▣ GuestTestimonial
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Dear Mr Pema,
Back from our wonderful tour through your unique country, i would like to take the opportunity to thank you for arranging such a memorable trip for us. I also enjoyed the planning phase, when we sent e-mails back and forth. Your answers to the many questions i had came always promptly. And i appreciated your patience with the many changes and your special efforts to accommodate our special requests.
I would also like to compliment you on your competent staff. Ngawang, our driver was an excellent, very patient, adept and cautious driver. We felt very secure. The van was very comfortable. Our guide Youenten was very knowledgeable. He spoke good English and he was easy to communicate with . He answered all our many questions and explained very well.
We very much appreciated the flexibility on the spot. We could choose the restaurants and the various foods. We were served outside when it was mild. We changed the Itinerary, we stopped for a rest or tea pause whenever we got tired. When my cousin was sick Youenten bought her medicine, etc
.Most of all we enjoyed meeting the Bhutanese people, which you arranged so willingly. I shall recommend your services to anybody wishing to visit Bhutan.
With Best regards,
Ingrid Scherer-Mohr
(ex Director Canada for the German National Tourist Office)
I
▣ Bhutan Tour Guide, Tours Recommendation
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Ingrid Scherer-Mohr
Am Hochfeld 4
82433 Bad Kohlgrub
Germany April 17, 2010
Pema Norbu
Director
Bhutan Dukar Tours and Travel
P.O.Box 680
Thimpu
Bhutan
Custom tailored tour for two, March/April 2010
Dear Mr. Norbu,
Back from our wonderful tour through your unique country, I would like to take
the opportunity to thank you for arranging such a memorable trip for us.
I also enjoyed the planning phase, when we sent e-mails back and forth. Your
answers to the many questions I had came always promptly. And I
appreciated your patience with the many changes and your special efforts to
accommodate our special requests.
I would also like to compliment you on your competent staff. Ngowang, our
driver was an excellent, very patient, adept and cautious driver. We felt very
secure. The van was very comfortable.
Our guide Younten Jankho was very knowledgeable. He spoke good English
and he was easy to communicate with. He answered all our many questions
and explained very well.
We very much appreciated the flexibility on the spot. We could choose the
restaurants and the various foods. We were served outside when it was mild.
We changed the itinerary, we stopped for a rest or tea pause whenever we
got tired. When my cousin was sick Younten bought her medicine, etc.
Most of all we enjoyed meeting the Bhutanese people, which you arranged so
willingly.
I shall recommend your services to anybody wishing to visit Bhutan.
With best regards,
Ingrid Scherer-Mohr
( ex Director Canada for the German National Tourist Office )
▣ Tourism information in Bhutan
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Town Hall meeting with Tourism Stakeholders: The representatives of the government let by the Prime Minister had a consultative meeting with the tourism stakeholders. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO), Hotel Association of bhutan (AHB), Handicrafts Association of Bhutan (HAB), Guides Association of Bhutan (GAB) and Druk Air. The meeting aimed at presenting and opening discussion on the various tourism initiatives that are included in the Project Charter for Tourism delivery module. The meeting offered opportunities for the representatives of different private sector to present their views on the changes in the tourism industry that are being proposed by the government.
Bhutan Ranked Number 3 in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010: Bhutan ranked number 3 in the Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010 for Top Emerging Destination. This new category for the year rwarded countries that received fewer visitors but which wowed those who did visit.In 2009, the Tourism Council of Bhutan received a certificate from the Wanderlust Travel magazine awarding Bhutan the finalist "Top Country 2009" for the Wanderlust travel awards. Bhutan was one of the top 10 finalists for the Wanderlust Travel Awards and in 2005;Bhutan won the Silver award from the Wanderlust Travel Awards for the "Top Country".
World Tourism Day : The Tourism Council of Bhutan observed the World Tourism Day with tour operators, representatives of government and international organisation along with representatives from the media at an event held in Terma Linca Resort .
▣ Testimonial
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Hi Pema,
I have returned to LA safely. All the other others are now enjoying BKK trip till 5/13.
I really appreciate your detail arrangements and patience. Your family-like services have brought us wonderful memory of Bhutan trip.
Thank You and wish you have a very successful business.
Michael Chen
▣ Testimonial
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Dear Pema,
Thank you for everything you did on the trip. It was so touching and I can’t begin to thank you for you going out of your way to help Michael and myself. It has been a long time that I felt so free and that I could let go and smile. You made that possible.
Everything was so beautiful. My sons tell me I look happy and that I have never looked better. Michael sends his best. He says that it was the best trip that he has ever been on. I hope to see you soon in America.
Please tell your wife thank you. She helped us so much and was so sweet. You are a lucky guy.
