BHUTAN
Bhutan, also called the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” – an environmentalist’s dream and a trekkers paradise, is no ordinary place. It is a Himalayan kingdom full of surprises, myths and legends, the best of traditional culture and the latest global developments.
This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, where the rice is red and where chillies aren’t just a seasoning but the main ingredient. It’s also a deeply Buddhist land, where schoolkids wear the gho and kira (traditional male and female clothing, respectively) where giant protective penises are painted beside the entrance to many houses.
Bhutan has amazing mountainous landscape with snowcapped peaks. Taking up prime positions in this landscape are the ancient monasteries, fluttering prayer flags
incredible fortress like dzongs. The unique Buddhist architecture embodies the traditional Buddhist culture and sets the scene for spectacular religious dance festivals. You can experience unique textiles and handicrafts, outrageous archery competitions, spectacular trekking trails and stunning flora and fauna.
Tourists who have been there, describe Bhutan as a unique, deeply spiritual and mystical experience. With a land area of over 38,000 sq. kms, of which more than 70% is forests, Bhutan’s pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna, making this Himalayan kingdom spellbindingly beautiful. The people of Bhutan practice Mahayana Buddhism (also known as Tantric Buddhism).
In the late 1970s, Bhutan opened its borders for the first time. Since then, it has gained an almost mythical status as a real-life Shangri-La, largely for its determined and methodical pursuit of the most elusive of concepts – national happiness.
Tours to Bhutan need to be pre-booked and it is essential to have confirmed tour arrangements, prior to obtaining a visa for travel to Bhutan. To begin a Bhutan tour, you would either need to fly to Paro (connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu and Bangkok) or take the surface route via Phuentsholing in Eastern India.
USEFUL INFORMATIONS
Weather in Bhutan
Autumn (Late September to Late November) is the ideal time for trekking and for travelling throughout the country, when skies are generally clear and the high mountain peaks rise to a vivid visible against clear blue sky.
Spring, (Mid March to May), is recognized as the second best time to visit Bhutan for touring and trekking. Although you experience more clouds and rain than in the autumn, you can also get good view of the high Himalayan peaks. The magnificent rhododendrons, magnolias and other wildflowers are in bloom and birdlife is abundant.
The monsoon usually arrives in early June and lasts till mid September. Light to heavy rain expected mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
Winter (December to early March), the sky is bright and sunny but cold, especially when the sun hides behind the mountains in the mornings and evenings. At night, the temperature falls below zero.
What is the dress code and etiquette to be followed by visitors in Bhutan ?
Bhutanese by and large are conservative in their thinking. Please avoid body hugging, sleeveless T shirts or mini skirts while walking around public areas.
* No shorts and Tank tops allowed inside the temples, monasteries and Dzongs (fort cum monastery). They have to wear temple socks while entering the monasteries and temples. Collared shirts at Paro Dzong (Ta Dzong). Please take off your hats while entering religious sites.
Refrain from smoking while visiting the Dzongs, temples and Monasteries.
Always walk in a clockwise direction while visiting religious places or objects like temples, monasteries, Stupas (chortens), prayer flags etc. Please do not point a finger at a sacred object or place. It is considered being disrespectful.
What is the accommodation like ?
Tourism council of Bhutan (TCB) has now started categorizing hotels into their respective stars. Though some of the hotels are categorized into 4 star or 3 star but the actual service standard doesn’t fully correspond to their star rating. Due to limited availability of skilled manpower in hospitality sector, there is some noticeable flaws in the service at most the mid range hotels.
Specially in major towns (Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Bumthang & Phuentsholing) hotels are of reasonably good standard however when one ventures into eastern part of the country (Mongar, Trashigang & Samdrup Jongkhar), the lodging gets more rudimentary. Here most of the accommodations are small family run guest houses.
Over the past few years a few international opulent hotel chains namely Aman, Taj and COMO have established a few luxury and deluxe hotels & resorts in a few major towns & countryside in Bhutan. These hotels and resorts appropriately maintain international standard of comfort and luxury absolutely blended with local Bhutanese art, culture and tradition.
What kind of vehicles is used for Tours ?
We use Hyundai Tucson/ Santa Fe for a team of 1 – 2 guests. A Toyota Hiace mini van for a team of 3 – 6 guests and a deluxe Toyota coaster for a group of 7 – 18 guests. All these vehicles are periodically checked and maintained.
What is the local currency of Bhutan?
Ngultrum is the local currency of Bhutan. Equal in value to the Indian Rupees which is frequently used in place of Ngultrum. Your currency (all major ones like US Dollars, Sterling Pounds, Euros, Indian Rupees etc) and travelers cheque can be exchanged at the Paro Airport, Banks and Hotels.
