North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour

COUNTRY:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India
DEPARTURES:
CHECK AVAILABILITY2013: 31 Aug, 23 Sep, 7 Oct, 16 Oct, 30 Oct, 8 Nov, 15 Nov
PRICE:
From £3193 - £3278 (23 days) including UK flights
MORE INFO:
From £2340 - £2425 excluding flights. Single supplement £265.
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour
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North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour

Small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.

How North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour makes a difference

This amazing journey starts in the little visited country of Bangladesh where tourism is very much in its infancy and a warm welcome awaits. As pioneers, we have a responsibility to tread carefully and ensure that our impact as visitors from the west is a positive one, our Bangladeshi ground operators has been instrumental in assisting us with our aim. As we journey, in addition to our tour leader, a Bangladeshi guide accompanies our groups to keep us informed of the unique culture and customs and ensure that local sensibilities are respected.

In Sikkim and Bhutan, we also travel in the company of local guides chosen for their excellent indigenous knowledge of the area and training. Their understanding of the country's flora, fauna and local culture will guarantee an accurate insight to traditional Sikkimese and Bhutanese life.

All travellers to Bhutan contribute (through the cost of their trip) to a compulsory Royalty levy part of which goes into education and health projects.

All of the services we use in both Sikkim and Bhutan such as hotels, restaurants, guides and transport are provided by locally owned and operated businesses, thus ensuring the financial impact of our visit is a direct (and much needed) contribution to the economy.

As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide, which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation and Send a Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies, which promote best practice in responsible tourism such as the Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy.

We offset the emissions of all our customer and staff flights through Climate Care.

North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour

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The story of the provider of North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour

This small group operator is just celebrating its 30th year and was originally set up to enrich people’s lives through adventure travel. The directors have roots in overland trucking and are determined to keep a pioneering spirit alive. They believe what sets them apart is the strong relationships they’ve developed with local suppliers and tour guides over the years. A tour leader who thinks creatively can turn a good experience into a fantastic one and open up a place so that travellers gain insight into a completely different way of life. They operate in many different countries and try to avoid a blanket approach – their aim is to get customers involved in the projects they visit and to forge lifelong friendships.

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Holiday provider no: 276

North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour
North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour
North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour

North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour

Reviewed 05 Dec 2012 by John Lace5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


The sheer variety of places visited, the warmness of the reception everywhere across Bangladesh, the poignancy of many of the images across the three countries, the expanse of the scenery, the devotion of the people to their religions, the many different hotels and the people.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Enjoy the complete experience, lots of good laundry services available at hotels when you stop for two nights. The meals are great and although curry at breakfast may seem extreme it's superb!

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?


Yes we organised a visit to a very poor monastery near Pelling and we were able to take blankets, clothes, educational material, toys and sweets to a group of 20+ young monks who had very little and whose circumstances were very extreme. We had local guides and drivers in each country and stopped at small tea stalls, cafes and other spots to fully utilise local people's services rather than big corporations. Our input into the Bhutan economy has a direct benefit to many parts of the society and bringing new experiences not only to our eyes and senses but to local people across Bangladesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bhutan was top class.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Excellent

Reviewed 19 Dec 2012 by Kirstine Manson1 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Bhutan was a highlight. The curiosity of the Bangalees is nice.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Don't. The itinerary gives a coach-trip feel to the holiday. Bangladesh is the dirtiest, grimiest, filthiest place I have ever visited and there is no wonder that i became ill there. Darjeeling is quaint but tired and the three day stay there was one and half too many. The hideous spine-jarring journeys to, from and within Sikkim on mountain roads are not worth it for what is there. The stay at Kalimpong is surplus to requirements as there is nothing there. If you want to see Bhutan, do so on a different tour. And with a different company.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?


My holiday certainly benefitted local people in Sikkim who helped themselves to $250 from my luggage.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Poor. Although the Tour Leader was fantastic.

Read the operator's response here:

We were sorry to read that you did not enjoy your holiday. We were disappointed to read your feedback as we do not usually receive such negative feedback in relation to this tour.

We feel that to give a detailed description of the local conditions in each of the countries in which we operate would be somewhat difficult within the confines of our brochure. We therefore regard there as being some responsibility on the part of the customer to familiarise themselves with local conditions and to do a bit of research on the destinations visited. Customers can then prepare themselves on what to expect on their visit. Nevertheless, we are sorry that you were disappointed with the places you visited.

Given the number of keen travellers in our office, it is more than likely that at least one member of staff will have been on each of our tours. If you would ever like more information on the countries visited, or what to expect on tour, our teams will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. I am however glad that you enjoyed your visit to Bhutan and we appreciate your comments about your tour leader.

We were very sorry to hear that you had $250 stolen from your luggage. We would be more than happy to write you a letter for you insurers if this is required.

I hope that you have come home with some positive memories. I the meantime, we send our very best wishes to you for a peaceful Christmas and a successful New Year.
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Holiday Reviews

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North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour
North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour
North East India, Bhutan and Bangladesh tour
Date Prices (Adult,pp) Basis Status  
31 Aug 2013 £ 3193 inc UK flights Full  
23 Sep 2013 £ 3223 inc UK flights Full  
07 Oct 2013 £ 3258 inc UK flights Full  
16 Oct 2013 £ 3278 inc UK flights Full  
30 Oct 2013 £ 3258 inc UK flights Full  
08 Nov 2013 £ 3278 inc UK flights Full  
15 Nov 2013 £ 3278 inc UK flights Full  
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