Druk Asia - Bhutan Travel Specialist
Druk Asia - Bhutan Travel Specialist
5
Cultural Tours • Helicopter Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Private Tours • Food Tours • Photography Tours • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Bike Tours • Walking Tours • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Running Tours • Day Trips
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10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
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About
Druk Asia Tours & Treks is a trusted inbound Bhutan Travel Specialist based in the Himalayan Kingdom, and the official agent for Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines). Let us help you plan your trip of a lifetime, into a time that still hasn’t been overrun by overt development, onto a land that has preserved her raw beauty. For more inspiration and tips, follow us at Instagram and Facebook @drukasia.
Thimphu, Bhutan
Tours and Tickets by Druk Asia - Bhutan Travel Specialist
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
87 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
CRVH
Adelaide, Australia68 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Highly organized, professional and caring Druk Asia Tours staff impressed us from the moment we sent our first enquiry to the last day we spent happily thanks to their fabulous arrangements in Bhutan.
When seeking a first insight into their tours, Ugyen Dema responded within hours to share with us a feast of an itinerary and concise and helpful explanations relating to flight bookings, visa arrangements and insights into Bhutanese culture. Any additional queries we had were responded to immediately and we booked without hesitation. The pre-departure process was easy and enjoyable, and a month later we were on our flight with Druk Asia. All was smooth, from check-in to great on-board service and upon arrival in Paro (what a fabulous descent between mountains!) we were welcome by our fabulous tour guide Dorji Tshering and driver Parza and the journey in-country begun😊We are grateful for the opportunity to visit many temples, monasteries, forts, museums and undertake amazing hikes and to have their great expertise on our sides. Dorji impressed with his great knowledge and calm and reflective personality and Parza’s driving skills, negotiating the mostly winding mountain roads with ease, were impressive. Both worked as a great team and made our journey the pleasant one it has been. A highly recommendable tour company and wonderful staff!
When seeking a first insight into their tours, Ugyen Dema responded within hours to share with us a feast of an itinerary and concise and helpful explanations relating to flight bookings, visa arrangements and insights into Bhutanese culture. Any additional queries we had were responded to immediately and we booked without hesitation. The pre-departure process was easy and enjoyable, and a month later we were on our flight with Druk Asia. All was smooth, from check-in to great on-board service and upon arrival in Paro (what a fabulous descent between mountains!) we were welcome by our fabulous tour guide Dorji Tshering and driver Parza and the journey in-country begun😊We are grateful for the opportunity to visit many temples, monasteries, forts, museums and undertake amazing hikes and to have their great expertise on our sides. Dorji impressed with his great knowledge and calm and reflective personality and Parza’s driving skills, negotiating the mostly winding mountain roads with ease, were impressive. Both worked as a great team and made our journey the pleasant one it has been. A highly recommendable tour company and wonderful staff!
Written 19 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele B
4 contributions
Apr 2023
I just returned from a 13-day tour of Bhutan with a photography group of 9 people. Druk Asia did a wonderful job putting together my custom itinerary. The hotels were very good (especially compared to my first visit 19 years ago), the food fine (mostly not too spicy) and plentiful, and we saw a lot of beautiful Bhutan and its warm and friendly people. Also oh so many Buddhist temples and monasteries.
I really appreciate the frequent, fast, and detailed communication with Druk Asia, their suggestions and follow-up.
Nim Tshering, the guide they assigned to our group, is very knowledgeable, efficient, on top of things, easy to get along with, has a great sense of humor, and was very patient dealing with 9 photographers who were a little difficult to corral at times. He went above and beyond in helping one of our group who apparently had food poisoning and ended up in the Punakha hospital for rehydration in the middle of the night.
Nim and Namgay, our bus driver, made a great team. They were always on time, or even early, when meeting us. The bus was spotless at all times, our luggage well taken care of and always loaded and unloaded promptly, and it was a bit amazing watching them lift our heavy bags in and out of a back window.
I highly recommend Druk Asia for a tour of Bhutan, and especially if you are lucky enough to have Nim Tshering as your guide.
I really appreciate the frequent, fast, and detailed communication with Druk Asia, their suggestions and follow-up.
Nim Tshering, the guide they assigned to our group, is very knowledgeable, efficient, on top of things, easy to get along with, has a great sense of humor, and was very patient dealing with 9 photographers who were a little difficult to corral at times. He went above and beyond in helping one of our group who apparently had food poisoning and ended up in the Punakha hospital for rehydration in the middle of the night.
