Unfortunate experience using Bhutan Travellers agency

My husband and I used the Bhutanese travel agency Bhutan Travellers (owner is Karma Tashi) for our 2-week trip to Bhutan in October-November 2007. We do NOT recommend using this agency. We had a small car (Toyota Corolla) while all the other tourists we saw were in 4-wheel drive SUVs or vans. My husband could not sit up straight in the car and our luggage (together with the guide%26#39;s and driver%26#39;s bags) barely fit. When we asked for a bigger vehicle with 4-wheel drive (which was needed for some of the roads we drove on), Karma Tashi of Bhutan Travellers said he wouldn%26#39;t be able to provide one for another week - IF he could provide one at all - and we would have to pay an additional $40/day. We spoke with other tourists who told us they did not pay extra for a 4-wheel drive car. In addition, we were booked in lower-quality hotels and the worst rooms in these hotels. It seemed to us that Karma Tashi / Bhutan Travellers was trying to maximize profit sand was not concerned with the service provided to clients. Since all tourists pay the same amount of money per day (determined by the government of Bhutan), we definitely got a lot less for our money.

Unfortunate experience using Bhutan Travellers agency

JustineSanFransisco

Thank you for taking the time to post this report, whilst this is the first time in this forum(just starting to think about the next trip) this great website is just the best for travellers

With all the downside aside did you have a great time

ausnomad

Unfortunate experience using Bhutan Travellers agency

I think you should also report this matter to the Tourism Department considering everyone pays the same price and you get low facility is not acceptable. Try checking the Bhutan Tourism website for a email or contact us link and report to them.

We travelled with Nirvana and the care and service were excellent. Do bear in mind that the base cost is what it is-base cost. We paid extra for better hotels - known as %26#39;resort hotels%26#39; and they were excellent. We even stayed at the Aman Hotels in Paro and Bhumthang although everyone felt that it was not good value for money. They are fine for a couple as you have your own 4wd , guide and driver but for 16 people with our own coach,there was no concession on price. At Aman $1300 per night naturally allowes you to have an SUV and not a Toyota Corolla!

I am sorry your trip was ruined as I know everyone who goes to Bhutan comes back satisfied. Bhutan is no doubt a very scenic place and the beauty of the place itself captures your holiday mind. However, do travel with a reputed or at least a known company that existed for a while.

We visited Bhutan for the third time now with a company named Yangphel and they are by far the best in the country and are also very reliable. We recommend them.

I am sorry your trip was ruined as I know everyone who goes to Bhutan comes back satisfied. Bhutan is no doubt a very scenic place and the beauty of the place itself captures your holiday mind. However, do travel with a reputed or at least a known company that existed for a while.

We visited Bhutan for the third time now with a company named Yangphel (www.yangphel.com) and they are by far the best in the country and are also very reliable. We recommend them.

Wow, so very sorry to hear about your trip.

We traveled with Bhutan Travel Bureau http://www.btb.com.bt/ and had a private guide, a driver with a new Toyota SUV, stayed in satisfactory hotels with meals included, and were able to customize our trip for just over $200 p/p p/day. We were not happy with one hotel and without hesitation they moved us to a better one. They no longer use the hotel we were unhappy with.

I would definitely do as another poster suggested and contact the govt agency at this address:

The Director, Department of Tourism , Ministry of Trade and Industry, Government of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan. Tel: +975-2-323251 or 2-323252.

When we first researched our trip we found a lot of posts but very little info on tour operators. While we were there we found that of the over 200 operators registered, probably even more now, that very few of them are more than a one-man/two-man operation based from a home computer and many no longer exist.

We looked for some familiar brand ID%26#39;s like American Express and National Geo on tour websites.

Sorry for what happened.

We have been with Bhutan Footprints Travel (www.tourbhutantravel.com) and everything was perfect. Do not hesitate to contact their general manager mr Daza. It is a middle size agency taking care of their clients. I would definitely go back with them.

Philippe from Barcelona