Our Guests Says, Our Guest Testimonials
05.26.09
Bhutan was the ‘trip of my lifetime’. Ever since I was young i had wanted to go there. I planned the trip carefully and selected the travel agency to insure that I would experience every minute of time. Raven Trek did a remarkable job in fulfilling my dreams. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left they expertly handled the tour arrangements. They provided my travel mate and me with car, driver, guide, hotels and food but first and foremost they worked for our safety and care and to insure we did what we wanted.
From Deepak, who promptly responded to our emails, to Tenzin and Chimmy our guide and driver we say thank you for the trip of our lifetime. It was first class travel to a first class destination.
Dr. Eric Johnson
Boston
Eric and/or Calvin ekjcjb@verizon.net
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When I first booked my Bhutan trip with Raven, I was nervous about travelling alone, but on my arrival my guide and driver quickly made me feel at home and safe. They were both knowledgeable and friendly – I soon felt like I was travelling with friends. Bhutan is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been – the scenery pure and spectacular. The people were friendly, and I met vacationing teachers, ministers from the department of education, monks and local families, who all helped me learn about this wonderful place. As a Buddhist, it was wonderful to see so many of the places I have studied – when my tour came across the consecration of a local temple and school, we were invited with tea and cookies to participate. It is this kind of serendipity that happens all over Bhutan. If you choose Raven, you will have a wonderful trip, and I hope to return in 2011.
Kimmie
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“Our experience with Raven Tours was excellent. We spent a week in Bhutan – me and my nine year old son – and the experience was as good as it gets. Raven Tours was thoughtful (they even tracked down a pizza for my son in the middle of Thimpu as he was growing tired of rice and various accompanying meat and vegetable dishes) and flexible (willing to adjust the itinerary as needed to create the best experience possible). I’d highly recommend Raven Tours for anyone visiting Bhutan.”
Scott Keller
McKinsey & Company
21 South Clark Street, Suite 2900
CHICAGO IL 60603
Ph: (312) 795 7082
Fx: (312) 884 6129
Email: scott_keller@mckinsey.com
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My wife and I were very interested in visiting Bhutan. We looked at all the travel websites for tours. At the time, Raven Tours was fairly new and we were struck by the fact that they admitted it and promised to listen to what we wanted and make it happen – and they did! Our guide and driver both were wonderful people who did everything within their power to help us do and see exactly the things we wanted – from truly Bhutanese dining experiences (not for the faint of palate) to visits with the head monks of a school and a monastery. They went very much out of their way to help us have the most memorable trip of our lives. If you want a canned and sterile experience, neither Raven Tours and Treks nor Bhutan is for you. But if you want a true experience of the sights, sounds, and life of the most extraordinary country on earth with the best and most accommodating guides, we highly recommend Deepak Tamang and his company, Raven Tours and Treks.
Douglas D. Foote
Email: dfoote@soundsurgical.com
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We were very excited to visit the wonderful country of Bhutan. We are independent travelers and when we realized that it was necessary to book a tour, we were skeptical of how impersonal the experience might
become.
We had nothing to be concerned about. We had our own guide and driver who both spoke English. They were college educated and very knowledgeable about their country. Thus we were a tour of two!
Being avid photographers we wanted to stop every 10 feet to take photographs of the magnificent scenery, Bhutan people, and splendid architecture. And we did!
Our intention is to return one day and further explore the wonders of Bhutan. I highly recommend Raven Tours. They were flexible in altering our schedule, humorous, and great companions for our 8-day tour.
Kent Wade
Mary Harris
Portland Oregon
kentw1925@yahoo.com
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Raven Tours and Treks, Deepak its owner, Mr. Tshering and Mr. Bihm helped me to the most enjoyable guided trip I have ever experienced.
From the airport pick-up to departure, I was spoiled by the most courteous, friendly, and attentive service imaginable.
For example, Deepak, our guide and driver spent almost one whole day, without charge, solving my India visa problem which I had created and was not of any real concern to them.
