Trip Planning Dilemma

I have been working with Blue Poppy tours to set up a 10 night/11 day trip in May to Bhutan. The responses to my inquiries have been excellent. I am inches away from booking. Then...

I started calculating the price. I believed I was paying $236usd per day for 11 days. The 11th day is a wash as I leave early in the morning on the 11th day. I inquired about this because I didn%26#39;t feel it was fair I would be paying $236 for a day that I would not be there.

I was informed that I am paying $260 per day for 10 days. They said their service, guides, cars, and accommodations are superior and this is why they charge this fee.

Now I feel like I%26#39;m back at square one. I want to seek out another company that isn%26#39;t charging so much, but I don%26#39;t want the quality of my trip to be compromised. Also, I%26#39;ve had quite a few email exchanges with Poppy Tours and I don%26#39;t want to put them out.

Any suggestions?

Trip Planning Dilemma

If you are traveling solo or as a couple, there is a surcharge for not going with a group. Is this included in their rate?

Did you get a detailed invoice?

Unless you are sure that you are staying in some superor accomodations for this price, it sounds fishy to me. I%26#39;d ask for specific names of their ';superior'; hotels. Bhutan only has a few of them!

Usually you have to request superior accomodations.

My suggestion is that you try to get more specific details from them about this ';superior'; stuff.

Trip Planning Dilemma

The company wasn%26#39;t trying to hide anything from me. They just charge more and I didn%26#39;t realize it. They gave me an itinerary and I didn%26#39;t look carefully at the last day. The last day is just an early morning ride to the airport.

Yes, I know I am paying more because I%26#39;m traveling solo. The price for most companies is $200 a day + $30 a day for traveling solo. So, $230/day. Blue Poppy is charging $260/day.

I had previously asked about accommodations and they said they can%26#39;t guarantee anything. But now that I%26#39;m asking why the price is higher than average they say it%26#39;s because of the accommodations, service, guides, and vehicles.

Can anyone suggest another company?

*I%26#39;m also feeling bad because we%26#39;ve exchanged so many emails and they%26#39;ve reserved my flight.

I don%26#39;t know what I should do.

Several of us here on the site have used Nirvana with good results. We are leaving next week for our 12 day trip with them. So far so good.

I think Bhutan Scenic Tours (or something like that) is another name I have seen here.

Yangphel is one I think I have seen around here too.

Look at the previous Trip Reports from the past year.

I guess you can also try to look at it from a $$ perspective......you have been comfortable with Blue Poppy so far.....so is spending $333 more than the original price a big deal for you? If not, then maybe sticking with them is the way to go. ???

Just food for thought.....

I sent an email to Nirvana and Bhutan Mountain Holiday. I%26#39;ve only heard back from Bhutan Mt Holiday. I would be saving about $400 with them. And yes, it%26#39;s a big deal to me.

I appreciate your responses. I%26#39;m going to keep researching this and thinking about it.

I feel so bad about the whole thing.

Just fyi - we used Blue Poppy last year. I knew we were paying slightly more with them than other agencies, but we were extremely happy with their service and staff. I have no complaints.

The payment is per night-halt, including everything except personal expenses. For a single person it is 240$ per night, for a couple 230$ per person.

From night 9 there is another discount. If no special hotels are requiered, I think you shouldn%26#39;t pay more. Although obviously the company adds its costs to the local agency%26#39;s price.

Take into account the time difference when dealing with a local agent. I was very happy with Nirvana and have made three tours with them, the fourth waiting for October. I%26#39;m sure they%26#39;ll answer you soon.And I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll put money-problems aside when you%26#39;ll be in Bhutan, and will enjoy your stay.

Just to add some information: February 25th and 26th are new year holidays in Bhutan, so local agents might not be in office to answer you. Hopefully you%26#39;ll have soon enough choices for your trip.

He is right.....Dechen from Nirvana told me last week but I forgot. She said they would not be available much this week,especially MWF.

Oz, I initiated contact with Blue Poppy because I heard good reviews about them. They haven%26#39;t done anything wrong. They%26#39;ve been completely professional. It was my error in not paying attention to the details.

Nirvana has contacted me, but I still need more info. They have an automated response on their email stating that they are out for the holiday. I%26#39;ll just wait to hear from them in a few days.