Our grading system explained
The end of an era – Michael Rutland retires from tour leading in Bhutan
After 16 years of leading cultural tours in Bhutan for Mountain Kingdoms, we are sad to say that Michael Rutland is finally taking a well-earned rest and retiring from the role.
Recently granted the National Order of Merit of Bhutan for his distinguished service to the country, Michael is also the UK’s Honorary Consul to Bhutan and was the former tutor of the fourth King of Bhutan. The immense knowledge and insight he was able to bring to the Definitive Cultural Tours of Bhutan he led for us meant that Michael’s groups always left the country feeling an extra special connection with the Thunder Dragon Kingdom.
We’ll undoubtedly stay in touch with our old friend and you never know, if you’re travelling with us to Bhutan, you may find yourself sharing tea and tales with Michael one afternoon at his home in Thimphu.
In the meantime everyone at Mountain Kingdoms would like to say a huge thank you to Michael and to send him best wishes for a very happy and fulfilling retirement. Tashidelek!
Related News
Farewell to Wilderness Lectures
One summer’s day in 1987 Steve Berry (our MD) and fellow adventurer, Steve Marriott, were standing at the foot of the cliffs in Avon gorge. Having agreed that it was too hot to climb, they had been killing time in a ‘Wouldn’t it be great if…’ competition. This was when the fantasy of listening to the epic stories of their favourite heroes became a solid plan…
Since then, the two Steves and their caving friend Dick Willis, have organised more than 400 lectures whose general theme has been ‘Worldwide Adventure’. These epic stories have taken the audiences from the deepest point of the deepest ocean to the summit of Mount Everest, and from darkest, dankest inner spaces of our planet to even darker journeys in Outer Space. There have been mountaineers, sailors, cyclists, divers, balloonists, and even a man who cycled around the world on a penny farthing, and another who flew his car from Europe over the Straights of Gibraltar to Africa. There have been world famous explorers, record breakers, and people who have headed out into the remote unknown just for the hell of it.
Having run Wilderness for 36 years the three friends have decided to step back and retire so there will be no series this winter. However, they would be really happy if a younger individual, or a group of friends, would step forward to take over Wilderness and pick up where they are leaving off. If anyone is interested contact Wilderness Lectures here.
NEW Naar Phu Circuit Trek
We've just launched new tea house trek in the heart of the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal. An exhilarating, 18-day trekking trip, the Naar Phu Circuit takes you away from the popular trails of the Annapurnas, into a genuinely remote and truly spectacular region where access remains restricted.
Take a look at the full trip details here or speak to Harry in the Mountain Kingdoms office who completed the Naar Phu Circuit Trek earlier this year and rates it as the best he's ever done.
Holidays with Festivals
If you love a festival, but hate muddy fields, tent villages and rubbish food then it may be time to look beyond Glastonbury and Reading. In our latest enews we reveal alternative festivals in the Himalaya and Mongolia that offer amazing music, unusual sports and unique cultural experiences.
Sign up here to receive our next enews and be kept up to date with all the latest new and destination information. We promise not to bombard you and we will never share your details.