Het drijvende standbeeld van Dorji Phagmo in Paro

We just returned from two weeks in Bhutan. I would rate this trip as excellent thanks to the assistance of Swallowtail Travels. Prior to travel, the owner and office staff helped to arrange the holiday to meet our needs and expectations. Tashi and Singye answered all emails in a timely manner. They were attentive with the planning of the agenda. Soon after landing at the airport, we were met by our wonderful guide (and videographer) Noko and driver Mr. Tashi. They were out to please, from side visits to Kuzoo Radio (after reading Radio Shangri-La) to watching and trying our hand at their national sport of archery. Noko and Mr. Tashi shared their love of their county, the people and customs. I had the opportunity for firsthand experiences, from helping to harvest rice, picking fresh persimmons off the tree, and milking a cow (which was on my bucket list). We had a several delicious local lunches, including one with TikTok celebrity chef Aum Toebzam at her farm, another at URD restaurant, overlooking the Punakha Dzong and picnic lunches all prepared to our liking (no hot chili peppers, thank you very much). As amateur photographers, we went to explore the land and meet the people. Bhutanese people are incredibly warm, welcoming and friendly. We met famous local photographers who were generous with their time and insights: a big thank you to Barun Gurung and Namgay Younten, photographers for the King. The holiday revolved around a visit to Laya for their 7th Annual Highland Festival. Noko helped us trek up the challenging mountain trail, with hiking strategies, patience and encouragement. Special thank you to volunteer Tshewaang Zangmo for carrying my husband’s photography equipment. We were rewarded with home stay visits, where we met and bonded with Bhutanese and interesting world travellers. Thanks to the help of several people, we did get to meet and speak with the King and the prime minister, who were both lovely and charming. We will never forget the professionalism of Swallowtail Travels, Noko and Mr. Tashi, who helped make our holiday memorable.

Had an amazing trip to Bhutan with Swallowtail Tours. They are amazing in exceeding my expectations when it comes to attention of care and professionalism. Truly 5 Star and no less! I would like to give a good shoutout to their team members namely Pema and Pasang. They are very very good. Thank you once again to Bhutan Swallowtail Tours. ????

BHUTAN EXPERIENCE SECOND TO NONE. Bhutan Swallowtail the travel company were superb,not only extremely efficient in their speedy response but the itinerary they planned for 14 days was tailored to our needs with built in flexibility. Without doubt the best travel company we have ever had in our many travels, we can not recommend them highly enough. We were very impressed with our guide Lobsang Nima and driver Pena Loday Lobsang our guide was very profesional and best prepared able to explain about all of the Zongs ,Temples and Stupas including spiritual matters.He was very knowledgable and was happy to answer all my husband’s many questions about tree and plant species and their genus. Our guide insured we had plenty of rest periods which we appreciated. With him we experienced culture, spicy food, local games, beautiful landscape.,dinner at a local family home,hot stone baths and attainable trekking, we felt close local traditions,we could not have asked for a better experience. As we were due to fly to Paro and Swallowtail organised that our guide and driver drove our car through the night so that they could meet us at the airport. When our flight to Paro was cancelled due to inclement weather.Swallowtail immediately got us another taxi to take us from Bumtang through the five high peaks each over 3000 meters ,which at that stage were thick with snow and mist.Swallowtail not only kindly organised that our original guide and driver to drive back half way from Paro to collect us so that our journey remained safe and comfortable and time to experience the wonderful Paro annual festival. Swallowtail also immediately made a refund to us for our cancelled Paro flight without question. All of the itinerary was personalised,punctual ,organised perfectly and covered all of our travel expectations and needs . I had a wonderful surprise birthday celebration and a special thank you to Lobsang our guide who had a lovely table organised for dinner with flowers wine and an amazing birthday cake specially made. Our room was decorated with lots of birthday balloons ,all of this made my birthday very memorable and special. We shall without hesitation contact Swallowtail as our company of choice iwhen we return to Bhutan for birdwatching and insist on having Lobsang Nima as our guide and and Lotey as our driver as we know with them we would be safe , comfortable , well informed,have fun and be well looked after from dawn to dusk. We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to visit this amazing country and wonderful respectful people,thank you to Lotey our excellent driver always drove safely and at the correct speed and to Lonsang who was very well prepared and made our trip special informative,memorable and enjoyable. We shall most definitely will be back and without doubt will recommend this company , this guide and driver to everyone we know.