Kimkim Trip Reviews for Bhutan

4.9
Based on 88 ratings
Read 88 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Bhutan on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

The trip of a lifetime! In trying to coordina...
Bhutan | Sep 25 - Oct 1, 2022

Scott
Scott B.
Singapore | Reviewed on Oct 02, 2022
The trip of a lifetime! In trying to coordinating this trip with reopening of the Kingdom of Bhutan provided an extra challenge for Bas and his team, but they went above and beyond to ensure that I had the itinerary that I wanted. I will definitely travel with Kimkim again. Read more

The trip of a lifetime! In trying to coordinating this trip with reopening of the Kingdom of Bhutan provided an extra challenge for Bas and his team, but they went above and beyond to ensure that I had the itinerary that I wanted. I will definitely travel with Kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews
Le Meridian Thimphu
Thimphu

The staff and service here are fantastic. The food was good and the location was central. However, being in the city center, there is quite a bit of noise like construction all day and dogs barking most of the night. If you are a light sleeper, I might look somewhere else.

Authenticity & Character
Very clean and modern.
Location
Walking distance to city square and restaurants. It felt very safe.
Staff
The front desk is welcoming and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
A very comfortable place to stay.
Dewachen Hotel
Phobjikha

This is only rated as a three star hotel, but it definitely deserves to be four or five. The location is remote but very comfortable. There are gorgeous views of the valley and exactly the kind of tranquility you travel to Bhutan to find. My room had candles and a fireplace which were perfect for the stormy evening I spent there. The bathroom was a little dated, but clean and practical. There's no WiFi in the rooms only the lobby and dinning area, which for me was an added benefit. The food was good and serving sizes were plentiful. If I ever make it back to Bhutan, this is the first place I'm booking. This place is leans heavy on charm and authenticity, but that's exactly what I was looking for. A great stay!

Authenticity & Character
This felt more like a mountain cabin getaway then a hotel experience. The staff was there when you needed them, and out of your attention otherwise.
Location
The views of the storm coming up across the valley were amazing. Likewise, the sunrise the next morning was equally as impressive. The grounds are simply stunning.
Staff
Caring and warm. They provided exactly what I needed without being too invasive or distant.
Cleanliness & Comfort
They were ready for the return of tourists and had obviously kept up the place during covid. It felt like they never missed a beat.
Zhingkham Resort
Punakha

Out of all the hotels I stayed in, this was the most disappointing. While the views are stellar, the service and rooms felt cold and impersonal. The food was likewise as it lacked any identity besides trying not to upset anyone. The walls were paper thin and conversations from down the hall or out on other balconies could easily be heard in my room with the doors closed. I wasn't sad to leave.

Authenticity & Character
This was a typical tourist hotel, the exact same that's found near every great sight. Impersonal and cool interactions and rooms define this place far more than the views.
Location
The view couldn't be better. The drive to up the hotel couldn't be worse. Once you are there, you aren't going anywhere.
Staff
The staff stayed in their assigned positions without ever trying to provide more than the basic service they were tasked with.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms (specifically the bathrooms) had just been reopened after a two and half year covid closure. They could have used that time to update, or at least thoroughly clean.
Risum Resort
Ha

The Risum staff carry the reputation at this under construction hotel. From the very first interation to the very last, the staff was helpful and warm and welcoming. They obviously wanted to make a great impression. The rooms and dinning were nothing exciting (no WiFi in the rooms).

Authenticity & Character
I could tell the hotel was trying hard to improve the lodging for the guests. Lots of construction and projects happening. My room was adequate, although not impressive.
Location
Set outside of the main town of Ha, this hotel feels removed and remote.
Staff
If the rooms and location were one star, then the staff made this a three star hotel. Their service was five star. I would return here simply because they cared about me as a guest.
Cleanliness & Comfort
A work in progress, but progress is being made.
Le Meridien Riverfront Paro
Paro

Although not a nice as the Le Meridian in Thimpu, this hotel is near the airport and has a nice view of the river. It is more geared towards business than tourist travelers. My stay was adequate for a three/four hotel star but by no means exceptional.

Authenticity & Character
There are small touches which go a long way. The serving of hot apple cider upon arrival was nice, but didn't take away from the fact that the atmosphere was business.
Location
You're near the airport, but not near anything else.
Staff
Helpful but not warm or wanting to go above and beyond.
Cleanliness & Comfort
By far the best/newest rooms I stayed in. Very modern and professionally serviced.
Activity Reviews
Thimphu City Walk (Thimphu)
Thimphu City Walk (Thimphu)
Thimphu

Arrived too late to for this experience.

Trying out bicycles
Thimphu

Arrived too late for this experience. I took the bicycle I was offered.

From Thimphu to Phobjikha by car and bicycle
From Thimphu to Phobjikha by car and bicycle
Thimphu

Good climb out of Thimphu, the weather held off but the clouds obscured any views. The road was wide and traffic was light. 99% of cars and trucks gave us lots of room on the road. The descent from the pass was smooth and fast. We got off the bikes in Wangdue and took the truck up to Lawa La Pass. The road was very narrow and under construction. From Lawa La Pass the ride down into the valley was easy and beautiful. A good day on the bike.

