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Mountain Kingdoms Traveller Reviews

Reviews of Mountain Kingdoms










SPECIAL INSIGHT INTO THE LAND OF THE DRAGON
Bhutan is one of those secret places tucked up high in the Himalayas. Who goes there? Well me for a start. I travelled in early November 2014 and took the long flight to Kathmandu. There are various ways of getting to Bhutan, either via Delhi or Kathmandu and depending on what flight you take, there can be a long transfer time. I took one of the longer options but wanted to overnight in Kathmandu both ways mainly because on the way back ...
Bhutan is one of those secret places tucked up high in the Himalayas. Who goes there? Well me for a start. I travelled in early November 2014 and took the long flight to Kathmandu. There are various ways of getting to Bhutan, either via Delhi or Kathmandu and depending on what flight you take, there can be a long transfer time. I took one of the longer options but wanted to overnight in Kathmandu both ways mainly because on the way back I would have more time to go shopping in Thamel and visit Kilroys famous bar and restaurant. Whatever option you decide, Mountain Kingdoms are very flexible. The best entry into Bhutan must be the flight from Kathmandu to Paro. I begged the check in lady at the airport to give me a window seat on the left hand side. I wasn't disappointed - the whole range of the Himalayas stood before my eyes and there above them all was Everest. Then you enter the Kingdom of Bhutan and life will never be the same. What a beautiful country steeped in its Buddhist traditions. Everyone smiles a welcome and nothing is too much trouble. I was with a select party of four. All of us good friends who have travelled together for many years. We had a guide Tashi who was marvellous and a driver who used to chauffer the Royal Family until he retired. Good job as the roads are apt to be unmade, very windy and strewn with avalanche debris. I won't give details about my holiday in Bhutan as it is waiting there for anyone to enjoy. I just want to say that Mountain Kingdoms came up trumps. This is the first time I have used them and it won't be the last.
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Right from the beginning when this trip was just an idea, Mountain Kingdoms came up with suggested itineraries until everything came together. They have been very supportive and provided top quality staff. They have always been available to answer last minute questions. I think they are an excellent company.
Brilliant and thanks for your compliments!!
That's what I like to hear. Steve Berry, M.D. Mountain Kingdoms





Another great trip - this time to Bhutan!
Signed up for East to West, A Journey across Bhutan - with Mountain Kingdoms. Every thing was excellent - itinerary, hotels, meals, transportation, staff team, service from office staff, trip dossier. I would strongly recommend this trip to anyone interested in the culture and having the experience of hiking through the countryside to visit villages and monasteries.
Signed up for East to West, A Journey across Bhutan - with Mountain Kingdoms. Every thing was excellent - itinerary, hotels, meals, transportation, staff team, service from office staff, trip dossier. I would strongly recommend this trip to anyone interested in the culture and having the experience of hiking through the countryside to visit villages and monasteries.
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Mountain Kingdoms is a long-established tour operator - originally specializing in the Himalayan region but now offering active trips to many other regions. Their trips are good value, they promote small group travel with a maximum of twelve participants, and they pride themselves on working with and benefitting the local people. I have now registered for nine of their trips, and can highly recommend all of them.
Nice to hear this Jane - how many trips have you been with us on now I wonder?! A lot for sure. Thanks for your feedback.
Ah, I see now you've been on nine trips with us Jane ......... that's great, and long may it continue!! All the best.





On High in Bhutan
An excellent 5 day trek on the Druk Path in Bhutan. well led by a most interesting and knowledgeable local guide, our group of ten experienced a varied environment and visited many places of cultural interest. The support staff and horses did a great job in transporting our gear and having the camps and hot food ready for us every day. Hotels during the rest of the holiday exceeded expectations to give a great overall experience of a fascinating ...
An excellent 5 day trek on the Druk Path in Bhutan. well led by a most interesting and knowledgeable local guide, our group of ten experienced a varied environment and visited many places of cultural interest. The support staff and horses did a great job in transporting our gear and having the camps and hot food ready for us every day. Hotels during the rest of the holiday exceeded expectations to give a great overall experience of a fascinating country.
Rating for tour operator:




Information from and organisation by Mountain Kingdoms was first class. From both their website and brochures a great deal of information was provided. Efficient and friendly staff whenever contact was made. Highly recommended!
Brilliant!
That's what we like to hear!!





Bhutan - Lingshi Laya - Stretching trek in wonderful scenery
The trek is 14 days from Paro via Laya to Gasa. The highest pass is just over 5,000m and, while breathless at times, we managed to avoid altitude sickness. The mountains en route, including Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, are spectacular. Our guide was excellent and the arrangements generally worked well. Either side of the trek we had some cultural visits and our guide was very responsive to the group's needs. Overall an experience it would be hard ...
The trek is 14 days from Paro via Laya to Gasa. The highest pass is just over 5,000m and, while breathless at times, we managed to avoid altitude sickness. The mountains en route, including Jomolhari and Jichu Drake, are spectacular. Our guide was excellent and the arrangements generally worked well. Either side of the trek we had some cultural visits and our guide was very responsive to the group's needs. Overall an experience it would be hard to beat.
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In Bhutan Mountain Kingdoms is tied up with Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited. They are both very experienced and the administration and organisation were very good. The staff at MK were very helpful in talking things through on the phone beforehand and helping us to decide whether we were up to the trek.
Thanks for that, and good to meet the group in Paro
Thanks for traveling with us.............