Nim and Namgay, our bus driver, made a great team. They were always on time, or even early, when meeting us. The bus was spotless at all times, our luggage well taken care of and always loaded and unloaded promptly, and it was a bit amazing watching them lift our heavy bags in and out of a back window.
I highly recommend Druk Asia for a tour of Bhutan, and especially if you are lucky enough to have Nim Tshering as your guide.
Written 8 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
enghien
Philadelphia, PA175 contributions
Mar 2023
My friend and I had a brilliant 6 days in Bhutan at the end of March (a trip that had been postponed several years due to Covid), thanks to DrukAsia’s help with organizing the trip, providing our welcoming and insightful tour guides, the great food and accommodations, and the delightful people! The archery exercise was fun too 😉 There were lots of activities (not just the Tiger's Nest trek, although that was my impetus for going) that were geared towards our interests and our guides were fun, personable, and responsive. Highly recommended!
Written 26 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leila
Tacloban, Philippines4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Thank you Druk Asia for helping me fulfill my dream of visiting stunning Bhutan. Special mention to Ugyen Dema for efficiently coordinating everything & for promptly responding to my emails. I would also like to commend my tour guide Damcho Dorji -- the best tour guide I ever had. He's kind, accommodating, flexible, & very competent. Likewise, much appreciation to my driver Jigme, who brought me safely to the beautiful destinations. Ugyen, Damcho, & Jigme made sure that I would have an unforgettable week-long adventure in Bhutan.
Written 7 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kris T
31 contributions
Feb 2023
Bhutan was the most enchanting, ethereal, and exciting country my partner and I have ever travelled to! Entering Bhutan is like being transported to a classic period drama from the 1900s, infused with sophisticated modern innovations. Bhutan is stunning: the architecture is reminiscent of an ancient fairy tale, and the scenery is so pristine it looks like an elite Vogue editorial come to life.
In particular, our experience was made truly magical and mesmerising by the tour guide (Sonam Lhendup B) and driver (Karpola) Druk Asia assigned us with. They are a dynamic duo that went above and beyond to ensure we were happy! I can say with 100% certainty that their flawless service is the key reason why we have crowned Bhutan our favourite destination of all time! We literally cried on our departure flight because we didn't want to leave this jaw droppingly gorgeous nation.
_______________
Sonam Lhendup B – tour guide
Firstly, Sonam Lhendup B, our tour guide, is incredibly charismatic and engaging - he explained the cultural and historical significance of every place we went to with such passion and conviction. Listening to him was highly entertaining, and we never felt as though there was information overload. Sonam provided us with the most important details of each location and communicated it in a way that was accessible and not dry at all! I generally find history and geography boring, but Sonam made everything in Bhutan seem fascinating - my partner and I just could not stop asking him questions! He is a wealth of knowledge and could answer everything about Bhutan accurately – from the economy to fashion, music, and traditions!
Secondly, he went above and beyond to tailor the itinerary to our preferences - ensuring we got the PERFECT balance between picturesque sightseeing, traditional Bhutanese activities, and explanatory tours of spiritual and cultural places. He provided us with effective advice on how to get the most magnificent view; showed us special techniques to accurately perform unique Bhutanese activities; and provided us with practical tips to effortlessly complete stunning treks. Without Sonam’s guidance, we would have given up on our hike to the majestic Tiger’s Nest. Also, he made sure we went to authentic and delicious Bhutanese restaurants and shops that weren't just tourist traps!
Thirdly, Sonam did everything he could to accommodate our needs and make sure we were comfortable. We never felt pressured to do anything against our will, because Sonam always double checked with us to ensure every aspect of our trip was precisely to our standards.
Sonam also had great intuition and knew exactly what to say or do at every moment to ensure each experience was as enjoyable as possible. For example: providing us with engaging explanations of monuments, and practical tips to maximise the enjoyment of each place - then giving us space to privately immerse ourselves in the location. He was also very handy - helping us fix random things such as a broken nail clipper!
Above all, he is such a genuine, kind, and compassionate person. We had such amazing conversations because Sonam is so worldly, cultured, and intelligent. There were so many life-changing quotes and lessons we learnt from Sonam - he is someone we truly aspire to be! Our talks were very diverse and ranged from hilarious, light-hearted banter to deeper philosophical discussions. He is such an articulate and eloquent conversationalist – so much so, we wanted to pick his brains and speak with him endlessly! <3
____________________________________
Karpola - driver
Our driver Karpola was so caring, helpful and stunningly respectful. He was highly skilled and had the most amazing work ethic of anyone we have ever met.
