I plan to go there too within the next two years. Every Christmas season, here in L.A., there's a couple from Bhutan who comes and sets up shop around Santa Monica and sells textiles,clothes,carpets,and artifacts from Bhutan. I have talked to them several times and have even been invited to the apartment that they rent while they are here. They have their own tour company back home in Bhutan that will customize tours for you....Bencho Khenpo...Lingkor Tours and Treks...Fax.975.2.323402...P.O.Box 202...Thimphu, Bhutan...Tel.975.2.322624 or 975.2.323417.e-mail.lingkor@druknet.net.bt ...or... www.Bhutan-Tours.com I hope this has helped. They are a very nice couple. I haven't seen them for about 3 years now due to either vacationing in Ghana or Bangkok/Singapore over the past three Christmas seasons, but they still send me a card every year announcing their arrival to L.A. and what beautiful items they have brought from Bhutan. Happy Travels!

What kind of budget are you thinking? Bhutan has both luxury and low end.

I traveled to Bhutan about 8 years ago. However, from what I've observed, I don't think it has changed very much. At that time, I used Bhutan Travel and went on a small group tour. There were only 4 of us so we had a great time. The in-country tour operator was Etho Metho and they were very good. They're probably on the internet.

I took a cultural tour when I was there which included two festivals (Tsechus). If possible, try to time your trip to attend at least one because they are fabulous. I traveled in mid-late Sept/early Oct. The weather was perfect... cool in the evenings and comfortably warm during the day.

I've posted some of my photos of Bhutan at www.pbase.com/msallen/bhutan

If you go to the Kingdom of Bhutan website, you'll find a full list of authorized Bhutanese travel agents. The minimum cost is US$200 per person per day, though of course, you can go much higher, especially with the recent opening of the Aman in Bhutan.

Has anyone heard of Windhorse Tours for Bhutan???

Thanks

J

Guenmai
Thanks for the suggestion I will look them up. j

I am going to Bhutan next month with Backroads. It is a biking and walking tour.

kbvolkmann, is there a site for this backroad company? thanks

www.backroads.com

thanks