Please tell SangJe thank you for everything he did. He was a wonderful gentleman and was so nice to Michael and myself. It is so great that there are such good, warm people as you and he in this world.
Pema if you have any extra Bhutan Dukar Tours & Travels Brochures and business cards, please send them. I would love to share the beauty of Bhutan with others around me.
Thank you so much
Janice and Michael
▣ Testimonial
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Sent: Monday, May 17, 2010 1:03 PM
Subject: Wonderful Bhutan Trip
Dear Pema,
This is Li-Fang. both my husband, Mr. Lu, and I arrived home safely. I just want to
thank you for everything you have done for us. You have made this trip an amazing
experience for everyone.
With your impacceble service, I have no doubt that your business will continue to
grow & expand in the future.
We (my husband & I ) will miss you! Until next time we meet, pleast take great care.
Please also say hi to the driver (sun-gi) for us, he was also extremely helpful
throught out this trip.
Best regard,
Li-Fang
▣ Bhutan, Visit Bhutan, Travel to Bhutan, Last Shangri-La
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We are pleased to introduce Bhutan Dukar Tours & Travel from the Kingdom of Bhutan, located in between the south of China and north of India a tiny Himalayan kingdom also known as Last Shangri-La. Bhutan offers unforgettable experiences for leisure, incentive and business travels. Our multilingual team with six years of experience in the travel industry, guarantee superior customer satisfaction to assist travelers with any request.
We provide highly personalized services from start to finish. Thanks to our direct agreements with various preferred suppliers throughout Bhutan. We are able to offer clients the highest quality service at best value, the staff at Bhutan Dukar Tours & Travels will enjoy helping you plan your itinerary and incorporating any special interest or request including;
a. Air and Ground transportation ( boarding air from Kolkata, Delhi, Katmandu and Bangkok and ground transportation
b. Hotels ( accommodation)
c. Religious tours
d. Wedding in Traditional Bhutanese style
e. Honeymoon
f. Cultural tours
g. Trekking
h. Bird watching, Nature walk, Botanical, Festivals, Bhutan textile tours and wide range of package tours.
Bhutan Dukar Tours & Travels is a new concept in vacation travels. Designed with the independent travelers in mind, our portfolio allows you to customize your vacation by choosing the destination, hotels, length of stay and a variety of sightseeing tours and special activities.
We are committed to the idea that enriching destinations, first rate accommodations, exceptional customer service and good fun are making extraordinary travel experience and all of our programs are custom-designed to achieve maximum impact. Our proactive approach enables us to indentify and create extraordinary programs that help our clients.
All our partners and vendors Bhutan Dukar Tours & Travels will never let you down infect we will provide its clients with the best service in an atmosphere of friendliness, eager to serve and readiness to educate in a pro-active environment. For any information please feel free to contact us;
Thukten Pelden Theai (Marketing Manager) cell # 975-17552255
Bhutan Dukar Tours & Travels (info@bhutandukartours.com/ www.bhutandukartours.com
▣ Festivals in the Himalayas.
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At various times throughout the year, annual festivals known as TSECHU take place around the country, but there are other festivals too. Tshechus are festivals extolling the great deeds of the Buddhist Saint, PADMASAMBHAVA popularly known as “Guru Rinpoche” in our mountain kingdom. All of Guru Rinpoche’ s great deeds are believed to have taken place on the 10th day of the month, which is the meaning of the word Tshechu, and all Tshechus do in fact take place/begin on 10th days. All the districts, Dzongs and a large number of villages in the east, hold annual Tshechus, which attract people from far and wide.
TSECHUS are celebrated for several days (usually between three and five, depending on where taking place) and are the occasion for dances that are clearly defined in religious content. They can be performed by monks, laymen or gomchens and the repertory is more or less the same everywhere.
Certain Tshechus end with the veneration of a huge appliqué Thanka, called a “thongdroel”. The thongdroel is unveiled at dawn to bring enlightenment to all who view it. Festival goers believe that by simply viewing this thongdroel, they can be delivered from the cycle of birth and rebirth, which is the ultimate aim of Buddhism.
Some Tshechus also have a “wang”, a collective verbal blessing given by a high lama. Colored threads are distributed, and people tie them around their necks as witness to the blessing. Sometimes the wang is called “mewang” meaning “blessing by fire” which burns away their impurities.
Atsaras are clowns whose expressive masks and postures are an indispensable element in any religious festival. They confront the monks, toss out salacious jokes, and distract the crowd with their antics whenever the religious dances begin to grow tedious. Believed to represent Acharyas, religious masters of India, they are the only people permitted to mock religion in a society where sacred matters are treated with the highest respect. For a few days, these popular entertainers are allowed the freedom to express a formulaic challenge within an established framework that does not, however, upset the social and religious order.
