Ugyen Rinzin
Ugyen is the inspiration behind Yangphel, the company he founded in 1988. A true cosmopolitan, Ugyen combines a deep respect for Bhutan's traditions with a genuine open-mindedness towards other cultures. Possessing a keen interest in all things Bhutanese, he has toured and trekked the furthest reaches of the country. A love of travel (and some good fortune) has also taken him across the world. These experiences together have provided Ugyen with a rare sense of perspective and depth of understanding into his own country, and a vision of how to present Bhutan to an outside audience. Ugyen takes a very personal interest in each and every trip to ensure that your stay in Bhutan is as rewarding as possible. He is also an avid fly fisherman. Just ask him to tell you about the one that got away
Karma Lotey
Karma Lotey was born in central Bhutan, he went to school in western Bhutan, then to college in eastern Bhutan, and eventually graduated in Business Management from the University of Texas. This assorted upbringing has given him a good appreciation of how things work throughout Bhutan and abroad. Using his outdoor skills in combination with his management professionalism, Karma Lotey helps to create programs that will provide you with the most satisfying use of your precious time. Whenever the opportunity allows, nothing will stop him from getting outdoors to guide trips and "conduct more research".

Karma Choden
Karma Choden's inexhaustible energy comes close to being legendary. As well as being our marketing manager, Karma oversees every meticulous logistical detail - processing visas, booking tickets and obtaining scarce reservations - working night and day to make sure that everything falls into place. During the season, when our other managers go as guides, Karma Choden is the anchorperson in the office, bringing to bear a discipline that could only have been gained through a Darjeeling convent education. If you don't believe that she is a workaholic, put her to the test by calling our 24hour hotline.

Brent Olson
Brent Olson is our indispensable partner in the United States. Brent has a long history and close association with Bhutan that started in 1986. Brent is one of the few Westerners to have lived in Bhutan (he worked with its government in the creation of a photographic archive of the country's rich artistic heritage). A veteran of 40 (and counting) trips to the remote Himalayan kingdom, member of the advisory board of the American-Bhutan Council (in addition to a number of Bhutan-related board memberships) he is unquestionably one of the United States' ranking experts on Bhutan. Brent has presented numerous slide shows and talks on Bhutan around the U.S., including a slide presentation for the Smithsonian Institution seminar on Bhutan at the Textile Museum in Washington.

Kencho
Kencho was born in his ancestral home in the lush valley of Shengana that is nestled along the upper stretches of the Pho-chu river in Punakha. Shengana is fabled for producing the finest red rice in all of Bhutan. After his studies in Punakha and then college in neighbouring Sikkim he pursued the career of a trekking/touring guide at an early age. Using his considerable local knowledge and his extensive network of friends Kencho has risen through the ranks to prove himself one of the foremost trek or tour leaders in the country. His enthusiasm and knowledge in local history and folklore have ensured that Kencho has received the highest praises from all those that have had the opportunity to tour or trek with him. An avid and accomplished fly fisherman Kencho has explored practically every lake and river in Bhutan that holds trout.

Ugyen Yoeser
Ugyen Yoesar is a native of the Bumthang Tang Valley in Bhutan, one of the most scenically beautiful valleys in the country. He has successfully completed the Department of Tourism’s courses in cultural and trek guiding and a course in field bird watching. Ugyen’s true passion however is mountain biking and so eventually found his way to Belmont, MA, USA to the famous Wheelworks to study maintenance of bikes, as well as organizational logistics and environmental education awareness on biking trails. Ugyen is far and away the most knowledgeable biking guide in Bhutan. During off seasons Ugyen can be found in various parts of Bhutan exploring the country for new biking possibilities. Equally comfortable on and off wheels Ugyen has a solid record in both trekking and cultural tours and has built an impressive reputation during the ten years of his guiding career.

Tshering Dorji
Tshering Dorji, a native of Paro (the gateway to Bhutan). Tshering went to school in Punakha and completed college from Sherubtse in Eastern Bhutan and then studied tourism & hotel management in the reputed Salzburg Institute in Austria. Having joined the company in 1992 Tshering has trekked and toured all of Bhutan season after season. His ability on the field has become unquestioned. Extremely knowledgeable, and alert to any situation Tshering ranks among the top guides in the kingdom.

