Bhutan: Druk Path Trek

Traveler Reviews

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  Kirsty Beattie

  November 4th, 2013
  5
  This is a great trip to get an introductory into Bhutan; culture, trekking and amazing scenery, what more could you...
  This is a great trip to get an introductory into Bhutan; culture, trekking and amazing scenery, what more could you want? What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The warm up hike day was amazing, to be walking up to Tigers nest monastry and hearing the monks chanting with it echoing through the valley..just great way to start the trip! What did you think of your group leader? Group leader was great, very helpful and friendly.  Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Enjoy! Also ask your guide about hot stone baths in Paro, they were great! Show more
  Traveled in October 2013
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  David Butler

  January 19th, 2012
  4
  Good well rounded trip with time allowed for plane malfunction contingencies. Guide excellent,walking challenging but...
  Good well rounded trip with time allowed for plane malfunction contingencies. Guide excellent,walking challenging but doable and enjoyable, accommodation excellent. Good to have the few days in Kathmandu. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Climbing up to and viewing Taksang Monastery.  Surviving Bhutanese driving . What did you think of your group leader? Sonam was a brilliant person--inspirational, patient, informative and just a great (Top) guy. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Get fit, have all your medication with you, travel light and keep your mind open and curious.. Is there anything else you would like to add? Make sure to go early to the Festival to be sure to get a seat in the shade.  Failing that bring some sort of head scarf --It gets kind of warm in the sun.   And please respect the dress code---I was ashamed to be ' European' by the dress of some people at the event despite all the guide books stressing this request.  ( Gripe over)Show more
  Traveled in December 2011
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  Clare Sayer

  October 29th, 2011
  4
  An excellent tour with a fine mix of culture and activity. Varied, well organised - we enjoyed it very much. What...
  An excellent tour with a fine mix of culture and activity. Varied, well organised - we enjoyed it very much. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Inspirational? an extreme word ... but very enjoyable or interesting?Flying into Paro and finding even the control tower was in local Bhutanese architecture! People wandering around the tarmac taking pictures instead of rushing into the arrivals hall.Finding that on trek we were actually provided with seats with backs!  (I may be 'sad' but, as you get older, it can be pretty uncomfortable camping without.) Rising early to enjoy the pink rising sun on the snowy mountains and frost at 4,000 metres. (Not a requirement of the trip!)The fantastic perfume from some of the small rhododendrons as you walk past.  This was not from flowers but the bushes themselves. Apparently they are used for incense.And, of course, the Thimpu festival, especially all the happy children, many lining up for photos.  The combination of proud, colourful traditional dress with modernity - the mobile phones and the man taking a picture of his grandchild on his iPad. What did you think of your group leader? We had two - in our view both excellent but in different ways, with different approaches and different personalities.We were on the same trip as the previous review so it just shows how much your view of a leader can depend on your experience of him/her. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Yet another warning about fitness. At normal UK altitudes I would not have found the trek any problem at all. Add 3000-4000 metres, deduct the relevant amount of oxygen and it becomes a bit more of a challenge - even if you don't get real 'altitude sickness'. So make sure you are fitter than you think you need to be.  That said, it was only 2-3 days at that altitude.Plenty of water was provided for drinking so don't bother with supplementary filtering etc. equipment.Don't worry about changing money beforehand.  Just take a good number of smallish GB notes to change when there (or dollars or Euros but they seemed to prefer pounds.)  Much can be paid for in sterling anyway.Pay attention to the dress code advice for temples and festivals. Unfortunately, requirements can change but on our trip it was important to have long sleeves and a collar - including on the first day in Paro, as you visit the Dzong in the afternoon.Don't underestimate the potential cold at night on trek. A 4-season sleeping bag is absolutely fine but it depends on your 'internal central heating' - and the weather - as to whether 3-season will suffice.  In October, it could be quite hot during the day - especially up hill(!) - say 20 degrees - but below freezing at night. It rained lightly one day and we had a short hail storm on another.There was the usual problem with tipping.  There is a need to pay small amounts into a kitty for water and, unless you object, small offerings in temples.  There are large numbers of people who are due tips - if you consider the support staff on the trek and the drivers, too.  So you can have arguments to your heart's content in the group as to the best way to organise group tips but be aware that it can add up.... Is there anything else you would like to add? All the staff were excellent.  I learned with approval the extent Exodus go to to train their leaders.  The staff on trek were extremely helpful and efficient and friendly - and the food was fantastic up there - possibly better than in the hotels...Definitely a worth-while trip.Show more
  Traveled in September 2011
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  Louisa Lewis

  October 27th, 2011
  4
  A brilliant trip combining landscapes and culture. The trek wasn't easy at altitude but worth it! What was the most...
  A brilliant trip combining landscapes and culture. The trek wasn't easy at altitude but worth it! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Sitting down outside the Dzong in Thimpu at the festival surrounded by curious children.  Walking up to 4200m and tying prayer flags to the top.  A profound moment. What did you think of your group leader? Excellent.  Very knowledgeable.  His second in command wasn't as good. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Make sure you are fit enough.  Some people on our trip really struggled, especially the older members.  It's not a hard trek but you need to have a good level of fitness.  The camp staff are great and the tents are of a good standard.  The best food of the holiday was actually on the camping nights!Don't bother with the Chitwan extension.  A long way for not much wildlife.  Quite touristy in places. Is there anything else you would like to add? Tipping was awkward as not enough guidance given.  Also more expected than indicated on trip notes.  If we have to give some much in tips then really Exodus should do a local payment and let the guide deal with it.Show more
  Traveled in September 2011
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  Janet Peace

