Bhutan Travel Information

BHUTAN the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is a kingdom steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty. Visiting Bhutan gives you a unique perspective on its vibrant culture and rich biodiversity, So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey into the heart of this enchanting land. Here is the Basic Bhutan Tour information given below.

CLIMATE

Weather, as anywhere else in the world is unpredictable in Bhutan. Bhutan has the same latitude as Miami & Egypt. During the summer the weather is quite warm and pleasant with occasional rainfall. In general, the higher the altitude, the cooler the weather, and with a cool breeze blowing down off the mountains, even a low-lying valley can become quite chilly. The monsoon seasons are rainy. The Winter season is incredibly beautiful with occasional snow, clear warm days, and chilly evenings which makes it perfect for hiking and sightseeing with the whole of the mountains and valleys in clear view.

Southern areas are tropical with plains and hills. Central areas vary depending on the altitude from subtropical to moderate temperate valleys and mid-size mountains (5,000 meters). Northern areas/high altitude alpine climate Punakha is “California-like” with temperatures varying from 5° Celsius to 17° Celsius in winter and in summer from 18° Celsius to 32 ° Celsius with a yearly rainfall of 600mm. Paro & Thimphu has a moderate climate with temperatures of -3/12 in winter to 13/25 degrees in the summer with a yearly rainfall of 800mm. Summer shower season (July to September) evening rain with long dry periods during the day. The Winter season (November to February) provides clear days and nights with a very comfortable climate.

ACCOMMODATION

Bhutan is a very small country and a developing one that has very few tourist accommodations that are luxurious but there are a lot of accommodations that offer basic necessities, especially as you travel further east. If you are looking for a bit of luxury then we can arrange for you to stay at 5-star establishments i.e. Amankora (in Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Gangtey, and Bumthang), Uma Paro, and Hotel Taj. These establishments have been developed as a result of Foreign Investment in Bhutan. They offer a variety of privileges that are quite unique from the other establishments, therefore be prepared to pay for these privileges. Also now we have some local hotels which have improved the services and facilities such as Zhiwaling. We can also arrange for cooks to accompany you on treks and camping tours who are skilled in coming up with delicious meals.

TOUR GUIDES

Our tour guides have good knowledge of the history and culture of Bhutan and are very hospitable in nature. They are certified by the Tourism Authority of Bhutan. The most common mode of communication is English but we can also provide guides who can speak French and Japanese.

LANGUAGE

We have many other regional languages and the National Language we speak is called “Dzongkha”, but English is very common among Bhutanese as well and is spoken fluently by most of us. Therefore it is the second official language and it is a medium through which communication takes place.

FOOD

Bhutanese dishes consist mostly of vegetables, chili, cheese, chicken, beef, pork, yak, and rice with “Ema Datse” as the national dish (chili & cheese stew) Momo (cheese or pork dumplings), Hogay (cucumber, tomato, onion, and cheese salad), curries with chicken or pork, Nosha Paa (beef and chili) – these are all popular Bhutanese dishes. Due to the hot flavoring and abundant use of chilies in the cuisine, it is spicy. There is little to no seafood but on request, you can get buffet-style meals with a choice of continental, Bhutanese, and Indian Cuisine. Our cooks, who accompany the treks and camping tours, are well-trained and equipped and can come up with delicious feasts every day. For beverages, locals enjoy Yak Butter Tea (tea leaves, water, salt, & yak butter) and Ara (a spirit distilled from rice).

DRINKS

Though the water that we have here is pure, it is always safer to go for bottled water or distilled water. A variety of cold drinks such as Coke, Sprite, Miranda, etc. are available in the markets there. We have a locally made beverage known as “Ara” (Spirit Distilled from Rice/Corn and Wheat).

ELECTRICITY

We generate our own hydroelectricity with the help of our rivers. All towns in the urban areas of Bhutan have a power supply. The supply of electricity to villages some distance from the road is an ongoing project so many outlying towns are not connected yet. Trekking will take you far from electric supplies. The voltage supply is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC with a three-prong plug (same as India).