Quality of Experience
Great way to get acclimated to the elevation.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide struggled with the climbing at points. Blamed the bike, previous injuries, weather, gear, but really, I don't think he was expecting me to be fit enough to ride at these elevations.
Transport
Felt safe even on the narrow roads.
Gangtey Goenba (Phobjikha)
Gangtey Goenba (Phobjikha)
Phobjikha

Gorgeous temple. Worth the stop!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed learning from him.
Transport
From Phobjikha to Punakha by bicycle
From Phobjikha to Punakha by bicycle
Phobjikha

Great climb on quiet road going back the way we came into the valley. The descent from the pass was a bit hair-raising at points as the speed of the traffic and the narrow road made this no place for beginner road cyclists in some places.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Punakha Dzong (Punakha)
Punakha Dzong (Punakha)
Bhutan

This is why you travel all this way. A stunning fort and temple rich with history and culture. I enjoyed every minuted here.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgeable.
Transport
Prayer ceremony at local nunnery (Punakha)
Prayer ceremony at local nunnery (Punakha)
Bhutan

We missed this because of a change in our schedule. While the views from the nunnery were spectacular, I don't think this was worth the time to get up to the site.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
From Punakha to Thimphu by bicycle
From Punakha to Thimphu by bicycle
Punakha

Huge climb! Loved every pedal stroke. The roads were in good condition and we made great time up to the Dochula Pass.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Again the climb was too much for my guide who abandoned after 19km. I climbed the rest of the way solo. He supported from the vehicle every 3-5km, but I would have felt more comfortable riding with someone on the busy highway.
Transport
Trashichu Dzong (Thimphu)
Trashichu Dzong (Thimphu)
Thimphu

We did not make this stop because of schedule.

Memorial Chorten (Thimphu)
Memorial Chorten (Thimphu)
Thimphu

We did not make this stop because of the schedule.

From Thimphu to Ha Valley by bicycle
From Thimphu to Ha Valley by bicycle
Thimphu

By far the longest day on the bike. The guide said it was downhill, an uphill, and then flat. But it was really hilly the whole way with over 1200m of elevation gain in the first 75kms of the 105kms. From 50km the road was under heavy construction and turned from a decent highway into barely passable farm/back road comprised of a single lane of mud and rough riding.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
My guide rode the downhill section and got off the bike at 19km when we started the climb. At 50km the truck stopped for the restroom and that was the last I saw of them for 25km as there was a series of bottlenecks and moving road closures. If I had known I wouldn't see them again for 2 hours, I would have taken on more sunscreen, water, and food at 50km when we stopped together. Both the guide and driver seemed surprised by both the extent and magnitude of the road construction work too.
Transport
Driver did the best he could under the circumstances to stay with me as I rode, but the conditions did not allow him to keep up with me.
From Ha to Paro by bicycle
From Ha to Paro by bicycle
Ha

Big climb up to majestic heights! I loved every second of this ride. Stunning views and a real sense of accomplishment to crest over 3990m. I'd come back to Bhutan just to do this ride again. We covered 60km and climbed 1100m in just over 3 hours. A great day on the bike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba (Paro)
Hike to Tigernest Monastery aka Taktshang Goemba (Paro)
Paro

Stunning views and the temple visit is well worth the big hiking effort after the ride.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Oct 03, 2022

Dear Scott,
So nice to hear you had a trip of a lifetime in Bhutan! Thanks for your your kind words and detailed feedback, much appreciated. Hope to see you again some time in Bhutan!
All the best and many greetings,
Bas.

This was a fantastic trip!
Bhutan | Nov 29 - Dec 3, 2019

K
karin f.
Lawrence, KS | Reviewed on Dec 14, 2019

This was a fantastic trip! Everything went smoothly, and they did everything to make it as good an experience as possible. The guide and driver, Tek and Migma, We’re friendly and helpful and always on the lookout for interesting things to add to our itinerary. Vishaul was also very responsive both before and during the trip, and answered all of our questions promptly. Bhutan was such an amazing and relaxing experience. We did tours of Thimphu and Paro,, and a hike to Tigers nest. Don’t miss these!

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Dec 17, 2019

Dear Karin,

Thank you for your kind words and this opportunity. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting your trip and great to hear that the destination lived up to your expectation. Hopefully bhutan beckons you again in not too distant future.

With best regards, Sonam

Wonderful whirlwind tour of Bhutan!
Bhutan | Oct 11 - Oct 18, 2019

Vish
Vish K.
Canada | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2019
Memorable trip! We had a fabulous experience with Sonam as our guide, and Prem as our enthusiastic, very skilled driver (how we navigated those narrow roads without a scratch, I'll never know!). Bas and the team were fantastic in tailoring the trip to our specific dates and needs, including arranging for my flight tickets to and from Kabul (which proved to be much more problematic than I'd anticipated). I'd indicated a preference for photography and hiking, and the team managed to provide us... Read more

Memorable trip! We had a fabulous experience with Sonam as our guide, and Prem as our enthusiastic, very skilled driver (how we navigated those narrow roads without a scratch, I'll never know!). Bas and the team were fantastic in tailoring the trip to our specific dates and needs, including arranging for my flight tickets to and from Kabul (which proved to be much more problematic than I'd anticipated). I'd indicated a preference for photography and hiking, and the team managed to provide us with lots of memorable experiences! Highlights include meeting the Queen on a hiking trail, doing an ad hoc photo shoot with a flurry of nuns at a convent, and of course the march up to Tiger's Nest. Thank you muchly to Sonam, Prem and Bas!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Oct 28, 2019

Dear Vish and Neal, Thank you so much for your kind words! We were happy to host your trip and this really is what keeps us going: guests who had a memorable and fabulous experience. Hope you will cherish these memories for a long time and feel free to come back to Bhutan any time ;-)
All the best for you and many greetings,
Bas.

