jun 3 - Jun 14, 2018

E
Ellen C.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2018

Wow where to even start. Our time in Bhutan was so incredible we are still dreaming about it, and it would not have been the same without the amazing care from Vishal and Sonam.

They put in so much attention to customize the perfect trip for your needs. (They even know which room in the hotel has the best views!) Vishal and Sonam will go out of their way to ensure your stay in Bhutan is comfortable.

Our guide, Tek, was very accommodating. My boyfriend and I were doing our first multi-day... read more

Wow where to even start. Our time in Bhutan was so incredible we are still dreaming about it, and it would not have been the same without the amazing care from Vishal and Sonam.

They put in so much attention to customize the perfect trip for your needs. (They even know which room in the hotel has the best views!) Vishal and Sonam will go out of their way to ensure your stay in Bhutan is comfortable.

Our guide, Tek, was very accommodating. My boyfriend and I were doing our first multi-day backpacking trip, and Tek was supportive through the whole journey. He gave us the perfect balance of personal attentiveness and space, had answers to all our questions, and also was very easy to get along with.

I am definitely coming to Trophel tours for our next trip to Bhutan- :)

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2018

Dear Ellen,

Thank you for your lovely feedback and that we were able to make your trip to Bhutan a memorable one. Sonam and I, are very glad that we could meet with you and Jonathan after all the interactions that we have had long before your trip. We will make sure we share your thoughts with Tek and rest of the team.

I hope everything went well in Mongolia and that you enjoyed the beautiful wedding in Bali.

Till we meet again.

With lots of love and prayers from Bhutan

Vishal

Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan | May 1 - May 6, 2018

H
Hilary M.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2018

Bhutan has a special place in my heart, not least due to the superb, seamless organisational efforts of Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and the excellent, informative and gracious care of our "walking encyclopaedia" guide UT. Pre-trip communications built an impression of courteous, lovely people who know their country intricately, and I felt in capable hands before we even set foot in beautiful Bhutan. Such a relief to have all the administrative intricacies of permits and visas dealt... read more

Bhutan has a special place in my heart, not least due to the superb, seamless organisational efforts of Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and the excellent, informative and gracious care of our "walking encyclopaedia" guide UT. Pre-trip communications built an impression of courteous, lovely people who know their country intricately, and I felt in capable hands before we even set foot in beautiful Bhutan. Such a relief to have all the administrative intricacies of permits and visas dealt with fully and efficiently on our behalf. All t's crossed and all i's dotted. Given our relatively short time there (only 5 days of activity), we packed in a huge amount without feeling squeezed and rushed - many thanks for all the suggestions and working them into a terrific short itinerary. Bumdra Camp, "sky burial", the wonderful hot stone bath (what a lodge!), CheLa Pass, the forest/rhododendron walk to the nunnery and the exhilarating downhill cycle were unforgettable, ditto the visit to Tigers Nest monastery, without which no trip to Bhutan is really complete! So lucky also to be there for the final of the national archery competition. The cultural visits and museum are fabulous (and I'm not generally a museum person). UT's knowledge brought everything alive - a big thanks to him, and for the careful driving by our lovely driver in a superbly comfortable vehicle. The food - well, yum! I would happily travel with Trophel Tours again; many thanks to all concerned.
On a general note, I hope that Bhutan develops a strong policy to take care of its pristine environment well at this relatively early stage in its touristic development - it was sad to see a large quantity of toilet paper and human waste scattered amongst the trees and bushes around Bumdra. Could something be done about this by the local and tourism authorities so it doesn't become a huge problem like on Mt Everest and parts of Nepal? I hope so!

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2018

Dear Hilary

Great hearing from you and thank you soooo much for the lovely feedback.

I believe, it was you and all the ladies, who helped us to make this trip special. We are so fortunate to have been able to build lifelong friendships with you, Pat, Mary and Karen.

Duly noted the constructive feedback on the Bumdra Camp. Rest assured will be sharing the feedback with folks in Tourism council of Bhutan.

