Hey waggs – check out my response to your first post – I think that will help. Feel free to contact me with additional questions – Francesca / cam@statravel.com / 617-576-4623

I would look around on this site for people who have been to Burma and Buhtan as well as the travel diary site – http://www.statravelblogs.com/journal/sta.

Also, you can check out the offical warnings from the U.S. government for Burma – http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1077.html
and for Bhutan – http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1068.html. There are no travel warnings for either of these countries. Travel Warnings are issued to countries when the U.S. advising its citizens against traveling there.

You don’t have to travel with a group, but traveling with a group that has experience in these areas is going to be a safer option than traveling alone. The local guides are more aware of everything and are able to make decisions that you would be yourself. I think it is great that you are doing research about these areas so you can make the best decision. Keep me posted!