Vishal Pradhan

The guides, horsemen and camp assistants were all very professional. They always had our safety and comfort in mind. I would not hesitate to recommend the Kimkim team to any travelers in Bhutan. read more

The guides, horsemen and camp assistants were all very professional. They always had our safety and comfort in mind. I would not hesitate to recommend the Kimkim team to any travelers in Bhutan.

From beginning to end we were in great hands. Our guides: Tashi and Namwang ever attentive. All questions fielded with grace and perspective. This personal touch exemplifying kindness and care contributed to the overall experience as much as the jaw dropping scenery and enchanted Bhutan forests. A very special time together. Happy to recommend to others. read more

From beginning to end we were in great hands. Our guides: Tashi and Namwang ever attentive. All questions fielded with grace and perspective. This personal touch exemplifying kindness and care contributed to the overall experience as much as the jaw dropping scenery and enchanted Bhutan forests. A very special time together. Happy to recommend to others.

Activity Reviews

Chele la Pass Hike & Kila Nunnery

Bhutan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike to Tigers-nest Monastery

Paro

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dagala Trek - Day 1 - Geynekha to Gur

Camping

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dagala Trek - Day 2 - Gur to Labatama

Camping

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dagala Trek - Day 3 - Labatama Halt

Camping

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dagala Trek - Day 4 - Labatama to Panka

Camping

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dagala Trek - Day 5 - Panka to Tsheregang

Camping

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Dagala Trek - Day 6 - Tsheregang to Chamgang to Thimphu

Thimphu

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Thimphu - Paro

Bhutan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tashi and Nunwong were the A team. Our every need and want were tended to ,if not anticipated. read more

Tashi and Nunwong were the A team. Our every need and want were tended to ,if not anticipated.

Vishal worked tirelessly to make changes to my itinerary as my circumstances changed. Nim (guide) and Cool (driver) were both incredibly professional, personable, and knowledgeable. My trip to Bhutan was a great experience.

Our trip with Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions was amazing from beginning (a six-day cultural tour with acclimatizing day hikes) to end (a seven-day trek). Vishal and guides, Tek and Ngawang, were consummate hosts. Planning was thorough and efficient. Guides were knowledgable and clear when sharing information about Bhutanese history, Buddhist history and customs, natural history, and adept at organizing, executing, and adjusting to conditions while trekking (mainly due to weather and altitude,... read more

Our trip with Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions was amazing from beginning (a six-day cultural tour with acclimatizing day hikes) to end (a seven-day trek). Vishal and guides, Tek and Ngawang, were consummate hosts. Planning was thorough and efficient. Guides were knowledgable and clear when sharing information about Bhutanese history, Buddhist history and customs, natural history, and adept at organizing, executing, and adjusting to conditions while trekking (mainly due to weather and altitude, but also because our group occasionally chose to linger at a location or site longer than planned).
Before departing for Bhutan, I was looking forward most to the Jomolhari Trek that we'd arranged with Vishal, and this did turn out to meet and exceed expectations for adventure and experiencing a remote cultural landscape, but I also got so much more out of the time we spent around Paro, Punakha, and Thimphu than I'd imagined that I would. The temples, monasteries and related Buddhist sites and traditional workshops were profound, magical, and made even fuller by the background and context provided by Tek and Ngawang.
Not being a guided expedition person by nature, I was concerned about being "fussed over" to the point of having the service interfere with my experience of the place that I was visiting, but my experience with Himalayan Kingdom contradicted all of my preconceptions of what this might be like. Interactions with Tek and Ngawang were easy from day one. Their calm, kind, and informative approach to hosting created camaraderie and by the end of the trip I was sad to have to say goodbye to good friends. I have only positive things to say about Vishal and Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions and about the wonderful travel experience that I had because of them!

I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on a trekking adventure with Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions, and I must say that it was an experience of a lifetime. From the moment we arrived until our final farewell, Vashal and his team provided us with exceptional care, professionalism, and a genuine passion for what they do.

The trekking itinerary crafted by Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions was perfectly balanced, offering breathtaking views, challenging treks, and insightful cultural... read more

I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on a trekking adventure with Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions, and I must say that it was an experience of a lifetime. From the moment we arrived until our final farewell, Vashal and his team provided us with exceptional care, professionalism, and a genuine passion for what they do.

