| Travel information |
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| Language |
Dzongkha (a Tibetan dialect) |
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| Religions |
Buddhist 70%, Hindu 24%, Muslim 5%, and other 1%
Travellers should respect that religion is an inherent part of Bhutanese life. We encourage travellers to experience religious festivals and visit temples but ask that you follow religious rules such as removing your shoes and refraining from taking photographs at certain sites. At Buddhist temples you should always move in a clockwise direction. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to advise you of local sensitivities. |
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| People |
There are two main population groups in Bhutan ; the Drukpa (67%) of Tibetan and Monpa origin and the Lhotsampa (30%) of Nepalese origin. The other 3% comprise of indigenous tribal groups. |
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| Visa |
Visas are required by everyone visiting Bhutan (except Indian nationals who are issued a 14 day permit on arrival). Visas are issued on arrival subject to certain requirements having been met in advance. Visas will not be issued on arrival if these requirements have not been met.
We will arrange a visa clearance authorization for group members in advance. For this we will need to have your passport details (name, nationality, date of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry) at least one month prior to departure. Please note: Without this authorization number it is impossible to enter the country.
The actual visa endorsement is stamped into your passport on arrival in Bhutan . You should bring 2 passport photos with you to complete the rest of the formalities at the border. The visa itself costs US$20 and can only be paid for at the border in US dollars.
Please note regulations and costs can change frequently so it is advisable to check the current rules at your time of booking. |
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| Currency |
The monetary unit in Bhutan is the Ngultrum (Nu) which is divided into 100 chetrum. The Ngultrum is fixed to the Indian Rupee (1 Nu = 1 INR). Approximate exchange rates are as follows:
1 Pound Sterling = 86 Nu
1 US Dollar = 44 Nu
1 Euro = 58 Nu
At present there are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that a visitor may bring into Bhutan although very large sums should be declared on arrival. Indian Rupees (INR) is widely accepted in Bhutan even though in theory it is illegal to export them from India . (Note: Ngultrums are not accepted in India )
Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs
You can change money and travelers cheques without too much trouble at counters at the airport, larger hotels (which often offer a faster service) and banks in major cities, e.g. Thimpu, Paro and Phuntsholing. Outside main towns changing money can be a very time consuming business. We recommend that you take either US $ or GB £ currency and travellers cheques (in well known brands such as American Express, Thomas Cook, Visa etc). However it is possible to exchange other major currencies (please note Scottish Pounds are not recognised outside of the UK ).
There are NO ATMs in Bhutan and credit cards are accepted at very few establishments. If you plan to make a major purchase (such as art or handicrafts), you may wish to consider brining US Dollars cash (as most shops will accept this) to avoid changing large amounts into Ngultrums.
Left over Ngultrums can be exchanged back on production of your original encashment receipt (although usually only into US dollars). You will not be able to exchange any Ngultrums outside of Bhutan .
Your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the most effective places to change money. |
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| Customs |
On arrival in Bhutan you will be required to complete a baggage declaration form. For travellers the main purpose of this form is to ensure you take out with you any expensive items that you bring in. You should declare all expensive equipment (e.g. video cameras, mobile phones, etc).
Customs officials may then want to see the items before endorsing the form and returning it to you. Make sure you keep hold of this form as you will need it on departure. You may also need to show all the items you originally listed. If you lose your form please let your Tour Leader know as soon as possible. |
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| Departure Tax |
There is a departure tax of 800 Nu (USD $18) payable prior to check in at Paro Airport . |
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| Time keeping |
It is worth remembering that relaxed attitudes to time and efficiency ensure that things do not function like clockwork, so please don’t expect them to! |
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| Communications |
Email
Internet cafes can now be found in larger towns. The average cost for an hour is approx. US$7 in a hotel and US$4 in an Internet cafe.
Phone
The Bhutanese phone system is fairly good. There are many public call offices (PCOs) throughout the country and some offer ISD calls overseas. Most hotels can also arrange international calls. A 3 minute call (to the UK ) will cost approx. US$12 from a hotel and approx. US$6 from a PCO.