Bhutan walking trip with kids
Bhutan | Oct 8 - Oct 16, 2019

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Delaney S.
Dublin, CA | Reviewed on Oct 18, 2019
We had the most magical experience in Bhutan. Vishal did a terrific job planning for us and our two children. Our guide Jem was very knowledgeable and warm and also was great with our kids. He was constantly entertaining them (and the grown ups). We loved Jem and our driver Karma was also great (which is important on the narrow and windy roads in Bhutan). Vishal picked great hikes for us and great lodging - including a historic house in Haa and a homestay in Paro with a family that... Read more

We had the most magical experience in Bhutan. Vishal did a terrific job planning for us and our two children. Our guide Jem was very knowledgeable and warm and also was great with our kids. He was constantly entertaining them (and the grown ups). We loved Jem and our driver Karma was also great (which is important on the narrow and windy roads in Bhutan). Vishal picked great hikes for us and great lodging - including a historic house in Haa and a homestay in Paro with a family that had a son the same age as our son (they had so much fun). We enjoyed having dinner with Vishal and his wife Sonam. We loved, loved, loved Bhutan and we are already talking about when we can come back. Vishal and Jem were a huge part of this being such a great experience.
I would also highly recommend the Kim Kim app because it was so easy to use and communicate.
As a side note I never write reviews for anything so the fact I am for this experience should say a lot! We are very experienced travelers around the world and I will definitely use the Kim Kim app a second time.
Delaney

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Oct 20, 2019

Dear Delaney,

It was great pleasure hosting your family in Bhutan. We had a great time interacting with you all.
We are thankful for this opportunity and glad to hear that the services were up-to your expectations. Look forward welcoming again for the next adventure.

With best regards Sonam and Vishal

India, Bhutan & Nepal Trip 7 days
Bhutan | Oct 2 - Oct 8, 2019

Q
Quoc T.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2019

Bas organised a fantastic trip for us through Bhutan, India and Nepal.
The accommodation was world class and the tour ran really smoothly!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Oct 28, 2019

Dear Hung,
Great to hear you enjoyed your trip! Within a week you have seen so many places in 3 different countries, happy to hear the trip ran smoothly!
All the best,
Bas.

Accompanying my spouse who has a work trip
Bhutan | Aug 27 - Sep 8, 2019

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Jane B.
Australia | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2019
Wow what a trip we have just had! Firstly, a huge thank you to Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and to Thinley (our guide) and Migmar (our driver) who made our 2-week trip so memorable, informative, fun, with seamless travel connections and full of chilli cheese!
From the start, organising this trip was made easy with the communication, advice and support provided by Vishal. Ric was on an invite working visa with the Ministry of Health and Vishal went out of his way to navigate the...
Read more

Wow what a trip we have just had! Firstly, a huge thank you to Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and to Thinley (our guide) and Migmar (our driver) who made our 2-week trip so memorable, informative, fun, with seamless travel connections and full of chilli cheese!
From the start, organising this trip was made easy with the communication, advice and support provided by Vishal. Ric was on an invite working visa with the Ministry of Health and Vishal went out of his way to navigate the complexities of the various itineraries and different visa types Ric and I had to have in place.
The hikes that Thinley and I undertook together (while Ric was working) around Paro were fabulous, walking through pine forests and we hardly saw another soul on any of them, apart from a few local farmers, monks and friendly dogs! Thinley has a wealth of knowledge about his country, Buddhism, the history of the various monasteries, Dzongs, temples we visited and of Bhutan’s flora and fauna. He could even talk with the birds! And our very respectful driver, Migmar, was a delight to be around and we always felt in safe hands on the mountainous roads.
In the second half of our trip, Ric joined us for hikes and sightseeing in and around Punakha and Thimphu. We loved watching the national sport of archery, and even came back to Australia with a traditional bow and arrows!!
We were also lucky enough to be in Thimphu to watch the Tour of the Dragon – one of the World’s toughest mountain bike races which sees cyclists covering 268 kms, up and down 4 mountains all in one day! Even the Prime Minister of Bhutan took part.
We stayed in the 3-star Tourist hotels organised by Vishal and all were of a high standard, with scenic views of dzongs, temples or the breathtakingly beautiful countryside. All the hotels were clean and comfortable, and we were certainly well fed!
The only thing that we got wrong was the weather! Bhutan is on the same latitude as Cairo and Miami and at high altitudes and at the time of year we went (end of August/September), it was hotter and more humid than we had planned for! Be prepared to wear long sleeves to enter the zdongs and temples and also not every hotel, restaurant and/or shop takes credit cards so take in some hard currency (preferably US$).
We loved our time in Bhutan, with its proud people and strong national identify and it seems decades before its time in terms of the environment – at the Paris Climate talks, Bhutan didn’t commit to becoming carbon neutral – they committed to staying carbon negative (i.e. their forests absorb more carbon than the country emits)! It really is a special country.
We plan to come back with our family to do a 6-day hike and will certainly, without a doubt, be in touch with Vishal and Sonam and go through Trophel Tours again.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Sep 22, 2019

Dear Jane and Ric,

Thank you very much for talking the time to share your experience and we truly appreciate this opportunity to show our country. Thank you once gain and we forward hearing from you on the family trip. Thanks Sonam .

