The accommodations on this trip are quite comfortable and are becoming more luxurious every year. Several new hotels are in various stages of completion, and we've taken advantage of them as they've opened their doors.

This trip includes two nights at a Casual Plus Hotel, the relatively new Dhensa Boutique Resort. While we expect great things from this beautiful hotel, it may take a few seasons for their amenities and services to be fully operating at a Premiere Hotel level. We've chosen it because of its proximity to our favorite routes, its friendly hospitality, strong cultural character and the tremendous view from the deck.

Some hotels and restaurants on our itinerary see few Western travelers and therefore lack many Western-style services. The leisurely service found in neighborhood restaurants and the limited supply of beer can all be appreciated when you keep a sense of humor and see patience as a traveler's virtue.

Your journey through Bhutan will be unlike any other travel experience. Bhutan is a remote corner of the world where ancient culture, traditions and religion are still the deep-rooted cornerstones of everyday life. That said, modern Bhutan is not always the Shangri-La depicted in glossy travel magazines. Rather, it's a developing country, where the scenes of poverty, trash and pollution can be jarring. And yet, the beauty of the people, the culture and the landscape shine through, making for an amazing exotic experience that's unforgettable and completely worthwhile. Though not a paradise, there simply isn't any other country like Bhutan. Our itineraries and Trip Leaders remove as many obstacles and inconveniences as possible, making your next extraordinary encounter always within reach. Of course, even all the efforts of our amazing leaders can't remove haze and noise from the air, or replace a poorly maintained road or trail, so it's a good idea to be aware of the ways that travel in Bhutan can be challenging. If you can be flexible and approach the region with a curious mind and good humor, you'll enjoy your trip to the fullest!

On this trip we travel into and out of Bhutan by plane. We'll be flying commercially with Druk Air aboard a narrow-body jet that seats 160 passengers.