The trekking itinerary crafted by Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions was perfectly balanced, offering breathtaking views, challenging treks, and insightful cultural experiences. Our guides, led by Tik, our primary guide, and Ngawang, our driver, possessed an extensive knowledge of the region and were adept at tailoring the journey to our group's capabilities and interests.

Throughout the trek, safety was always a top priority. The guides were well-equipped with first aid supplies, emergency communication devices, and a wealth of experience in handling various situations. Their expertise and attention to detail put our minds at ease, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the natural beauty surrounding us.

What truly sets Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions apart, however, is the warmth and hospitality of Vashal and his team. They went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction at every step of the journey. From arranging top-notch accommodations in picturesque locations to providing deliciously freshly prepared meals in incredible settings, their dedication to creating an unparalleled experience was remarkable.

Vashal's team was not only professional but also incredibly friendly and approachable. Their enthusiasm for the region and its culture was infectious, as they shared amazing stories and insights along the way. It felt like we were trekking with friends rather than guides, creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the entire trip.

In sum, my trekking adventure with Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions surpassed all expectations. Vashal and his team's impeccable service, genuine care, and expertise made this journey unforgettable. If you're seeking a remarkable trekking experience that combines breathtaking landscapes, cultural immersion, and outstanding hospitality, I wholeheartedly recommend Himalayan Kingdom Expeditions. They are the epitome of excellence in the realm of adventure travel.

Thank you, Vashal, and the entire team for creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Vishal planned an unforgettable 9-day trip to Bhutan for us with the perfect balance between cultural activities, stunning hikes in the Himalayas, and incredible food. Our guide Pema and our driver Sonam were both fantastic and they went above and beyond to make sure that we had a great time traveling in Bhutan by personalizing our itinerary each day. We really enjoyed authentically connecting with locals throughout the trip at local spots and sharing tea with monks at some of the amazing... read more

Vishal planned an unforgettable 9-day trip to Bhutan for us with the perfect balance between cultural activities, stunning hikes in the Himalayas, and incredible food. Our guide Pema and our driver Sonam were both fantastic and they went above and beyond to make sure that we had a great time traveling in Bhutan by personalizing our itinerary each day. We really enjoyed authentically connecting with locals throughout the trip at local spots and sharing tea with monks at some of the amazing monasteries. Bhutanese people are incredibly friendly and we could not have asked for better hosts. We would highly recommend working with Vishal and his team to plan an unforgettable trip to Bhutan!

Our guide was great to be around, he instilled confidence and comfort. He was very knowledgeable and articulate. His range of knowledge was broad from cultural insights to birds, animals and trekking! Just fantastic. Our driver was wonderful as well, great to talk with and not to mention a very good driver. I highly recommend.

Vishal impressed me from the moment I started our work together planning our Itinerary; helped by his excellent English.
He quickly had a good understanding of what we wanted to do and see in Bhutan and planned a really good varied trip given it was a our first visit to the Kingdom.
We had the most brilliant trip and everything worked so well; undoubtedly due to a lot of hard work behind the scenes by Vishal.
He was incredibly flexible and made last minute changes to our itinerary as... read more

Vishal impressed me from the moment I started our work together planning our Itinerary; helped by his excellent English.
He quickly had a good understanding of what we wanted to do and see in Bhutan and planned a really good varied trip given it was a our first visit to the Kingdom.
We had the most brilliant trip and everything worked so well; undoubtedly due to a lot of hard work behind the scenes by Vishal.
He was incredibly flexible and made last minute changes to our itinerary as needed/requested.
I was particularly taken by the care he took to ensure we acclimatised properly for the altitude we would experience on the Dagala trek which we chose because we wanted a real wilderness mountain experience with exceptional views where we would be unlikely to meet other tourists.
Vishal put together an excellent team to look after us. They provided a great service in really very challenging conditions on the trek given we had very cold unseasonal weather coupled with very strong winds/rain at nights and even woke to good snow cover one morning. Chelap , the cook, along with Daza and Doji his assistants produced excellent food every day including hot lunches on the trail. I was amazed at how versatile they were and managed to produce a roast chicken one evening! The horsemen Thinley and Sangay did a great job keeping their 10 ponies to task. Tashi , the guide, and driver Sonam were also great hosts and we really appreciated their company throughout our 2 weeks in the Kingdom.
We cannot thank Vishal and his team enough for all their hard work in making our trip so special. I can highly recommend him if you are thinking of a trip to Bhutan.

