The Royal Government of Bhutan collects a minimum daily cost from every tourist as a condition of obtaining a visa and confirmed air reservations.  This has made Bhutan one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit. But, it has been a long time since prices were raised and as of January 1, 2009, all peak and non-peak season prices will increase $50 per person per day. 

Most people who have been to Bhutan still feel the experience is still an exceptional, best-in -a-lifetime experience of natural beauty, cultural splendor and Buddhist serenity. 

Journeys will maintain our current prices through the end of 2008.  There are still possibilities for visiting this year, but some air reservations during the busy festival season in September and October are nearly sold out. For more information about travel to Bhutan:  http://www.journeys.travel/destinations/asia/bhutan/

If you time your trip correctly you can visit Bhutan during the perfect October interval for good weather, great mountain views and a chance to see three or four of the spectacular Tsechus or annual Buddhist Temple festivals. Unfortunately, the limited air space into Bhutan during this period is now almost sold out. If you are interested in, for example, the JOURNEYS Bhutan Temple Festivals trip, call us very soon 1-800-255-8735.

The next solar eclipse on 1 August 2008, draws a long Path of Totality from northern Canada, across the polar region and down across eastern Russia, western Mongolia and central China. The Path of Totality terminates near X’ian, Chiina.

I plan to join a group observing the eclipse near Hami in west central China. Another JOURNEYS group will view the eclipse near Hovd in western Mongolia. These two sites were chosen for their position within the region of total eclipse and in locations likely to have clear skies. Both are quite difficult to reach. With the Beijing Olympics beginning a few days after the eclipse, it has been a real challenge to obtain reservations and transportation in China. The Chinese authorities dogged by pro-Tibetan protesters, emergency response to the Chengdu earthquake and general concerns about environmental and cultural appearances have made it quite difficult to make confident travel plans. We have had to submit a list of all hotels our group will utilize during the eclipse trip with validated hotel reservation stamps for each traveler before we can even obtain visas. Having witnessed a total eclipse before, the tedious preparations are still worth the potential experience. We still have a few spaces remaining for the Mongolia Solar Eclipse trip. Some air reservations are still available. The Next eclipse is in July 2009 and southern China is again a prime viewing area.

Welcome to my first blog featuring themes of world travel, traveler contributions to environmental conservation, appreciation of nature and the politics of planetary preservation.