Namgay Dorji
Namgay Dorji was born, grew up, and studied in the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. In 1994 Namgay was one of the first guides in the country to be formally trained by the Department of Tourism in cultural tours and trekking and since then has attended numerous classes and field courses. After three years of guiding experience Namgay joined Yangphel and has added a further seven years to his experience. Quietly informative, always ready to help, and armed with his experience on the trekking trails and impressive knowledge of the history of the country, Namgay is a model of Bhutanese hospitality.

Kinzang Namgey
Kinzang is from the remote village of Kurtoe Dungkar in Lhuntse District. He joined Yangphel in 1990 after serving 15 years with the government run Bhutan Tourism Corporation. He was one of the first trekking guides to be trained by the government in 1985. Kinzang is our trekking specialist, and loves leading the most challenging expeditions. His sense of humor and easy-going nature are particularly appreciated during long duration treks.

Tshering Phuntsho
Tshering hails from Gaselo village in Wangiphodrang district. A long held fascination with outdoor adventure meant that he had scouted almost all the trekking routes in the country when still at school. Becoming a guide was an easy decision. Fluent in English, Japanese, Hindi, Nepali and Dzongkha, Tshering specializes in bird-watching, fly-fishing and trekking. He has just returned from a bird-watching course with the South Fork Natural History Society in Amagansett, New York.

Sha Phurba Dorji
Sha Phurba Dorji has been working with Yangphel for the last eleven years. In that time he has become an extremely knowledgeable and experienced guide and our trekking manager. He has completed Department of Tourism schooling in tour and trek guiding, cooking and eco-tourism. In 1998 he traveled to the United States to receive training in wilderness survival from the Pacific Crest Outward Bound organization. Phurba hails from the village of Sha in western Wangdiphodrang.

Tandin Gyeltshen

Tandin Gyeltshen is from from Nobgang village at. After his high school in Thimphu higher secondary school, he went to pursue his studies from in North Point College in Darjeeling, India where he graduated in commerce. As a student, he had the passion to become a tour leader to serve as the ambassador of the country interacting with tourists that visit his country, which led him to pursue a tour guide license from the Department of Tourism, and successfully obtained it. He prides himself as being a fine resource for Bhutanese culture, Buddhism and ancient folk tales of Bhutan. There are hardly any treks or cultural trips in Bhutan that he has not been on. He speaks about five languages including Japanese. He was instrumental in assisting John Berthold who wrote the guide book of Bhutan, “The land of Thunder Dragon.” When not guiding, he spends time taking part in his favorite sports like Basketball, Table tennis & Archery.

Sonam Tshering
Sonam Tshering is very conversant and comfortable when leading. He has led tour groups from North America, British, Spanish, French, German, Swiss, Singaporean, Malaysian, Australian, Thai and many others in his easy confident manner that is characteristic of people from Paro Bhutan. For most of his life Sonam has studied in the country itself, finishing his higher studies in India and has gained wide perspective of the region as a whole.

On top of excelling in the mandatory guide trainings prescribed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, Sonam has completed in-house trainings both in guiding skills as well as attending to medical emergencies. He has continuously upgraded his skills in trip leading engaging in various refresher courses including the Wilderness First Responders course and now holds a Bhutan tour leaders license.

RATU
Ratu is born in 1981 in the village of Sha Komathang of Wangdiphodrang district in Bhutan. After completing his schooling from Punakha High School, he pursued his higher education in the Nima Higher Secondary School in Thimphu & studied Economics and History. He is among the top guides licensed by the Department of Tourism and is now a very reputed senior guide in the country. He has been on all the cultural tours and treks in Bhutan. His strength lies in the knowledge of Buddhism, Bhutanese history, culture, flora and fauna of Bhutan. Ratu has a contagious enthusiasm and his expereince in a range of adventurous disciplines ensures a successful trip for those who travel with him. Ratu has an inborn talent in effective communication and people skills and is employed with the company as a legal officer when not guiding. Ratu has undergone many intensive courses in wilderness training. Some of his hobbies include playing archery & spending time on carpentry works during leisure. He is also a nationally known singer.