Till we meet again ! Take care, blessings from Bhutan & stay healthy. Sonam

Bhutan
Bhutan | May 13 - May 31, 2018

carole
carole c.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Jun 05, 2018

Overall, the trip was fantastic and I am truly grateful that you suggested India before Bhutan. However, the hotel in Delhi was superb. They upgraded us to a fabulous room the the 2nd and 3rd times that we were there which was lovely. Our guides in India were fine. I do have a couple of suggestions....I think we could have done with 1 night in Rathombore. We saw 1 tiger on all our safaris, although others saw many more...just lucky. We really liked Jaipur and maybe should have had 2 nights... read more

Overall, the trip was fantastic and I am truly grateful that you suggested India before Bhutan. However, the hotel in Delhi was superb. They upgraded us to a fabulous room the the 2nd and 3rd times that we were there which was lovely. Our guides in India were fine. I do have a couple of suggestions....I think we could have done with 1 night in Rathombore. We saw 1 tiger on all our safaris, although others saw many more...just lucky. We really liked Jaipur and maybe should have had 2 nights there instead. Darjeeling. Bhutan was really spectacular...we loved it. But there are some suggestions...It was a long drive to the Probjika Valley and we were not excited about it. The hotel was pretty bad and after we hiked a bit and saw Karma the crane, we were ready to leave. We thus stayed only 1 night and went back to Thimphu and stopped for a long hike en route. This was fine. We enjoyed trekking around Paro. However, our trip to Tigernest on May 29 was the same day as a major Buddhist holiday. Could not stand the idea of hiking in the crowds so we convinced out guide to substitute another trek We went to Tigernest about 3PM and started walking up as hordes of Indians were descending. Our guide tried to convince us to stop...turned out he and driver did not have a hotel to stay in and I think they were mostly worried about where they would be. The previous night they had to stay in Thimphu and I think they were anxious about getting back....Not clear to me why they had not booked their own rooms when they new the schedule. They did try to be accommodating to us and were very concerned that we were "happy," although there is no question that they would have preferred we just look at the Tigernest from the highway rather than climbing up. I had a difficult time separating what was convenient for them from what was in our interest. As an example, they left us at Paro airport at 7AM for the 9:30 flight. I realize that it is important to be early but that was really very early...we were the first to check in.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2018

Hi Carole,
Thanks for taking the time to post a review for your trip! Glad to hear that overall your trip was fantastic. Great that you enjoyed your visit to India , Sikkim and Bhutan. I addressed some of the things you mention here already in my email. Also, I will also talk to our guide to see what happened on the Tiger's Nest hike and after that I will come back to you. Thanks for travelling with us and see you again some time at kimkim! Best regards, Bas.

BHUTAN ADVENTURE
Bhutan | May 2 - May 12, 2018

S
Simons A.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on May 20, 2018

We could not have been better paired with our guide and driver - Yenten and MigMar. Yenten was excellent company throughout the trip and was able to explain complicated subjects clearly and easily to us.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on May 24, 2018

Thank you, Simon, for the wonderful review. Will make sure to let the boys know about your feedback. They will be happy to find out.

BHUTAN ADVENTURE
Bhutan | May 2 - May 12, 2018

J
Jacqui W.
Australia | Reviewed on May 14, 2018

OK. Firstly Bhutan. ..... What an Amazing country.
Our trip was very well designed by Vishal. I gave him information on What exactly I wanted to do & he designed a wonderful 10 day journey which included more than I expected......
Our Guide & Driver (Younten & Migma) were the most beautiful souls one could ever want to share time with....
Our guide was well extremely well informed about the Bhutanese Buddhist Culture & also a very experienced Mountain Guide.... They both gave us a humbled ,... read more

OK. Firstly Bhutan. ..... What an Amazing country.
Our trip was very well designed by Vishal. I gave him information on What exactly I wanted to do & he designed a wonderful 10 day journey which included more than I expected......
Our Guide & Driver (Younten & Migma) were the most beautiful souls one could ever want to share time with....
Our guide was well extremely well informed about the Bhutanese Buddhist Culture & also a very experienced Mountain Guide.... They both gave us a humbled , interesting & heart warming experience of Bhutan.
Every day we were exposed to new, unexpected & intersting experiences. The programme was well designed , with unexpected extra experiences added.
Our Tour designers (Vishal & Sonam) gave us first class attention, from meeting us at the airport on arrival to inviting us to dinner with them .
They were friendly & helpful making sure that our Bhutan Experience was the best it could possibly be.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on May 15, 2018

Dear Jacqui,

Many thanks for sharing your trip report on your Bhutan adventure.