Throughout the trip, including on our ambitious trek, we enjoyed comfortable hotels and wholesome, tasty foods. Bhutan is a “must go to” country and Raven Tours and Treks is the best choice to maximize your adventure.
Bradley Brin
bradbrin@sbcglobal.net
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Hello Deepak,
Thank you for your email.
We have only recently returned to New Zealand from our trip to Bhutan,
Nepal, and Thailand. Our time in Bhutan was definitely the highlight of our travels and we have many magnificent memories of both the wonderful scenery and the lovely and friendly people we met during our stay.
For us to pick one highlight of our trip would not be possible as there were so many, but for us, the trekking, archery, and our time in Bumthang, especially at the Tangbi Mani Festival, were all memorable. We also liked being in a small “group” and the ability that gave us to tailor our itinerary, and the flexibility to stay longer at a specific location if we wanted to.
We found both our guide Thinley Dorji (Tring) and our driver Tandin to be punctual, hospitable and friendly at all times and that they kept us well informed. Tring organised the various staff members (cooks/horsemen, etc) confidently and effortlessly to our satisfaction and to ensure various activities always ran smoothly. Tandin’s driving, especially over some of the very rough and muddy roads we encountered, is to be highly commended. We always felt safe. It is likely we will return one day to visit the Tiger’s Nest since, unfortunate, Oriana suffered a migraine on the day we were in Paro and was unable to join the walk up to the magnificent monastery perched on cliffs 900m above the valley floor.
It was unfortunate we did not have the pleasure to meet with you in person towards the end of our visit, while we were in Thimpu, to thank you for the services provided. We were very pleased with the way everything went and will be happy to recommend your company to anybody planning to visit Bhutan.
During our time in Bhutan we met a number of other tourists who had booked their trips with Raven Tours and they too were very satisfied with their particular tours. Please pass on our regards and best wishes to Tring and Tandin. We would be grateful if you would forward to Tring and Tandin the two photos we have attached.
Best regards,
Ron and Oriana.
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We are finally home from our traveling. We arrived here last Monday so now as I promised here is the photo you asked me to send. I want you know that we’ve been traveling since late July and raven tours and treks was by far the best and most thoughtfully planned part of our travels. I can honestly recommend raven tours and treks to anyone who appreciates a tour company that lives up to their promotions. Thank you for making this the highlight of our travels in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
Kind Regards,
Frank
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Our visit to Bhutan was the trip of a lifetime. The warmth and civility of the people of Bhutan is a memory we will always carry with us. The pristine state of the land, the many monasteries, the sacred sites all reflect Bhutan’s deep commitment to cultural preservation.
Mr. Deepak Tamang is an intelligent and reliable travel agent who has a special talent for finding the most knowledgeable guides and drivers. Since Bhutan is still a country deeply rooted in Buddhist practices, it is important for a guide to have real knowledge of Buddhism and it’s relationship to the history of the country. Deepak’s sensibilities are reflected in the level of professionals and knowledge his guides bring to each excursion and to each guest. The reliability of the driver and the knowledge and friendliness of our guide was unmatched. Deepak pays attention to each guest and he pays attention to details. We wish we could return again soon—thank you Deepak for a wonderful experience.
Esther Podemski
Melvin Hess
Brooklyn New York
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Honesty deserves merit! I have just returned from a great trip to Bhutan.
It was rather daunting at the start with deciding which tour company to commit to,services and schedules are very similar.I did alittle reading from LP Bhutan guide,i read ‘all operators are subject to government regulations that specify services,standards and rates’.This doesn`t mean companies will try to bend these,i went in off-peak season so my flight rate and tour rate should be off-season rate.
I contacted 14 companies only one was honest enough to charge me off-season rates for flights and tour because of their honesty i decided to travel with Raven treks and tours,i was not disappointed.Shame on the other companies especially those who tried to charge me peak-season rates for both flights and tour.