Hotel Review

Dhensa Boutique Resort

Punakha

An excellent choice of Hotel. Great views and very comfortable rooms with extremely friendly staff. The food was also very good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

views coupled with peace and quiet.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Paro - Transfer to Punakha

Bhutan

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had such a wonderful time in Bhutan. It would not have been possible without the help of Vishal (planner), Nim (guide) ang Ugyen (driver). A big THANK YOU to them. They taught us their culture, custom and the history of Bhutan. What a caring country.
Highly recommend Kimkim if you are planning a trip to Bhutan.
Thank you for a lifetime of memories.

Our party of 7 had a wonderful trip to Bhutan organized by Vishal. Our fantastic guide, Tek , and excellent driver, Ngawang, ensured that everything ran smoothly. Tek was very knowledgable about many aspects of Bhutan . They were flexible and adjusted our itinerary each day to accommodate what we wanted to do.
We particularly liked Bumthuang in central Bhutan which was rural and peaceful with lovely houses and farms built in the traditional Bhutanese style.

One member of our party had... read more

Our party of 7 had a wonderful trip to Bhutan organized by Vishal. Our fantastic guide, Tek , and excellent driver, Ngawang, ensured that everything ran smoothly. Tek was very knowledgable about many aspects of Bhutan . They were flexible and adjusted our itinerary each day to accommodate what we wanted to do.
We particularly liked Bumthuang in central Bhutan which was rural and peaceful with lovely houses and farms built in the traditional Bhutanese style.

One member of our party had a medical emergency which required surgery in Thimpu. Vishal arranged flights to Thimpu for this person and his spouse, and arranged for a guide, Gyem, and driver, Kyem, to take them to the hospital and remain with them to help them during the surgery amd subsequent hospital stay. Gyem even slept on the floor beside the hospital bed at night so that our friend's spouse could get some sleep in the hotel. This level of support was enormously appreciated , not just by the couple involved, but also by the other members of the group who were able to continue enjoying their holiday knowing that our friends were in good hands.

Vishal was very knowledgable about Bhutan and helped me craft the ideal itinerary that balanced a lot of hikes, cultural sites, and relaxation. He was very flexible when we wanted to book our own hotels and helped to give advice and guidance on the best places to stay. Tek, our tour guide, was fantastic and really helped us understand Bhutan culturally and was extremely knowledgable about the flora/fauna, animals, and natural landscape of Bhutan. Sonam, our driver, was a great and we felt... read more

Vishal was very knowledgable about Bhutan and helped me craft the ideal itinerary that balanced a lot of hikes, cultural sites, and relaxation. He was very flexible when we wanted to book our own hotels and helped to give advice and guidance on the best places to stay. Tek, our tour guide, was fantastic and really helped us understand Bhutan culturally and was extremely knowledgable about the flora/fauna, animals, and natural landscape of Bhutan. Sonam, our driver, was a great and we felt very safe with him. Overall, we had a great time and would highly recommend doing your trip to Bhutan with this crew!

Activity Reviews

Hike to Tigers-nest Monastery

Paro

it's a bit of a touch hike but so worth it!

Wangditse Lhakhang Hike

Thimphu

beautiful hike starting at the Dochula Pass with huge payoff at the end. a bit slippery/icy during the winter months, but still totally do-able if you be careful

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Bhutan would have been quite nice in itself owing to the scenic vistas, the serene people, the pristine architecture, and the rich culture. But the gap between "quite nice" and extraordinary was bridged by the team at Kimkim: Mr Thinley, our tour and trekking guide who was adept at history, art, and wordly insights alike; Mr Tashi, our very friendly chauffeur, who was as merry and bright as he was peaceful behind the wheel.
Mr Vishal was our trip planner and he had made the... read more

