James Irving discovered the Kingdom of Bhutan whilst on the 'All Nations Quest' (ANQ) back in JAN 2003. The ANQ was a charity-driven journey to travel to every nation as fast as possible, with benefits going to 'Save the Children'. Bhutan immediately struck James as being the most wonderful and unique destination he had set foot in. A sentiment he still supports today.
James and wife Nicola headed back to Bhutan immediately after the ANQ. They met with key tourism representatives with the view of expanding Bhutan's relatively small tourism industry, so they could bring this wonderful destination to the attention of more Australian visitors. Their aim was also to encourage private tourists, as Bhutan was only marketed as a group tour destination at that time. A contract was signed with BTCL, Bhutan's oldest inbound tour operator, and Bhutan & Beyond became their official Australasian representative. A wonderful relationship that has lasted over 20 years.
Nicola and James travelled to Bhutan every year between 2003-2019, with only COVID-19 preventing visits of late. As a result Bhutan & Beyond have become true experts in travelling through this most delightful Kingdom and pride themselves in constructing the very best itineraries for the most rewarding experiences for their travellers. Additionally, they have first-hand knowledge of most hotels and fully comprehend the challenges and rewards of undertaking tourism activities in this remote region.
Bhutan & Beyond are also well-versed in combining Bhutan with Nepal and/or India and enjoy long-time relationships with their partner ground operators in both of these nearby neighbours.
There are no long waits on hold when dealing with Bhutan & Beyond. They are a small, family-owned & operated business specialising in this unique region of South Asia, and they pledge an exceptional level of service. In addition to operating a wide range of small group tours, their special aim is to offer private tours to suit individual travellers' needs and desires. In fact, since 2009 over 30% of their business has come from Bhutan travellers residing outside of Australia! The USA and Canada feature prominently.
Take the road less travelled with James & Nicola from Bhutan & Beyond.
Submitted by Trina Bawden-Smith on Wednesday, Oct 27, 2021
James Irving of Bhutan & Beyond offers exceptional customer service and his knowledge of Bhutan is second to none. If you are planning a trip to Bhutan, Bhutan & Beyond should be your first choice. James is across every detail and this guarantees that your trip of a lifetime to this amazing country, will be just perfect in every way!
Submitted by Anne Palfreyman on Wednesday, Oct 13, 2021
James’ understanding of Bhutan is vast, and the level of service he provides is second to none. The entire journey - from the planning to the actual trip - was unlike anything I have ever experienced. He was outstanding in tailoring the itinerary to our interests, with intuitive recommendations that you only get from someone who really knows Bhutan. His communication is thorough and prompt and we rightfully had full confidence in him from our first interaction. Would absolutely recommend James to anyone considering travelling to this extraordinary part of the world.
Submitted by Heather McNeice on Wednesday, Oct 13, 2021
I have travelled to Bhutan over a number of years and have used Bhutan & Beyond for several group bookings. James and Nicola Irving of Bhutan & Beyond specialise in travel to SE Asia and Bhutan in particular. Their experience and knowledge of Bhutan and their understanding of the logistics of travel within Bhutan is second to none. They can arrange touring and trekking itineraries and special interest trips including, in my case, photography. They visit Bhutan regularly themselves and are well acquainted with a range of lodges and hotels as well as all the main visitor attractions. Their communication before, during and after a trip is detailed, prompt and efficient. If you are considering a trip to Bhutan, I highly recommend contacting James and Nicola.
Most of Bhutan's dzongs were constructed around the 8th century and were mainly positioned to defend the valleys... View More
I discovered Bhutan on a short 18 hr visit in 2002. My cousin and I were on a charity journey for Save The Children... View More