For the Bhutanese, attendance at religious festivals offers an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and to gain much merit. People bring out their finest clothes, their most beautiful jewelry, and enjoy picnics with friends and families.
At, Bhutan Dukar Tours and Travels, we are promoting festival packages for the famous undermentioned festivals:
* Thimphu Tsechu: 17, 18 and 19 September,2010
* Jambay Lhakhang Drup: 22,23,24 and 25 October,2010
* Tamshing Phala Choepa: 17,18 and 18 September 2010
* Ura Yakchoe: 24-28th April,2010
*Nimulung Tsechu: 19-21 June,2010
*Tangbi mani: 122-24 September,2010
For further information and arrangements please feel free to contact us any time.
▣ Bhutan Dukar in the upcoming The New York Times Travel Show.
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We are pleased to announce that Bhutan Dukar Tours and Travels, one of the licensed and competent travel agencies in Bhutan and an associate of American Society of Travel Agents is one of the exhibitors in the upcoming 7th Annual New York Times Travel show 2010.
Recognized internationally as the premire travel show held in North America, the show will take place from February 26-28, 2010 at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York city , U.S.A.
We take the liberty to introduce us at the travel show and we would like to request all travel agents/ tour operators and the travel professional world wide to visit our travel representative at the show.
For your kind information, our booth No. is 255.
We sincerely look forward to welcome you at our booth to foster a better possible cooperation in our businesses.
▣ 2nd Community Based Sustainable Tourism in Phobjikha Conservation Area.
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The Royal Society for the protection of Nature had initiated the project with the goal to develop Phobjikha into a model tourism destination and also to integrate conservation and development objectives by introducing environmentally viable tourism activities that bring maximum benefit to the poorest section of the local communities.The project will benefit the communities of four gewog in Phobjikha.The overall objective of the project is to develop Phobjikha valley as a model community-based sustainable tourism destination contributing to the conservation of the natural environment ,the protection of the crane habitat,conservation of culture,and at the same time contributing to the socio-economic benefits of the communities in the valley .
Phobjikha is one of the most important conservation area because of its status as the habitat for the Black-necked crane( Grus Nigricollis).
▣ Bhutan awarded "top country"certificate".
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The Tourism Council of Bhutan received a certificate from the Wanderlust Travel magazine Bhutan as a finalist for "Top Country 2009"in the Wanderlust travel awards
In 2005,Bhutan won the silver award from the Wanderlust Travel Awards for the "Top Country".
The Wanderlust Travel Awards is on their 8th year and is voted by nearly 3,000 consumers based on customer satisfaction levels over the past year.
The Paro International Airport was listed as number 2 on the list of 10 Top Airports Worldwide.
Wanderlust is a travel magazine based in the United Kingdom.This magazine has been in production for the last 15 years.
▣ Gross National Happiness
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Coronation Address of His Majesty King Khesar, The 5th Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan. 7th November,2008.
It is with immenese joy that we are gathered together on this most auspicious day. In these last 100 years the dreams and asperations of our forefathers and the vision of our Kings have been fulfilled beyond all expections. The wise and selfless leadership of our kings, the sacrifice and hard work of generations of Bhutanese and the special bond between the people and king have given us this unique and special nation - a jewel of the earth.
Two years ago, at a time of profound change I came onto the Throne as a young King. You , my people, in the spirit of generations past, worked with me with complete faith and gave me your wholehearted cooperation and goodwill. Thus, in these two short years while we have taken gigantic steps towards strengthening our nation, we have doneso in a clam, deliberate manner in complete harmony. It is with great pride that we stand as a new democracy, having successfully completed an unprecedented and historic transition.
Yet we must always rememberthat as our country, in these changing times finds immenese new challenges and opportunities, whatever work we do, whatever goals we have - and no matter how these may change in this changing world - ultimately without peace, security and happiness we have nothing. That is the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Our most important goal is the peace and happiness of our people and the security and sovereignty of the nation.
Our generation of Bhutanese have been gifted a strong, dynamic nation by our forefathers. I am confident that as long as we are willing to work with their commitment and dedication and follow their example we can bring greater peace, happiness and prosperity to our country.
I am confident because I know the worth and character of our people. You are the true jewel of this nation. As a citizens of a spiritual land you treasure the qualities of a good human beings - honesty, kindness, charity, integrity, unity respect for our culture and traditions, love for our country and for God. Throughout our history our parents have upheld these values and placed the common good above the self.