Post
The postal service is fairly good and stamps are available from hotels and post offices. An overseas stamp will cost approx. US$0.40. |
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Weather |
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical and the east generally warmer than the west. The central valleys enjoy a semi-tropical climate with very cool winters, whilst Thimpu and Tongsa suffer a harsher climate enduring heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow falls in the winter (often blocking the passes leading into the central valleys). Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November until mid-March and at this time of year the climate is dry, with daytime temperatures of 16-18C. At night these fall to below zero. The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June and rain falls mainly in the afternoons and evenings. At the end of September, after the last of the heavy rains, autumn suddenly arrives offering a magnificent season for trekking lasting until mid-November.
The following shows average daytime temperatures in Thimpu (degrees celcius):
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
12 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
22 |
24 |
19 |
25 |
23 |
22 |
18 |
14 |
Bhutan Meteorological Authority |
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| National Holidays |
- Coronation Day - 2 Jun
- Kings Birthday - 11 Nov
- Bhutan National Day - 17 Dec
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| Accommodation |
We use the best available properties available in our trips. On Adventurer trips hotels are simple, but comfortable. Bathroom facilities on some trips (Adventure / trekking) may sometimes be multi share rather than twin. Otherwise almost all our trips, have private bathrooms, air conditioning and bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.
At each hotel your Tour Leader will organize the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.
Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room. Single supplements are also only available on our tours and are not applicable on overnight boats, trains and while camping. |
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| Laundry |
laundry service is available in most of the hotels we use although outside Thimpu they may not have dryers so the speed of service will depend on the sunshine. |
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| Meals |
| You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. All meals are included in Bhutan.
Drinks
Tea and coffee is always provided with breakfast on tours. All other drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense. Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below. Note: Prices in restaurants and hotels can be as much as double those specified.
Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below:
1l of water: US$0.30
30cl bottle of soft drink: US$0.40
50cl bottle of beer: US$1
It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Bhutan; however bottle
d water (often imported from India ) carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country.
Local Food & Drink
Generally meals served at hotels are buffet style and offer a selection of western, Indian, Chinese and Bhutanese dishes. Traditional Bhutanese food always features chillies, ema datse, in fact, uses hot green chillies as the vegetable rather than seasoning! Other popular dishes (with chillies) are phak sha laphu, stewed pork with radish, no sha huentseu, stewed beef with spinach, and bja sha maroo, chicken in garlic and butter sauce.
You will find that most of your meals revolve around chicken, pork, and cheese or vegetables and are accompanied by rice – either white or the locally produced Bhutanese red variety, which has a nutty taste. Buckwheat is also used to produce pancakes and noodles.
Tibetan dishes including momos, which are steamed dumplings with a vegetable or meat filling and thumkpa, a noodle soup are also common in Bhutan .
Special Dietary Requirements Vegetarians
In Bhutan there is a good variety of vegetarian food available even if much of it is made with chillies! Unusual ingredients such as nettles, ferns and orchids may also appear in traditional Bhutanese vegetarian dishes.
Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.
Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met. |
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| Clothing & Accessories |
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. Even in the summer months Paro and Thimpu can be cool and in the winter the weather can be very cold (particularly in the mountains). Make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even when daytime temperatures are quite high, night-time and early morning temperatures can be extremely cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.
You should also bear in mind that Bhutan has conservative attitudes towards dress - the country has a national dress code and people always look smart and neat so scruffiness (as well as revealing clothing) will look out of place. Women, and also to a certain extent men, will find that the way they dress will often determine the degree of respect they receive from both men and women and both sexes should avoid wearing shorts in towns.
We Recommend:
Make sure you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and knees and also more than one outfit which covers your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. It also doesn’t go amiss to bring along at least one set of smart clothes. In certain areas and at religious sites (and particularly when visiting dzongs) your Tour Leader may ask you to dress conservatively. Out of respect for local values, we ask that you follow your Tour Leaders advice at all times.