Firstly, the roads of Bhutan are difficult to navigate (there's a lot of steep curves and narrow lanes) but Karpola managed to drive so smoothly and safely. He never speeded, nor did we feel any turbulence or bumpiness - he somehow managed to make rough roads feel seamless for passengers. He always knew the fastest and most scenic routes to places - ensuring we were always early and had the best views.
Secondly, he was so helpful and went out of his way to ensure we were as comfortable as possible. He always prepared the right tools/resources for every location we visited, offered to help in any way he could and provided invaluable support to make each of our activities as fun as possible!
Thirdly, like Sonam, he also knew what we needed at every moment without us asking - offering water when he could see how tired we were, carrying our bags when we were so tired (we didn't ask!), and calming our fears if we appeared slightly apprehensive.
Last, but not least – he was such a beautiful, humble and down to earth person! Karpola was also a lot of fun and had an excellent sense of humour! Although we cracked jokes and laughed together, we also had substantive conversations on deeper topics. There was always something to learn from him.
We’ll never forget his natural comedic charm and all the times he went out of his way to ensure we were content.
__________________________
Overall synergy of Sonam + Karpola
Both Sonam and Karpola made us feel as though we were right at home, even though Bhutan is so different to Australia! I can say with all honesty that they are the best tour guide and driver we have ever had the pleasure of meeting!
Bhutan by itself was amazing – the stunning scenery, preservation of age-old traditions, spiritual stories and unique participatory activities! However, without Sonam and Karpola, Bhutan would not have been as enjoyable as it was. The dynamic duo made our entire year with their kindness, wisdom, humour, and amazing passion for their country. We have never felt so sad to leave a country and are now adamant to learn more about Bhutan!
This was truly a trip of a lifetime and regardless of whether the daily tourist tax goes higher or lower - we will always come back to visit Bhutan because our experience was so delightful. We are already planning our 2024 trip to Bhutan and will 100% be requesting Sonam and Karpola.
__________________________
Booking experience with Druk Asia
Our travel agent, Ugyen from Druk Asia responded promptly to our enquiries and answered all our questions in extensive detail. She ensured that we understood every aspect of travelling to Bhutan - from the legal factors to cultural etiquette, historical facts, must-see sights/activities, and general information on how Bhutan operates (e.g., whether there was pay wave available etc). I loved that Ugyen was always there to lend a supporting hand and assist us with any enquiries before the trip and throughout. She organised our visas, booked our flights & accommodation, provided a baseline itinerary, and assigned us with an amazing tour guide and driver. The car used to chauffeur us was also immaculate and stocked with essential amenities. Everything was so efficient and smooth!
I must also make a special note that the accommodation they provided was BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL! It was apparently a 3-star resort, but it felt like 7-stars to us! The service was first class; the scenery overlooking our balcony was so stunning it looked like a majestic wallpaper; the food was delicious; and the interior design/architecture was reminiscent of a royal palace.
__________________________________________
Conclusion
Thank you Druk Asia, Sonam, Karpola, and Ugyen for making our time in Bhutan such a fairytale. We are grateful you enabled us to see the authentic Bhutan in such a raw, yet glamorous manner – which was exactly our preference.
We adore you all so much and cannot wait to see you again.
Warm regards,
Kristina and Apollo.
In particular, our experience was made truly magical and mesmerising by the tour guide (Sonam Lhendup B) and driver (Karpola) Druk Asia assigned us with. They are a dynamic duo that went above and beyond to ensure we were happy! I can say with 100% certainty that their flawless service is the key reason why we have crowned Bhutan our favourite destination of all time! We literally cried on our departure flight because we didn't want to leave this jaw droppingly gorgeous nation.
_______________
Sonam Lhendup B – tour guide
Firstly, Sonam Lhendup B, our tour guide, is incredibly charismatic and engaging - he explained the cultural and historical significance of every place we went to with such passion and conviction. Listening to him was highly entertaining, and we never felt as though there was information overload. Sonam provided us with the most important details of each location and communicated it in a way that was accessible and not dry at all! I generally find history and geography boring, but Sonam made everything in Bhutan seem fascinating - my partner and I just could not stop asking him questions! He is a wealth of knowledge and could answer everything about Bhutan accurately – from the economy to fashion, music, and traditions!