Himalayan Adventure
Bhutan | Jun 3 - Jun 13, 2018

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Matthew D.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 15, 2019
My wife and I took our trip to the incredible treasure of a country, Bhutan, a bit over a year ago now. That it took me a year to write a review is entirely a reflection on myself and not at all 9n our gracious and accommodating hosts and guides. Vishal and Sonam, our tour organizers, we're incredible from the initial contact about considering the trip, all the way through to leaving for home. During the booking discussions they made the process easy and worry free for us. They spoke with... Read more

My wife and I took our trip to the incredible treasure of a country, Bhutan, a bit over a year ago now. That it took me a year to write a review is entirely a reflection on myself and not at all 9n our gracious and accommodating hosts and guides.

Vishal and Sonam, our tour organizers, we're incredible from the initial contact about considering the trip, all the way through to leaving for home.

During the booking discussions they made the process easy and worry free for us. They spoke with us about our goals and desires, planned a wonderful tour that was tailored to our needs and wishes, and then handled all of the paperwork for us. All we had to do was pretty much show up.

Once we arrived we were personally greeted at the airport and welcomed warmly. We met our guides (more later) and were off on the journey. Throughout our 10 day trip we were constantly in contact with Vishal who made sure that everything was going well and that all of our hopes were being met. When we had an issue with one of our accommodations, Vishal bent over backwards to ensure that we were moved to an accommodation that suited our needs even under difficult circumstances of last minute booking.

Near the end of our trip we were treated to a family style meal at Sonam's family restaurant. This was one of the highlights of our trip, the food was amazing and the service was second to none. We hope that we can someday return to this very establishment in addition to the country itself.

As for our guides, they were absolutely incredible. Our guide was Ughyen, UT for short, and our driver was Mikmar.

Let's start about UT. He was a wealth of information about his country, as well as a deep pool of interesting anecdotes and pleasant to talk to for 10 straight days. He listen to our non-stop rambling, and our constant wonder at the natural beauty and amazing culture of his country. He never seem to get genuinely bored of listening to us ramble on. Part way through the trip we were lucky enough to take part in a local ceremony at a private residence that UT organized for us. Being Buddhist ourselves this was absolutely the highlight of our trip. It felt like something that most visitors to Bhutan would not have access to. And while this may not be something that every visitor could count on, we were so thankful that UT went out of his way to ensure that our trip was the trip of a lifetime.

We also spent our one year wedding anniversary in the country, and our guides arranged with a local monastery for us to receive a religious blessing, in what we understand to be a fairly uncommon ceremony with access to a Lama that made us feel very welcome and part of a beautiful culture that we are privileged to have taken part in.

Our driver Mikmar was unbelievable as well. He spoke very little but when he did he had an incredible sense of humor and he also put up with our non-stop rambling about his country and how excited we were. The roads in Bhutan have a much deserved reputation for being scary, through the mountains and even in the cities to some extent there is traffic and sharp drop offs as the entire country is built in the mountains. Unlike many of the drivers we saw who would have terrified us to be in their cars, Mikmarmade us feel comfortable constantly. His driving was incredibly professional and made us feel safe happy and enjoy our trip.

About Bhutan as a whole, we could not say better things. The entire country was beautiful. The people were friendly and wonderful to outsiders. The culture is so unique and so interesting, we feel privileged to have been a part of this rare opportunity in this very remote country. We felt that the country itself is a rare jewel, the culture is opening to the rest of the world and as we understand it changing slowly. We hope that it will retain its unique character and look forward to visiting again to see how things change and how they evolve for the better of all of the residents.

in the year since our visit, we have spoken frequently about this trip as perhaps the highlight of all of our travels in our lives now or in the future. There are many beautiful places in the world to visit and many interesting and unique beautiful cultures. However for us Bhutan was the pinnacle of what we hoped and dreamed to experience.

Our trip was made possible by our wonderful guides and tour operators. Although I am certain that visiting Bhutan would be an extremely rewarding experience no matter how you managed to go, we strongly encourage anyone considering a visit to contact Sonam and Vishal via this website. We hope to visit Bhutan again in the near future and if we manage to do so we will certainly be engaging their services again. The cost to visit Bhutan are not inconsiderable, however the value we received from Sonam and Vishal's service was extremely high. We believe that the money could not be better spent and hope that everyone has an opportunity to visit this gorgeous country.

We thank everyone involved in making our trip a success and wish everyone considering a trip a wonderful journey.

