Bhutan Travel Club — Local services in Thimphu District

Why did I choose Bhutan Travel Club? Well it was just a gut feeling I had after communicating with Rigzin (the organiser / administrator in BTC). Basically I felt that she had our interests and enjoyment as her utmost priority. Communicating with RIgzin was fast and easy and she made the whole process very simple. So we ended up using BTC for our travel from 1 - 8 June 2019. Although BTC seemed more like an adventure agency from its website, don't be fooled, because BTC arranged our cultural trip splendidly. Bhutan is beautiful. The people are extremely friendly and approachable and the food is great. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously and this was also greatly due to the fact that we had BTC looking after us. Our day of arrival was my mother's birthday and I had casually mentioned this once in my email communication with Rigzin as one of the reasons for our trip. Rigzin (together with her cousin) actually visited us at our hotel in Thimpu on the evening itself to celebrate my mother's birthday. That was a great surprise as our guide Bijay and driver Khem had already wished her happy birthday on our arrival. Until today, my mother is still telling everyone that her surprise birthday celebration by Rigzin is one of her happiest and best memories of the trip. Rigzin also called us the day before we left to check up on us and to wish us a safe journey back and that she hoped we had enjoyed ourselves. My mother and I are actually very taken and humbled by Rigzin's concern for us. Meeting Rigzin and her cousin was just fantastic. Our guide Bijay and driver Khem organised by BTC are the best. My mother although very independent had an operation on her right ankle and a hip replacement operation on her left leg. So although she can walk with the assistance of a walking stick, she still has problems on uneven or steep surfaces. Bijay was excellent in helping her throughout our whole trip. He allowed her to do as she pleased but was always there to support her and hold on to her at all the right times. He even helped her remove and put on her shoes when we had to enter the various religious buildings. This shows he is someone who cares and will not hesitate to do more than his duties as a guide. Bijay was also very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. Our driver Khem was not only a careful and safe driver but was also very attentive and caring. He was always close by keeping an eye on us but never intruding when ever we were at any place with crowds, whether it was visiting the sights or just when we asked to walk around and browse the streets on our own. And when it was a sunny day, he was always carrying an umbrella to shade us from the sun. Both myself (52 y.o.) and my mother (79 y.o) managed to hike up to the canteen 1/2 way up to Tiger's Nest thanks very much to the assistance and patience of both Bijay and Khem. Our trip in Bhutan comprised of Thimpu, Punakha, Paro and (day trip) Haa Valley. All the places were fantastic. The hotels arranged by BTC were also great - Thimpu Tower at Thimpu, Meriphuensum Resort at Punakha and Tenzenling Resort at Paro. Meals arranged by BTC were also great and tasty. BTC also arranged for a free hot stone bath on our last day. Based on our experience, I can only say that we hit the jackpot with BTC. Anyone can take you around the country to see the sights but only so few can make you feel like family. Thank you BTC (especially Rigzin, Bijay and Khem) for making our trip so enjoyable and...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Bhutan with my family through the Bhutan Travel Club, and I cannot recommend their services enough, especially for older travelers like myself. Bhutan itself was incredibly beautiful, fulfilling a long-standing dream of mine. It had been on my bucket list for many years, even before COVID, but the timing had never felt right until now.

Even from the moment we were descending into Paro Airport, the view already amazed me. The airport is situated in a deep valley surrounded by mountains, making the experience truly unique and breathtaking—unlike any other landing I've ever experienced. Fun fact: it has one of the most challenging approaches in the world.

We visited Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro. The stunning landscapes, sacred architecture, serene monasteries, and rich culture of Bhutan left me in awe.

From the first day, I was amazed at how delicious the Bhutanese food was, especially at a local home restaurant on our first night there! The flavors were rich and authentic, providing a perfect culinary complement to our travel experience. I particularly loved the famous local chili cheese dish, Ema Datshi, and the Bhutanese milk tea, Suja. Dining at the local homestay allowed us to experience the warmth and hospitality of Bhutanese culture firsthand.

