filmwill

So in grand tradition, I'm already thinking about our next trip (to follow up our upcoming Japan trip in April.)

After going through our work schedules for next year, we've already identified the timeframe we could get away for 2 weeks again: May 2012.

After consulting our ever-changing 'Next Top 10 Trips' list and cross-checking destinations and weather patterns, I think we've narrowed it down (after unfortunately having to rule out Sri Lanka, my first choice, due to the monsoon season around that time) to either Nepal or Bhutan.

I've done some preliminary research online but I wanted to pose the question to you guys (especially those of you who have been to both): other than the most obvious (COST!) what would be the major differences between these two places? What are the pros and cons? Although my DH is obsessed with the idea of trekking in Nepal, I'm just not sure if I'm up for what seems like more of a roughing-it/20something backpacker trip on our 1 vacation we'll have next year.

I would guess that the scenery in Bhutan (admittedly the thing I would look most forward to on a trip like this) is somewhat similar to Nepal? Seems Bhutan would offer us the ability to splurge on a swanky hotel or two as well as give us the ability to day smaller treks if we should want to.

But I am slightly torn, so I look forward to your input.

althom1122

I've been to neither, so I'm speaking with no personal experience. Both places are on my wish list, too, so I've done a fair amount of research. Why not do both? I think you could spend a week in each or maybe slightly more in Nepal - with a 3-4 night trek to boot! Maybe either the Royal Trek or Poon Hill. Then dip into Bhutan for maybe 5 days. With 2 weeks, I might try doing that.

Kathie

I just typed a long response and it vaporized into cyberspace.

We looked into Bhutan a few years back. We were turned off by the idea of having a guide with us all the time and by Bhutan's practice of rebuilding everything that is old, thereby sanitizing the country. On the other hand some people whose opinions I respect have had wonderful trips to Bhutan. Take a look at Robbie's report.

Nepal has been through rough times in recent years with the murder of the whole royal family and the Maoist insurgency terrorizing the countryside. Things have calmed down, and Nepal is the most stable it's been in at least a decade. The Kathmandu Valley is full of fascinating World Heritage sites. Of course, there are also a wide variety of treks.

Kathmandu has several very nice hotels, but there isn't much in the way of nice places outside of the Katmandu Valley.

Here is my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...mandu-2008.cfm

Cheryl's photos capture well the color and chaos of the Kathmandu Valley
www.marlandc.com/Nepal/index.html

Located between Nepal and Bhutan is the old kingdom of Sikkim which is now part of India. Semi-tropical valleys amid the Himalayan peaks, the place is dotted with Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. We fund very nice places to stay (old royal guesthouses, now run by Elgin Hotels). There are incredible treks in Sikkim, and all of it is relatively untouristed.

My report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...p-to-india.cfm

Cheryl's photos:
www.marlandc.com/Sikkim/index.htm

Hanuman

Haven't been to either place but during a recent research into Bhutan I found that they are increasing the "Daily Tourist Tour Tariffs" from $200 per day to $250 in 2012. I found the below detail of what a daily tourist tarriffs are:

The Daily Tariff Includes:

-Royalty and other government taxes
-Guide services
-All meals
-Accommodation in twin sharing basis
-Transport within Bhutan
-Museum and monument fees
-Pony rides (upon request) and pack animals on treks

So I guess if you're staying in the Amans you will not have a problem

rhkkmk

we have choosen nepal.... i think it is more tourist open and offers more flexibility... there is the hyatt in K for a bit of lux... i think the trecking is much more highly organized...

WHAT ABOUT INDIA, incl. some time in the mts??? its for you guys all over!!

thursdaysd

I've been to both, and unless you trek I think two weeks for Bhutan is overkill - and you can certainly trek there, probably with fewer fellow-trekkers. However, I do think Bhutan is well worth seeing, provided you time your visit to coincide with one of the festivals. For my Bhutan photos see http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/Asia-2001 and my TR is at http://wilhelmswords.com/asia2001/index.html

Nepal has some worthwhile sights too, but can be disappointing if the clouds are down - not sure what the weather is like in May.