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sama Sambuddhassa.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Jul 16, 2019

Dear Matt and Denise,

Thank you very for talking the time and effort to pen down this detailed trip experience. We are totally thrilled to hear of this feedback. Thank you for this opportunity in planning your trip and look forward to working on another bhutan adventure. Thanks Sonam

Asian hike adventure
Bhutan | May 13 - May 31, 2019

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Pat S.
Pacifica, CA | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2019
What rating do you give a tour when the guides – literally – saved your life? We arrived in Bhutan and began acclimatizing to the higher altitudes. Part of this process included hiking to Tiger’s nest (which was utterly amazing) and we hiked from Cheila Pass to Kila Goemba (a monastery). In regard to altitude, we were hiking at altitudes as high as 3,988 meters. While I did experience some issues, I got through both hikes, relatively, unscathed. In case one wonders, I was taking medicine to... Read more

What rating do you give a tour when the guides – literally – saved your life? We arrived in Bhutan and began acclimatizing to the higher altitudes. Part of this process included hiking to Tiger’s nest (which was utterly amazing) and we hiked from Cheila Pass to Kila Goemba (a monastery). In regard to altitude, we were hiking at altitudes as high as 3,988 meters. While I did experience some issues, I got through both hikes, relatively, unscathed. In case one wonders, I was taking medicine to help me acclimatize. On day four we began our trek in earnest.

On this initial hike of our trek, we were scheduled to gain, roughly, 770 meters. About 4 miles into a 13 & ½ mile hike I began to experience difficulties, my legs felt extremely heavy and I was having a hard time catching my breath. I sat down on a rock and promptly passed out, the first of ten times. Two of the guides (after administering oxygen a number of times) put me between their shoulders and took me back down to where we started the hike (lower elevation and that was the first place a helicopter could land). When we reached where we started our hike, the tour company had arranged for us to be met by army personnel, including a medic, who administered an IV drop. I was air lifted out and taken to the hospital in Bhutan.

At the hospital, the medical staff treated me for severe dehydration, my kidneys were not functioning properly. I spent two nights, three days in the hospital and the tour company insured that someone was in the hospital with me the entire time, insuring that I understood what was being asked, checking on the care that I was given (chasing down medical staff when they thought I needed attention), bringing food and blankets.

Amazing group of individuals, whose sole concern was for my safety and comfort – if they hadn’t acted the way that they did, it is NOT hyperbole to say that I may not be here today. I cannot say enough good things about them. If you are planning on hiking in Bhutan, I would strongly recommend using them.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Jul 02, 2019

Dear Pat

Thank you for this opportunity to plan your trip. While it was unfortunate that the adventure did not come to its natural outcome. Nonetheless, i would like to believe that these were bigger leanings of LIFE for all of us. We wish you the best and look forward to organizing another adventure. With best regards Sonam and Vishal

We had a great time hosting you and happy to hear that the trip was upto your expectation. Thank you for the opportunity in executing the trip. With best regards, Sonam

Bhutan adventure
Bhutan | May 6 - May 15, 2019

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Janine C.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2019
Just got back from a fabulous trip to Bhutan. Our guide Thinley and our driver Karma were fantastic. Thinley was a fund of information on the many temples, stuppas and dzongs we visitied and his knowledge on the local flora and fauna added greatly to the trip. His knowledge of the local birds and the way he explained their habits and songs added to the interest. Even before we left, Vishal had everything sorted out and was prompt and open to the changes we asked for in the itinerary. The... Read more

Just got back from a fabulous trip to Bhutan. Our guide Thinley and our driver Karma were fantastic. Thinley was a fund of information on the many temples, stuppas and dzongs we visitied and his knowledge on the local flora and fauna added greatly to the trip. His knowledge of the local birds and the way he explained their habits and songs added to the interest.

Even before we left, Vishal had everything sorted out and was prompt and open to the changes we asked for in the itinerary.

The accommodation and food organised by Trophel Tours was first rate and the way in which we were treated was well above what we expected.Even the Chilli Cheese was enjoyed by us all.

The walks and hikes we did, some up around the 4,000m mark were tailored at our pace and fitness level and Thiney made sure that we completed these safely and with photos and memories we will never forget.

Some of the highlights were of course the Tigers Nest, Gantey Valley and Nature Trail, Chimmi Lhakang and the hike through the fields to get there,the Mochu River white water rafting, the day hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal monastery, Chele La Pass and the walk down through the Rhododendron forest, hot stone baths, home stay visits and many many more. Everyday was an adventure and one we did not want to end.

Even the fly fishing organised was successful. Many of the roads high up in the mountains, even though they were rutted and washed away, our driver Karma was calm and steady, the vehicle was comfortable and very well maintained and we always felt that we were safe in his hands. He was the quiet giant but usually had a funny line to throw in just as we needed it.

We also had adequate free time to do our own thing and meet and socialise with the locals in the many stores and bars. This was also a highlight of the trip.

