Just a few from some of our recent guests to give you an idea of what people say about us and our trips.



Russ Carpenter and Blyth Carpenter, Authors of "The Blessings of Bhutan", Oregon
We have traveled extensively in Bhutan, during our fifteen lengthy visits. During fourteen of our fifteen trips, Sonam Jatso, owner of Insiders' Bhutan, has served as our guide and adviser. In a word, he is an extraordinary person - hard working, honest, progressive, and kind. We have been to truly remote places with Sonam and have literally trusted him with our lives.

Wendy S. Kassel, the writer of the Bhutan chapter of Fodors Travel Publications, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan 2000 and later editions.

During my visits to Bhutan, all my travel arrangements and services were handled by Insiders' Bhutan, i.e., flights, visa, hotel accommodation, restaurant reservations, special ceremonies and permits to temples.

I met with the Owner/Manager, Sonam Jatso, an extremely responsible and innovative proprietor. The one aspect that sets this agency apart from other tour operators is the personal service they provide. In fact, Insiders' Bhutan develops programs that are custom-designed and catered to the clients interests. In this approach to the services and quality provided, Insiders' Bhutan will invariably become one of the foremost travel agencies in Bhutan.

Gudy Gaskill, Past President, Colorado Mountain Club
Insiders’ Bhutan is a unique organization in providing the best of the culture and incredible natural world of Bhutan. Superb hiking with knowledgeable staff, great deluxe camps. A great diverse eco-system, untouched by man with a tremendous variety of wild life. An experience into primeval forests, rushing streams, cascading waterfalls and incredible vistas.


Richard Eric Ahrens, John Wayne Jacobsen, Janet Baker Jacobsen, Russ Carpenter and Edward Lichtenstein
We are five past Presidents of The Obsidians, an outdoor club in Eugene, Oregon. We have just completed an extraordinary trip with Sonam Jatso and Insiders’ Bhutan Travel.

Sonam designed a trip responding specifically to our interest in vigorous day hiking. What marvelous adventures have unfolded! From an elegant camp in Ha, to hiking through the hanging gardens of Sha, to accending the ridge to Lungchu Tse Gompa, we have been treated to experiences touched by very few visitors to Bhutan. Sonam’s staff has been cheerful and competent at all times. We highly recommend Sonam Jatso and Insiders’ Bhutan Travel.


Paul and Maureen Draper, (RIDGE VINEYARDS), Monte Bello Rd., Cupertino, CA 95014, USA
One of the great trips of our life. The best led trip we have been on after extensive travel - Europe, Africa and Asia. Very caring and knowledgeable guides, very safe driver. Can not recommend Insiders' Bhutan highly enough.


Gudy Gaskill, President Emerities, The Colorado Trail Foundation
Insiders’ Bhutan is a consciensous trekking company that strives to expose the best of the Bhutanese eco and social/religious system to its visitors. Each day is another adventure in discovery. Vistas are superlative and camps are deluxe. A lifetime experience!


Hans and Kathie Jones, (Mountain Hardwear Co-Founder), San Francisco, CA
You have given us an unforgettable trip, impressed us with your country, and inspired us with its possibilities. Thank you for everything, we will stay in touch.


Carol Crihfield, WA
"The scenery is awesome. Seeing so much of the culture of Bhutan in all the variety of places we went was elightening. Being allowed to participate with you in the special prayer and blessing ceremonies was inspirational. The dinner party with officials of the country was a great evening. A new word in my vocabulary - Awesome!"

Susan P. Rust, Ashland, OR
"Wow! In virtually every way Insiders' Bhutan made sure this was a trip of a lifetime. We were given every opportunity to learn about the religion, history and culture of this remarkable country. We were given every chance to experience the uniqueness and diversity of the people, architecture and landscape and to understand the plans and policies which are uniquely Bhutanese. Wonderful guides and driver and touring bus and food. Excellent in all ways!"

Sally and Sandy Small, Floreado, Orinda, CA 94563, USA
The most unusual cultural experience of all our travels. A once in a Lifetime Experience - A glimpse of Bhutan, its religion, its villages, its landscape, it architecture, a chance to discuss Buddhism...


Joan Taylor, Portland, OR
"The Flexibility - making the best of every opportunity, adjusting schedules to fit needs and avoid problems - created days filled with so many peak experiences. I have never been so inspired or felt so cared for personally on a guided tour. Thank you for the best cultural tour I've ever had."

Anne, OR
"The best trip ever! I feel honored and blessed to have had the experience. Thank you."
Dear Sonam,

Thinking of you on the birthday of Guru Rinpoche.  I hope it is a very special day for you.  I will light my butter candle and pray for you.  I had the great revelation when I was in Bhutan during the special prayer ceremonies that we are all one in spirit and each of us has chosen our paths taking that spirit with us. Your spirit is Buddhism and mine Christianity because these are a part of our history and heritage; just different paths of the same universal spirit. 
 
