Namgey Hotel Phuntsholing

... are controlled by a pricing policy. This pricing policy means that tourists must Travel to Bhutan on a package tour, organized by Bhutanese tour operators (foreign travel agents are not allowed to operate in Bhutan). The whole itinerary, whether it be a cultural tour, trekking or a mixture of both, is organized by the tour operator. The fully inclusive price set by the government is presently US$200 per day, per person. Of this tariff ...

Phuntsholing is the entry point to Bhutan. We arrived quite late at night and well beyond the time when the Bhutanese immigration could accept us. I had not many problems because I have an Indian passport and in actuality I do not even require a passport. Stayed the night at a hotel after our guide and the driver from Sakten Tours and Travels had come to pick us up.

... clung to the rock face in several places, since the waterfalls were making the trail slippery. Then to recover, I arranged for a traditional Bhutanese stone bath with two other members of the group. We were led to an open sided wooden hut at the edge of the woods; inside were three wooden troughs with partitions at the ends. The baths were filled with cold ...

... guides are having a great laugh getting me to pronounce their names....involves a lot of silent Gs and Ys and other mystery letters. I thought I had a good ear for languages, but I'm **** at even _hearing_ this one! ;) Thanks for the update on Oscar - please keep sending emails, even if I can't reply. I'll read them all back in India. love Vicki ps. The skies are full of fruit bats...

Our incredible adventure continues, with so many treasures along the way. So many Dzongs to mention. All so distinctive and unique unto themselves. We feel like we are the only tourists as we barely see any. Off in just a few to start our trek up into the Himalayas; with Guide, chef, pack horses and a Dining tent and Outhouse to boot! I have to see this! Hope to post again from Paro - our last stop in 5 days @ the Gentry Palace.

... of dogs and a small tea shop that served us some hot tea and noodles . The cold breeze tickled the bones as we stopped and stared hard at the placid clouds , tugging at the mountains . A bright shaft of sunshine pierced through our skin as we let the heat in and rubbed our frozen fingers in glee . It was just us, the dogs and nature at its silent best . .

The strike had impacted our travel plans so we had to make the journey from Darjeeling to Phuentsholing in one day. We reached Siliguri, where we had to catch the bus to Bhutan in good time but unfortunately the 12.00pm bus was full and we had to endure a 2 hour wait for the next one in the stifling heat. On the way the bus had an accident with a passing truck which took off our wing mirror. A huge argument ensued between the bus and truck driver with the whole bus and half ...

... flags in the warm breeze for some time. Next down to the best tourist attraction of Phuentsholing, the Crocodile Breeding Centre (or as Phub described it, the Mosquito Breeding Centre). Actually more fascinating than it sounded. Sat in the park as it got dark, and enjoyed being back in Bhutan and then went and had dinner with Phub's friend, a senior immigration officer.

... Paper Factory, circumambulation round the National Memorial Chorten then back to Plum's for lunch. In the afternoon we went to the weekend market and then had some free time wandering around Thimphu. Back to the hotel for more hot baths. In the evening we had a dinner engagement with Soenam, our host and her husband. We went to her house and met some other tourists but unfortunately Miranda's cold was too bad and she had to make her ...

... culture and tradition. In fact, the coronation of the King on 2nd June 1974 marked the first time that Bhutan opened to the world, with the international press being allowed into the country. Today Bhutan is open to tourists with a budget strictly not of the shoestring variety, and provided the trips are kept within defined restrictions. This system of imposing high prices for the privilege ...