Our trip to Bhutan would have been quite nice in itself owing to the scenic vistas, the serene people, the pristine architecture, and the rich culture. But the gap between "quite nice" and extraordinary was bridged by the team at Kimkim: Mr Thinley, our tour and trekking guide who was adept at history, art, and wordly insights alike; Mr Tashi, our very friendly chauffeur, who was as merry and bright as he was peaceful behind the wheel.
Mr Vishal was our trip planner and he had made the process so easy right from the time we got in touch with him after deciding to spend our honeymoon at Bhutan. He took us out for a wonderful dinner at Thimphu and it was great interacting with him in person.
The farmstay at Punakha, hotel at Thimphu and the luxury camping at Paro gave us really memorable and unique experiences in the valley. We did easy to moderate hikes for 4 separate days- very scenic and well planned to make us comfortable throughout. Mr Thinley made sure the activity and locations were all catered to our personal palates the evening prior to the activity planned. He gave us a very nice spiritual insight to Buddhist culture which we were seeking actively when we were planning the trip. Both Mr Thinley and Mr Tashi made sure we had the most relaxing yet adventurous trip. Mr Vishal made sure we are taken care of well and we hope to be back soon- Central Bhutan is on our list next. 🙏

Activity Review

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal monastery

Punakha

First class trip with amazingly informed and helpful guides.Kinlee and sonom were extremely kind, fun to be with and went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed. Kinlee helped me find the perfect Piece of art and is following up making sure the shipping and everything goes smoothly. Vishal was very helpful from the start helping me to plan and organize The trip to fit my needs. Definitely exceeded my expectations and would not hesitate to use this company again! Namaste🙏 Chris

Vishal and his team Tek and Migma were fantastic. This trip was initially planned and payed for prior to the pandemic. Vishal was great with navigating the new requirements and updates from teh government once Bhutan reopened. He put together a great itinerary with multiple option throughout each day and Tek was great at making any last minute adjustments as we went through our adventure. Vishal even met up with us for dinner on the first night and introduced us to another of his tour... read more

Vishal and his team Tek and Migma were fantastic. This trip was initially planned and payed for prior to the pandemic. Vishal was great with navigating the new requirements and updates from teh government once Bhutan reopened. He put together a great itinerary with multiple option throughout each day and Tek was great at making any last minute adjustments as we went through our adventure. Vishal even met up with us for dinner on the first night and introduced us to another of his tour groups which we had a farewell dinner with at the end. I can't say enough about Vishal and Tek's commitment to making sure I had an amazing trip. Your plans are in good hands with this team.

This was a fantastic trip! Everything went smoothly, and they did everything to make it as good an experience as possible. The guide and driver, Tek and Migma, We’re friendly and helpful and always on the lookout for interesting things to add to our itinerary. Vishaul was also very responsive both before and during the trip, and answered all of our questions promptly. Bhutan was such an amazing and relaxing experience. We did tours of Thimphu and Paro,, and a hike to Tigers nest. Don’t miss these!

We had the most magical experience in Bhutan. Vishal did a terrific job planning for us and our two children. Our guide Jem was very knowledgeable and warm and also was great with our kids. He was constantly entertaining them (and the grown ups). We loved Jem and our driver Karma was also great (which is important on the narrow and windy roads in Bhutan). Vishal picked great hikes for us and great lodging - including a historic house in Haa and a homestay in Paro with a family that... read more

We had the most magical experience in Bhutan. Vishal did a terrific job planning for us and our two children. Our guide Jem was very knowledgeable and warm and also was great with our kids. He was constantly entertaining them (and the grown ups). We loved Jem and our driver Karma was also great (which is important on the narrow and windy roads in Bhutan). Vishal picked great hikes for us and great lodging - including a historic house in Haa and a homestay in Paro with a family that had a son the same age as our son (they had so much fun). We enjoyed having dinner with Vishal and his wife Sonam. We loved, loved, loved Bhutan and we are already talking about when we can come back. Vishal and Jem were a huge part of this being such a great experience.
I would also highly recommend the Kim Kim app because it was so easy to use and communicate.
As a side note I never write reviews for anything so the fact I am for this experience should say a lot! We are very experienced travelers around the world and I will definitely use the Kim Kim app a second time.
Delaney

Wow what a trip we have just had! Firstly, a huge thank you to Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and to Thinley (our guide) and Migmar (our driver) who made our 2-week trip so memorable, informative, fun, with seamless travel connections and full of chilli cheese!
From the start, organising this trip was made easy with the communication, advice and support provided by Vishal. Ric was on an invite working visa with the Ministry of Health and Vishal went out of his way to navigate the... read more