Wednesday I gave a program on T.V. about my experinces in Bhutan.  I packed up my trusty red suitcase with some of the beautiful things I bought in Bhutan and wheeled them over to the studio and draped them so they would be picked up by the camera as I talked.  I was too well prepared and got half way through when I realized I was going to run out of time.  So I put down my notes I had made to keep me on track and just spoke from my heart, hopping around to the topics I  most wanted  to  tell them about.  So many people have stopped me or phoned me to tell me how much they appreciated the program.  The lady who asked me to talk on the T.V.  has asked me to come back and finish the rest of the program I had planned and show the things I didn't have time to show. 
 
I have put together the bedspread I made from the Kira, hung Green Tara over the bed and am hanging the blessing scarves  overhead. You can see that I am still in love with Bhutan and all the wonderful people I met there. Sonam, it wasn't just a trip or tour, it was one of the greatest experiences of my life.  (And you know how long that is!) So again I want to thank you, dear friend, for putting your heart and soul into making that the trip of a lifetime.
 
Best wishes for a successful travel company, for good health and a meaningful long life. You are an exceptional young man.   
                
With love from one of your fans,  Carol (June, 2001)

Bobbye D. Sorrels, Univ. of Oregon
"The sincerity of the sensitivity and solicitousness about our needs was refreshing and comforting. You have a beautiful country rich with heritage and a unique culture, and Insiders' Bhutan provides a special glimpse into all that Bhutan has to offer."


Jean Walker, OR
"I can't tell you how much this trip means to me. It has been a magical, life-changing event and I will treasure it always. Trip preparations and logistics - all superb. Personal attention was beyond anything I've ever experienced or imagined!"

Karen Seidel, Univ. of Oregon
"I feel so privileged - not only to tour Bhutan but to have shared special experiences and events not available to other tourists. I felt so well cared for - more personal services than I've received when I've traveled before."

Dear Sonam,

I am only now beginning to get back to a "normal" pace of life here, but in many ways my life and outlook has been forever changed by the experiences you made possible for us. I am still unable to articulate to friends, in a way that they would understand, just what this trip really meant to me. Actually, I haven't been able to sort it all out for myself yet. So many special moments which had a permanent impact on me at so many levels - spiritual and common; political and profound.

You were completely successful in presenting your country and culture in both broad and deep ways. I feel you enabled us to share in the spirit, not merely the splendors, of Bhutan.

My thanks to you for assisting my personal journey toward enlightenment. I know the rewards are mutual.

Tashi Delek, Susan
Marian Adams, Stanford, CA
Magic, special, beautifully organized, a learning experience, wonderful guides who are learned and willing teachers. Not only was this trip beautifully organized, there were so many seemingly spontaneous occassions that each day seemed more wonderful than the last.

This was the most wonderful group trip I have ever been on - and I have been on many.


Catherine Smith, Veneta, OR
Sonam, you are a wonder! We couldn't have had a better leader/guide. Chozang, you are the best driver I have ever ridden with. Rinzin, we didn't even know many of the things you did to make things comfortable for us.

Amazing. Magic. Unforgettable. I didn't realize it was possible to feel so immersed in a place & its people. The way in which we were able to understand what we were seeing is remarkable. Sonam, your teaching skills are superb. Because you helped us understand your culture more than superficially, our experience in Bhutan has been much more than a vacation in an exotic place. The important thing that I am carrying home is a sense of community in which human relations & spiritual beliefs outweigh economic indicators. The long view of Buddhism is a tonic. So many smart, motivated people = WOW!... Must stop, but there's so much to say.

Thank you for one of the great travel experiences of my life.


Terri Gregory, Hyde Park, VT
A cultural and spiritual introduction to the Dragon Kingdom! Truly a trip where you see Bhutan, it's people and land, with an insider's eyes. Our guides knew all the details of specific dzongs, temples, chortens, family customs, government and Buddhism and shared those details in evening talks and while out touring. Wonderful hikes into the mountains, through small villages and rice fields. Small groups with lots of personal attention. I am enchanted with Bhutan and hope I can do another trip with Insiders' Bhutan Travel soon.
Gretchen Ballard Guard, Santa Fe, NM
It's a great pleasure to be in a beautiful, unspoiled country, where the people are friendly, well mannered, handsome, well-dressed, and where many speak English so well that it's easy to understand and to communicate, and it's a relief not to worry about being robbed as is the case in many countries.

The physical beauty of Bhutan is hard to describe in words, and the cultural richness is profound. The image I'll keep the longest is the beautiful, healthy children on their way to school, smiling and waving at us.

Thank you for a great trip!!!