RJames

Both. I've been to both and prefer Bhutan. Remember to get to Bhutan you'll have to fly (at least one way) on their national airline, Druk Air. AFAIK, Druk Air only flys from Paro to Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu and Dhaka. Therefore, you would have to fly to one of these places on any trip to Bhutan. Check flight schedules carefully as flights don't operate to all destinations daily. Also, check airfares on Druk Air, I think flights to/from Bangkok are considerably more than the other destinations. Bhutan is unspoit simply because the country doesn't allow mass tourism. Nepal is overrun with tourists, dirty and politically unstable. Nevertheless, it is worth the effort and there are some interesting sights to been seen in the Kathmandu Valley. You could visit both destinaions on a two week trip, spend one week in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley and the other in Western Bhutan. I think two weeks in Bhutan would be too long, I was there for a week and I found the sights became repeatitive towards the end of my trip.

rhkkmk

i was going to suggest the same thing.... a week in each...

flying to kathmandu directly is sort of difficult from usa..... check out flying on Qutar or the other UAE airline (not Emerites) which both have flts thru UAE to kathmandu...

Kathie

From the west coast the least expensive route to Kathmandu is via Bangkok. Hong Kong is another option, but the flights are usually more expensive.

filmwill

Yes, we were planning on flying via BKK on Thai Air. A stopover on both legs in BKK would definitely be in the cards.

It's a bit disappointing that Sri Lanka isn't a great choice in May as I was hoping to do that trip via Singapore so I could finally get my foodie/hawker stall dreams satiated...but I suppose Singapore will have to wait (yet again.)

At least if we do *this* trip, a long-overdue GTG with Hanuman will finally be on the table again!

RJames

Also, remember if you choose to transit or route your flights via a city in India (Delhi?) you need to check visa requirements for India and there is a restriction about reentering India within a certain time after your [intial] departure from India.

RJames

Was posing at the same time as filmwill.

If travelling on Thai via BKK, the Indian visa complications will not apply to you.

Craig

I am following this thread with interest as we intend to do a Himalayan trip in October/November 2012. I think we'd have a hard time paying the minimum of $250/person/day for touring Bhutan. Also the guide thing is a bit of a pain. We were planning to visit the Kathmandu Valley in February 2010 but changed our plans at the last minute due to local unrest. We may take another stab at it and combine it with time in Kolkata and Sikkim.

Since we have trips to Malaysia/Singapore in July, Puerto Rico in February 2012 and something with family in the summer 2012, the trip to the Himalayas is a long way away.

Elainee

We are doing a week of each this March (very soon!!!). Going to festival in Paro. Will write trip report when we return. Just met today nice lady who went to Tiger's Nest last year. Glad I asked for pony/mule/donkey? for the first part of climb. Will hold guide's hand in scary parts, but I will do this! Thanks to Kathie we have plans for Kathmandu and K Valley. All good!

Nelson

I'm surprised at the number of people who think going to both of these places in two weeks is a good idea. Half the point of visiting these countries is to slow down from our crazy pace of life in the West.

Racing to both with, adding two days of transit to a 2 week trip makes no sense. But that's just me. Have fun whatever you decide.

Elainee

In Paro, Bhutan right now. The two countries are completely different. Do both even if it is for a short time. Bhutan is in the process of becoming a modern nation. It is happening right now. Come before the old is all gone.

JaneB

OP, what are you doing about your April trip to Japan? Just curious.
We leave tomorrow for 1 week in Nepal (thanks Kathie for your wonderful report about the area) and 5 nights in Bhutan. On the way home (US) we will also visit Kakadu in Northern Australia and have a 4-day stopover in Fiji. They were on the way and it seemed like the right thing to do.

Rinchen

I would definitely say that you will find different from Nepal. You got to visit Bhutan

filmwill

JaneB, we decided to change our plans (in a last-minute shuffle and re-planning of epic proportions) to visit China. We leave 2 weeks from Friday.

JaneB

Flexibility is necessary in these times! Have a wonderful trip to China.