Wow what a trip we have just had! Firstly, a huge thank you to Vishal and Sonam at Trophel Tours, and to Thinley (our guide) and Migmar (our driver) who made our 2-week trip so memorable, informative, fun, with seamless travel connections and full of chilli cheese!
From the start, organising this trip was made easy with the communication, advice and support provided by Vishal. Ric was on an invite working visa with the Ministry of Health and Vishal went out of his way to navigate the complexities of the various itineraries and different visa types Ric and I had to have in place.
The hikes that Thinley and I undertook together (while Ric was working) around Paro were fabulous, walking through pine forests and we hardly saw another soul on any of them, apart from a few local farmers, monks and friendly dogs! Thinley has a wealth of knowledge about his country, Buddhism, the history of the various monasteries, Dzongs, temples we visited and of Bhutan’s flora and fauna. He could even talk with the birds! And our very respectful driver, Migmar, was a delight to be around and we always felt in safe hands on the mountainous roads.
In the second half of our trip, Ric joined us for hikes and sightseeing in and around Punakha and Thimphu. We loved watching the national sport of archery, and even came back to Australia with a traditional bow and arrows!!
We were also lucky enough to be in Thimphu to watch the Tour of the Dragon – one of the World’s toughest mountain bike races which sees cyclists covering 268 kms, up and down 4 mountains all in one day! Even the Prime Minister of Bhutan took part.
We stayed in the 3-star Tourist hotels organised by Vishal and all were of a high standard, with scenic views of dzongs, temples or the breathtakingly beautiful countryside. All the hotels were clean and comfortable, and we were certainly well fed!
The only thing that we got wrong was the weather! Bhutan is on the same latitude as Cairo and Miami and at high altitudes and at the time of year we went (end of August/September), it was hotter and more humid than we had planned for! Be prepared to wear long sleeves to enter the zdongs and temples and also not every hotel, restaurant and/or shop takes credit cards so take in some hard currency (preferably US$).
We loved our time in Bhutan, with its proud people and strong national identify and it seems decades before its time in terms of the environment – at the Paris Climate talks, Bhutan didn’t commit to becoming carbon neutral – they committed to staying carbon negative (i.e. their forests absorb more carbon than the country emits)! It really is a special country.
We plan to come back with our family to do a 6-day hike and will certainly, without a doubt, be in touch with Vishal and Sonam and go through Trophel Tours again.

My wife and I took our trip to the incredible treasure of a country, Bhutan, a bit over a year ago now. That it took me a year to write a review is entirely a reflection on myself and not at all 9n our gracious and accommodating hosts and guides.

Vishal and Sonam, our tour organizers, we're incredible from the initial contact about considering the trip, all the way through to leaving for home.

During the booking discussions they made the process easy and worry free for us. They spoke with... read more

My wife and I took our trip to the incredible treasure of a country, Bhutan, a bit over a year ago now. That it took me a year to write a review is entirely a reflection on myself and not at all 9n our gracious and accommodating hosts and guides.

Vishal and Sonam, our tour organizers, we're incredible from the initial contact about considering the trip, all the way through to leaving for home.

During the booking discussions they made the process easy and worry free for us. They spoke with us about our goals and desires, planned a wonderful tour that was tailored to our needs and wishes, and then handled all of the paperwork for us. All we had to do was pretty much show up.

Once we arrived we were personally greeted at the airport and welcomed warmly. We met our guides (more later) and were off on the journey. Throughout our 10 day trip we were constantly in contact with Vishal who made sure that everything was going well and that all of our hopes were being met. When we had an issue with one of our accommodations, Vishal bent over backwards to ensure that we were moved to an accommodation that suited our needs even under difficult circumstances of last minute booking.

Near the end of our trip we were treated to a family style meal at Sonam's family restaurant. This was one of the highlights of our trip, the food was amazing and the service was second to none. We hope that we can someday return to this very establishment in addition to the country itself.

As for our guides, they were absolutely incredible. Our guide was Ughyen, UT for short, and our driver was Mikmar.

Let's start about UT. He was a wealth of information about his country, as well as a deep pool of interesting anecdotes and pleasant to talk to for 10 straight days. He listen to our non-stop rambling, and our constant wonder at the natural beauty and amazing culture of his country. He never seem to get genuinely bored of listening to us ramble on. Part way through the trip we were lucky enough to take part in a local ceremony at a private residence that UT organized for us. Being Buddhist ourselves this was absolutely the highlight of our trip. It felt like something that most visitors to Bhutan would not have access to. And while this may not be something that every visitor could count on, we were so thankful that UT went out of his way to ensure that our trip was the trip of a lifetime.

