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Karma Tenzin  

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Read about Karma in Katie Hickman's acclaimed
book about her journey through Bhutan
"Dreams of the Peaceful Dragon"
(Phoenix Paperbacks 2002 ISDN 0 75381 307 6)
MOST RECENT TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST CLIENTS
Over Christmas/New Year 2009/10 I made a tour with 2 friends with Karma. In the absence of more time, it was the usual tour to Bumthang and back. About the beauty of the country, the extremely pleasant handling, and the friendly, humorous and helpful dealings with the Bhutanese, I can add nothing new to the many entries in this guestbook, but I fully acknowledge it. Karma is a highly competent, trustworthy and nice guide. We always felt comfortable during the tour. The accommodation, including meals, was outstanding. As an experienced backpacker, I felt the standard was almost a luxury... We were very comfortable on the road with three of us in a four-wheel drive station wagon. Before travelling, we heard of a festival in the middle of the country and had asked if it was possible to visit it. Karma changed the travel plans in a thrice, and allowed us to cause him a lot of extra work with the organisation and manouevering. Last but not least, the pre-organisation (Druk Air) flight and visa procurement were also good, you can confidently pay in advance. If I desire to visit the country again, there can be only one: Jeroma Tours with Karma! Tashi Delek!
Mechtild  10 February 2010 (translated from German)

Three glorious weeks in Bhutan! I as an individual visitng the small Kingdom in September/October 2009. The expectations for this trip have been far exceeded. For this I have to thank Karma Tenzin, the owner of the travel agency Jeroma Tours. First, I drove from west to east, from Paro, with a visit to the "tigers" of Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang, Phobjikha Valley, Trondsa to Jakar in Bumthang to Ura. The second part of the tour was a 7 days trek to the mountain village of Laya. A real challenge and an unforgettable adventure. Karma was not only a trusted leader, but also an expert on the culture of his country. In addition, Karma is a genius of organisation and responds very flexibly to the needs of small and large groups. The selection of hotels, food, and the entire service was simply perfect. Even his driver steered us safely and reliably through the winding roads, and our companions on the trek were always friendly and helpful. Everything was unique. Jeroma Tours by Karma Tenzin is a really competent and professional travel agency and recommended if you want to visit Bhutan. You can trust him blindly from the handover of the travel fee until the end of the tour. Thank you very much, Karma, for the pleasant stay and the good times we had together. I am proud to call Karma my friend. Tashi Delek!
Hermann Gachter, Axams, Tyrol / Austria  27 December 2009 (translated from German)

We spent an unforgettable time in a unique and fascinating country, not least due to our nice, experienced and professional guide! Thank you Karma for all your efforts! To whom it may concern: I would book anytime again with jeroma tours, as I was contented in all respects. I had the impression that, due to his long experience in organizing tourist tours, Karma perfectly understands to respond to the needs and wishes of his clients, besides his sound knowledge about his own and other cultures.
Dr. Christian Scmidt 25 December 2009

Bhutan 17-29 May 2009. Favoured by me and perfectly organised by Karma of Jeroma Tours - a specific adventure: two weeks on the move to experience and practise the way of life of Bhutanese people! We took part in Buddhist ceremonies in private households, in temples, and outdoors at an altitude of about 4000m. We stayed in a farmhouse and a monastery. We hiked into remote areas, visited local people there and took part in their life. Among many highlights. I want to mention one especially - Khewang Lhakang, a temple in the Phobjika valley. We spent half a day together with about 20 very young novices and their young Lama. We were really impressed and inspired. We decided to give our support to this temple and its residents in future. This was my third trip (second trip of my wife) to Bhutan, and I will come back in 2010 together with friends. Thank you Karma for the beautiful adventure,  and give our best greetings to all Bhutanese people. Tashi Delek,
Frieder & Claudia  26 July 2009

We are back from a wonderful journey across Bhutan from Paro after Samdrup Jongkhar. Thanks Karma, for great readiness to our wishes, it was an unforgettable adventure. Starting from the Tiger's Nest Monastery (which I mostly covered on horseback), through the Tshechu Celebrations in Paro, a hot-stone bath in the Phobjikha Valley, the guest house in the beautiful Bumthang valley, there were many high points, not least the wonderful picnics on the riverbank and the cinema in Thimpu! Tashi our driver must have big praise. He carried us by his thoughtful and careful driving through the many, many curves and steep slopes always with a secure feeling.
Heidi, Katharina, Xavier, Anna and John  15 May 2009 (translated from German)

