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VISAS : Visas are
initially granted for stays
of up to 14 days. Visa
applications for all
tourists are processed by
the travel/tour agent
through the Tourism
Authority of Bhutan (TAB).
Only once the visa has been
cleared can visitors travel
to Bhutan. The Bhutan
Tourism Corporation Limited
(BTCL) can apply for an
extension of tourist visas
for an additional fee per
person. Visas are issued
(stamped in passport) on
arrival at Paro Airport or
at Phuentsholing check post.
Visa clearance takes at
least 10 days to process and
should be applied for at
least 60 days prior to
arrival in Bhutan.
Please note that visas are
only issued to tourists once
the trip is booked with full
payment and will be stamped
in your passport on payment
of US$ 20 at the point of
entry. Please note that air
tickets to Bhutan cannot be
purchased without visa
clearance.
CUSTOMS : The
Bhutanese authorities
strictly monitor the export
of any religious antiquities
or antiques of any kind from
the Kingdom. Personal
videos, cameras, personal
computers, portable
telephones or any other
electronic device should be
registered with the customs
authorities on arrival at
Paro and will be checked by
the same on departure.
ACCOMMODATION : There
is no star categorization of
hotels in Bhutan and five
star luxuries are not
available. However Bhutanese
local operators provide the
best hotels available. There
are comfortable hotels built
in traditional design at all
tourist destinations.
CLIMATE :
Temperatures vary according
to elevation. Temperatures
in Thimphu, located at 2,200
meters above sea level in
west-central Bhutan, range
from approximately 15° C to
26° C during the monsoon
season of June through
September but drop to
between about -4° C and 16°
C in January. Most of the
central portion of the
country experiences a cool,
temperate climate year
round. In the south, a hot,
humid climate helps maintain
a fairly even temperature
range of between 15° C and
30° C year-round, although
temperatures sometimes reach
40° C in the valleys during
the summer
TIME DIFFERENCE :
Bhutan is 6 hours ahead of
GMT and half and hour ahead
of India
LOCAL TRANSPORT : The
country has a fairly good
internal road network,
measuring about 3,200 km.
The main routes consist of
an east-west highway and
four north-south highways.
The road network connects
all dzongkhags and 16
dungkhags. Major towns and
villagers are also connected
by motor roads. However,
some areas can only be
reached by mule tracks, foot
trails, cantilever and
suspension bridges.
MEALS : Traditional
Bhutanese food is hot and
spicy. For our visitors,
however, Chinese, Indian,
and Continental fares are
also served. The more
adventurous can try hot
Bhutanese dishes. Meals are
normally served buffet style
in the hotels but you can
always order your own meals
of your choice at all the
restaurants and hotels.
BHUTAN CUISINE AND FOOD
Cucumbers with Onion and
Cheese
The Bhutanese serves
soothing side dishes like
this one to temper pepper
laden entrees.
Buckwheat Dumpling with
Bok Choy & Poppy Seed
The spicy filling provides a
sharp contrast to the subtle
flavor of the pasta
Buckwheat Noodles with
Egg Strips and Scallion
Tossing the noodles with
egg, scallion, and tomato
gives this delicious dish a
shot of color.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
The lifestyle, manners and
customs of the Bhutanese are
in many respects unique to
the area. The strongest
influence on social
conventions is the country's
state religion, and
everywhere one can see the
reminders of Buddhism and
the original religion of
Tibet, Bonism. There are no
rigid clan systems and equal
rights exist between men and
women. The majority of the
Bhutanese live an agrarian
lifestyle.
MAJOR BHUTAN HOLIDAYS
Nov 11, 2000
Birthday of HM Jigme Singye
Wangchuck
Dec 17, 2000
National Day of Bhutan
PHOTOGRAPHY : The
photography opportunities on
trip are immense. Carry
plenty of films and
batteries. Photo shops in
Bhutan do not sell equipment
or accessories.
INSURANCE : TO
protect against unforeseen
accidents and mishaps, we
advise you to have travel
insurance policy from your
country. We regret the
unavailability of such
policies in Bhutan.