We also spent our one year wedding anniversary in the country, and our guides arranged with a local monastery for us to receive a religious blessing, in what we understand to be a fairly uncommon ceremony with access to a Lama that made us feel very welcome and part of a beautiful culture that we are privileged to have taken part in.

Our driver Mikmar was unbelievable as well. He spoke very little but when he did he had an incredible sense of humor and he also put up with our non-stop rambling about his country and how excited we were. The roads in Bhutan have a much deserved reputation for being scary, through the mountains and even in the cities to some extent there is traffic and sharp drop offs as the entire country is built in the mountains. Unlike many of the drivers we saw who would have terrified us to be in their cars, Mikmarmade us feel comfortable constantly. His driving was incredibly professional and made us feel safe happy and enjoy our trip.

About Bhutan as a whole, we could not say better things. The entire country was beautiful. The people were friendly and wonderful to outsiders. The culture is so unique and so interesting, we feel privileged to have been a part of this rare opportunity in this very remote country. We felt that the country itself is a rare jewel, the culture is opening to the rest of the world and as we understand it changing slowly. We hope that it will retain its unique character and look forward to visiting again to see how things change and how they evolve for the better of all of the residents.

in the year since our visit, we have spoken frequently about this trip as perhaps the highlight of all of our travels in our lives now or in the future. There are many beautiful places in the world to visit and many interesting and unique beautiful cultures. However for us Bhutan was the pinnacle of what we hoped and dreamed to experience.

Our trip was made possible by our wonderful guides and tour operators. Although I am certain that visiting Bhutan would be an extremely rewarding experience no matter how you managed to go, we strongly encourage anyone considering a visit to contact Sonam and Vishal via this website. We hope to visit Bhutan again in the near future and if we manage to do so we will certainly be engaging their services again. The cost to visit Bhutan are not inconsiderable, however the value we received from Sonam and Vishal's service was extremely high. We believe that the money could not be better spent and hope that everyone has an opportunity to visit this gorgeous country.

We thank everyone involved in making our trip a success and wish everyone considering a trip a wonderful journey.

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sama Sambuddhassa.

What rating do you give a tour when the guides – literally – saved your life? We arrived in Bhutan and began acclimatizing to the higher altitudes. Part of this process included hiking to Tiger’s nest (which was utterly amazing) and we hiked from Cheila Pass to Kila Goemba (a monastery). In regard to altitude, we were hiking at altitudes as high as 3,988 meters. While I did experience some issues, I got through both hikes, relatively, unscathed. In case one wonders, I was taking medicine to... read more

What rating do you give a tour when the guides – literally – saved your life? We arrived in Bhutan and began acclimatizing to the higher altitudes. Part of this process included hiking to Tiger’s nest (which was utterly amazing) and we hiked from Cheila Pass to Kila Goemba (a monastery). In regard to altitude, we were hiking at altitudes as high as 3,988 meters. While I did experience some issues, I got through both hikes, relatively, unscathed. In case one wonders, I was taking medicine to help me acclimatize. On day four we began our trek in earnest.

On this initial hike of our trek, we were scheduled to gain, roughly, 770 meters. About 4 miles into a 13 & ½ mile hike I began to experience difficulties, my legs felt extremely heavy and I was having a hard time catching my breath. I sat down on a rock and promptly passed out, the first of ten times. Two of the guides (after administering oxygen a number of times) put me between their shoulders and took me back down to where we started the hike (lower elevation and that was the first place a helicopter could land). When we reached where we started our hike, the tour company had arranged for us to be met by army personnel, including a medic, who administered an IV drop. I was air lifted out and taken to the hospital in Bhutan.

At the hospital, the medical staff treated me for severe dehydration, my kidneys were not functioning properly. I spent two nights, three days in the hospital and the tour company insured that someone was in the hospital with me the entire time, insuring that I understood what was being asked, checking on the care that I was given (chasing down medical staff when they thought I needed attention), bringing food and blankets.

Amazing group of individuals, whose sole concern was for my safety and comfort – if they hadn’t acted the way that they did, it is NOT hyperbole to say that I may not be here today. I cannot say enough good things about them. If you are planning on hiking in Bhutan, I would strongly recommend using them.