Secondly, he went above and beyond to tailor the itinerary to our preferences - ensuring we got the PERFECT balance between picturesque sightseeing, traditional Bhutanese activities, and explanatory tours of spiritual and cultural places. He provided us with effective advice on how to get the most magnificent view; showed us special techniques to accurately perform unique Bhutanese activities; and provided us with practical tips to effortlessly complete stunning treks. Without Sonam’s guidance, we would have given up on our hike to the majestic Tiger’s Nest. Also, he made sure we went to authentic and delicious Bhutanese restaurants and shops that weren't just tourist traps!
Thirdly, Sonam did everything he could to accommodate our needs and make sure we were comfortable. We never felt pressured to do anything against our will, because Sonam always double checked with us to ensure every aspect of our trip was precisely to our standards.
Sonam also had great intuition and knew exactly what to say or do at every moment to ensure each experience was as enjoyable as possible. For example: providing us with engaging explanations of monuments, and practical tips to maximise the enjoyment of each place - then giving us space to privately immerse ourselves in the location. He was also very handy - helping us fix random things such as a broken nail clipper!
Above all, he is such a genuine, kind, and compassionate person. We had such amazing conversations because Sonam is so worldly, cultured, and intelligent. There were so many life-changing quotes and lessons we learnt from Sonam - he is someone we truly aspire to be! Our talks were very diverse and ranged from hilarious, light-hearted banter to deeper philosophical discussions. He is such an articulate and eloquent conversationalist – so much so, we wanted to pick his brains and speak with him endlessly! <3
____________________________________
Karpola - driver
Our driver Karpola was so caring, helpful and stunningly respectful. He was highly skilled and had the most amazing work ethic of anyone we have ever met.
Firstly, the roads of Bhutan are difficult to navigate (there's a lot of steep curves and narrow lanes) but Karpola managed to drive so smoothly and safely. He never speeded, nor did we feel any turbulence or bumpiness - he somehow managed to make rough roads feel seamless for passengers. He always knew the fastest and most scenic routes to places - ensuring we were always early and had the best views.
Secondly, he was so helpful and went out of his way to ensure we were as comfortable as possible. He always prepared the right tools/resources for every location we visited, offered to help in any way he could and provided invaluable support to make each of our activities as fun as possible!
Thirdly, like Sonam, he also knew what we needed at every moment without us asking - offering water when he could see how tired we were, carrying our bags when we were so tired (we didn't ask!), and calming our fears if we appeared slightly apprehensive.
Last, but not least – he was such a beautiful, humble and down to earth person! Karpola was also a lot of fun and had an excellent sense of humour! Although we cracked jokes and laughed together, we also had substantive conversations on deeper topics. There was always something to learn from him.
We’ll never forget his natural comedic charm and all the times he went out of his way to ensure we were content.
__________________________
Overall synergy of Sonam + Karpola
Both Sonam and Karpola made us feel as though we were right at home, even though Bhutan is so different to Australia! I can say with all honesty that they are the best tour guide and driver we have ever had the pleasure of meeting!
Bhutan by itself was amazing – the stunning scenery, preservation of age-old traditions, spiritual stories and unique participatory activities! However, without Sonam and Karpola, Bhutan would not have been as enjoyable as it was. The dynamic duo made our entire year with their kindness, wisdom, humour, and amazing passion for their country. We have never felt so sad to leave a country and are now adamant to learn more about Bhutan!
This was truly a trip of a lifetime and regardless of whether the daily tourist tax goes higher or lower - we will always come back to visit Bhutan because our experience was so delightful. We are already planning our 2024 trip to Bhutan and will 100% be requesting Sonam and Karpola.
__________________________
Booking experience with Druk Asia
Our travel agent, Ugyen from Druk Asia responded promptly to our enquiries and answered all our questions in extensive detail. She ensured that we understood every aspect of travelling to Bhutan - from the legal factors to cultural etiquette, historical facts, must-see sights/activities, and general information on how Bhutan operates (e.g., whether there was pay wave available etc). I loved that Ugyen was always there to lend a supporting hand and assist us with any enquiries before the trip and throughout. She organised our visas, booked our flights & accommodation, provided a baseline itinerary, and assigned us with an amazing tour guide and driver. The car used to chauffeur us was also immaculate and stocked with essential amenities. Everything was so efficient and smooth!
I must also make a special note that the accommodation they provided was BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL! It was apparently a 3-star resort, but it felt like 7-stars to us! The service was first class; the scenery overlooking our balcony was so stunning it looked like a majestic wallpaper; the food was delicious; and the interior design/architecture was reminiscent of a royal palace.