MEDICAL

The Government of Bhutan does not check for vaccinations upon entry into Bhutan. Being up to date with usual Asian vaccinations is recommended. Hospitals and medical facilities are available in all the districts of the Country. Severe cases require a medical evacuation airlift to Bangkok. As most parts of Bhutan are situated at high altitudes, it’s a non-Malaria region except in the southern parts of Bhutan. Strict hygiene standards are enforced in the food production areas by BAFRA (Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority).

You may suffer from altitude sickness. Altitude Sickness is the result of your body’s failure to adjust to higher altitudes because of the rate of ascent. It can occur as you travel from sea level to high elevation. For 99% of travelers, the elevation of the country and passes between the valleys do not create problems. For travelers going on treks, we need to know whether they have any former history of altitude sickness. We strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive insurance and have a complete medical check-up before you leave home. Please inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions.

Headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, insomnia, shortness of breath, and tingling on hands or feet are Symptoms of altitude sickness and it can be cured by Aspirin, ginger tea, butter tea, and in severe cases for people who have previous difficulty 125mg of Diamox every 12 hours (not available in Bhutan) as well as Reduced altitude will be of great help.

COMMUNICATION

All major towns have basic communication facilities such as internet cafes, telephone, fax, telegraph, and post. There are satellite and national television broadcasts (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) in the major towns. If you have international roaming mobile coverage, you should check with their coverage provider if Bhutan is included. If not, identify this before arrival, SIM card and recharge card (Voucher) is easily available in town.

SHOPPING

Unique items to purchase while in Bhutan:
1. Himalayan antiques from Tibet, Nepal, and northern India
2. Bhutanese crafts:

weaving products made from silk, cotton, yak hair, & wool
wood bowls, cups, masks, & carvings
religious paintings called thangkas
jewelry
paper making or desho

Bhutanese consumables include tsheringma tea, honey, apple products, etc. The best selection of shopping is done in Thimphu. Shops on the street will accept Ngultrum, the Indian Rupee (at par 1 to 1 with the Nu), and the US Dollar. The only credit card accepted at shops (limited shops) is Visa. Banks will not perform cash advances on credit cards. There are no ATM machines available for international transactions. Traveler checks can be cashed at banks within the previously listed currencies. It is illegal to export or remove Bhutanese antiques from Bhutan. If uncertain, certificates are available from the Department of Antiquities to determine if the item is a true antique and where its origin is from. An antique is defined as a religious item 70 years old or older. All other items are 100 years old or more.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Bhutanese are usually happy to be photographed; all it takes is a simple gesture to get their agreement. However, there are some restrictions on taking photographs in the Dzongs, monasteries, and temples.

CURRENCY

The national currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum (Nu) and it currently trades at approximately Nu 79 to the US $1.00. The three currencies accepted within Bhutan are the Ngultrum, the Indian Rupee, and the US Dollar. There are Five commercial Banks in Bhutan. They are as given below:

Bank of Bhutan
Bhutan National Bank
Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
Druk PNB Bank
T Bank Bhutan
Bhutan Development Bank

Currencies accepted as foreign exchange within the banks are:

US Dollar
Pound Sterling
Euro
Japanese Yen
Swiss Franc
Hong Kong Dollar
Canadian Dollar
Singapore Dollar
Danish Kroner
Swedish Kroner
Norwegian Kroner

CLOTHING IN BHUTAN

Due to the varying temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to dress warmly, layered clothing is better than one or two thick garments in order to keep warm. Clothing should preferably be made from natural materials in order for the body to be comfortable.

As Bhutan is in its developing stage people think differently therefore it would be advisable for you to avoid walking around in skimpy or tight-fitting clothes. For visits to monasteries, dzongs, and other religious institutions dress modestly and respectfully and refrain from smoking while on the premises. Hats, caps, shoes, etc. should be removed before entering the premises.

