We’ve just returned from a remarkable 12 days in Bhutan and couldn’t recommend it more highly. This is some feedback from Sophie and me.
The whole thing went brilliantly from start to finish. We have some appreciation for the challenges of operating in developing countries, and so very much respect what went into delivering the outstanding service. We were continually delighted. Our expectations were well and truly exceeded.
The core trekking support team of Sam, Norbu, and Sigay was genuinely outstanding. They worked tirelessly and delivered incredible meals and services for us, always with a bright smile. They were 10/10.
The guide, Sonam, was good - capable, organised, calm and helpful. He dealt with the two mini crises extremely well - when one guest had to be evacuated and the 2nd set of ponies was very late. His one area for improvement is his communication. This would be three things: (i) English pronunciation, (ii) in talking to our group, he nearly always directed his gaze and speech to me, the only male in the group, to the exclusion of the women, and (iii) he could be more proactive and forthcoming with information. He will go from 8/10 to 10/10 if he can improve his communication.
There was a small misunderstanding about the tipping. From the WEx materials and common sense, we had assumed the tips would be given at the end of the trip. Sonam asked us for a tip for the first set of horsemen when they finished their work mid-trip, and he indicated that the team tip fund would usually be provided at the start. That didn’t seem consistent with the WEx materials, and we had no way to know how much horsemen should be tipped. Also, the WEx materials say “if” you have a guide or drivers, which is odd given that this trip had both. Our sense from the WEx materials was that there would be two tips: one for the team and one for the guide. We assumed the drivers and horsemen were part of the team. In reality, more than two tips were required, as drivers and horsemen were not considered part of the team. The practice of tipping is foreign to us and sensitive, and WEx would do well to achieve better clarity for all.
The hotels in Paro and Thimpu were both great, and the staff were wonderful.
Thank you again for a truly wonderful adventure. We are already talking about our next one!
