Festivals of Bhutan – Black Crane

Reviews from other tours by Exodus Adventure Travels

• Catherine

  October 14th, 2023
  The trip was amazing. The experienced sherpers and porter were exceptional. Safety first, checked on well being,...
  The trip was amazing. The experienced sherpers and porter were exceptional. Safety first, checked on well being, eating, sleep patterns etc to ensure altitude sickness tracking. Kept group well,paced. Experienced amazing culture. The team welcomed the group . Negative- due to bad weather at Lukla, the Exodus, administration team should have triggered the process to support our tour guide in getting to the lower helipad sooner. It isn’t the sharper team to facilitate the admin to support the tours return back home. The admin process within exodus doesn’t seem to exist with no plan B when things do not go to plan. Whilst the weather is notorious bad out of Lukla, plan b should have been triggered by exodus admin to avoid the guides from the trip the unnecessary additional work . The sherpers were amazing and shouldn’t have to support the unnecessary admin.Show more
• Danuta

  November 14th, 2013
  Amazing trip! Trekking absolutely excellent although challenging. The day when we had to walk almost 900m up the hill...
  Amazing trip! Trekking absolutely excellent although challenging. The day when we had to walk almost 900m up the hill was difficult, but we felt that we have really achieved something. River rafting excellent as well. All the lodges during the trekking and rafting part of the holidays were absolutely brilliant and we have even been treated with a cup of tea in the morning to watch the sunrise! We haven't enjoyed Chitwan that much and we felt that it would have been much more enjoyable to have couple more days trekking instead. We were a bit disappointed that we were not actually staying/visiting the park itself - we were only allowed on the outskirts. Overall excelent and definitely recommended. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Definitely trekking! Stunning scenery, beautiful and welcoming lodges....and those sunrises with excellent mountain views and a warm cup of tea. What did you think of your group leader? Dawa was absolutely brilliant. He was going out of his way to make our trip everything we hoped for. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? If you think that the weather will be on the wet side take shin protectors with you - a lot of leeches while trekking. While in Chitwan - make sure you have long sleeves and good insect repellent. Plenty of drinking water available. There were a few step uphills with quite big steps that required a certain degree of fitness. Is there anything else you would like to add? Absolutely amazing trip! Thank you to our group leader Dawa for everything and our amazing porters while trekking (huge respect for the guys - they were doing the same uphills as we did but with all our stuff on their backs). Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone whishing to visit Nepal.Show more
• Jude

  November 13th, 2013
  An amazing experience only disappointed by not getting to base camp due to weather conditions. It's the chance you...
  An amazing experience only disappointed by not getting to base camp due to weather conditions. It's the chance you take and you may not get to see Everest if weather turns for the worst. There are a lot of monasteries to see but each one did have something spectacular to look at. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Watching the pilgrims circling the Jokhang and seeing Potala Palace. The Yamdrok Tso green lake was fantastic. What did you think of your group leader? Keshar was amazing! He was so knowledgeable and experienced. He sorted out problems caused by the weather and nothing was too much trouble for him. He was always willing to take us out at night for meals and even became the waiter on many occasions. Made us feel very at ease. He was an inspirational guy. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for the tibean toilets as they are very basic and dirty. Take plenty toilet paper and antibacterial wipes and lotion as there is often no running water to wash your hands. Better to ask the guide to stop roadside for toilet stops! Every menu is the same in every restaurant you are in. There is a good choice of chinese food and the food is very cheap. Stick to vegetarian options or yak sizzlers were worth a try.There were a lot of long drives as the cars speed limit was very slow and we had to stop for check points along the way which slowed the journeys down. You can't take photos inside any monasteries unless you paid - the prices varied depending on the room. No photos at all inside Potala Palace and you can't take your Lonely Planet guide of Tibet into the country. Is there anything else you would like to add? Worth going to the viewpoint at the west side of the main square for fantastic views of the Potala Palace.Go to see it lit up at night with fountains dancing and the locals dancing to the music. Very friendly locals encourage you to join in. It is really cold at night in October the further you travel from Lhasa and the hotels often don't have heating or hot water so take hand warmers and sleeping bags to stay warm.Some accommodation was surprising good like in Lhasa and Shigaste but some are quite basic - especially the one in Xegar and the last one in Zhangmu - it was disappointing.If you are in a big group of 16 it can take a long time for meals to be prepared for you so there is often a lot of waiting about at meal times. Maximum size of trips would be better limited to 12 at the most.There are a lot of wild dogs in every town you visit but they don't bother you at all.Remember to slow down for the altitude - it might be worth taking diamox to help with the symptoms.Show more