Please note that Nepalese currency and large bills of the Indian currency (Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000) is not accepted here.
What is the Time Zone in Bhutan & country code of Bhutan while dialing from Overseas?
Bhutan has only one time zone. It is six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+6 GMT), half an hour ahead of India (IST) and one hour behind Thailand. Bhutan is eleven hours ahead of New York city.
The country code is 975.
What is the electricity output in Bhutan ?
Here, electricity runs on 220 / 240 volts, with a circular twoâ€pin and threeâ€pin power outlets. For
all electrical appliances that you bring with you, please carry the appropriate adapters. Incase
you forget, Thimphu is the only city where this may be available.
Is English widely spoken? What is the original language of Bhutan?
Yes, English is widely spoken by an average Bhutanese. It is the medium of instruction in all schools / institutions. However, the official language of Bhutan is Dzonkha, though many regions have retained their dialects due to their isolation.
Money matter and use of credit card & Traveler cheques:
Bhutanese currency is Ngultrum (Nu.) and is officially pegged to the Indian Rupee. Also Indian Rupee is acceptable all over Bhutan except Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.
Credit Cards have limited acceptability and payment through credit card is accepted mainly by Deluxe hotels and few selected Handicrafts establishments only.
There are ATMs in Bhutan but currently they only operate with their respective Bhutanese banks. Since these ATMs currently do not function with outside banks, so ATM facility can not be used by visitors. Traveler’s checks / cash are best option if you need additional money.
What kind of food is easily available? Do Vegetarians have enough options?
Bhutanese cuisine generally consists of steamed rice (red and white) with a varied choice of spicy curries, both vegetarian and non vegetarian. Most hotels provide meals buffetâ€style. There are usually continental, Indian, Chinese and Bhutanese dishes. The food in hotels is often the best in town, but in main towns now there are few restaurants increasingly becoming popular.
All tourist hotels have good selection of international and Bhutanese beverages.
Yes, there are enough options for Vegetarians too.
Any precautions that one must know while traveling in Bhutan ?
Yes, your health is of utmost importance to us. Please avoid tap water and stick to Mineral water, easily available everywhere. Roads between cities are winding so medication for motion sickness is strongly suggested. You should also pack an adequate supply of any prescribed medications you may require while traveling.
You should consult a physician about high altitude travel (those taking Punakha/Wangdi or Bumthang tours). After a brief period of acclimatization, most people do not suffer from altitude sickness, but elderly travelers or those with high blood pressure or weak heart conditions need to exercise caution at high altitudes.
What is the baggage allowance on Druk Air?
Druk Air allows 20 kg (44lb) and 30 kg (66 lb) as checked in baggage for its Economy and Business Class Passengers respectively. Excess baggage sometime may be offloaded or charged extra depending on load situation of aircraft.
Do I need to get travel insurance?
Yes, we recommend you get your insurance cover from your respective country.
Please explain the options we have for shopping while we are there?
Bhutan is famous of its exquisite postage stamps, hand woven fabrics, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade paper, finely crafted metal and Thanka painting.
Some important notes, do’s and don’ts’
* If there are smokers, they have to declare the cigarettes at the airport and pay 200% tax upon which they will be given a receipt to smoke. Smoking without receipt is illegal in Bhutan now and smoking is not allowed in public areas but designated smoking area. This is a newly enforced rule.
* Apart from the courtyards, guests are not allowed to take pictures inside the monastery, temple, Dzongs and government establishments.
Custom & Immigration
Visitors are required to complete a passenger declaration form for checking by concerned officers on arrival. The following articles are exempted from duty:-
a). Personal affects and articles for day to day use by the visitor
b). 1 liter of alcohol (spirits or wine)
c). 200 cigarettes, on payment of import duty of 200%
d). Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use
e). Photographic equipment, video cameras and other electronic goods for personal use .
The articles mentioned under d) & e must be declared on declaration form. If any such items are disposed in Bhutan by sale of gift, they are liable for custom duty. On departure, visitors are required to surrender their forms to the Custom authorities.
Import / export restrictions
Import and Export of following goods are strictly prohibited:
a). Arms, ammunitions and explosives
b). All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
Infrastructural Development In Thimpu
Being the capital of Bhutan, Thimpu town is expanding fast in terms of Infrastructure. While there, You will notice large construction work being carried out in terms of houses/ buildings being constructed for private housing and Government Offices. Kindly bear with us if you are inconvenienced in any way.