Vishal and I had a great time hosting and interacting with you and Simon. And it is such a nice feeling to hear that arrangements had been well executed, especially after working on it for soooooo long. I will be pleased to pass on your compliments to the boys. As we always say kindness beckons kindness and I believe this has made all the difference in your trip.

Till we meet again, Take care & stay healthy. Sonam.

Richard Masla Bhutan
Bhutan | Apr 18 - Apr 24, 2018

Richard
Richard M.
Gainesville, FL | Reviewed on Apr 27, 2018

Our group of 4 just returned from a 7 day tour of Bhutan. From the beginning of my contact with Bas, to touring the amazing countryside of Bhutan with Sonam and Tawa (guides from Bhutan). My experience was phenomenal, two thumbs up for the curtosy, kindness and professionalism of all the staff.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Apr 28, 2018

Dear Richard,
So glad to hear your experience was phenomenal! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your visit to Bhutan as well as our service. Thanks for your kind words also, we appreciate it! All the best to you and see you again some time!
Bas.

Surprise trip for husband
Bhutan | Mar 22 - Apr 2, 2018

S
Sarah G.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2018

Working with Vishal and Sonam in planning, booking and enjoying this trip was great from start to finish. They provided good advice on what to do and see during the given time of year and the duration of our trip. We had to chop and change the trip as we had some members of our party drop out and some new people enter during the planning portion. They were very patient and flexible during the whole process and were consistent in their expert professionalism. Our guide, Tek, was very... read more

Working with Vishal and Sonam in planning, booking and enjoying this trip was great from start to finish. They provided good advice on what to do and see during the given time of year and the duration of our trip. We had to chop and change the trip as we had some members of our party drop out and some new people enter during the planning portion. They were very patient and flexible during the whole process and were consistent in their expert professionalism. Our guide, Tek, was very knowledgeable, punctual, and had the bonus of being fun to be around. Vishal and Sonam actually took to the time to check in with us personally multiple times during the extent of our trip, to ensure that everything was to standard and to see if there were any reasonable ways to improve the trip. Bhutan is an extraordinary place and Vishal/Sonam's exceptional customer service made it easy and comfortable the whole way through. I was dubious of the guided nature of this trip as I usually travel freestyle, however Tek and the team made this one of the best trips I have ever embarked on!

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2018

Dear Sarah, Shannon, Josh, Emilio,

First and foremost, thank you ladies for doing this for the boys!

And Thank you again for giving us this opportunity to showcase Bhutan to Josh and Emilio.

Me and my team thoroughly enjoyed the interaction and glad to hear that we able to cater to your expectation.

We look forward welcoming you again in too not distance future, till then Take Care and best regards from Bhutan.

Sonam

Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan | Mar 31 - Apr 5, 2018

Tom
Tom L.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 06, 2018

I have traveled a lot--around 130 countries--and I almost never use an organized tour. I thought I didn't like them. But this trip changed my mind. Mr. Pema, my guide, was impeccable, as was my driver, Mr. Ugee. They anticipated my every need, were beautifully friendly and polite and quite interesting people. I felt like I was traveling with friends. Mr. Pema was very skillful and knowledgeable as a guide to both the sites and the culture, and we had philosophical as well as historical... read more

I have traveled a lot--around 130 countries--and I almost never use an organized tour. I thought I didn't like them. But this trip changed my mind. Mr. Pema, my guide, was impeccable, as was my driver, Mr. Ugee. They anticipated my every need, were beautifully friendly and polite and quite interesting people. I felt like I was traveling with friends. Mr. Pema was very skillful and knowledgeable as a guide to both the sites and the culture, and we had philosophical as well as historical conversations of some depth. Windhorse made all the arrangements painless, kept in touch just enough, and everything, top to bottom, was perfectly done. The wifi in hotel rooms, as it is in many countries with a similar economic base, left something to be desired, but that was outside their control, and I'm sure it will continue to improve as the tourist infrastructure continues to grow. My only wish was that I had been able to stay longer and go further into the country.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2018

Dear Tom,
Thanks for sharing this with us! Great to hear you had a nice trip to Bhutan with us. We are also glad to hear that our guide and driver changed your perspective on organized tours! Very nice that you enjoyed their services as well as their company and having conversations with them. If you ever plan to come back for a longer stay, we would be more than happy to host your trip again. All the best to you and see you again some time!
Bas.