We have just come from a trip to Bhutan and are enthusiastic about this country, its people and its culture. The trip was perfectly organized by Karma and Chencho. We had a German translater, which was very important to us, to provide a good understanding of the life and culture in his country. Dorji, our driver, steered us safely and reliably through the winding roads, so we could watch the grandiose nature. It was an unforgettable experience and we thank you Karma and his team.
Angela & Hartmut  6 May 2009 (translated from German)

It was a magical journey through a wonderful country. Karma and Tashi have provided this by their experience, and the friendly dealings with us and all the other people we met. The selection of hotels, food, and the whole organisation could not be surpassed. Karma has done everything imaginable for us to make this trip unforgettable. Even the great weather, he somehow produced. Tashi, our driver, got us securely from one pothole to the next. Really a great country with great people.
Udo  26 January 2009 (translated from German)

We visited Bhutan last October for about two weeks. The whole trip was an amazing time for all of us. It was perfectly organized by Karma. We had the possibility to participate in various Tsechus, and to trek through the beautiful landscape of Bhutan for about 5 days. But the thing I most liked about Bhutan were the people. All of us had done a lot of travelling over the years, but Bhutan was something special. Karma and Tashi, our driver, both became friends. We spent a lot of time together and got a lot of detailed insights into living in Bhutan. Karma and Tashi have so much knowledge and so many stories which they share with you.  Whenever we will have the opportunity to come back to Bhutan (and we will definitely), Karma will be our choice again.  Whenever we look through the pictures we have taken, we remember the smiling Karma and the honest Tashi. When you plan to visit the "last kingdom of the Himalaya", contacting Karma is the best choice to make. Sending him our greetings. Tashi Delek, Manni.
Claudia, Udo, Dagmar and Manni  3 January 2009

This was a really great trip! Karma organised my journey very well. I really enjoyed the time with him and his colleagues, who were all very nice, helpful and knowledgeable, and continuously answered all the many questions I had. I had a lot of fun, but also a lot of special moments in the monasteries. The highlight of my tour was a three day trek, during which I had the opportunity to stay in a farmhouse and a monastery, and got a deeper insight into the life of Bhutan. Thanks to all the translation by my guide, I had the chance to talk more intensively to the local people, which was a very special and great experience for me. Thanks so much to Karma and his team, hope to see all of you again.
Doris  13 December 2008

My introduction to Bhutan was truly amazing – all thanks to Karma and Jeroma Tours. His service was exceptional and absolutely nothing was impossible! You had arranged the best rooms and hotels whereever we went. You ensured we were not in the foot steps of large tour groups and you took us to many fantastic hidden secrets of Bhutan – whether it be local restaurants, monasteries, view points, camp sites etc… We had the most incredible honeymoon. One we will never forget! Thank you Karma and Kinley.
Libby Owen Edmunds  November 2008

Second time in Bhutan, second time on the road with Jeroma Tours & Treks, second time a great and successful tour. We are enthused, thank you Karma Tenzing and your grand team. We travelled with Karma from April 28th till May 16th. It was a really great time. 14 days we spent trekking from Damji via Gasa, Laya, Chebisa, Lingshi, Jangothang to Drugyel Dzong. We crossed over many beautiful passes, such as Sinche La, Jhari La and Bhonte La. We visited some beautiful mountain villages like Laya and Chebisa with very kindly and nice people. We experienced a fantastic nature with an impressive  botanical and animal world, such as we had never seen before (e.g. rhododendrons).  Our companions, Phurba the cook; Vinzent, Dorji and Kezang the assistants; all our horse men; and Karma did a 100% perfect job. Besides the trekking tour, we visited Punakha, the capital Thimphu, and Paro. Karma guided us to temples, dzongs and other places of interest. Finally, we visited the most famous monument in Bhutan, Tiger's Nest Monastery, again and again we were impressed. Karma, thank you very much. Please give our thanks and best regards to your team and your wife. Jeroma Tours & Treks is our favourite travel agency in Bhutan. We shall come back at the latest in 2010. Tashi Delek.
Ute, Ernst, Roland, Thomas and Frieder  29 June 2008

My trip to Bhutan in Feb 08, which I organized with Karma, has been fantastic. He is not only a cherished, trusted leader, but a very knowledgeable expert in the culture of his country. His driver and assistant Rinzen can only be praised. Anyone who contacts Karma can also trust him blindly with the transfer of the travel payment. I can only strongly recommend Jeroma Tours for a trip in Bhutan.
Jochen L  21 February 2008 (translated from German)