My deepest concern is that as the world changes we may lose these fundamental values on which rest of our character as a nation and people. It is critical that we are able to recognize Bhutanese character irrespective of how far we look back into the past or into the future. The Bhutan we see is vastly different - unrecognizable even - when compared to the Bhutan in the time of our first King. Yet, the character of our people and the nature of our fundamental values have remained unchanged. Henceforth, as even more dramatic changes transform the world and our nation, as long as we continue to pursue the simple and timeless goal of being good human beings, and as long as we strive to build a nation that stands for everything that is good, we can ensure that our future generations for hundreds fo years will live in happiness and peace.
It is not because I am King that I ask these of you. Destiny has put me here. It is with immenese gratitude and humility that at this young age, I assume that sacred duty to serve a special people and country. Throughout my reign I will never rule you as a king. I will protect you as a parent, care for you as a brother and serve you as a son. I shall give you everything and keep nothing; I shall live such a life as a good human being that you may find it worthy to serve as an example for your childern; I have no personal goals other than to fulfill your hopes and asperations. I shall always serve you, day and night, in the spirit of kindness, justice and equality.
As a King of a Buddhist nation, my duty is not only to ensure your happiness today but to create the furtile ground from which you may gain the fruits of spiritual pursuit and attain good karma.
This is how I shall serve you as King
I cannot end without addressing our most important citizens - our youth. The future of our nation depends on the worth, capabilities and motivation of today's youth. Therefore, I will not rest until I have given you the inspiration, knowledge and skills so that you not onlyfulfill your own aspirations but be of immenese worth to the nation. This is my sacred duty. A strong motivated young Bhutan gurantees a strong bright future.
The future is neither unseen nor unknown. It is what we make of it. what work we do with our two hands today will shape the future of our nation. Our childern's tomorrow has to be created by us today.
I end with a prayer for Bhutan - that the sum of peace and happiness may shine on our people. I also pray that while I am but King of a small Himalayan nation, I may in my time be able to do much to promote the greater wellbeing and happiness of all people in this world - of all sentient beings.
Explore Bhutan and experience The Gross National Happiness !!! We are sure to be able to arrange an itinerary that will take you to your preferred destination. Guided and hosted by the best people, in best way and delivered at the best value. We certainly assure you that your tours with us will bring forth much enjoyment and enrichment in your lives. Our personal attention and care created a group of camaraderie not found on most tours. We help visitor understand our rich culture, exiquisite heritage, unique way of life and scenic beauty at its best.
▣ Visit Festival in the Himalayas
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There are numerous festivals celebrated in Bhutan-both secular and religious ones.The most popular religious festival is the Tsechu which honours the memory of Guru Padmasambhava( lotus born precious master and the one who bought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century) by depicting key episodes or great deeds from his life.The Tsechu usually take place on the tenth day of the particular month in the Bhutanese calendar.The festival lasts between three to four days and is celebrated in all most all the major Dzongs(fortress) at varying times of the year.The religious dances are called Chhams and are performed by monks as well as lay people.The dances invoke the deities to wipe out misfortunes,increase luck and grant personal wishes.Chhams are the core event of monastic festivals and it is inevitably the depiction of the triumph of good forces over evil.Every chham has its own conncetion with the Buddhist religion.An auspicious event of the many Tsechu is the unfurling of a huge embroidered thangkha depicting Guru Padmasambhava and his eight manifestations and at some Tsechu the great treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa depicts the thangkha. Such a thangkha which is worshipped is known as Thongdrel which means liberation on sight and it is belived that simply by viewing it a person gains merit and some are delivered from the cycle of reincarnation or their sins of this lifetime are washed away. At some Tsechu there is the custom of wang which means a collective verbal blessing given by a high priest known as Rinpoche or Lama.Besides the chham there is also a traditional Bhutanese dances being performed by women and men in gergeous traditionbal attire.On lookers rarely fail to notice the Atsaras( Clown) who move through the crowds mimicking the dancers and performing comic gestures in their mask with long red noses.
For those traveler who wish to visit festival in the Himalayas,the month of September,October and November offers some of the popular festivals held in the country/These are:
* Thimphu Tsechu: ( 28th-30th Sept.)
*Tamshing Phala Choepa:( Date same as Thimphu)
* Thangbi Mani:( 3rd-5th Oct.)
* Jakar Dzong Tsechu:( 26th-29th Oct.)
* Trashigang Tsechu:( 26th-28th Nov.)
And apart from Tsechus,a smaller community based folk festivals exist that are often more interesting as visitors get close and better perspective of a local festival which provides fascinating insight into local beliefs.
Our recommendation is that,since these months are at high demand in booking the air ticket and reserving hotel,we request all our clients to make your inquiries at the earliest possible.
If you haven't been to a Tsechu,plan your trip so that we can include some festivals in your itinerary to create a trip you will never forget in your lifetime with your travel company, Bhutan Dukar Tours and Travels Family.