|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi Tomas,
I want to first say that the trip planning you did
for us was superb! Feel free to use us as a
reference. Everything went as planned except for 2
incidents, both beyond your control. First the
flight from Delhi to Bagdogra. It was late in
arriving which caused us to make half of the drive
to Phuntsholing in the dark. Driving in India is a
stressful experience, especially after dark. The
driver was in a hurry to get back, which made it
worse. The driver was an Indian side supplied
driver, not your Bhutan driver we used after
crossing. The driver in Bhutan was with us during
"the ride through Hell" and he even said that the
trip was scary! The second was the hotel for the
second visit in Bumthang was overbooked and they
offered us rooms in a monastery that would have
worked, although they had no heat, the shared
bath/toilet facilities were filthy and had cold
water only. The guide decided on his own to turn
down the offer and came up with a very satisfactory
substitute hotel.
Other than getting ill and having to come back early
everything went well. I am still slowly recovering
from the respiratory infection. I hated to pull the
plug on the trip when I did but there was no way to
think of trekking. I couldn't even make it through
the day without a nap or two.
I want to say your associates in Bhutan did a good
job of getting me back from the far east end of
Bhutan during high season even though it took us a
week to do it. I understand the issues that came to
play. I have no complaint with them at all.
I will be sure to get in touch with you to discuss
my next travel plans. I don't know where or when it
will be other than say next year.
Thanks for everything.
Clarke Otten
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tomas- I had some time in Thailand to
write and I did want to tell you how I felt about my
Bhutan experience. First of all, I thought the hike up
to Tiger's Nest monastery was phenomenal. It was the
highlight of my entire trip. The monastery was
spectacular, and worth the trek. I found the Bhutanese
people extremely humble and proud to show us their
country, plus they had wit and intelligence. I was not
so sad about missing the Traditional Medicine Hospital,
after all we saw that amazing Teschu. I am not a tour
type person so I did not have a lot of expectations.
Tomas, overall the trip was a success. I took some
colorful photos and met some nice people. I am now in
Thailand where it is sweltering hot and flooded, so my
memories of Bhutan are even sweeter. Thank you for all
your help with our tour. You were always quick to
respond and informative. Best regards, Andrea |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Bhutan
is truly different than any other Himalayan country.
Bhutan functions at its own pace and that's what makes for
an exciting trip – opened my mind to things in life I
never imagined! Thanks Tomas for the
opportunity to see my life differently! To all - do
visit Bhutan!"
Clair
Berry
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Bhutan,
India and Nepal are
three of many countries
Tomas knows extremely well from his personal travels and
so he can
truly plan a private trip per one's detailed request - I never
understood the meaning of tailor-made tours until now.
Thanks Tomas!
Mike Moon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Great
trip! This was our first
private tour and never again will my husband and I join
a group tour. Thanks for everything - we will be back."
Linda
McGrath
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Bhutan
was absolutely the most interesting and enjoyable
vacation my wife and I have ever taken.
The people are wonderful, the monasteries fascinating,
but the landscape is stunning."
Judy and Grant D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"From
planning to the actual tour
all was extremely professional, all we dealt with
competent and reliable,
and
everything on the trip went perfectly. The
guide was
knowledgeable, cordial and went out of his way to make us
content. I recommend Footloose and their Bhutan crew to
anyone. "
Sarah & James Whitman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"We made it back to Germany safe and sound after
an interesting and rewarding trip. Thanks for all your help in making the
arrangements. For the most part, things went pretty smoothly, though in Bhutan
Yuki did develop a fever for about 24 hours and I came down with intestinal
problems for about 5 days. The highlights of the trip were awesome and we took
many wonderful pictures.
Overall, Bhutan was a very enjoyable,
educational, and interesting experience. The country is stunning and the people
are wonderful! Somehow, though, the "tourist" industry in Bhutan needs to make a
few minor improvements: The food was exactly the same 2X per
day every day. We ran into other tourists with the same
observation/complaint. Perhaps this is truly what the diet is there, but I
suspect that what we were getting is standard "tourist" faire which got pretty
old after about 7 days. And the hotels are generally
substandard... But don't get me wrong, we were not expecting 5-star luxury by any
stretch of the imagination.