I have no business dealings with Raven treks and tours,i am just happy to give merit where it is due.Thankyou to Deepak,the boss, for his quick,honest and precise details and information.Also big thanks to Tenzin my guide and Raj the driver,who both couldn`t do enough for me.
A Gold medal from me to you lads. Cheers,
Paul
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If you want to discover an exceptional country, meet kind, nice, and smiling people, be overwhelmed by strong and wonderful emotion, know every single thing about Bhutan, then there is only one way to fulfill your dream: Raven tours and treks!
Ms.Focant Theresse
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Just got back from 10 days Bhutan and I had a wonderful experience traveling with raven tours and treks. They arranged the accommodations, guide, driver, car and food and everything was just great.
The guide knew where to take us and made sure that we saw all the important things,including the wonderful festival in Thimpu. The Hotels were very good, the car was comfortable and the driver made us feel save at all times Deepak the owner met with us to insure our satisfaction, he is a very pleasant young man.
I think that Raven Tours and Treks would be a good company to be mentioned in the next Lonely Planet edition.
With best regards from a longtime Lonely Planet user,
Helga Verhaegh
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Raven tours and treks were responsive and professional from the le ginning to the end of my 18 days in Bhutan. Our guide, Tashi was always these for our group and took us on a magical joinery through the countryside. He has a great sense of humor and really known the Bhutanese culture. We were lucky to have him.
Meaveen
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My husband and I have been in Bhutan in October 2008 for a cultural trip with Raven Tours and Treks agency. We had the chance to have with us, during the tour, Deepak, the owner of the agency. We were amazed by his efficiency and by his rapidity to fulfill our requests. Bhutan is a beautiful country with warm and charming people and Raven Tours and Treks was perfect to make us discovering it.
Ghyslaine and Pierre
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In October of 2007, after years of interest in visiting Bhutan, I looked on the internet to see among the many agencies in Bhutan which one could accommodate my needs. After searching through many sites found that Raven Tours and Treks was most responsive to my interest in Trekking. Exploring the Buddhist way of life, and visiting the cultural sites of Bhutan. I was most thankful that wishing to extend my stay in Bhutan for a week. Mr. Deepak, the Manger of Raven Tours was able to find me a seat on the Bhutanese Airlines.
On arriving in Bhutan, Mr. Deepak assigned me a wonderful guide.Tashi and his driver, Karma for 3 weeks I had received amazing personal service. There was always time to leisurely walk about the fascinating temples with interesting conversation with the monks. Food was ample, usually buffet style. With endless choices. From veggies to various meat and fish dishes Trekking was the best of all my years of trekking around the world. Quite luxurious! How about, after hiking, having popcorn, cheese bits with cherries. Thermos of tea was always available! Then dinner, at 4 course display from soup to dessert!
A highlight of my visit was when Tashi, hearing of a Temple Festival, that was not on the itinerary asked me If I would like to visit .Of course1 .It was an incredible experience of a lifetime of travel with dancers bringing to life the culture of Bhutan.
Thank you Tashi!
If there are those whom would like to experience a Shangri-La in Bhutan, I have nothing but praise for Raven Tours for opening this world for me. I would welcome any contacts;
Richard McMahon, New York City
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“Raven Tours and Treks was extraordinary in arranging my Bhutan Laya-Gasa trek in June 2007. My guide, Karma Tshering, was superb and most knowledgeable with regard to Bhutan’s fauna, flora, culture and religion (and much more). Our chef and his charming assistant prepared and served the most delicious food, and our horseman and his assistant were most helpful when needed. The trip was flawless.
The trek allowed me numerous encounters with the locals and visits in their tents and houses. I feel that I really immersed myself into that unique Himalayan culture.
Overall, this trip has been most remarkable and I would recommend it to anyone in good health with a positive adventurous spirit and anticipation of the unexpected.”
Thank you, Deepak.
Best wishes and regards,
Elka
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