Hi Deepak,
Yes, sadly we have returned with all of our wonderful memories behind us but with enough photos to ensure that we never forget Bhutan, Nepal or the great job that Raven did in organizing our trip.

Congratulations Deepak - you have built up a first class operation and everything went off pretty much without a hitch.
  
In Nepal, things went very smoothly as well. We had a spectacular view of Everest on our flight from Paro and Hira and Gopal met us at Kathmandu airport with all of our paperwork for the flights to Pokhara. The Himalayan Glacier Hotel was very comfortably, well located and the owner was very helpful. Gopal, Gorkana and Nagendra made an excellent team on the trek. Hira should be congratulated for having teamed Nagendra up with Gopal and Gorkana - I think that they can both learn a lot from a man of his experience and it is a very clever move to put them alongside someone from whom they can learn so much. Highlights of Nepal were:

• Paragliding from Sarangkot
• The mountain views during the trek, particularly from Poon Hill

The hotel in Kathmandu was very good and also well located. Our driver, Kumar, was also very helpful and did his best to show us around - the highlight being a morning trip to the little village of Bungmati to see some of the older ways of life.

The air travel with Druk Air and Royal Nepal Airlines was also very good and I would have no hesitation in recommending them to other travellers.

In Bhutan, our guide Sangay and driver Bhim were great. They were good fun, did their job very well and went out of their way to ensure that we were enjoying ourselves. The itinerary worked well and the hotels were fine. Highlights of Bhutan were:

• Tigers Nest - what a walk to begin our adventure
• Our stone bath before heading off to Thimphu
• Watching the archers using traditional bows in Thimphu
• the Phobjikha Valley where we were lucky enough to see some black-necked cranes
• the cheese from the Swiss Dairy in Bumthang - washed down by local rum
• "night-clubbing" in Bumthang
• the road to Mongar!!!
• and finally the dzongs - each had its own magic and the architecture is breathtaking 

Thank you once again for helping us with a wonderful trip and if anyone ever asks us who they should travel within Bhutan and Nepal, our reply will be "Raven Tours and Treks, of course!"

Best Regards,
John(Australia)
johned@bigpond.net.au

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Family and friends,

It is about time I have some reflections on my trip to the Himalayas. Already a month since we came back and memories start to fade away. What is left are the photographs and the general impressions of countries, landscapes and people. 

The 2 countries we visited, Bhutan and Nepal, are very different in many ways. Generally, Bhutan is more genuine to itself; people there are living "within"' the landscape, maybe as guests on earth, in harmony with nature. I think it come with the deep belief in the Buddhism way of life and many generations of wonderful culture. Yet, some of us were picking up trash (plastic bags, wraps of chips, etc) that the locals constantly leave on the ground as they walk on the hills: They are entering the first phase of the western society. On the other hand, they will not kill a fly and use the prayer wheels at any chance just in case they smashed an ant while walking on their way. I fell in love with these people. One boy in particular, took my feelings as we met that nomad family on our second trekking day. Although we could not communicate with them, they looked the essence of the Bhutanese people. 

The Nepalese are more blunt, straight forward approach to tourists, probably due to overdose of interfacing "rich" foreigners, which emphasis the huge difference between our world and their poverty and culture. Obviously, the dramatic landscape of the Annapurna region covers up some of the hard human scenes, in particular in the big cities like Kathmandu. Admittedly, like in India, the human suffering is always hard to digest. Hence, I was happily conned by one Nepalese guy who told me his working tool box (he's a street shoe polisher) was stolen and he needs money for food. $40 later, in which he bought weekly basic food for his family, he was very happy. Well, if my place in hell will be upgraded and a bit more comfortable due to this one, I've done a good deal. Then we met a boy, 14 YO Surya, in that awesome Hindu temple (world heritage), who we found as the best guide of Hindu rituals, history and culture. In his perfect English, flowing information, confidence and humbleness - he took my heart and mind. I hope I'll be able to keep in touch with him via the net.

I'll be happy to respond to any question you have concerning this trip. 

Cheers, Amos(Australia)
amos.hahn@gmail.com

I found Raven Tours and Treks by doing a simple internet search. I e-mailed my inquiry to them and received a prompt and thorough reply. I simply told Deepak Tamang, owner and manager of Raven Tours and Treks, what I wanted to do and where and when I wanted to go. Not only did he organize my Bhutan tour, but he organized my Mt. Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal and my tour in India. Over the course of approximately eight months or so, Deepak and I planned, organized and arranged my entire tour throughout Asia. Planning can be accomplished much quicker, however, I changed my plans many times and Deepak was always quick to accommodate any changes I requested. I found the entire process to be very smooth, easy, and fun. I know I was happy while I was there, and I truly plan on going back. I know without a doubt that no matter when I go back, Deepak will be the one I plan my adventure with. Thanks Deepak, for a magical and thunderous adventure.

Ranell Wampler(USA)
ranellwampler@yahoo.com

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