Changunarayan Temple- Kathmandu.

The British couple Mr. Stephen John Tewkesbury and Ms. Angela Frances Tewkesbury recently flew back to their country after spending the wonderful vacation at Nepal and Bhutan which was arranged by Explore Himalaya.

Samari Home stay.

The couple arrived to Nepal on November 11, 2012. They had the sightseeing around Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur for couple of days. They visited Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Changhunarayan Temple and the Durbar Squares of three cities. They drove to Nuwakot and Samari on November 14 and November 15 respectively for the home stay program. On November 16, the couple headed to Pokhara and had the wonderful sightseeing around the city the following day. November 18, the flight brought them back to Kathmandu.

Pokhara, during the bright sunny day.

November 19, they had arrangements to fly to Paro. Paro is a historical city in Bhutan with the Rinpung Dzong fotress- monastery which was built in the beginning of tenth century. Next day on November 20, they had sightseeing tour around Paro. On November 21, they drove to Bhutanese capital Thimpu via Phunka. After the short excursion around the city and on the way, the next day the couple was escorted back to Paro for the flight back to Kathmandu. On November 23, they boarded the plane to Kathmandu. After enjoying a free day at Kathmandu the couple took the departure from Kathmandu on November 25.

Rinpung Dzong- Paro.

Thimpu, Bhutan.

Pics: Explore Himalaya.

Explore Himalaya arranges the smooth and adventurous tours in Nepal, India and Bhutan.

Donatella Zucconi and Mauro Baffigi from Italy, originally contacted us showing their interest in doing the Beijing-Lhasa train and further Lhasa-Kathmandu overland trip. However, their plan was not fulfilled because of the sudden change in Tibet visa rule where 4 persons of same nationality was required in order to obtain the visa. Although, they could not visit Beijing and Lhasa, they set up for the Nepal and Bhutan trip for the first time.

Rhinos at Chitwan National Park

We organized the 15 days Nepal and Bhutan trip which the clients immensely enjoyed. Though this is the first visit to these countries, they found it ‘absolutely comfortable and feel as we were at our home and thanks to Explore Himalaya which did everything perfect’.

Deer at Chitwan National Park

The trip was followed by the Jungle safari in Chitwan added more color and Donatella told to us ‘being around the animals in Chitwan was the most memorable time in her life’ as she was fond of animals.

Takin, the national animal of Bhutan

Bhutan touched their heart and they enjoyed the trip to Bhutan very much. They described:  ‘Bhutan is a country like no other else in the world just particularly its happiness philosophy and its uncontemplated landscapes. Apart from the tough job of hiking, the visit to ‘Tiger Nest’ was the most beautiful part of our trip.’

The Tiger Nest in Paro

Both of them were very satisfied with the services of our guide and our supported staffs and thanked us for organizing the great trip.

Punakha Dzong in Punakha

Buddha Point in Thimpu

Taa Dzong in Paro

Photo: Donatella Zucconi

Bhutan Trip

If you take reviews from travel guides seriously than take a read. Lonely Planet  has chosen Bhutan as one of the Top Ten destinations for 2012. The international travel guide recommends a wildlife jaunt to Bhutan’s newly opened (to tourists) Royal Manas National Park as a perfect getaway this year. Joining the Top Ten list are countries way off the beaten  tourist trail like Uganda, Myanmar, Jordan, Cuba, New Caledonia and Ukraine.

Lonely Planet's Top Ten countries for 2012

Bhutan (Pic: Lars Gundersen)

Travel to Bhutan with Explore Himalaya

We, Explore Himalaya organized a short trip for Chantal Erica Landert and Ernst Leuenberger to Bhutan, the country popularly known as “Land of the Thunder Dragon” from 15th-17th March 2012. Both of them flew to Paro from Bangkok and drove to Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan. In Thimpu, they visited ‘The National Library’, Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, Kings’ memorial Chorten and Trashichhodzong.

Next day, they drove back to Paro for their excursion to ‘Taktshang Lakhang’, also known as ‘The Tiger Nest’. This is the must visit place of Paro and undoubtedly one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries which is around 5 hours hiking in total.  Their excursion was followed by the visit of Ta Dzong and Rinung Dzong in Paro.

The Tiger Nest

They were completely satisfied with the level of our service and wish to stay longer in their next visit to Bhutan. Here is what they told us regarding the trip:

“The trip to Bhutan was great! Excellent sights, hotels, food, weather, and our guide and driver were very professional and very good company. They looked very good for us!

Next time we should for sure stay longer, and if we plan a next tour to Bhutan we will contact you again.”

Phobjikha Valley, the largest wetland area in Bhutan and the habitat of the endangered Black-Necked Crane, is the venue of the Black-Necked Crane Festival. A brainchild of Bhutan’s Royal Society for the Protection of Nature, the festival is a major tourist attraction and sees the active participation of local farmers. The festival is organized to boost local economy and to discourage farmers from using chemical fertilizers which would destroy the Black-Necked Cranes habitat.Held every year in the month of November, the festival showcases traditional masked dances, Black-Necked Cranes courtship dance and other cultural programmes. Villagers are paid 150 Ngultrum (around USD 3) for participating in the festival.
The Black-Necked cranes which are considered sacred by the Buddhists, migrate to Bhutan from Tibet every winter.

Travel to Bhutan – The Land of the Thunder Dragon with Explore Himalaya