Even the flights in and out of Paro supplied some of the most breathtaking vistas of the Himalayas imaginable

I could not rate this tour highly enough and anyone contemplating a trip Bhutan should get in touch with these guys for an unforgettable holiday

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Jun 10, 2019

Dear Janine

Great hearing from you and thank you for this kind feedback. We are thrilled to hear you had great time. Thank you for this opportunity and believing in us to execute this trip. With best regards Sonam

Nature and Culture in Bhutan - 10 Days
Bhutan | Apr 19 - Apr 25, 2019

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Ian C.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 27, 2019
Bhutan is a fascinating country. The positives about the trip were the guide and driver, (both excellent)the opportunity to see the lifestyle of the bhutanese at our own pace and the major attractions in the country including the tigers nest monastery, fortresses and the rhododendrum festival. The food disappointed with the lack of variety and blandness eg 2 buffets per day including chicken curry and rice almost every meal when we were aware that there were other local dishes that could have... Read more

Bhutan is a fascinating country. The positives about the trip were the guide and driver, (both excellent)the opportunity to see the lifestyle of the bhutanese at our own pace and the major attractions in the country including the tigers nest monastery, fortresses and the rhododendrum festival. The food disappointed with the lack of variety and blandness eg 2 buffets per day including chicken curry and rice almost every meal when we were aware that there were other local dishes that could have been made more freely available. ,What we got for effectively US 190 per day per person (being the $250 charged less $60 govt tax) was not great value considering the relatively low local prices for food and accommodation.

Local specialist: Pelden Dorji
Pelden
Pelden Dorji
Local specialist in Bhutan | Replied on Jun 14, 2019
Dear Ian, thank you for your review. We really appreciate you took the time to leave us a review. Throughout your trip, we were in touch with our crew to see if everything was going well, and they reported that you were having a great time in Bhutan. I'm sorry the food wasn't up to your expectation, but may I mention that during peak seasons, tourist standard restaurants rarely provide Ala Carte meals. Most hotels provide buffet/table-service with a wide variety of meals that are both local... Read more

Dear Ian, thank you for your review. We really appreciate you took the time to leave us a review. Throughout your trip, we were in touch with our crew to see if everything was going well, and they reported that you were having a great time in Bhutan. I'm sorry the food wasn't up to your expectation, but may I mention that during peak seasons, tourist standard restaurants rarely provide Ala Carte meals. Most hotels provide buffet/table-service with a wide variety of meals that are both local and palatable to the western tourist. We did take you to some local restaurants for Ala Carte meals to give you more experience of the authentic side of Bhutanese culinary. May I also stress that we provided you 20% discount for your family with was worth USD 200 per day per person, and after all tourism taxes, we are left with USD 135 to provide nice hotels, meals, transport, tour guide and driver, attraction fees. as as such we also provided you a number of value-additions to make your holiday worth remembering for a lifetime, which I'm sure you will agree. We thank you for your review and definitely try to improve working with restaurants to improve the overall food quality in Bhutan. Thanking you.

Bhutan Laya Gasa Trek
Bhutan | Apr 1 - Apr 21, 2019

Jonathan
Jonathan L.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2019
Background: I was originally supposed to do the 12 day Laya Gasa Trek, but we had to abort after 3 days (at Mt Chomolhari Base Camp), due to heavy snow on the passes. Consequently, we completed on alternative trek. Either side of my visit to Bhutan, I stayed in Kathmandu for 24 hours while waiting for my flight to Paro. Dates for trip 1/4/19 until 22/4/19. Comments on KimKim: In short, the service from KimKim and Bas in particular was superb. I cannot fault it. Since this trip encompassed 3... Read more

Background: I was originally supposed to do the 12 day Laya Gasa Trek, but we had to abort after 3 days (at Mt Chomolhari Base Camp), due to heavy snow on the passes. Consequently, we completed on alternative trek. Either side of my visit to Bhutan, I stayed in Kathmandu for 24 hours while waiting for my flight to Paro. Dates for trip 1/4/19 until 22/4/19.

Comments on KimKim: In short, the service from KimKim and Bas in particular was superb. I cannot fault it. Since this trip encompassed 3 weeks, several towns and two countries and I was very specific about what I wanted to see and do, this holiday could have been a nightmare to organise. However, it was so easy: I merely inputted my wishes and needs, then was allocated Bas, who organised everything, including the visa for Bhutan and flights between Nepal and Bhutan. Any queries were answered expertly and punctually. I also really appreciated their flexibility: when I needed to change the dates for my guided tour in Kathmandu, it was dealt with rapidly and seemlessly. I cannot thank Bas enough. Due to the fantastic organisation of the holiday by Bas, everything apart from the weather went smoothly in that the guides were waiting at the airport for me and hotel rooms were ready when I arrived. The accommodation was satisfactory, with the exception of the Druk Hotel in Thimpu, which was fantastic; a real bit of luxury after the rigours of hiking and camping.

Comments on Windhorse:
Kimkim allocated Windhorse Tours to look after me on this trip. They provided me with a guide (Pema), cook (Long De Bu), assistant cook and horsemen. I was very happy with the team. They went out their way to put me first and make my holiday special. The equipment provided was satisfactory and did the job. The only thing I would say is that the eating tent has quite a lot of mould on the covers: it either needs to be replaced or scrubbed between trips.

Special mention must go to my guide, Pema, and the cook. Pema was punctual, knowledgeable and passionate about trekking and Bhutan. His English was brilliant. Even though he was super fit and I was super slow, I never felt rushed while walking. The cook, Long de Bu, was amazing. I never thought that, at 4100 metres, I would be eating popcorn, pizza, noodles etc. The food was so good and I was so well fed that I actually gained weight despite a total of 10 days of hiking! Despite being away from the their families and coping with tough weather conditions, the team were always singing, laughing and smiling.