CURRENCY : Currency
used is 1 Ngultrum (NU),
broken into 100 chetrum
(Ch). The Ngultrum is pegged
to the Indian Rupee (which
is also accepted as legal
tender). Notes are in
denominations of NU100, 20,
10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in
denominations of NU1, and
100, 50, 25, 10 and 5
chetrum. Leading foreign
currencies are accepted but
travelers cheques are
preferred as the exchange
rates are better. These can
be exchanged in any Bank of
Bhutan branches or at all
BTCL hotels. You are advised
to carry your money in form
of Traveler's Checks
(preferably American
Express) OR cash (US Dollar)
which might be needed for
incidental expenses.
Banks in Bhutan do not
accept credit cards. Visa
Card and American Express
credit card are accepted in
a few shops. No other credit
card is accepted so far.
BANKING HOURS
Monday - Friday: 9 am to 3
pm
Saturday - 9 am to 11 am
TAXES : A departure
Tax of Nu.500 Ngultrum
(US$12) is levied at Paro
airport.
TELEPHONE : Bhutan
country code is + 975.
Telephone communication is
very reliable
INTERNET : Internet
service is available in
every tourist lodge / hotel
as well as in town Cafes at
cheaper rates.
NIGHT CLUB : Thimphu
has around five licensed
night clubs which operate on
a weekly basis, on Saturday
night and some of them on
Wednesday as ladies' night
TIPPING : Small
gifts, such as pictures or
objects from your home
country, are appreciated.
For guides, drivers, cooks,
and porters on tours and
treks, cash is appropriate,
as are clothing or items you
wish to give.
SHOPPING :
Traditional handicrafts,
textiles, jewellery,
baskets, and masks.
Paintings and woodcarving
make good buys.
The Handicraft Emporium
The Handicraft Emporium is
located on the main street
of Bhutan's capital city. It
is open daily except Sunday
and offers a magnificent
assortment of hand-woven and
handcrafted goods.
Shopping hours: 9.00am -
10.00pm
Operates from Monday to
Sunday accept on Tuesday.
The Motithang Hotel
souvenir shop
The souvenir shop in
Motithang Hotel is located
in Thimpu area. All sorts of
curios or antique
collections are found here.
Shopping hours: 9.00am -
10.00pm
Operates from Mondays to
Sundays except Tuesdays.
Silversmith and goldsmith
centers
Located in Thimphu Valley. A
wide range of handicraft
articles can be purchased
and ordered to your
preference.
Shopping hours: 9.00am -
10.00pm
Operates from Mondays to
Sundays except Tuesdays
WHAT TO BRING :
Casual clothes are fine. Use
a layering system, starting
with thermal underwear and
adding a shirt, pile jacket
and windbreaker or parka as
necessary.
• Back pack
• Woolen/Cotton trousers
(warm clothes for mornings
and evenings)
• Down jacket (wind stopper)
- especially for higher
altitudes
• T - shirts or long sleeved
shirts (not sleeveless)
• Sandals or flip flops
• Sun hat
• Comfortable shoes
(sneakers)
• Pairs of socks and vests
• Torch (flashlight)
• Sunglasses, spare glasses
and contact lenses
• Sunscreen lotion
• Insect repellent cream and
your personal medical kit
• Thermal underwear and long
jorns will be of essential
use
You will be outside a lot,
and much of this time is at
altitudes above 2,500 m
(7,800 ft); so there is
plenty of sun and wind.
Bring a supply of sun cream
and some lip protection,
such as Blistex; these items
are not available in Bhutan.
ESSENTIAL EXTRAS
• Be sure to carry ear plugs
(and spares) to reduce the
noise from the barking dogs
at night. The Bhutanese are
Buddhists and do not
euthanize or pound stray
dogs.
• There are occasional
electric outrages throughout
the country; so you should
always keep a torch
(flashlight) beside your
bed. You will also need
while visiting some
monuments and monasteries as
some monasteries do not have
electricity in order to
protect the art works and
paintings.
• Carry a pair of sunglasses
(as protection from high
altitude glare).
• A Swiss army knife has
many uses, such as cutting
cheese and opening bottles.
• You will also want a small
rucksack or back pack to
carry your camera, water
bottle and other essentials
in the vehicle and when you
are hiking or visiting
monuments.
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