You need to pack clothes as per season, sunglasses/spare glasses, a pair of casual shoes, a knife, hat, umbrella, camera, films and accessories (including spare camera batteries), insect repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit & safety pins, torch or flashlight with spare batteries, mirror, scissors, sun cream, lip salve, soluble aspirin, antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream, anti-diarrhea pills, a preparation for the relief of sunburn, and any medication you take regularly or might need to take for a periodically recurring condition, such as asthma.

Bhutan Visa process
Every visitor to Bhutan requires a tourist visa except for Indians, Bangladeshis, and Maldivian passport holders. Visas are only issued to tourists who booked tour packages with tour operators directly or through a foreign travel agent. A Visa application is submitted by the tour operator on behalf of visitors. Bhutan visa is preprocessed by Golden Nepal Holidays. Here are the steps for Visa. for more information https://www.tourism.gov.bt/

We need to have your passport copy by scan in our e-mail 2 weeks before your departure.
We will send you an electronic visa in your mail before your departure.
You need to print the electronic visa and carry it when you fly to Bhutan. At immigration authorities will stamp your visa on the passport. You have to pay a Visa charge of USD 40 per person.
Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months at the time of travel in Bhutan

Activities To Do in Bhutan

Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery: A hike to the Taktsang Monastery in Paro is an absolute must for adventure seekers. While the journey is strenuous, the breathtaking views of the monastery and the valley below make the effort worthwhile.
Explore Thimphu’s Weekend Market: The Centenary Farmer’s Market in Thimphu offers an abundance of local products, including organic fruits, vegetables, cheese, and chilies. It’s a great way to explore local produce and engage with the locals.
Attend a Traditional Tshechu Festival: If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a local Tshechu, a traditional Buddhist festival featuring dances, music, and religious enactments.
Experience a Traditional Hot Stone Bath: Known as ‘Dotsho’, a hot stone bath is a traditional Bhutanese therapy believed to cure ailments. This unique experience often comes with a picturesque view of the landscape.
Visit a Local Archery Match: Archery is Bhutan’s national sport, and attending an archery match can be an exciting experience. Teams compete with each other in a festival-like atmosphere with plenty of cheer, dance, and music.
Dine on Bhutanese Cuisine: Bhutanese cuisine is distinct, with chilies and cheese as the main ingredients. Try dishes like Ema Datshi (chili and cheese stew), Phaksha Paa (Pork with red chilies), and Ara, a traditional alcoholic beverage.
Visit a Traditional Farmhouse: Bhutanese farmhouses offer a glimpse into the rural life of Bhutan. You can try your hand at farming, and cooking, and even stay overnight for an immersive experience.
Meditate in a Monastery: Bhutan is a spiritual country and spending some time meditating in a monastery can be a peaceful experience. Many monasteries offer short-term meditation retreats for visitors.
Try Butter Tea: Known as ‘Suja’, butter tea is a salty concoction, a warming drink that’s popular among the locals. It’s an acquired taste but definitely worth a try!
Explore Local Crafts: Bhutan is known for its traditional arts and crafts. You can visit the handicraft market in Thimphu or the local artisans in villages to witness the craftsmanship and perhaps buy some souvenirs.
Bird Watching in Phobjikha Valley: The Phobjikha Valley is a paradise for bird lovers. Although the famous Black Necked Cranes arrive in winter, the summer greenery attracts a variety of other beautiful birds.

Bhutan Tour cancellation & refund policy

A full refund except for the booking amount (USD 100) will be made for the tour canceled 30 days or more prior to the arrival date.
50% penalty on the total tour cost for the tour canceled less than 30 days prior to the arrival date.
100% penalty less than 15 days prior to the arrival date. This is because by this time hotels would be already booked and the company is subject to cancellation charges for rooms canceled in less than 30 days.

Note: Duration lost or trip shortened due to unforeseen reasons after arrival in Bhutan, no refund will be made – because we will already have paid for the hotels and other logistics.

For more information please contact Golden Nepal Holidays Pvt. Ltd. Kathmandu, Nepal Cell: +977-9849 855 872 | +977-980 8595985 WhatsApp No.+977-9849855872 Email: sales.goldennepalholidays@gmail.com