Our two week trip in December 2007 was fantastic. Karma knows a great deal about Bhutan in all relevant cultural and religious areas, and is a gifted storyteller (especially after a few glasses of rice wine). He was alert to our physical well-being and care, showing great sensitivity if someone was uncomfortable. The organization of the trip was perfect and very individual. I shall have great pleasure in coming to Bhutan again!
Katja  15 January 2008 (translated from German)

Our trip to Bhutan in October 2007 was a great experience. Everything was perfectly organised. Karma and the other guides were always friendly and extremely helpful. Especially Karma gave us lots of informations about the country, its people, landscape, history, and religion of course. He is a very knowledgeable man and he's got a nice sense of humour, so we laughed with him a lot. Thank you so much, Karma, for the great time we had together. I hope we'll see each other again one day. Tashi delek.
Ulrike & Esther from Hamburg and Kassel  9 November 2007

Karma is a highly professional tour guide who is dedicated to his work. He is highly knowledgeable in Bhutan’s history and culture, but above all he is very well organized and goes the extra mile that makes any trip to Bhutan even more enjoyable. Last-minute changes in tour schedules are being managed the same professional way as changes as a result of bad road conditions or weather. He is definitely one of the best guides in Bhutan. I highly recommend Karma for a tour guide in the wonderful land of Thunder Dragon. I came to Bhutan as a guest but I left as a friend ! Tashi delek, dear Karma and see you again in September.
Swen 8 July 2007

We have just returned from our fourth journey through Bhutan with Karma, another trip where every day brought new adventures, experiences and vistas. His knowledge and experience, faultless planning, flexibility and attention to detail lead, as usual, to an utterly memorable and seemingly endless trip through space and time. His beautiful manners and frequent small acts of thoughtfulness and kindness added extra value to each day's activities. The perfect host and guide to this wonderful country. Thank you, Karma-la.
See photographs from this trip
Derek & Sheila 15 May 2007

Tashi delek - this means so much! But you can only understand the meaning if you experienced Bhutan - the small mysterious kingdom in the Himalayan Mountains. My expectations have been exceeded - and a major contribution on that is because of Karma. He was the real link between us and the country and its people. Without him it would have been an exceptionally landscape with dzongs, temples and smiling people. But with Karma, Bhutan became more than that - he gave the trip a soul, the country a face. So, thank you Karma for the great time we had this November and please take good care about you, your family and your fascinating country! Tashi delek.
Eva Dieter 19 December 2006

This autumn I have visited Bhutan. Bhutan is a unique and quiet country with a lot of impressive temples and monasteries. The landscape is very diversified and the Bhutanese people are very kindly and hospitable. Nobody knows Bhutan better than Karma. Karma knows every place of Bhutan, tells a lot of wonderful stories, explains the way of living of Bhutanese people patiently as well as imparts the religion and the philosophy of Buddhism.. Karma leaves nothing to be desired. Therefore I recommend everyone visiting Bhutan with Karma as a well-versed guide. With best regards,
Monica 18 December 2006

Dear Karma, thank you so much for the wonderful time we have spent together in your incredible country. Your experience, your nature and character form a perfect insider partner for Bhutan. We have met several other guides but none was like you! Tashi Delek - you will remain in my heart!
Thorsten Kühn 5 December 2006

Three fantastic weeks in Bhutan! We, five people from Jena/Germany, visited this small Kingdom near the Himalayas from October 16th till November 3rd in 2006. Before our visit we read and felt a lot about this fascinating country. But our expectations were excelled far and away. This was due to our guide Karma Tenzin, the owner of the travel agency Jeroma Tours & Travels in Bhutan! Karma is a very experienced and excellent expert on the Bhutanese country and people, as well as Bhutanese culture and religion. Karma pre-eminently adjusted himself to our wishes and visions. Firstly, we travelled from West to East, from Paro via Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang and Trongsa to Jakar in Bumthang and back. Monasteries, Dzongs, Farm Houses, monks, farmers, and children as well, amazed us again and again. The second part of our tour was a nine-day Jhomolhari Trek, a real challenge and unforgettable adventure. Together with Karma, a cook, two assistants, two horsemen, 12 horses and a lot of baggage, we experienced a little bit of the roof of the world, the Himalayas. We were continuously exposed to mountains, passes, rivers, yak herds, nomad families, and many other surprises. Jeroma Tours is a really competent and professional travel agency. We recommend contacting them if you intend to visit Bhutan! Thank you very much, Karma, for the nice stay, your hospitality and competent guided tour. Best regards to your team and your family. We will come back to Jeroma Tours and Bhutan at the latest in 2008 to undergo Springtime in Bhutan, to experience a new trek, and to learn more about the very friendly Bhutanese people and their country. Let me express one wish only in advance (maybe a challenge for Jeroma Tours too): where can we see and meet the Yeti in 2008? Tashi Delek!
Frieder and friends! 13 November 2006

