3 Stars For The Unfulfilling Itinerary
Stayed in Bhutan for 14 days during winter. Bhutan is indeed stunningly beautiful. However, I could have had a much more memorable stay had the itinerary been made more thoughtful. Not much attention was given to the winter itinerary that the agency sent me. It appeared more of a template suitable for spring and autumn. Many shops and places of interest were closed during my visit, which, of course, I only found out when I was already there. Some days were dull, with nothing to do, leading to boredom. I was told that I should "perhaps discuss this with the guide," which I did. My guide did her best to fill in the gaps in the itinerary. However, with the limited options for her to present, there was also not much she could do, and I do not blame her. For instance, three days were allocated for Bumthang, but I wasted two days because there was nothing much to do. The suggestion to change to another location came in at the second night, so I practically wasted two days already. This would have been avoided if careful attention was given to the proposed itinerary prior to my travel, and not during my stay. Alternatives should have been in place. I wish the agency was transparent on communicating about the ideal length of stay for winter. I would have felt more fulfilled for 10 days than staying 14 days with a stretched itinerary. Whether one travels off-peak or peak season, all travellers deserve to get their money's worth. And then there were some issues with the accommodation of my hardworking guide and driver. They had limited access to a proper heating system and hot water on those freezing winter nights. One time, I tried to negotiate with a hotel representative to provide them with access to hot water, and he gave me a rude response. (That hotel was Bhutan Mountain Resort.) But on the positive side of things, I am blessed to have spent this journey with my guide and my driver. My guide, Tshewang, has a very kind heart yet strong. I will forever remember all those hikes and cliffs that we braved together. My driver, Thinley, is smart, funny and a good conversationalist. He could make a good guide for a socio-economic trip. Not to mention, he can take good photos! DrukAsia is lucky to have them. They are for keeps.