Hi,<BR><BR>A number of friends and I are contemplating doing a trek in Nepal next year. Would like your feedback on a few issues:<BR><BR>1) Would you recommend organizing it on your own or going with an organized tour group? If you recommend doing on our own, what would be tips for doing it that way?<BR><BR>2) Which tour group(s)/tour(s) would you recommend? One group we have been looking at is Bhutan Pilgrimage -- does anyone have experience with this company? Others you would recommend?<BR><BR>3) Finally, when is it best to travel to Bhutan?<BR><BR>Any other comments on Bhutan are also appreciated. Thanks.<BR><BR>John H

John,<BR><BR>I visited Bhutan last spring & it was one of the best trips I've ever taken.<BR>They say the fall months are best and spring is close behind. I don't know how true this is, but the rhododendrums bloom in the spring--an added bonus.<BR>(Fall has more festivals than Spring)<BR>I looked into a lot of tour groups and settled on Far Fung Places out of SF.<BR>Things couldn't have been handled better. They have a web site. The gov't there won't let you travel alone--you'll need to get a guide no matter what. Let me know if there are any specific questions I can help you with. Pete

Hi, Pete,<BR><BR>Thanks for your response. I have looked at the farfungplaces web site and requested brochures and itineraries. I appreciate your offer of follow-up and will do so after I look at the brochures from here and elsewhere.<BR><BR>John H.

topping

John:<BR> I just got back from a 5 1.2 week trip to Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Sikkim. I would highly recommend two tour companies in Bhutan: One is Yodsel Tours; e-mail [email protected] They did our tour and were excellent. Our guide, who was just marvelous, has started his own agency. His name is Dorji Tshering, and his e-mail address is [email protected] We did our trip in April and May, and the weather was great. As for Nepal, we used a great agency by the name of Green Hill (Kathmandu) for Tibet; they also do treks around Nepal. Their e-mail is [email protected]<BR> Please e-mail me if you'd like further information.