__________________________________________
Conclusion
Thank you Druk Asia, Sonam, Karpola, and Ugyen for making our time in Bhutan such a fairytale. We are grateful you enabled us to see the authentic Bhutan in such a raw, yet glamorous manner – which was exactly our preference.
We adore you all so much and cannot wait to see you again.
Warm regards,
Kristina and Apollo.
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerald Thomas
United States1 contribution
Sep 2021
We recently completed the trip of a lifetime to Bhutan. We had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. We don’t know how your guides are assigned to tour groups, but are extremely grateful that we had Dago Rinchen as our guide. He was extremely thoughtful, kind, and accommodating as well as knowledgeable and fun to be with. We thought very highly of him and couldn’t have been more pleased with the services he provided for us. We would highly recommend him as a guide to any tour group that plans to visit your beautiful country of Bhutan. We were also very pleased with our driver, Tsagay Dorgi, who kept us safe and comfortable in our travels. These are two stellar employees of Druk Asia and should be highly valued and appreciated by management for their talents and expertise.
Written 10 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnny Lam
Singapore, Singapore1 contribution
Sep 2021
Many thanks to the tour guide Mr Tandin and the driver Ms Minh.
They are very professional, helpful, friendly and accommodating to my request.
Finally I had my dream to visit Bhutan aka Land of Happiness. A small country population of 800,000 people tucked in-between 2 superpower country China and India.
Bhutan is a country full of greenery. Everywhere you go, there’s gonna be mountains of trees. After all, the country have declared as a carbon negative environment.
Bhutanese are nice and friendly people. They like to shared stories about their country, culture and Buddhist beliefs with you, probably they want you to know more from them instead of reading it from somewhere.
As we travel from Thimphu to Punakha, to Gangtey to Paro, I did not see a single advertisement billboard of Starbucks, Macdonald, KFC or any merchandises or services. The only banner in Bhutan are about health notices and pictures of the King and his family which Bhutanese pay utmost respects.
Bhutan inns, lodges, resorts and hotels are built with traditional characters and culture. You will always be reminded that you are in Bhutan. It is advisable not to travel here during winter season as rooms are not adequate equipped with heaters to keep you warm in the big room. If you are lucky, you find one with a electric heater bed that will give you a comfort sleep. Be very well prepared if you are going to Bhutan in winter. It can be very cold.
This trip was a big change to me in all my travelings because you will never get to visit huge shopping centers for cloths, bags, shoes because there are none here. This is a physical journey (trekking and hiking) through history to temples, fortress aka Dzong, monasteries, untouched ancient landscapes and rivers roaring downstream. It is a totally complete change from all the trips I’ve taken.
Traveling from town to town will take a few hours driving through the long winding road with turns and turns up and down the mountains. The roads are narrow and its 2ways thus you are not gonna see big tour buses in Bhutan. The biggest vehicle I’ve seen in Bhutan are the construction trucks and mini bus. Majority of vehicles are small size and some roads are in pretty bad conditions. My journey from Gangtey to Paro took almost 4hours without breaks and I was feeling nauseous inside the car because of the enormous winding roads.
The most challenging part of the tour is the climb up to Takshang Monastery aka Tiger Nest which is the highlight and this is normally plan on the last part of your trip before your departure the next day.
The hike up the mountain is a notorious 35-45 degrees incline and every turn, you hope to see a flat path but unfortunately it’s another incline slope upward till you reached the halfway resting point. Depending on your speed, it can take 60-90 minutes. From here, it’s another about 60 minutes hike, which are less challenging than the first half, to the viewing point directly opposite Tiger Nest Monastery. From here to reach the monastery, it’s a 825 steps down and 300 steps up challenge. Upon return, it’s 300 steps down and 825 steps up back to the viewing point. From here onwards, it’s all downhill trek all the way to the starting point. Depending on your speed, it can take up to 60 minutes trekking.
To view the Tiger Nest up close is worth every challenging effort hiking up.
Honestly, anyone can make it. It’s about how much effort and tiresome you will be. A certain level of fitness will be helpful.
For some, they can choose to hire a horse ride up to the halfway resting point and hike the rest of the way.
Bhutan infrastructures are not ready to fully open up to tourists and commercialize the place. I hope they will continue to remain in this way to restrict tourism to protect the nature environment.
You need a good, reliable tour guide to visit Bhutan as they will assist you to visit the best locations. Druk Asia Bhutan Travel Specialist is the one trusted one.
They are very professional, helpful, friendly and accommodating to my request.
