Hmmm. Is one restricted to what the driver says you can see or go to or can you go pretty much whereever you like to go?

You would have to ask them directly, but I suspect you can go anywhere you want (probably for a price).

jacket, if you're serious about going to Bhutan you really do need to do some basic research. Start with the Government tourist policy. Go to the links up above. Are you aware there is a Government tax of $250 a day while you're in Bhutan?

For that you'll get a guide who may or may not be good, very ordinary hotels and mediocre food, or kinda O.K. hotels and terrible food - or you'll pay an EXTRA $250 - $1000 a day for premium accomodation, great guide and great food. Your choice.

$1250 or $250 a day, you'll still see the same dzongs, the same hills, the same stuff as every other tourist has ever seen. It's a circuit. You won't break out of it. Not for a minute. They don't want you to.

Hi Jacketwatch---I have to state I disagree with dogster's assessment ( and in fact he is just plain wrong on costs) for travel to Bhutan. The government taxes travel heavily--using funds to support infrastructure, and development for the country. The tax is NOT $250 daily. However the government sets a travel fee that travel agents charge---which IS $250 daily per person--( it was 200, we understand it has just been raised to $250)---which then is the charge you pay that includes all services---food, hotel, guide and driver. We took such a tour for 9 days--had a great driver and guide, enjoyed nice to excellent hotels, and the food was spotty. The country is quite beautiful, spiritual and interesting---as there is a palpable tension between the desire for modernization and developement, and the desire to preserve a traditional way of life and an economy that is largely working well. The Bhutanese are a proud people--and it is enlightening to see a benevolent monarchy working well ( the the 4th King instituted a parliament and elections as power is now shifting towards democratic rule).

Jacketwatch:

To further clarify---of the $250 daily fee, we are told that something like 40-60 % does go as tax to the government( we were told different figures by varying people)---but the rest covers your expenses.

Tax or travel fee: forgive my misnomer - it's still $250 a day. So where am I 'just plain wrong on costs'?

And yup, you might have a perfectly fine trip for that. And you might not. You might have a good hotel for that - and you might not. Of the 750 licenced tourist guides you might get a good one - you might not. Which part of my assessment do you disagree with?

I think Dogster was correct.

You can pay the minimum $250 a day and get what they give you...maybe good, maybe not.

0r you can pay more for a premium trip- anywhere from $250-$1000 /day more- and get better.

Thanks for the replies. Its 0545 here and I'm off to work but I will do my homework. Thas why I am asking here but of course there is alot more to do. I like being prepared. I am serious about Bhutan. Later. Larry :-)

Thanks for the great report, jgr22 - loved the format.
The hotel reviews + driver info will be helpful sometime in the (hopefully not too far off) future.

Looking forward to your Bhutan report. Friends going to Bhutan in April for 30 days!! Concerned about "comfort level" of off-the-track plces. What was your experience?

Elainee:

I haven't yet had the opportunity to post on the Bhutan site. Do you mean off-track to be Bhutan in general, or off-track in unusual and more removed places in Bhutan itself?

We were in the most tourist traveled areas of Bhutan ( central western part of the country). Comfort level was good to excellent even in the normal tourist level hotels available through the standard tourist travel rate. Our hotel in Thimpu ( Hotel Pedling) was ok, clean enough, but very hard beds. Stayed in a lovely hotel in Punakha Valley area ( Meripuensam Resort)--older rooms were fairly simple, clean comfortable but some newer rooms were beautiful with large windows overlooking the valley. Then in the Phobjikha Valley, a lovely lodge overlooking the valley--beautiful site, nice rooms with wood burning stoves ( cold at night) very cozy and comfortable-) the name escapes me at the moment. Back in Paro stayed at the Hotel Rinchenling, again simple but comfortable ( and great Indian food). Food in general was mediocre--not the reason to see Bhutan. the people were universally lovely.

30 days in Bhutan sound like a long time to me. But I have never been there even tho it is near the top of my "to do" list. I think most tourists to Bhutan do not stay so long so these friends will go beyond the usual tourist sights. Glad your accomodations were so comfortable.

30 days in Bhutan sounds like a long time to me, too, unless they're doing a long hike. I found the country very interesting, but also very homogeneous - not a lot of variety. I was there for two weeks, and if I hadn't been to a couple of festivals I think I'd have been ready to leave earlier.

Great TR, jgr. Lovethe details you provided. Thank you