Comments on Bhutan: in contrast to Kathmandu, which was dirty and overcrowded, Bhutan was clean and fresh. It was so quiet and the scenery wherever you look is breathtaking. The Bhutanese are the friendliest people in the world. They are full of song and laughter, yet are also softly spoken and gentle. Whenever I looked a bit lost, the locals were quick to stop and give me directions.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on May 07, 2019

Dear Jonathan,
Thanks for taking the time to share some feedback on your trip. We are very happy to hear that you were impressed by the friendliness of the Bhutanese and the breathtaking scenery. Also great to hear you were happy with the services provided by Pema and Long. We wish you all the best on your future endeavours and hope to see you again sometime in Bhutan!
With kind regards,
Bas.

Trekking with friends
Bhutan | Apr 7 - Apr 14, 2019

Y
Yalmaz S.
Las Vegas, NV | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2019

Trophel tours arranged an absolutely splendid 8 day experience for us in Bhutan. From the moment we were picked up, through our incredible 4 day Druk Parh trek, to the sad final departure...the service was exemplary. Tek was an incredible guide, supported by a capable team, and Vishal was very helpful and accommodating during planning. We would highly recommend their services. Yalmaz (USA), Kevin (NZ), Damian (India)

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Apr 25, 2019

Dear Yamaz, Kevin and Damian,

We had a great time hosting you and happy to hear that the trip was upto your expectation. Thank you for the opportunity in executing the trip. With best regards, Sonam

Discovery and experiential
Bhutan | Mar 31 - Apr 10, 2019

V
Vicki B.
Australia | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2019
My husband and I have just returned from 10 magical nights in Bhutan which was organised by Trophel Tours and Treks. Vishal and Sonam the owners of Trophel Tours dealt with the many questions we had in organising our tour. They always responded promptly and professionally which made us feel very confident that we were in good hands. The itinerary they organised gave us a good overview of western Bhutan. The accommodation was a mix of top hotels to farmstay, all of which we enjoyed immensely.... Read more

My husband and I have just returned from 10 magical nights in Bhutan which was organised by Trophel Tours and Treks. Vishal and Sonam the owners of Trophel Tours dealt with the many questions we had in organising our tour. They always responded promptly and professionally which made us feel very confident that we were in good hands. The itinerary they organised gave us a good overview of western Bhutan. The accommodation was a mix of top hotels to farmstay, all of which we enjoyed immensely. Our guide Gembo was a gem. He was warm, friendly, caring and always extremely professional. He listened well and was flexible in changing our itinerary to suit the weather and our needs. His knowledge of Bhutan was amazing. Our driver Mingmar navigated the sometimes tricky roads of Bhutan with great skill and we always felt that we were in safe hands. All in all we loved Bhutan and hope to return again. All of this thanks to the team at Trophel Tours and Travel.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Apr 25, 2019

Dear Vicki,

Great hearing from you and thank you for this kind feedback. We are thrilled to hear you had great time. Thank you for believing in us to execute this trip. With best regards Sonam

highlights of bhutan
Bhutan | Mar 2 - Mar 7, 2019

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patty m.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2019
Bas did a wonderful job of planning a fabulous week for us in Bhutan. What a beautiful country it is and we were lucky to enjoy everything in perfect weather. Our trip included some beautiful hikes away from the Tourist coaches ...they started out short and easy, through planted farm lands and worked up to the ultimate..Tigers Nest which was our reason for the visit. The challenge we had was the altitude (coming from our home in San Francisco at sea level) but our expert guide; Nomgay and... Read more

Bas did a wonderful job of planning a fabulous week for us in Bhutan. What a beautiful country it is and we were lucky to enjoy everything in perfect weather. Our trip included some beautiful hikes away from the Tourist coaches ...they started out short and easy, through planted farm lands and worked up to the ultimate..Tigers Nest which was our reason for the visit. The challenge we had was the altitude (coming from our home in San Francisco at sea level) but our expert guide; Nomgay and land pilot; Sonnam took it nice and easy. Bas chose a perfect team for us! We even fit in a nice bike ride! Our luck held as we had clear skies to admire the mighty Everest on our flight out. We highly recommend KimKim aka Wind Horse.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Mar 20, 2019

Dear Patty,
We are delighted to hear you had a nice experience with us in Bhutan! It was a pleasure to host your visit. So nice to see your pictures and - even better - your smiles! We hope to see you again some time in the Himalaya!
All the best and many greetings from Thimphu,
Bas.

highlights of bhutan
Bhutan | Mar 2 - Mar 7, 2019

A
azah B.
PA | Reviewed on Mar 11, 2019

Wonderful itinerary and accommodations! Lovely caring and professional guide (Namgay) and driver (Sonam). Will cherish my memories and would go with Bas and Windhorse again and highly recommend to utilize those interested in visiting Bhutan either via biking and trekking.

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Mar 12, 2019

Dear Azah, Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to host your trip! Very glad to hear you were happy with Namgay and Sonam. We hope you will cherish your memories for a long time and of course, we hope to see you again some time in Bhutan! All the best, Bas & Wind Horse Team.