We travelled in Bhutan with our family in early September 2006. We were all deeply impressed by the way of life and the deep religiosity of the Bhutanese. Karma has taught us a lot about his country. The many stories about Buddhism which is still lived and practised were interesting. We could experience this ourselves when visiting the monasteries. Karma has always surprised us with local specialities. He was always anxious to  make the trip as  pleasant as possible for us. With pancakes from buckwheat made especially for me, he even  resolved my  problem of wheat intolerance. Many thanks from the heart, dear Karma, we are still deeply impressed by Bhutan and its amiable inhabitants.
Erna & Klaus Odermatt 12 November 2006*

Karma has introduced us in a very friendly, merry and polite way in the exotic, rightly protected culture of Bhutan. We saw many dzongs and temples, and experienced an exciting wandering adventure. Karma was always anxious to fulfil our wishes. Even when the weather played against our trek he immediately had several alternatives at hand, so that our trip never became boring. Many thanks dear Karma!
Kai & Jutta from Berlin 8 November 2006*

We spent a wonderful honeymoon in Bhutan, and felt so very good in this special country. We have travelled much in the past, but this was the nicest travel ever, full of unforgettable moments. Thanks to the proficient guide Karma Tenzin we were introduced soundly to the complexities of Tantric Buddhism, and visited many monasteries and dzongs and other worth seeing places. Now we love this country, with its overwhelming nature, its deep spirituality, and its kind people. We would like to recommend our guide, who always tried to anticipate our every wish, and we would be happy if many other people became acquainted with this special land under his care. Patiently, he lead us, not very athletic people, in our slow progress through the landscape, and organised horses to facilitate a faster climb, although he is mostly used to guiding more ambitious and physically more demanding trekking tours in the high Himalaya for the past 25 years. In deep friendship, we still feel very close to him, and look forward with great joy to our next travel in Bhutan that we plan for next year. Thank you, dear Karma! Tashi Delek!
Gloria & Alfred Becker 30 October 2006

If you are ready for an exceptional travel experience that shows you another way of living, and forces you to reflect about the positive and negative aspects of our modern world, then you have to go to Bhutan. And if you have a thousand questions about Bhutanese history, religion, tradition, nature and people, then you have to travel with Karma Tenzin. I was so impressed by this great country! A happy nation living in a superb landscape and trying to combine tradition with technical progress. Thank you Karma for your endurance in answering all our questions, and for your convenient manner of guiding us!
Simon Odermatt  29 October 2006

I was really impressed by the beauty of this country! Our journey started in  Paro, going via Thimphu to Trongsa. We saw monasteries, beautiful landscapes, and the everyday life of the Bhutanese people. It was very good to have the opportunity to discuss things with Karma, he knows the country very well and he enjoys talking with people that are interested in his country. I will remember this fascinating country always.
Jonas Odermatt 1 October 2006

As first-visitors to Bhutan, we had a wonderful time in a very special and beautiful country. Karma knows really quite everything about buildings, sights and regions. His quiet, calm kind of explaining and deep insight has lead to us to a wonderful experience, and - it does not matter where - he knows someone for sure! That's amazing. We loved being there and look forward to visiting Bhutan again sometime. Thanks a lot for all the beautiful sights, encounters and descriptions. Bhutan is most beautiful with Karma and Jeroma Tours. May the good dragon be with you all. Best wishes from Switzerland.
Daniel P Schmidt 4 May 2006

Thanks to the good organisation and friendly service of Jeroma Tours we enjoyed a smooth and joyful trip through the West of Bhutan! Our friendly driver brought us safely across the long and winding roads and we visited many fascinating sites along the way. Through Mr.Tenzin's personal care and hospitality we could also enjoy some insights into the daily lives of the Bhutanese families giving us a good impression of the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan as well as the friendlyness (sic) of the people! Thank you for a great and unforgettable trip!
Jorg Peters and Claudia Schmidhofer 15 April 2006