Surprise trip for husband
Bhutan | Mar 22 - Apr 2, 2018

E
Emilio V.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2018

Great. Tek was an amazing guide out in the mountains and in the cultural tour too.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2018

Dear Emilio,

Great hearing from you.

It was a pleasure for me and our team to host you in Bhutan.

We are delighted to hear that Dagala Trek adventure lived up to your expectation.

Thank you once again for this opportunity and look forward to yet another adventure.

Sincerely,

Sonam

Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan | Feb 19 - Feb 28, 2018

W
warekois W.
Mineral, VA | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2018

All was great-both the driver (Nema) and the guild(Lobzang) did as I asked. I like to see the real world so I tend to travel to places off the beaten path. They showed me the back places of your lovely country. Plan to return. The only mess up was the amount charged per day but Vishal explained the situation and all was straighten out. Well done to all that welcomed be to Bhutan.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2018

Dear Will,

Thank you for penning down this feedback. Great to hear that our services were up to your expectations. Lobzang and Nima would be pleased to hear about it. These feedbacks are very critical to the service we strive to deliver and Thank you once again for your thoughts.
Very best to you and see you soon ! Sonam.

Snow Leopard photography
Bhutan | Jan 30 - Feb 8, 2018

Hamilton
Hamilton L.
Australia | Reviewed on Feb 12, 2018

Our journey in the mountains of Bhutan was richly rewarding. A gift not wrapped in paper but bound instead in the thread of discovery and the characters we were blessed to encounter along the way. A journey of reflection and life in focus - so generously mentored by the welcoming will and inspiring talents of the Bhutanese people, Like our fabulous guides Yonten and Pema, who helped us climb higher..beyond....as each new step took our breath further away. Thank you!

And also thank you to... read more

Our journey in the mountains of Bhutan was richly rewarding. A gift not wrapped in paper but bound instead in the thread of discovery and the characters we were blessed to encounter along the way. A journey of reflection and life in focus - so generously mentored by the welcoming will and inspiring talents of the Bhutanese people, Like our fabulous guides Yonten and Pema, who helped us climb higher..beyond....as each new step took our breath further away. Thank you!

And also thank you to all our amazing crew and the nine ponies ... especially camera pony!
Everyone we encountered helped make our expedition an experience that will long be remembered as an outstanding example of living in the moment..

Thanks to Bas at Kimkim for making the arrangements so easy and to Wind Horse for organising everything on the ground. Thoroughly enjoyed this Bhut-Camp!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Feb 16, 2018

Dear Hamilton,
Thanks for your kind words! So nice to hear you had a rewarding trip and that you were inspired by the people you met and by our guides and crew. Hope you will cherish your memories from Bhutan for a long time. I am sure the pictures you took will help with that, curious to see your work!
Thanks for visiting Bhutan with us, we were delighted to host your trip!
All the best, Bas.

Bhutan Trip for Nat
Bhutan | Jan 6 - Jan 10, 2018

N
Nat Y.
Australia | Reviewed on Jan 12, 2018

Trip was better than we could have ever expected. The entire process from the first messages with Bas till the fairwell hugs with tashi and Jigme at the airport and everything in between was beyond words! Tashi as a guide is phenomenal, can’t fault him. And Jigme was his perfect side kick. Nothing was too hard for the boys. Thank you for a wonderful trip!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2018

Hi Nat, thanks for your kind words. It was an honor to host your trip to Bhutan! Thanks for visiting! Bas.

