ABOUT US

Who are Raven Tours and Treks?

Raven Tours and Treks is one of the top 10 companies providing services to visitors to Bhutan, Nepal Tibet and India. It is managed in Bhutan by Mr. Deepak Tamang, a resident of Bhutan and supported in the UK by Mr. Ian Siragher.

We provide tours and treks in Bhutan, although we do have agency links with businesses in India, Tibet, Australia, UK and Nepal, so can provide support for wider travel itineraries if requested.

Raven use a very small pool of guides and drivers most of whom are exclusively contracted to us, typically they have at least 4 years experience as guides, speak good English and have an extensive knowledge of the area, religion, plants and people that you will be visiting.

As a company we offer both pre-designed tours where you can join up with other visitors, or we will help you design your own itinerary, just let us know your preference.

We are licensed by the Bhutan Tourist Office, which means that any payments you make to us are not released until after you reach the country (aside from money for flights - which is paid direct to Druk Air).

Our main office is in the capital city Thimphu, Bhutan and Deepak makes every effort to meet with all clients at some time during the visit to gather their views on the trip.

Must Know:

Travelling around Bhutan on the roads is slow and can be tiring. You'll be lucky to average more than 20 mph - so the best advice is relax and enjoy the scenery. If you are prone to travel sickness, then you might need travel sickness tablets. Don't be surprised if it takes you longer to reach a destination than you expected.

Altitude sickness does affect some people. It can be unpleasant for a while, but your guides will be practised in recognizing the symptoms, and where possible and necessary will take you to a local hospital.

Even "good quality" hotels rooms can be a bit basic (and in the winter months a bit cold). Be prepared for the odd power cut, and cold water. The hotel owners will do everything they can to meet your needs, but sometimes things are literally outside their power!

The Druk path and other treks are quite challenging, especially because of the altitude. Make sure you are prepared beforehand by being fit enough

Very few shops take MasterCard, visa credit cards, visa debit cards. ATM cards are less frequently accepted .Travellers cheques and some cash are highly recommended.

The food can be boring, but you won't starve, and there is plenty for vegetarians, but you will be bored after a 10 day stay!

Travel tips

Most of the hotels and roadside restaurants have US/Western toilets, some of the bars and shopping arcade toilets are of the squat variety. In both cases it can be useful to have disinfectant wipes with you, as the water is not always working and there is not always soap / towels available.

The temples and monasteries have their own rules about clothing, hats, short trousers, when you can take photographs etc, your guide will know - but these all vary, so listen out for the instructions.

Many of the temples seek small offerings 10/20 Nu (20Nu = circa 25c) - but small notes are in short supply, if you get hold of any keep them - they are always useful. As a practise I tend to pay for everything with the biggest note I have.

Getting cash can be difficult and time consuming. Paro airport exchange desk is a great starting point, and Indian rupees are accepted as though local currency - so if you can get any rupees before you visit that can help. But you won't be able to use cash machines and it can take an hour to cash travellers cheques, so plan with your guide when you are going to it.

Souvenirs are expensive; the weekend market in Thimphu has the best prices which will typically be 20%-30% less than anywhere else, for broadly the same items.

There is often a great deal of light - dark contrast in temples and monasteries, if you have a graduated grey filter for your camera you will get much better shots.

Upon arrival you will be met at the far side of the terminal by a guide, entry to Bhutan is pretty relaxed but it helps to have a copy of the visa details sent to you by Raven (or at least the number of the visa - which you will also need on exit).

As you fly in you will be asked to fill in a customs card declaring all goods you are bringing with you, to make sure that you don't leave anything behind. I have yet to be asked to prove I have left with everything I brought - but you do need to keep a copy of that form.

You might hear that you need a $20 or Nu500 note for exit tax paid in the airport. That payment is actually made when you land as part of your ticket price. Exit procedures do mean you fill in a copy of the landing form again, this is available in the airport - just go with the flow and whilst it seems chaotic is done with the typical gentle Bhutanese way, so even the bureaucracy seems acceptable.

Before boarding to fly out you will be asked to walk out of the terminal building (through a door marked NO EXIT!) to identify your baggage, then go back into the terminal.