  March 31st, 2011
  3
  I think you may need to rethink the categorisation of the trek. You say that it is nowhere difficult but we had a...
  I think you may need to rethink the categorisation of the trek. You say that it is nowhere difficult but we had a member of the trip who found it very difficult. There were 17 participants on this trip so we were very spread out at times with one guide tied up very far behind. In this circumstance I think another guide should have been provided. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Tiger's Nest Monastery and the Paro Festival. What did you think of your group leader? He was very knowledgeable and helpful Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Check that the categorisation of the trek is correct and assess your own level of fitness honestly. Is there anything else you would like to add? I think the number of guides for the number of people was not sufficient.... given the wide range of fitness levels. I was at the rear of the middle group and  at times we had to follow arrows marked on the path by the lead guide and at one point we even followed the camp dog as we felt sure he would know where he was going!This is my second trip with Exodus but I'm not sure I will use you again.Show more
  Traveled in February 2011
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  Sim Fong Webb

  May 3rd, 2010
  4
  I had high expectations of Bhutan and most were met and some exceeded. What was the most inspirational moment of...
  I had high expectations of Bhutan and most were met and some exceeded. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The trek from Paro to Thimpu was challenging but exhilirating and I enjoyed every minute of it.  What did you think of your group leader? Yesshir was knowledgeable, courteous and considerate. He worked hard to look after the group despite some difficult moments with the illness of a few in our group. He was certainly instrumental in making the trip an unqualified success. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Visit Bhutan and experience one of the most beautiful places I have visited. Please excuse the bragging but I have travelled to over 35 countries across the world. Also experience the unique, serene Bhutanese Bhuddist culture (as compared eg with that of Thailand, Indochina, Japan, Taiwan). I know this is only a snapshot of the country from a 2 week trip but the impression left on me was immense. Is there anything else you would like to add? This is for EXODUS organisers:The trip should have been clearer in emphasising that the trek should be graded B/B+ although the rest of the trip is definitely A. Two of our group had to quit the trek due to the altitude.The camping in the mountains was in snow and sleet and thus freezing. Good to have had a campfire to help us unfreeze!. Another group had one so it must have been permitted Show more
  Traveled in April 2010
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  Alison Pritchard

  April 30th, 2013
  5
  Just the most incredible experience. The serenity of the country and its people is remarkable, and the scenery...
  Just the most incredible experience. The serenity of the country and its people is remarkable, and the scenery outstanding. The holiday of a lifetime. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Seeing the reincarnation of Desi Tenzin Rabgye Rimpoche at Tango monastery. What did you think of your group leader? Outstanding Do you have any advice for potential travellers? What are you waiting for?  Go!Show more
  Traveled in March 2013
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  Martin Bloxam

  November 5th, 2012
  5
  A great experience, wonderfull scenery and excellent tour guides (Pasang and Dorgi). What was the most inspirational...
  A great experience, wonderfull scenery and excellent tour guides (Pasang and Dorgi). What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? No particular moment but throughout we experienced friendly and relaxed people who gave expression to the  Bhutan culture of "Gross National Happiness".   What did you think of your group leader? The group leader (Pasang) was excellent, friendly, helpfull and always happy. The assistant ( Dorgi) was also very good, he took the leader in explaining the Bhutan culture. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Ensure you have a 3/4 season sleeping bag and warm cloths for the evenings.Show more
  Traveled in October 2012
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  Anja Sallen

  October 22nd, 2012
  5
  I absolutely loved this trip!! Bhutan is a very fascinating country with beautiful people and amazing scenery. The...
  I absolutely loved this trip!! Bhutan is a very fascinating country with beautiful people and amazing scenery. The combination of trekking in the Himalaya and experiencing the culture is absolutely mindblowing and I can highly recommend this trip to everyone! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Trekking through the Himalaya was mindblowing for me. You don't get to meet any people and can walk in your own pace in a breathtaking environment and that to me was sooo amazing. Also being able to learn about the culture and attend the Thimphu festival was a definate highlight. What did you think of your group leader? Pasang and Dorji were absolutely fantastic tourguides who took care of everyone at all times. They were very knowledgeable and easy-going. If I ever come back to Bhutan I would make sure that either one of them would lead the tour. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Trekking in altitude is definately something different then doing the same amount of kilometres in 'normal' conditions so make sure to be fit... Also make sure to take a shirt with a collar cause otherwise you cannot attend the Thimphu festival. This was not mentioned as clearly in our tripnotes so a couple of people ended up borrowing shirts from the guys...Show more
  Traveled in September 2012
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  Georgina Jackson

  October 13th, 2012
  5
  I loved the trip! I had wanted to go to Bhutan for a very long time and it really lived up to my expectations....
  I loved the trip! I had wanted to go to Bhutan for a very long time and it really lived up to my expectations. Amazing scenery, amazing people and amazing guides. It was a great combination of a challenging trek plus culture in an area not greatly visited. It felt like a real treat from start to finish! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I think managing to sleep at 4,100m and feel ok. Finally I had acclimatised and was much fitter! The scenery was mind blowing too - you really felt you were at the centre of the world!Bhutan still feels very untouched but it's definitely starting to change so you need to go NOW...  What did you think of your group leader? Our group leader Pasang was fantastic. He looked after all of us amazingly well. Dorji who was the local guide was very kind too and I felt that we all built up a great relationship with them both which meant we got far more out of the trip as we had a much more of an understanding of Bhutan. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Yes whilst on the trip notes it said it was a moderate trip it is definately equal to doing the Inca Trail which is listed as moderate to challenging i.e. you need to train! This was something that I didn't do a huge amount of before we left as I come from Derbyshire and equate the Yorkshire Dales with walking not trekking. I did survive though and am now far more fit!Show more
  Traveled in September 2012