Bhutanese National Dress
It is compulsory for all Bhutanese to wear national dress in schools, government offices and formal occasions. This distinctive clothing is characterised by the colourfully patterned gho (long robe) for men and kira (long dress) for women. Although a complicated ensemble, the Bhutanese are flattered by visitors who make an effort to wear their national dress and are more than willing to help you buy, and put on, a gho or kira.
Dzong Clothing
Dzongs (fort-monasteries) are found all over Bhutan and you will usually only be able to enter if you are correctly dressed. Bhutanese people must wear the full national dress, while the guidelines for visitors state that men should wear trousers and a shirt with a collar and women should wear a dress or smart trousers. |
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Transport |
You will probably find the best way to get around Bhutan 's cities and towns is to walk. Even in Thimpu, almost everything is within walking distance. For greater distances, or when your legs get tired, taxis are the best way of getting around. In Bhutan taxi meters are for show only so it is a good idea to find out, from your Tour Leader or the hotel receptionist, approximately how much the fare should be for the journey you propose (a local journey within Thimpu should cost approx. US$1-1.50) however you will almost certainly have to accept that you will pay more than the Bhutanese do.
Arrival Transfers
We receive all at airports as per individual itineraries. |
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| Safety |
Most people find that Bhutan is an incredibly friendly and hospitable country and feel quite comfortable wandering around alone during the day. However, as with any country you are not familiar with, it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night. |
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| Tour Leaders & Guides |
Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He / she will share their local knowledge, advice on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour - although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan.
In Bhutan our tours are also accompanied by experienced and professional trained local guides provided by Bhutans Department of Tourism. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right.
Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager. Please note that some styles of trip, such as very small or Honeymoon groups do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take. . |
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| Entrance Fees & Optional tours |
In Bhutan entrance fees are included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary.
All of our itineraries include some free time, the amount of which usually depends on the style of tour you are travelling on. If you wish to take optional excursions your Tour Leader will be able to advise you of the possibilities in each area. |
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| Tipping Kitty |
| Your Tour Leader will collect and administer a tipping kitty to help avoid embarrassment and ensure that all services are properly tipped for. Traditionally gifts, such as textiles, are given when visiting a Bhutanese home. You may want to consider bringing duty free spirits or fancy argyle socks (very popular) from home in case you have the opportunity to visit someones home. |
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| Luggage and Load Limits |
Druk Air impose a strict 20kg weight limit. Whilst it may be possible to pay for excess baggage, this may not leave Bhutan at the same time that you do so we advise against this. It is possible to leave a bag in the hotel in Calcutta if you do not wish to take all your belongings to Bhutan. |
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| Toilets |
Wherever you use a western or squat style toilet remember to place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided - DO NOT flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not all toilets will supply it.
Our Recommendation:
You may find it useful to take along a supply of antiseptic wet wipes or water free soap to help with hygiene in more remote places. |
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| Etiquette and Customs |
Although staunchly traditional and devout in their religious beliefs the Bhutanese are relatively open and liberal people. Having said that, there are a few simple rules of etiquette which are worth noting. You should avoid pointing the soles of your feet at anyone - although this may seem unlikely you could inadvertently do this while laying down or sitting with your feet up. It is also important for Bhutanese people not to lose face so you should never react to a frustrating situation with anger - instead be patient and smile. |
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| Bargaining |
In most shops there is no fixed price so the shop keeper will start with a high price which you are then expected to bargain down until you reach a fair price. Bargaining should always be relaxed and can be a lot of fun - you will find most shop owners are very friendly. . |
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| Smoking |
Bhutan has become the first country in the world to ban smoking. Tobacco and tobacco related products are not available anywhere in Bhutan . Visitors can import a limited number of cigarettes/cigars for personal use, but these are heavily taxed (100% sales duty, plus 100% customs duty) on arrival. |
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| Photography |
Camera film can be found in Bhutan but there is limited choice. Therefore we recommend you bring your supply from home. |
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