Finally I had my dream to visit Bhutan aka Land of Happiness. A small country population of 800,000 people tucked in-between 2 superpower country China and India.
Bhutan is a country full of greenery. Everywhere you go, there’s gonna be mountains of trees. After all, the country have declared as a carbon negative environment.
Bhutanese are nice and friendly people. They like to shared stories about their country, culture and Buddhist beliefs with you, probably they want you to know more from them instead of reading it from somewhere.
As we travel from Thimphu to Punakha, to Gangtey to Paro, I did not see a single advertisement billboard of Starbucks, Macdonald, KFC or any merchandises or services. The only banner in Bhutan are about health notices and pictures of the King and his family which Bhutanese pay utmost respects.
Bhutan inns, lodges, resorts and hotels are built with traditional characters and culture. You will always be reminded that you are in Bhutan. It is advisable not to travel here during winter season as rooms are not adequate equipped with heaters to keep you warm in the big room. If you are lucky, you find one with a electric heater bed that will give you a comfort sleep. Be very well prepared if you are going to Bhutan in winter. It can be very cold.
This trip was a big change to me in all my travelings because you will never get to visit huge shopping centers for cloths, bags, shoes because there are none here. This is a physical journey (trekking and hiking) through history to temples, fortress aka Dzong, monasteries, untouched ancient landscapes and rivers roaring downstream. It is a totally complete change from all the trips I’ve taken.
Traveling from town to town will take a few hours driving through the long winding road with turns and turns up and down the mountains. The roads are narrow and its 2ways thus you are not gonna see big tour buses in Bhutan. The biggest vehicle I’ve seen in Bhutan are the construction trucks and mini bus. Majority of vehicles are small size and some roads are in pretty bad conditions. My journey from Gangtey to Paro took almost 4hours without breaks and I was feeling nauseous inside the car because of the enormous winding roads.
The most challenging part of the tour is the climb up to Takshang Monastery aka Tiger Nest which is the highlight and this is normally plan on the last part of your trip before your departure the next day.
The hike up the mountain is a notorious 35-45 degrees incline and every turn, you hope to see a flat path but unfortunately it’s another incline slope upward till you reached the halfway resting point. Depending on your speed, it can take 60-90 minutes. From here, it’s another about 60 minutes hike, which are less challenging than the first half, to the viewing point directly opposite Tiger Nest Monastery. From here to reach the monastery, it’s a 825 steps down and 300 steps up challenge. Upon return, it’s 300 steps down and 825 steps up back to the viewing point. From here onwards, it’s all downhill trek all the way to the starting point. Depending on your speed, it can take up to 60 minutes trekking.
To view the Tiger Nest up close is worth every challenging effort hiking up.
Honestly, anyone can make it. It’s about how much effort and tiresome you will be. A certain level of fitness will be helpful.
For some, they can choose to hire a horse ride up to the halfway resting point and hike the rest of the way.
Bhutan infrastructures are not ready to fully open up to tourists and commercialize the place. I hope they will continue to remain in this way to restrict tourism to protect the nature environment.
You need a good, reliable tour guide to visit Bhutan as they will assist you to visit the best locations. Druk Asia Bhutan Travel Specialist is the one trusted one.
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad Schofield
United Kingdom1 contribution
Sep 2021
Everything about this trip was well-organised, efficient and professional. Organising, changing details and paying for the trip was easy with prompt email replies and confirmations. The visa and hotel information arrived a few days before it was scheduled to and the online traveller portal contained a wealth of important details in one place. In Bhutan, the trip was magical and we found no fault with the guides, vehicles and accommodation. A once in a lifetime experience made all the more memorable thanks to Druk Asia
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrisma Ng
Singapore, Singapore1 contribution
Aug 2021
I want to take this opportunity to thank Druk Asia for letting me have possibly one of my favourite travel experiences, and making sure I was well taken care of throughout the entire trip. I left Bhutan with a heavy heart--not wanting to leave such a beautiful place behind.
I wish to commend on the level of service from both my tour guide, Sonam and driver, Tshering. Sonam had been more than patient to share the story behind each and every monastery and fortress with gusto. And Tshering, with his immaculate driving skills had ensured that we get to each destination safe and sound--despite icy roads and rocky terrains.
The lodging and food were both amazing! And as a solo female traveller, I felt real taken care of all the time.
Thank you once again for helping me check this experience off my bucket list. I'm evermore in love with Bhutan and I sure hope to be back again someday soon.
