• 7-day immersive tour with Breathe Bhutan at the beginning of October
• Exceptional guidance from Kelzang (tour guide) and Tshering (driver)
• Seamless, attentive support from Breathe Bhutan staff and owner Mr. Kinley Wangchuk
• Personalized experiences, including home stays, festivals, Bumdra Trek, and water rafting
• Authentic cultural interactions: conversations with nuns, traditional dress, and temple visits
• Flexible, thoughtful planning to accommodate preferences, weather, and altitude challenges
• Unique touches: table tennis, home-cooked meals, and social connections with other travelers
• Kelzang’s humor, guidance, and cultural knowledge made the journey deeply memorable
• Tshering’s care and driving ensured safety and comfort throughout the trip

In October 2025, Mary DeAsis Serfas & Family embarked on a 7-day Bhutan tour with Breathe Bhutan, guided by Kelzang and supported by driver Tshering. From the outset, the team’s professionalism, authenticity, and attention to detail set the stage for a truly exceptional journey.

The booking and visa processes were smooth, with clear communication from multiple staff members, and the company owner, Mr. Kinley Wangchuk, personally assisted in resolving a wire transfer issue. Every detail of the trip was thoughtfully planned, yet flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions or guest preferences.

Kelzang quickly became the heart of the experience. With humor, cultural insight, and impeccable timing, he knew when to step in to encourage guests and when to give space for reflection. From singing Ed Sheeran and John Legend songs during the Bumdra Trek to arranging a quick table tennis session, Kelzang’s creativity and generosity made every day feel personal and memorable. His deep knowledge of Bhutanese culture, temples, and history enriched every interaction, combining fun and learning seamlessly.

Tshering ensured that the group traveled safely across Bhutan’s mountainous terrain. Attentive and caring, he also shared the warmth of his home through a traditional meal at his family homestay—a highlight of the journey.

The trip featured unforgettable moments: water rafting, dressing in Bhutanese traditional clothing, attending two vibrant festivals, connecting with local nuns, completing a 2-day Bumdra Trek, and enjoying meaningful conversations that brought Bhutan’s history and traditions to life. Social gatherings at the Breathe Bhutan office provided another layer of connection with staff, guides, and fellow travelers, deepening the cultural exchange and sense of community.

Our Breathe Bhutan tour experience was exceptional all around. Our group of 3 visited for 7 days at the beginning of October and were truly blessed to have Kelzang as our tour guide and Tshering as our driver!

It was clear from the start of the booking process that Breathe Bhutan is greatly focused on authenticity, intentionality, and providing the top-tier experience for each and every tour group. Communication was prompt and efficient, with multiple staff working with us directly to ensure clear communication. I was impressed that Mr. Kinley Wangchuk, the owner of the company, personally became involved and was able to quickly identify and address an issue we had while figuring out wire payments. The whole staff made the visa process simple and straightforward, as well.

All details were accounted for, and Kelzang, Tshering, and the Breathe Bhutan team did a great job of catering to our needs, preferences, and other changes (like weather).

We have been on many tours in many countries, but Kelzang is our favorite tour guide – he was funny, a skilled conversationalist, and perceptive. He knew when to give us space and when to step in by encouraging us to keep going! He was incredibly genuine and shared the very best of what Bhutan has to offer – showing great patience and competence with planning and logistics both in advance and in real time. He skillfully pivoted when necessary without making a big deal of it. When we were struggling a bit on the Bumdra Trek, he started singing Ed Sheeran and John Legend songs to encourage us (and it did!). Yet, he was the most reverent and excellent teacher when we made our way into temples and fortresses. When we casually mentioned we loved table tennis, he arranged for us to play table tennis at a club for an hour right after lunch to fill some time before our next planned activity. Kelzang was very selfless and always thinking about providing the best experience for our group. He made a deep impression on us, and it is our intention to stay in touch with this newfound friend! He embodies the best of Breathe Bhutan – authenticity, intention, and letting the beauty of the people, land, and deep traditions of Bhutan delight you!

Many thanks to Tshering, who kept us safe on the road with all the mountainous driving throughout the entire trip. He was softspoken, attentive, and caring, especially when one of us was having difficulty acclimating to the changes in altitude. It was so special to visit his home stay and share a meal prepared by his family on our way to a festival.

Some highlights from our trip include water rafting, dressing in Bhutanese traditional dress, going to two festivals, having conversations with three delightful nuns, going on a 2-day Bumdra Trek, having a huge home cooked traditional meal at Tshering’s home stay, and spending time talking and soaking up history and stories from Kelzang and Tshering. While we were in Thimphu, we attended a social dinner at the Breathe Bhutan office where we met other travelers, many of the staff who works at the office, other guides, and some of the leadership of the company, including Mr. Kinley. It was meaningful to put a face to some of the people we had interacted with online while planning the trip, and it gave us another chance to connect via deeper conversations with local Bhutanese and share our various perspectives and worldviews, which for us is the whole point of traveling.

Breathe Bhutan is immensely professional and handles logistics with top tier service exceptionally well. We would highly recommend not only visiting Bhutan, but to do so through this company for a personalised, genuine experience that connects you with Bhutan’s deep cultural roots and its people.