Plans for Nepal/Bhutan continued: how does this sound??
Sep 13th, 2014, 07:29 PM
#22
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More dilemmas and questions:
1) Would a rest day by a lake on Druk Trek or after first (hard) day be a nice thing to do?
2) Is Bhumthang Valley really special? Competition is extra day on Druk Trek, extra night in Phobjikha valley, more time in Punakha, spending less money?
3) Has anyone ever stayed in Hotel Galngha in Thimphu? Only one our very kind and able tour operator suggested where I didn't like the photos in trip advisor? Other thoughts are Hotel Jumolhari, Druk hotel (but looks like there will be luxury tax), Peaceful resort (craig and jeanne--looks nice but maybe not easy to get around from?
Thanks much for help. I'm going to try to arrange to Skype with Dhamey Tensing Norgay (tour operator) tomorrow night. He has been incredibly helpful and very patient and responsive to my wish for input in itinerary.
Have any of you been to the Black Crane festival? I'm very excited about it.
1) Would a rest day by a lake on Druk Trek or after first (hard) day be a nice thing to do?
2) Is Bhumthang Valley really special? Competition is extra day on Druk Trek, extra night in Phobjikha valley, more time in Punakha, spending less money?
3) Has anyone ever stayed in Hotel Galngha in Thimphu? Only one our very kind and able tour operator suggested where I didn't like the photos in trip advisor? Other thoughts are Hotel Jumolhari, Druk hotel (but looks like there will be luxury tax), Peaceful resort (craig and jeanne--looks nice but maybe not easy to get around from?
Thanks much for help. I'm going to try to arrange to Skype with Dhamey Tensing Norgay (tour operator) tomorrow night. He has been incredibly helpful and very patient and responsive to my wish for input in itinerary.
Have any of you been to the Black Crane festival? I'm very excited about it.
Sep 14th, 2014, 12:51 AM
#23
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1) rest days are nice things to do but you still pay the Bhutan minimum..,
2) really special - only if you are attending 2 festivals like we did
3) peaceful resort is not near "town" and it was not that peaceful anyway...
2) really special - only if you are attending 2 festivals like we did
3) peaceful resort is not near "town" and it was not that peaceful anyway...
Sep 14th, 2014, 04:46 AM
#24
On #2 totally agree with Craig. Went to a festival that was special because we were the only (small) group of tourists there, and to a thangka raising, which was different to the regular festivals.
Sep 15th, 2014, 11:09 PM
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Sep 19th, 2014, 06:37 AM
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I had not heard of it, but just looked at their website. Seriously expensive!
Might be nice for a spa/yoga retreat, but not a convenient location for exploring the World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
Might be nice for a spa/yoga retreat, but not a convenient location for exploring the World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
Sep 20th, 2014, 03:28 PM
#29
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Thanks, Kathie. We will either spend just one night there or two nights and one day. I have learned there are ways to get good discounts when you combine with other Dwarika.
Hey, everyone! We skyped with Bhutan this morning!! It was SO much fun. Although I am technophobic, I LOVED it that we were talking from our solarium to his Study in Thimphu. So now I have "seen" Bhutan. I am really Said happy we are going with our tour operator, Dhamey Tensing Norgay and his company the Noble Traveller. For an extra 30 dollars per person per night, we will be able to do the whole trip with just ourselves (like Craig and Jean), he was very nice and very flexible. Said that each evening we will sit down with our guide and decide what we want to do the next day. No forced marches, room for monastery or temple overdoses, only thing fixed in high season is where we stay and when. Even though I am very picky about hotels, I trusted him. He also said that 3 star hotels often charge just 5-10 dollars more for their deluxe rooms (i.e. best views etc) and that we can pretty much get what and when we want because we are planning so early. I am really excited.
Just wrote friend advice re Rome this afternoon, have bad travel lust. Fortunately I am going to New York to meet my goddaughter for 6 nights the third week in October!
Hey, everyone! We skyped with Bhutan this morning!! It was SO much fun. Although I am technophobic, I LOVED it that we were talking from our solarium to his Study in Thimphu. So now I have "seen" Bhutan. I am really Said happy we are going with our tour operator, Dhamey Tensing Norgay and his company the Noble Traveller. For an extra 30 dollars per person per night, we will be able to do the whole trip with just ourselves (like Craig and Jean), he was very nice and very flexible. Said that each evening we will sit down with our guide and decide what we want to do the next day. No forced marches, room for monastery or temple overdoses, only thing fixed in high season is where we stay and when. Even though I am very picky about hotels, I trusted him. He also said that 3 star hotels often charge just 5-10 dollars more for their deluxe rooms (i.e. best views etc) and that we can pretty much get what and when we want because we are planning so early. I am really excited.
Just wrote friend advice re Rome this afternoon, have bad travel lust. Fortunately I am going to New York to meet my goddaughter for 6 nights the third week in October!