I wish to commend on the level of service from both my tour guide, Sonam and driver, Tshering. Sonam had been more than patient to share the story behind each and every monastery and fortress with gusto. And Tshering, with his immaculate driving skills had ensured that we get to each destination safe and sound--despite icy roads and rocky terrains.
The lodging and food were both amazing! And as a solo female traveller, I felt real taken care of all the time.
Thank you once again for helping me check this experience off my bucket list. I'm evermore in love with Bhutan and I sure hope to be back again someday soon.
Written 25 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven Cave
Canada1 contribution
Aug 2021
"Amy and I wanted to thank you for the amazing time we had in your special country. The whole team really went out of their way during our tour. You guys really made this such a fantastic trip from amy being on the phone with Namgay, to the The first couple of days in Bhutan on our trip to Haa Valley we got a little car sick. Sonam and Chimmy our first guides and driver were concerned and made sure we were ok, had enough water and just made sure we took our time driving even stopping when I needed a break periodically throughout the drive. They were so nice to us and it was a pleasure to have them welcome us when we came out of the airport. Sonam and Chimmy answered all our questions and explained the history and the culture of Bhutan. We both found the two of them so knowledgeable and informative. They even asked us if the food was too spicy. We replied we liked spicy and from then on they made sure we got the real Bhutanese food. All they really wanted to do was make sure Amy and I had a great time and they were so wonderful to us it was a little sad we had to say good bye to them when we traveled east.
Our next guide and driver, Thai and Brother Ong really made us feel like family during the time we spent with them. One of the mountain passes we had to drive ended up being closed because of snow, they had a plan for what to do before we even asked what is the new plan. We both had no issue and realized that they have no control that this happens and we just went with it. They ended up surprising us with a masked dance festival in Lhuntse. It came as a complete surprise to us and what a special sight that we will never forget. The car broke down once on the road through no fault of Brother Ong and Thai and Brother had a back up plan right away and arranged for a taxi to take us to the fortress and the next town. The hole time their concern was more for us and making sure we were taking care of. We made it to the next town and met Brother Ong at the hotel everybody was in great spirits. Thai answered all of our questions and we were impressed with his knowledge and the fact that if we asked something and he didn't know he was honest about not knowing something and always knew who to call to find out. Another day we were driving to cross another mountain pass the car decided it wanted to break down again. The good thing was that we had made it to the top of the pass. Amy and I made the best of our time as I went tobogganing on a piece of plywood I found and Amy read a book. Both of them were so apologetic that this happened a second time. It was really nice since there was a little cabin there and we were able to go inside and warm up while we waited for another car to come and pick us up and get to the next location. We both were sad we had to leave Brother Ong on the mountain but Thai kept in contact with him and informed us he got down ok which was really nice to hear.
Our next driver Kinse (sorry if I'm spelling it wrong) was fantastic. The banter between Thai and Kinse really made our time with them fun and exciting with the jokes flying during our time in the car. Thai always made sure we had chili paste with our meals and showed us where the best momos in Bhutan were and even introduced us to local regional dishes where ever we stayed. I will never forget Thai coming out and telling us that the kitchen staff were laughing because they haven't seen a westerner eat the chillis, our faces were burning but the food was too good to stop. When they heard that we like to cook they even set up a cooking class for us to learn how to make emi dashi so we could have it when we got back to Canada. On our trip to the market something I ate there did not agree with me and Kinse ran down to the parking lot just to get me a bottle of water since we couldn't find one in the market. The level that everyone went to make sure we were ok was above and beyond and just made us feel special. Seeing the Black necked Cranes was just a fantastic day spent in the valley and it was nice to have a hike to do since spending so much time in the car.
The hike up to the Tigers nest was great and Thai and Kinse made sure that we set the pace and took our time getting up. We really appreciated that there was never a rush and if we wanted more time to rest we were able to do so. Even told us were the best picture spots were on the trail to get the perfect picture of the monastery. Thai was even so nice as to get our prayer flags that we had bought blessed by one of the monks that were there. We really appreciated that and meant a lot to us. They were with us the hole way and made sure they explained the history and the different temples we visited there that day. Even had a fantastic homestay meal after our hot stone bath which was a great way to cap off a fantastic day.
I received an email to leave a review with Druk Asia but felt that the level of service we have received and how all the guides, drivers and office staff have made us feel like family we felt we had to leave more then just a review. Everybody was so professional and knowledgeable that it made Bhutan such a special place we have visited and will always stay with us and the friendships we have formed and the good and special times we have had at various points of the tour. The accommodations and meals where fantastic and enjoyed every meal we had during the tour. Also, everyone was so great with my food allergies and it was never an issue with a meal. Amy and I wanted to say Thank you to the whole team for making this such a life changing trip with the history, culture and really inviting us into your family. We really cant say enough good things about everyone we came across with Druk Asia."