One of the highlights of our trip was the hiking. I particularly loved the hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro, a place that is truly a must-visit. The breathtaking views and the sense of peace and accomplishment upon reaching the monastery were unparalleled. It was so satisfying to be able to reach the top of Tiger's Nest Monastery; it was definitely one of my best hikes ever!

Another highlight was the Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, surrounded by blooming jacaranda flowers. The vibrant flowers, impressive architecture, and the serene rivers flowing through the Dzong made it a truly enchanting experience.

Our driver, Subba, and our guide Bijay, were incredibly helpful and attentive. Both Subba and Bijay were polite, punctual, and always ready to assist us. Subba’s driving skills were excellent, and we felt comfortable and safe throughout our journey. Bijay's knowledge about Bhutan was really impressive, and he shared insightful information that enriched our experience.

I am prone to motion sickness, and the winding roads from Punakha to Paro eventually took a toll on me. When I felt like I was going to throw up, Bijay quickly asked to pull the van to the side. He then came to my aid with a drink, even stepping out of the vehicle to ensure I was okay. His attentiveness extended to the entire group, as he consistently checked on everyone, even those at the back of the line.

The van was always clean at the start of the day and well-stocked with plenty of drinking water, which was greatly appreciated. It was also spacious and comfortable for all of us, making our travels even more enjoyable.

Overall, the Bhutan Travel Club exceeded all expectations, making our journey to Bhutan an unforgettable adventure. From the stunning landscapes to the warm hospitality, every moment was truly magical. I cannot recommend their services enough, especially for travelers seeking a memorable and immersive experience in the Land of the...

I booked our trip with Bhutan Travel Club knowing that they were one of the top agencies from 2016-2019 and true enough they did not disappoint.

From the moment I inquired on the trip to actually booking and flying there, all touch points were handled very well. All my queries and requests were answered and accommodated. They proposed an itinerary for us to follow but also gave us enough time to see and do what interested us. We requested to add several several activities to our itinerary like river rafting in Punakha (definitely a must try experience!), and archery. Aside from this, we also wanted to try on their attire and to these three they definitely delivered.

Upon landing in Bhutan, our driver and guide gave us a traditional Bhutanese welcome. They were both of great help during the trip as they accompanied us to all the sites and experiences we went on. I was amazed by how our driver expertly navigated the winding roads like it was nothing. Our guide on the other hand was knowledgeable on all things Bhutanese.

The hotels booked for us were clean and spacious. The food for all meals may it be breakfast, lunch and dinner were all filling. (Don’t expect continental meals though!) We got to try local dishes like momos and ema datshi. We also got to try fruits in season at the local market. (We got to try pomegranates, pears and persimmons. We also bought puthka honey there too!)

Our itinerary was well paced, not too fast nor too slow. We spent just enough time at each destination. The better adjective to describe the itinerary is immersive. We went to several dzongs and temples and we got learn a lot on the history and culture of Bhutan. We met locals making and selling art and we got to know their stories too. (Buying art is a great way to help the locals, it does make a great souvenir too!) To top it all off, we felt as if special guests since we didn’t encounter any tourist crowds.

I would say though that the highlight for our trip were the hikes we took. We went on at least four hikes during our short stay. The first hike we took was from the Bhudda Dordenma to Changka Lakhang (if memory serves me right). We enjoyed the crisp mountain air and the majestic view of Thimpu. We went on another walk in punakha through rice fields and local villages to get to Chimi Lakhang. The views of rice paddies during harvest season is one of the little things that lends Bhutan its bucolic charm. Little things like these are proof of a well thought of itinerary not all visitors get to enjoy that truly adds to our memorable stay in Bhutan.

Of course the highlight of the trip was our hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery. En route to the monastery, we got to learn more about the country’s history. Our guide adjusted to our pace which actually allowed us to enjoy both the journey and the destination.

From the scenic drives and hikes, to the spiritual temples and dzongs, Bhutan definitely lived up to the beauty and spirituality of the postcard perfect pictures online. (We felt right at home during our stay!) All this was delivered thanks to the impeccable service and hospitality of Bhutan...