In depth tour of Darjeeling and Sikkim
An all-round fantastic holiday which encompassed both off the beaten track visits as well as the better known "must sees".
An all-round fantastic holiday which encompassed both off the beaten track visits as well as the better known "must sees".
Rating for tour operator:




They used their specialist knowledge of the area to devise a superb and varied programme that made the best possible use of our time but never seemed hurried.
Good stuff!! Glad you enjoyed Sikkim
Thanks for your comments





Grand Canyon Trek
Itinerary provided for the holiday did not match brochure itinerary to a sufficient extent. I understand that adventure holidays may always be subject to change but the mismatch was more fundamental than that. Trip to Supai was an unpleasant experience and unfortunate last 3 days of the holiday, contrasting very poorly with walking in the glorious National Parks. One trek Grand Canyon trek (Bright Angel Trail) and our trek in Bryce (Fairytale ...
Itinerary provided for the holiday did not match brochure itinerary to a sufficient extent. I understand that adventure holidays may always be subject to change but the mismatch was more fundamental than that. Trip to Supai was an unpleasant experience and unfortunate last 3 days of the holiday, contrasting very poorly with walking in the glorious National Parks. One trek Grand Canyon trek (Bright Angel Trail) and our trek in Bryce (Fairytale Loop) were excellent. Observation Point, via the East Mesa trail, in Zion, was also very good.
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Not sure who you mean by the tour operator. Mountain Kingdoms (who sold the holiday) seem to be a good and efficient organisation in the UK. The deliverer of the holiday in America (Adventure Travel West) less good and clearly some communication problems between the two.
We are pleased to see that you enjoyed Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon, Fairytale Loop at Bryce and the East Mesa trail in Zion and indeed it was pleasing to see the other members of your group rated the tour as excellent or good. However, we were sorry to hear there were inconsistencies in the itinerary we advertised and that which you followed. In fact our Operations Manager responsible for North America is meeting our agent in London at the World Travel Market 2 days from now (4th November) to undertake a thorough review of the itinerary. We apologize for any changes to the itinerary made without our knowledge. We understand there were reasons for these changes but nevertheless it has prompted us to conduct a proper review.
See above comments





MONTENEGRO LAKES & MOUNTAINS
This was our sixth holiday with Mountain Kingdoms. It was, as usual, well planned and very enjoyable with gorgeous scenary both on the coast, bay and in the mountains. An unforgettable experience.
This was our sixth holiday with Mountain Kingdoms. It was, as usual, well planned and very enjoyable with gorgeous scenary both on the coast, bay and in the mountains. An unforgettable experience.
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Mountain Kingdoms are consistently good. Internal transport was very good. Our guide was excellent and we consider the whole holiday a success and well worth the cost.
Great stuff ...... this itinerary is thanks to our General Manager, John Shillibeer who knows that country well and did all the recce work......
Excellent !!





Good walking, good hotels, very busy
Walking trip to Montenegro. Scenery fantastic, lots of things seen and done. Trips on train, boat, bus, car. Saw most of country.
Walking trip to Montenegro. Scenery fantastic, lots of things seen and done. Trips on train, boat, bus, car. Saw most of country.
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Good pre-trip information, good organisation, everything as described. Good leader with excellent support
Great! My wife loves it there too.
Excellent





walker's haute route
a splendid, reasonably challenging walk with fine scenery and wildlife
a splendid, reasonably challenging walk with fine scenery and wildlife
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well planned and documented route with good accommodation and meals
Yes, a real classic Alpine trek
Thanks for your feedback Peter





A Ruby Wedding Anniversary to remember!
Mountain Kingdoms arranged a tailor made trip for us as we couldn't manage the dates of their group departures for Leh and the Indus valley trails. The walking was gentle/moderate and there was ample time to acclimatise to the altitude before we started. Good hotels and guide for the walks. We then had three nights on a houseboat on Dal Lake in Kashmir which was a memorable end to our trip.
Mountain Kingdoms arranged a tailor made trip for us as we couldn't manage the dates of their group departures for Leh and the Indus valley trails. The walking was gentle/moderate and there was ample time to acclimatise to the altitude before we started. Good hotels and guide for the walks. We then had three nights on a houseboat on Dal Lake in Kashmir which was a memorable end to our trip.
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We found Mountain Kingdoms extremely helpful and efficient at every stage. It was a complicated itinerary with several internal flights because of the addition of Kashmir. All the connections, hotels and transfers worked like clockwork - we were very relieved and most impressed! They were also quite happy to make some changes that we asked for. It was our third walking trip arranged by them - and we shall certainly travel with them again.
Great to hear you had a great time.
That's what we like to hear!!