Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [216]
Exodus ( 0870 240 5550; www.exodus.co.uk)
Explore Worldwide ( 01252-344161; www.explore.co.uk)
Himalayan Kingdoms ( 0845-3308579; www.himalayankingdoms.com)
World Expeditions ( 0800-074 4135; www.worldexpedition.co.uk)
USA & Canada
Above the Clouds ( 802-482 4848; www.aboveclouds.com)
Adventure Center ( 800-227 8747; www.adventure-center.com)
Asian Pacific Adventures ( 1800-825 1680; www.asianpacificadventures.com)
Bhutan Travel ( 800-950 9908; www.bhutantravel.com)
Far Fung Places ( 415-386 8306; www.farfungplaces.com)
Geographic Expeditions ( 1800-777 8183; www.geoex.com)
Journeys International ( 1800 255 8735; www.journeys-intl.com)
Mountain Travel Sobek ( 1888 687 6235; www.mtsobek.com)
Wilderness Travel ( 1800 368 2794; www.wildernesstravel.com)
Thailand
Oriole Travel & Tours ( 02-237 9201; oriole@samart.co.th)
Specialised Tours
Guided mountain-bike tours are arranged by Bicycle Sambhava (www.bicyclesambhava.com). Motorcycle trips can be arranged through Himalayan Roadrunners (www.ridehigh.com) and Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours (www.saffronroad.com).
The only overseas company specialising in river trips in Bhutan is Needmore Adventures ( 888-900 9091; www.excellent-adventures.net).
Photography enthusiasts should check out the expert-guided itineraries of Rainbow Photo Tours ( 1800 685 9992; www.rainbowphototours.com). The following companies specialise in tours for twitchers (bird-watchers).
Sunbird ( 01767-262522; www.sunbirdtours.co.uk)
Wings ( 888-293 6443, 520-320 9868; www.wingsbirds.com)
Bhutan-Based Tour Operators
It is relatively easy to make your own arrangements if you choose to use a Bhutanese operator. When tourism was privatised the state-run Bhutan Tourism Corporation was disbanded. Many of the ex-employees used their expertise to set up their own operations, and there are now more than 200 licensed tour companies. They range from one-person operations to large and professional organisations such as Etho Metho Tours and Treks and Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited (BTCL), which have fleets of vehicles and, in some places, their own hotel facilities.
The following list includes a selection of the largest companies. For a complete list see the DOT website at www.tourism.gov.bt and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators website at www.abto.org.bt.
Bae-Yul Excursions ( 02-324335; fax 323728; www.baeyul.com.bt; PO Box 437, Thimphu)
Bara Lynka Tours and Travels ( 02-271 698; fax 272 447; baralynka@druknet.bt; www.baralynka.com; PO Box 1010, Thimphu)
Bhutan Footprints Travel ( 02-334960; fax 334961; www.tourbhutantravel.com; PO Box 732, Thimphu)
Bhutan Kaze Tours and Treks ( 02-326623; fax 323178; wings@druknet.bt; PO Box 715, Thimphu)
Bhutan Mandala Tours and Treks ( 02-323676; fax 323675; www.bhutanmandala.com; PO Box 397, Thimphu)
Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited (BTCL; 02-324045, 322647; fax 323292; www.kingdomofbhutan.com; PO Box 159, Thimphu)
Bhutan Travel Bureau ( 02-321749; fax 325100; www.btb.com.bt; PO Box 959, Thimphu)
Bhutan Travel Service ( 02-325785; fax 325786; www.bhutantravel.com.bt; PO Box 919, Thimphu)
Chhundu Travels and Tours ( 02-322592; fax 322645; www.chhundu.com.bt; PO Box 149, Thimphu)
Dechen Cultural Tours and Trekking Co. ( 02-321358; fax 324408; dechen@druknet.bt; PO Box 818, Thimphu)
Diethelm Travel Bhutan ( 02-324063; fax 323894; dwpenjor@druknet.bt; PO Box 666, Thimphu)
Dragon Trekkers and Tours ( 02-323599; fax 323314; dragon@druknet.bt; PO Box 452, Thimphu)
Etho Metho Tours and Treks ( 02-323162; fax 322884; www.ethometho.com; PO Box 360, Thimphu)
Gangri Tours and Trekking ( 02-323556; fax 323322; www.gangri.com; PO Box 607, Thimphu)
International Treks and Tours ( 02-326847; fax 323675; www.intrekasia.com/bhutan.htm)
Jamphel Tours and Travels ( /fax 02-321111; jamphel@druknet.bt; PO Box 289, Thimphu)
Jojo’s Adventure Tours ( 1711 0305; fax 02-333940; www.jojos.com.bt; PO Box 816, Thimphu)
Lhomen Tours and Trekking ( 02-324148; fax 323243; www.lhomen.com.bt; PO