Regarding the value for the
money.... I think it is great that much of the cost of the trip goes
into development in Bhutan. So, again, we weren't expecting 5 star
luxury, but just a bit better on a few things. But I understand
their position.... they already get more tourists than they really
want, so why make it better for the ones that do come?
I don't want to give you the wrong impression
with these complaints. Overall the trip was great. But I wanted to share these opinions
honestly.
We will keep you in mind for any
future travel plans."
Thanks again,
Drue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Bhutan is pure magic! Thank you,
Footloose!"
Rodger Wood |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Great work,
Footloose! In the course of the tour preparation and prior to our
departure we must have exchanged some hundred messages
and we always had a prompt response - you just don't
find that dealing with other companies. Wonderful trip!
Thanks agan!"
Michael Denie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Excellent
tour, prepared by extremely competent and knowledgeable
people. We highly recommend Footloose Tours if you plan
to tour in Bhutan and the Indian Subcontinent!"
Truman
Murray
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi
Tomas,
First.... Tiger's
Nest. When we got there, it had rained earlier and the
trail was muddy and slippery. I went only about 5
minutes when my pony slipped twice and I decided not to
go all the way. Steve decided to go to the cafeteria,
but before he got there, 3 ponies in front of his fell.
2 ponies fell directly on their sides and one pony
slipped, the rider fell off but still had one foot in
the saddle and then was dragged a distance before the
pony could be stopped. At that time, Steve had to walk
the rest of the way since it was too hard on the
ponies. Andrea and John walked all the way up and
thought it was a little hard but wonderful. Luckily
they had their permit you arranged to get into the
monastery. Other tourists of other operators we met who
walked up did not have it and were really disappointed.
Our hotels were fine, but at River View I had to ask for
an extra mattress because the bed was like a board.
They gave it to me willingly.
We all took turns sitting in the back of the van. When
we were on the mountain roads, the person in the back
got bounced around terribly. But we've managed nicely.
Mr. Dawa, our driver was
exceptionally good!
The food has been fine and plentiful.
On our way to Punakha valley your head of operations in
Bhutan asked to meet us in Timphu and bought us tea. We
enjoyed meeting him and were impressed that he wanted to
take the time to meet us!
Overall, everything has been great. The weather has
been mostly clear, everyone we met was friendly, and
everything we saw fascinating!
Tomas, we travel all the time. Of all the travel
companies, cruise operators, etc. that I’ve worked with,
you have been the best! Your quick response, your
knowledge, and your attention to detail can’t be
matched! I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed
planning this trip with you! I’m hoping to find another
trip you can plan for us next year!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"My
husband does not care but I love travel brochures and
travel catalogues and Footloose did not offer one so I
was skeptical. So I called and almost gave up as it took
a three or four calls to get through. But once I started
talking with Tomas I noticed he had a rare and intimate
knowledge about that part of the world. Of course after
I had been dealing with him for some time I realized
that he was not only well traveled, and basically been
allover the world, but is also highly educated with a
professional and academic background working in SE Asia
and number of other countries. In short, I would never
deal with another agent in preparation of our trips.
Tomas is what makes Footloose Bhutan tick and they were
indeed a great
choice for planning our trip!
Bhutan is stunning, every inch of it. If you are
considering to visit and may be the kind that requires
fine hotels and quality food and dining experience
accounts for much of your travel expectations, then
Bhutan is not for you. Your Bhutan tour and the tariff
used can not be measured by the standard of your hotels
and meals, not in Bhutan and choice are not many !
All tourists pay the required high tariff, some
complain; we had to stay in a tent in Jakar as all
hotels were full, still paying the same daily rate as
those in best hotels ("best" does not really exist) we
did not complain as what we saw, the sites, the
experience was so enriching."
Kathleen and Harry Stadler |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"To have our own guide,
driver and a very good car (with ample space for our
luggage) was, we thought a very good deal. Most of the
accommodations selected for us were excellent."
Bob H. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
