Archive for the ‘Bhutan’ Category
On November 11, 2011 at 11:11 am, a field of Bhutanese and international runners will participate in the inaugural Bhutan Himalayan Marathon. This event offers athletes a unique opportunity to experience the Kingdom of Bhutan on a 26.2 mile course in the shadows of the highest mountains in the world. The country fiercely regulates inbound tourism in an effort to protect its culture and environment, and international registration is only open to 150 runners.
Tiger's Nest. Photo Courtesy of Susan Anderson.
Here are the course details, as posted on the official marathon website:
The marathon begins and ends in the heart of Thimphu at Changlimithag Stadium, the scene of a battle in the early 20thcentury that lead to the rule of King Ugyen Wangchuck and the establishment of the current monarchy.
The route circles Thimphu, passing the Memorial Chorten, honoring the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Tashichhoedzong, a combination Buddhist monastery, government center and fortress, India House and the royal residences.
Leaving the city, runners head north along the Thimphu River toward the Himalayas, with water prayer wheels and prayer flags sprinkled throughout the Blue Pine forest. At the base of the high Himalayas and with a stunning view of the Chargi Monastery, the route turns back toward Thimphu. The return portion of the route is on trails and passes through several small villages. Returning to Thimphu, the route circles the town again and ends back at Changlimithag Stadium.
Interested in joining this inaugural event? Our Bhutan tour packages can include the marathon registration, based on availability, so please contact us to register!
In many markets, the word customized is usually an indicator of a product or service being more expensive. Customized furniture. Customized clothes. Customized vehicles. When someone is making the item unique or distinctive, time equals money. So, it does not surprise me that when I encourage clients to customize their itinerary, I am met with hesitation. “Customized? Isn’t that more expensive? I don’t think that is possible with my budget.”
Last week, I started planning a trip for Laura. She had reviewed our Featured Tours and was interested in combining Heritage Discovery and Sublime Kerala. After I started to inquire about her activity preferences, I realized that the planned destinations were perhaps not the best choice. I suggested substituting other cities and adding more specialized tours, including an elephant safari and cooking demonstration. Because Laura had a specific budget, she was concerned about the changes. “Allison, I don’t know if that will work. I can’t afford a customized trip. What are our other options?” Over the next few days, I slowly reassured her that customized WAS possible. And once she reviewed the final itinerary and proposal – which was actually less than the original tour packages by $67 – she was convinced that yes, travelers can have a customized vacation!
I also often receive emails from past clients who send a link to a current tour from another company. Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, India… They are all wondering, can we offer a similar tour for less? And many times, they are pleasantly surprised to find that that yes, we can! Although we make no price guarantees on our land packages, we remain committed to offering affordable and unique travel experiences.
Many travel agents and agencies impose a supplemental fee for customizing an itinerary. However, Sodha Travel does not require a deposit or fee for creating a customized package proposal. Each journey is different, and we enjoy getting to know our travelers and understanding the reason behind their voyages. For some, it is to immerse in the culture. For others, it is voluntourism. And, by creating each proposal, we also get ideas for our own upcoming trips!
If you are interested in a customized itinerary, please complete our Custom Trip Proposal or contact our team!
As many of you know, we feature a photo contest in our newsletter each month. In December, instead of having you identify one of our photos, we would like to see your photos! Please send us your favorite snapshot from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Bhutan. Our team will vote on their favorite, and the winner will receive a Visa gift card! Many of you have already sent your photos, and we appreciate your participation! It will be very difficult for our team to decide…
Please send your picture, description, and contact information to travel@sodhatravel.com. Remember, entries must be received by December 15th!