Nature and Culture in Bhutan - 10 Days
Bhutan | Feb 9 - Feb 22, 2019

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Trisha S.
Bakersfield, CA | Reviewed on Mar 01, 2019

We had a great experience with Vishal and his team. They were experienced and flexible. Our guide and driver were fantastic. Our guide was very knowledgeable about Bhutan history, Buddhism, and culture of this magical country. We highly recommend using this company. They can tailor your trip to your own interests and will provide you with excellent service.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Mar 17, 2019

Dear Trisha,

Thank you for this opportunity to showcase our country. Hopefully, Bhutan has inspired you.
I will be certain to pass on your kind comments to Tek and Migmar. Thank you once again and best for your project. With thanks Sonam

TajKatBhutan
Bhutan | Jan 19 - Jan 25, 2019

Cie Ann
Cie Ann S.
Fountain Hills, AZ | Reviewed on Feb 03, 2019
If you decide to go to Bhutan, Windhorse is a good choice for anyone. They customize, advise and will comply to your needs, budget and visits you want to make along your way. The pick ups were very important; we don't know who to trust, so we don't have this worry. Bas was dependable and pleasant at all times and that gave us the opportunity to have the trip we desired. The Bhutan staff was super-professional, prompt, informed and tried to accomodate our desires. Yentin was crystal clear... Read more

If you decide to go to Bhutan, Windhorse is a good choice for anyone. They customize, advise and will comply to your needs, budget and visits you want to make along your way. The pick ups were very important; we don't know who to trust, so we don't have this worry. Bas was dependable and pleasant at all times and that gave us the opportunity to have the trip we desired. The Bhutan staff was super-professional, prompt, informed and tried to accomodate our desires. Yentin was crystal clear and all of these things and we were grateful!

Additionally we visited Agra, New Delhi, Kathmandu and Chitwan. All of the ground staff was prompt and courteous. in Agra was accommodating. Laxman in Kathmandu was very helpful and pleasant. He stored some bags while we took a flight so we could travel lighter and he generally understood our needs.

The Resort in Chitwan was very lovely and memorable! Our naturalists/guides Saki and Krishnan were amazing. They made certain we had a memorable time!

Incidentally, I cannot fault Kimkim for anything but I don't think Kimkim was helpful. In fact, they didn't answer the phone when I needed something. I don't know if Kimkim cares at all! It's hard to understand what they do(?)

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Feb 28, 2019

Dear Cie, Thank you very much for your kind words about Wind Horse. We were happy to accommodate your visit to India, Bhutan and Nepal. We thank you also for being flexible as you were, as visiting 3 countries in 7 days meant a very tight travel schedule! We hope you will cherish your memories for a long time and hope to see you again sometime in the Himalaya! All the best, Bas.

3 girlfriends to Bhutan
Bhutan | Jan 1 - Jan 5, 2019

K
Karen H.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2019

It was a really great experience, our guide Pema was super attentive as for our driver, both super nice and took really good care of us. Beyond that, the knowledge and experience was very important for us and we enjoyed every sightseeing and spot we visited.
Would totally recommend it to our friends and family.
Thank you!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Jan 19, 2019

So nice to hear that Karen! Wonderful to hear you enjoyed your visit and that you were happy with our service! See you again some time and all the best, Bas.

trek Bhutan
Bhutan | Dec 23 - Dec 31, 2018

S
stanley f.
New York, NY | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2019

Gem and Migmar provided excellent professional service. There were few problems but when one occurred it was resolved quickly and in a professional manner. Gem was flexible and adapted the schedule to suit my individual needs when required.

Local specialist: Vishal Pradhan
Vishal
Vishal Pradhan
Local specialist in Paro, Bhutan | Replied on Jan 06, 2019

Dear Stanley,

Thank you for this opportunity to showcase our country. Hopefully, Bhutan has inspired you.
I will be certain to pass on your kind comments to Gem and Migmar. Thank you once again and best for 2019.

With best regards Sonam

Bhutan nature trip
Bhutan | Nov 12 - Nov 27, 2018

D
David R.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2018

The trip was fantastic everything worked perfectly - we saw many amazing birds (over 135 species and we are not twitchers), himalayan bears, golden langurs, squirrels , butterflies and plants and incredible landscapes and temples. We stayed in some good and reasonable hotels and the camping was fine. We enjoyed great food (especially by the camp cook). We became great friends with Subash Rai our truly excellent guide and also our safe and careful driver. The car was fine for the roads and the luggage. We shared a lot of laughs and remain in touch. Thousands of photos now to process!

Local specialist: Sebastiaan Naus
Sebastiaan
Sebastiaan Naus
Local specialist in Bhutan/Netherlands | Replied on Dec 18, 2018

Dear David and Liz,
So glad to hear you enjoyed your trip! Delighted also to hear you became friends with Subash, and that you appreciated his services as well as the skills of the driver and the cook! Seems like you did see a lot of bird species indeed. And spotting a Himalayan black bear also requires some luck - or karma? ;-) Great to hear this. On behalf of the entire team, we thank you again for choosing Wind Horse for your trip. We really enjoyed hosting your trip. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again sometime!
Best regards,
Bas.