Our next guide and driver, Thai and Brother Ong really made us feel like family during the time we spent with them. One of the mountain passes we had to drive ended up being closed because of snow, they had a plan for what to do before we even asked what is the new plan. We both had no issue and realized that they have no control that this happens and we just went with it. They ended up surprising us with a masked dance festival in Lhuntse. It came as a complete surprise to us and what a special sight that we will never forget. The car broke down once on the road through no fault of Brother Ong and Thai and Brother had a back up plan right away and arranged for a taxi to take us to the fortress and the next town. The hole time their concern was more for us and making sure we were taking care of. We made it to the next town and met Brother Ong at the hotel everybody was in great spirits. Thai answered all of our questions and we were impressed with his knowledge and the fact that if we asked something and he didn't know he was honest about not knowing something and always knew who to call to find out. Another day we were driving to cross another mountain pass the car decided it wanted to break down again. The good thing was that we had made it to the top of the pass. Amy and I made the best of our time as I went tobogganing on a piece of plywood I found and Amy read a book. Both of them were so apologetic that this happened a second time. It was really nice since there was a little cabin there and we were able to go inside and warm up while we waited for another car to come and pick us up and get to the next location. We both were sad we had to leave Brother Ong on the mountain but Thai kept in contact with him and informed us he got down ok which was really nice to hear.
Our next driver Kinse (sorry if I'm spelling it wrong) was fantastic. The banter between Thai and Kinse really made our time with them fun and exciting with the jokes flying during our time in the car. Thai always made sure we had chili paste with our meals and showed us where the best momos in Bhutan were and even introduced us to local regional dishes where ever we stayed. I will never forget Thai coming out and telling us that the kitchen staff were laughing because they haven't seen a westerner eat the chillis, our faces were burning but the food was too good to stop. When they heard that we like to cook they even set up a cooking class for us to learn how to make emi dashi so we could have it when we got back to Canada. On our trip to the market something I ate there did not agree with me and Kinse ran down to the parking lot just to get me a bottle of water since we couldn't find one in the market. The level that everyone went to make sure we were ok was above and beyond and just made us feel special. Seeing the Black necked Cranes was just a fantastic day spent in the valley and it was nice to have a hike to do since spending so much time in the car.
The hike up to the Tigers nest was great and Thai and Kinse made sure that we set the pace and took our time getting up. We really appreciated that there was never a rush and if we wanted more time to rest we were able to do so. Even told us were the best picture spots were on the trail to get the perfect picture of the monastery. Thai was even so nice as to get our prayer flags that we had bought blessed by one of the monks that were there. We really appreciated that and meant a lot to us. They were with us the hole way and made sure they explained the history and the different temples we visited there that day. Even had a fantastic homestay meal after our hot stone bath which was a great way to cap off a fantastic day.
I received an email to leave a review with Druk Asia but felt that the level of service we have received and how all the guides, drivers and office staff have made us feel like family we felt we had to leave more then just a review. Everybody was so professional and knowledgeable that it made Bhutan such a special place we have visited and will always stay with us and the friendships we have formed and the good and special times we have had at various points of the tour. The accommodations and meals where fantastic and enjoyed every meal we had during the tour. Also, everyone was so great with my food allergies and it was never an issue with a meal. Amy and I wanted to say Thank you to the whole team for making this such a life changing trip with the history, culture and really inviting us into your family. We really cant say enough good things about everyone we came across with Druk Asia."
Written 22 July 2022
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Jason S
Gold Coast, Australia
Will you be scheduling flihts fro SIN to Paro?
DrukAsia.com
Singapore, Singapore5 contributions
Hi Jason
its looking like flights may only resume earliest in Oct
Right now there are only cargo flights between Singapore and Paro
kiwian
New Zealand16 contributions
We are from New Zealand and Australia and are planning to visit Bhutan next September. Would you be able to suggest a 10 or 11 day itunerary to includes a few days trekking. Accommodation level can be 3 to 4 star.
Cindy-SG-Red-Dot
Singapore, Singapore25 contributions
Hi hi... go to DrukAsia website and use their “Talk to us” link and send them a query. This was how I did it. They are able to customize itinerary to your preferences etc... cheers...