Birding, Nature & Wildlife from East to Western Bhutan

“Being the traveller ourself first” is what Kinga Dechen advocates and guiding philosophy that define him. This trait and wanderlust in him droves him to many places trying to find expression and meaning to his travel craving . Once he said ” Travelling is the best education”. After passing his class 12 from Bhutan, and to take his disposition of travel further up, he enrolled for guide course conducted by Department of Tourism. After completion in 1995, and during the course of journey as a guide, to hone his skills, he relentlessly pursued further towards the new frontiers of Bangok, Thailand, Salburgs in Austria and Israel for training in the arena of Tourism.For him this open up flood gate of new perspectives towards tourism.

He joined office of Wind Horse Tours, Thimphu, Bhutan in 2008 as a local partner, a fitting tribute to company’s core philosophy. Now, he is man behind every tours that are conducted in Bhutan, in other words he is operational head.

During his formative year in his village, birds piqued his interest and mesmerise him especially by the birds distinct call and sound . He knew the name of birds locally by then, later he joined birding workshop and classes to delve deeper into his passion. Since then he has led countless number of birding tour across every nook and corner of the country.

More often than not, the call of the quaint villages, wilderness of trek is so intense that he set aside his desk works and leads the tour, this is how or the only way he knows to unwind himself from stress of daily life.

Since kid, Jambay Dorji was sold to idea of travelling, growing up  amidst the bountiful nature in Trongsa, left an indelible imprint in his mind. His fascination grew stronger as the time flew. He joined the travel industry, right after his completion of Bachelor degree from Kalimpong college of arts.

Like most of colleague at Wind Horse, he started his career in travel trade as travel guide, he came through ranks, and now he is a Sale Director. Although he completed his training in both – cultural and trekking aspects. But affiliation towards trek is more  strong.

His love for nature is so deep seated that he find himself at peace in the wilderness of trek as well as the passion that he holds so dearly – Birds.He attended birding classes and workshops that gave wings to his passion and given any opportunity, he is either trekking or amidst the vegetation watching birds in action, probably the only way  he know to let his hairs down, after  hard days at work.

As a kid, his head start in schooling was in Trongsa, and went to different school in the country.He was instrumental behind the opening of Sale and Support office in Phuentsholing. Currently he is settled in Thimphu. He looks after the sale as well as lend helping hand in the affairs of operation of the tours in Thimphu.

Sonam Palden is smitten by games most notably national sports  of Bhutan- Archery. While growing up in beautiful Ura valley in Bumthang, unlike other kid, he played with traditional traditional bows and arrows. He completed his class 12 from Punakha in 2003. Subsequently he pursued  his passion for five years that took him to  national limelight. But he missed by whisker to qualify for international.

Slightly disheartened, he refocused with same intensity and passion to make a mark as a travel guide. In 2008, brandishing his guide license and dream in his eyes he joined Wind Horse , the rest as they is history…

One of the guest said, ” If not a travel guide, Sonam could be Buddhist scholar and his command over english concedes to be an Oxford educated”.

There is hardly any prize for guessing for what he does during his free time, 145 m (476 ft) between 2 wooden targets in archery ground still rules his passion with frenzy.

Love for sport is inherent in him, when Wind Horse started specialised tour like mountain Biking, he jumped into bandwagon happily, although he was doing mountain biking before but in bits and pieces, an opportunity was served on platter,  it largely assisted him to hone his skill as well to  live to his sporting adrenaline rushes. Whenever free he does a recce of region lying in Thimphu and  leads the tour across country. The most audacious biking trip till date along with Sonam Loday, Sonam Palden was from Haa to Phuentsholing via narrow trail, through untamed vegetation and uncharted territory.

Since 2017, he is also a trained photographer and birder. His photography is mostly with birding and he joins the seasoned birding guides of Wind Horse.

Guide – Culture, Trek & Nature

Growth in Tourism in Bhutan has also its share of impact on young minds. With tourists freely moving around, the curiosities to know them, talk to them holds ground firmly on young minds . Namgay is one among many youth whose imagination was captured by razzmatazz of tourism.

He has his career goal  cut out, he could have easily opted for some comfortable desk jobs, after passing out in flying colours from prestigious St Joseph college Darjeeling in 2010 but he chose to pursue his dream, he loved to be in field, among the guests, so it was only matter of time to enroll for guiding course.

His first foray into job was in 2013 at Wind Horse Tours and still he is going great guns. Feed Backs from guests that he led are great testimonial to his dedication.

He prodigiously read books that open up new frontiers and interaction with guests coupled with sound command of English takes his outlook towards learning and experiences altogether to different height.