Nepal and Bhutan
Bhutan | Nov 17 - Dec 5, 2017

M
Moni O.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Dec 20, 2017

My 6 days in Bhutan were amazing . My guide Sonam was so wonderful , full of knowledge and patience. I loved talking to him and I learned so much about the country , the people and the culture . My hike up to Tiger’s Nest was the biggest highlight of the trip. I didn’t think I could hike all that way , but Sonam had confidence in me and I did it! I am so proud . Thank you for a trip of a lifetime!

Local specialist: Mads Mathiasen
Mads
Mads Mathiasen
Local specialist in Nepal and Australia | Reviewed on Jan 28, 2018

So glad you enjoyed your time in Bhutan and congratulations on making it up to Tigers Nest it truly is an amazing place, so I am glad you got to see it. Thanks for taking the time to write this review and traveling with us, we hope to see you back in the Himalaya soon!

Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan | Oct 2 - Oct 8, 2017

Lynne
Lynne N.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2017

Our guide Sangay went out of his way to provide us with the additional activities that we requested. This included visiting the Faculty of Traditional Medicine in Thiumpu, walking accross a suspension bridge, purchasing certain meditation items and some of Bhutan’s products (honey). This he managed despite our very full and busy schedule. The flight times were out of the control of the tour operators. The time of our booking was late due to a previous tour falling through and this restricted... read more

Our guide Sangay went out of his way to provide us with the additional activities that we requested. This included visiting the Faculty of Traditional Medicine in Thiumpu, walking accross a suspension bridge, purchasing certain meditation items and some of Bhutan’s products (honey). This he managed despite our very full and busy schedule. The flight times were out of the control of the tour operators. The time of our booking was late due to a previous tour falling through and this restricted the available flights at the optimal times. The flight times to and from Bhutan restricted the time and activities possible on the first and last day. This was disappointing because the other days were full of interesting and enjoyable activities and left us longing for more time.

Mads managed to put together a tour which packed in a lot despite the late notice. He was very responsive to requests and extremely prompt and thorough with communication and information.
Mads choice of accommodation suited us perfectly. He also organised, at very short notice, to swap a vesper for a Royal Enfield motorcycle when one of our group expressed a desire to ride one! I would not hesitate to use Mads again for a trip/holiday or to recommend him to others (which I have already done)

Local specialist: Mads Mathiasen
Mads
Mads Mathiasen
Local specialist in Nepal and Australia | Reviewed on Oct 31, 2017

Thanks for your lovely review Lynne, it was great meeting all of you in Kathmandu! You time in Bhutan was a bit short but it is also good to leave something to come back for another time :-) Glad we could make this happen for you at the last minute it as and that you had a good time both in Bhutan and Nepal. Thanks for traveling with us and we hope to see you in the Himalayas again soon. Mads.

Bhutan
Bhutan | Oct 6 - Oct 16, 2017

B
Ben A.
Kennesaw, GA | Reviewed on Oct 25, 2017

The first thing is that I had never done an organised tour before. Of course with the regulations in Bhutan it is the only way to see the country that I had wanted to visit for so long.  In my early exchanges with Vishal he made me extremely comfortable that a tour did not mean bus rides with many people; controlled timings on visits to places; and having to ensure we experienced the country at the pace of the slowest person in the group. Vishal carefully asked me what it was I wanted to see... read more

The first thing is that I had never done an organised tour before. Of course with the regulations in Bhutan it is the only way to see the country that I had wanted to visit for so long.  In my early exchanges with Vishal he made me extremely comfortable that a tour did not mean bus rides with many people; controlled timings on visits to places; and having to ensure we experienced the country at the pace of the slowest person in the group. Vishal carefully asked me what it was I wanted to see in Bhutan, which Places drew me to the county, and what kind of experience I wanted to take away.  He built an itinerary that combined my need to experience the history, the landmarks, the culture and the trekking, suggesting timeframes that would encompass all of these things without needing to rush, and giving me options throughout the itinerary that gave complete flexibility for us to enjoy. The planning became an exciting part of the trip (as it should be) and was an excellent experience.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Reviewed on Feb 11, 2018

Thank you Ben for visiting us. We are glad we could make this trip a success and an adventurous one for you.