10 independent reviews for Bhutan holiday, culture and festivals
Reviews for Bhutan holiday, culture and festivals
Deirdre Protno review 1 Dec 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hiking to the Tiger's Nest Monastery.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be flexible and enjoy all the beauty of Bhutan.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Since we used a local Tour Company, I do think it benefited local people. Also our guide arranged for us to visit local artisans who we had the option to purchase their work directly. I'm not sure we reduced environmental impact but we're careful to not pollute the area with any trash. Our guide did mention the conservation efforts of the country.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. We would have liked a few more hiking opportunities.John Billington review 24 Nov 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Too many to single one out. The flight into Paro along the Himalayas. The descent by plane into the airport at Paro. The amazing Festival at Buddha Dordenma in Thimphu. The view of the Eastern Himalayas from Dochu La pass. The walk through the paddy fields to the Chimi Lhakhang Temple of Fertility built by the Divine Madman in the Punakha valley, and lunch by the river overlooking the Punakkha Dzong. The stunning Ugyenchholing Palace, museum, cafe, village and surrounding countryside. The Black Necked Crane Festival at Gangtey. The unexpected farmstay in the Phobjikha valley. The size and location of Trongsa Dzong. The hike to the Tigers Nest Monastery. The warm friendly welcome we received from our guides and driver. The dynamics of the small group of 6 we spent 13 days with ( 8/9 including our guides and driver) The culture, traditions and sincerity of the Bhutanese people.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Come and visit this wonderful country as soon as you can. Travel light, take photographs, collect memories. Be watchful where you are stepping. Be aware of the altitude, and the impact on breathing. There is no one climate in Bhutan, so pack a range of clothing and layers. November in our experience was a wonderful time of year to visit. The weather was warm during the day, but much cooler in the evening.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We hope our holiday did all three. We know that the local agent employed local people as our guides and driver. We supported local businesses where we could. The purpose of the Sustainable Development Tax is to support conservation, environmental initiatives, and benefit local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely wonderful. It lived up to and exceeded our expectations. We hope to visit again.Robin Hodsdon review 26 Sep 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The scenery and Tigers Nest hike.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared that the destination facilitates are variable as the country hasn’t geared up to western tourists.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was excellent- the country, the people, the tour itinerary and management. The tour guide and driver were exceptional.Rosie Morgan review 5 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Obviously the Tigers Nest Monastery - unbelievably beautiful & mysterious; the whole ambiance of the country - peaceful, serene, gentle and calm; the magnificent, unspoilt scenery, flora and fauna; the respectful kindness of the local people; the monasteries, temples, Buddhism, traditions and history.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you’re fit. Although not advertised as a walking holiday there are some substantial treks at altitude. In the trip notes they are described as gentle and strolling -they are either of these. Otherwise, just go, Bhutan is a one off!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
On the whole yes, however drinking water was still distributed in small plastic bottles, even though we had all brought our own refillable bottles. I was reassured by the guide that the plastic was recycled. Kathmandu was disappointing - very busy, grubby, lots of air pollution. I wouldn’t have stayed there unless I had to. I’m sure the rest of Nepal must be better.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fabulous! Well organised, great guide, driver and transport. Good traditional hotels and food. A unique experience, plus fantastic views of Everest on the flights between Kathmandu & Paro. A very safe place to travel.Tricia Bodsworth review 4 May 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Views and cleanliness. A calm, happy and law abiding society.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Many steps at all hotels and temples. Not as many Rhododendrons as you might imagine and no stopping to walk amongst them.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No but I hope the tourist fee helped the health service.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10/10.Bill Hendley review 28 Apr 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Unhelpfully it was all wonderful except the occasional plumbing issue. We did enjoy the temples partially as we have both been involved in Buddhism in the UK but our guide was exceptional in expanding our knowledge.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This is not a holiday for people with any mobility problems. One hotel there were 98 steps from restaurant to our room and another 54. No mention of the final steps to the Tigers nest. 800 down, 800 up then repeat to get back. For UK travellers going to Delhi and straight to Paro means more sustainable travel than via Kathmandu.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Holiday certainly supported local people directly in many ways. No particular conservation benefits. But we were very disappointed by ALL the plastic water bottles in Bhutan especially as your info advised us to bring our own non plastic bottle. Also much of the fruit for sale was packed in plastic unnecessarily. Plumbing in hotels meant much water just wasted.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Our guide really made our holiday. Very knowledgeable, passionate about his country etc. Also the landscape was as exceptionally wonderful as we hoped.Vito Bianco review 25 Sep 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Taj Majal; climb to the Tiger’s Nest.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get in shape before going. The activities were somewhat down-played; some hikes were much more difficult for older people than described.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not sure.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I don’t know many people my age who could have done many of the activities on this trip. Hiking paths were steep, slippery, covered with animal dung and just plain dangerous at times.Liz Winter review 16 Nov 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Just being in Bhutan - I thought it would be the Tigers Nest Monastery but there are so many other incredible things too.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don’t over pack - have your camera ready and try everything. Chat to the Bhutanese if you get the opportunity3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so, the tax is to support the country and I do trust that this is where the money is going4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was amazing - yes it’s expensive but what a unique experience. Every penny well spent.Christopher Smith review 24 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all amazing! Everything was well organised and ran smoothly.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
November was a great month to visit weather was beautiful, warm and sunny, bit colder at night but hotels did have heating and were mmostly warm.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, tourism is very important to the local population.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent would visit again.Sandra Burton review 23 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The hike up to the Tigers Nest, the Black Neck Crane Festival and the river rafting in Punakha2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take long trousers and long sleeved tops as they are required for the temples and Dzongs3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think the use of local hotel, drivers and guide plus the money spent on gifts would help the local economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
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