We first met Karma in 1996, when he guided us on a tour of sacred places in Western and Central Bhutan, including a brief trek to a remote monastery. We were so delighted with every aspect of the arrangements, and, in particular, the knowledge and personality of the man himself, that we have been in touch ever since. We travelled again with him in 1999, when we visited the far East of Bhutan. At the end of that trip, he arranged a surprise for us. He had obtained permission for us to stay overnight in a small remote temple associated with Guru Rinpoche, and rich with his relics, that had never been visited by Westerners. This remarkable experience included an open-air hot rock bath in the dark in the surrounding jungle. Unforgettable! We last travelled with Karma, for the first time under the auspices of his own, excellent, small travel agency, where everything is under his personal supervision, in 2004. The major focus of this trip was to attend an unusual festival in the far East of Bhutan. A truly magical experience. Photographs from this trip can be found here. We plan to return to Bhutan in 2008. I cannot recommend Jeroma Tours & Treks too highly. Whatever your requirements, if it is within the realms of possibility, Karma can make appropriate arrangements. You will also benefit from the company of a highly informed, efficient, unflappable and charming host, a man I am proud to call my friend.
Derek Henderson 17 June 2005
See photographs from this trip
Travelling across Bhutan with Karma is like one long reunion. In towns, villages and at the roadside apparently in the middle of nowhere, we bumped into extended family, friends and officials to whom we paid respects. Due to his extensive travels across this magical country, it seems there is almost no-one who does not know Karma Tenzin. He is a national treasure in a land of treasures. I am always sad to leave and delighted to return. See you soon Karma.
Sheila Henderson 17 June 2005

Looking back on our 25-day tour through the back country, the villages and holy places in Bhutan, we are even more aware of the singularity of our experience and the extent to which you, Karma, were responsible for making it possible. Our nephew Roger had assured us you would take care of us and see to our wishes, but we had not expected such a meeting of minds when it came to the most diverse topics of interest, such as iconography, the life of the monks and farmers, the natural history by the wayside, linguistics and politics. To our surprize, we found that the services provided during our treks and at campsides made us comfortable at all times, the cooking was excellent and the assistants truly helpful. Thanks to your showing the way, we learned that Bhutan is not only a country of mountains, monasteries and magic, but primarily a country of friendly people. For this we are most grateful. Tashi Delek!
Roland and Ophra von Hentig 12 June 2005

In October 2004 we were in Bhutan - amongst others on the Lunana-Trek - and can highly recommend Jeroma Tours to everybody considering an individual trip to Bhutan. The tour was perfectly organized by Karma Tenzin from the beginning to the end (mules, yaks, trekking support team, and accommodation in beautiful local lodgings, visit of a Tsechu festival etc.). With his extraordinary friendly manner, Karma understood how to bring us closer to the land and the people of Bhutan. The tour was a unique experience. Result: We would return again whenever possible.
Tanja and Roger 12 June 2005*

We made an - alas too short - trip with Karma to central Bhutan, which was well guided and accompanied by overnight stays in beautiful local hotels. The excursions were well balanced over the day. We felt welcomed guests whose individual wishes were completely fulfilled. A recommendation to those who do not want to travel with the masses.
Heimo and Katharina 19 April 2004*

For me, Bhutan was first above all a festival of the senses. The long tours through the mystical landscape, the sometimes uncanny but always fascinating sing-song of the monks, the staggering scent of the blossoming trees, the fiery challenge of chili-flavoured meals; all this has left a lasting impression. Karma Tenzin, our guide, had the essential share in the success of the trip. To his attention, his wariness and his experience, we owe the chance to experience Bhutan close-up and to be touched by this country. Personally I especially enjoyed that Karma Tenzin is a gifted story-teller. Everybody who likes stories and legends will find a master in him. E.S. Journalist
Eva 28 June 2003*

On my Bhutan trip with Karma Tenzin I especially enjoyed that Karma knows the land and the people so well. Thereby we could have very interesting experiences. As a designer of fashion I was especially interested in the Bhutanese dresses and costumes. My questions regarding those were answered by Karma so completely that I gained a really true impression. Karma also made it possible that I got to know fabrics and dresses close-up; and I am happy each time I think of it or look at the nice souvenirs at home.
Mag. Mariam Wahsel 15 February 2003*

In Spring 2001 I was with an Austrian travel group on tour with Karma Tenzin, and perceived it as very valuable that Karma - due to his trips to Austria and South-Tirol - knew our interests and circumstances of life very well too. He always seems to anticipate the interests of his guests in advance. This revealed wonderful impressions of the trip to us. Moreover, Karma is a true genius of organization, and reacted very flexibly to the small and large wishes of the tour participants. The care was simply perfect.
Karin Leiner 3 February 2003*

*Many thanks to Wolfgang Hetzel for German/English translation
Email: jeroma@druknet.bt

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