Bhutan Guide

Introduction to the country

Bhutan is a landlocked country located in the Southern part of Asia generally called Eastern Himalayas. The largest city of the country, which also serves as its capital city, is Thimphu. The official language of the country is Bhutanese. However, English is used to teach in schools. The country is reputed for its handicrafts, textiles, dance festivals, snowy mountains, forests, and gorgeous national parks.

When To Go? / Best Time to visit

If you want to visit Bhutan during the best time to visit, then you should consider between October and December, when the air is fresh, clear and the skies are sunny. However, October and November fall in the high season implying higher daily cost, while December falls in the low season.

How do I get a Visa?

Citizens of India, Maldives, and Bangladesh do not need a visa to enter Bhutan. However, visitors from every other country will need to get a valid visa that can be issued at Samdrup Jongkhar, Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Para airport. Every visa must be approved in Thimphu.

Do I need Vaccines?

There are some recommended vaccines if you want to visit Bhutan including those for influenza, pneumonia, shingles, chickenpox, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, rubella, mumps, measles, polio, meningitis, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis B and hepatitis A.

Travel Safety

Bhutan is a relatively safe destination for travel as you won’t experience theft, begging and scams that are relatively common in her neighboring countries. However, you should look out for minimal crime in Bhutan, car sickness, bad weather, aggressive dogs and altitude.

What To Pack?

Some things to park on your trip to Bhutan include:

• Sunscreen and sunhat

• Warm hat

• Sunglasses

• Waterproof jacket

• Shoes with good soles or waterproof fabric boots or good leather

• Warm jacket

Recommended

• Enough supply of medications you require

• Lip balm

• Insect repellant

• Head lamp

• Backpack

• Thermal underwear for winter and in the evening

• Gloves

Essential Language Phrases

Some Bhutanese phrases and words include:

• Kuzuzangpo la – Hello

• Kadrin Chey la – Thank you

• Ney gi ming Bill inn la – My name is Bill

• Chhey gi Ming Gha chi Mo – What is your name?

• Gaa Dam Chi Mo la – How much

• Tashi Deleck – Bye

• Chig – One

• Ngee – Two

• Sum – Three

• Shiee – Four

• Ngaa – Five

Druug – Six

• Duen – Seven

• Gey – Eight

• Guu – Nine

• Chu Tham – Ten

• Jaa – One hundred

• Shay Go – Food

• Kira – Women Dress

• Gho – Men Dress

• Lham – Shoes

Thimphu

Thimphu is located in Bhutan’s Western Central aspect. It was used to replace Punakha as the capital of Bhutan in 1955. The city houses the major economic and political activities in Bhutan. The city is also a major tourist attraction to Bhutan after Bhutan opened up to tourists in 1974. Some of the tourist attractions in Thimphu include National Library, Bhutan Textile Museum, and Norzim Lam among others. 10 Things To Do In Thimphu For A Satisfying Experience

Paro

If you are looking for the greenest and widest valley in Bhutan, then you are looking for the picturesque valley of Bhutan. The area is a sight to behold from the international airport to the Paro River flowing down the valley as well as the fertile rice fields. Some major tourist attractions in Paro include National Museum, Druk Choeding Temple, Dungtse Lhakhang, Drukgyel Dzong, Airport viewpoint, Rinpung Dzong and Chele La pass. Top 10 Places to Visit in Paro, Bhutan

Typical costs

The tourism industry is controlled by the government, so you are expected to relate with a traveling agency if you want to visit Bhutan. They are to help you take care of all the logistics, thereby making the process very easy. However, you are expected to spend a minimum of 200 USD per person per day in Bhutan during the low season and a minimum of 250 USD per person per day during the high season.

The cost will include accommodation in hotels approved by the government, 3 square meals in a local restaurant, all your transportation as you will be assigned a dedicated driver, licensed guide that is fluent in the English language, all your sight-seeing as put down in your itinerary, all taxes, special permits, and route permits as well as fees to gain access to museums and monuments. The low season includes January, February, June to August and December. The high season includes March to May and September to November. There is also an extra FIT surcharge of 40 USD per night if you are a single traveler and 30 USD per individual per night if you are two travelers. Three or more travelers do not have to pay the surcharge. Thus, your overall minimum cost per day will be 290 USD per individual for high season and 240 USD per individual for the low season. For 2 people traveling together, it would be 280 USD per individual for high season and 230 per individual for low season. For 3 or more people, it will be 250 USD per individual for high season and 200 USD per individual for low season.

Cost of Travel for Indian Travelers

Fortunately, citizens from Indian do not have to pay the minimum daily cost of visiting Bhutan like tourists from other countries. Furthermore, Indian currency is widely accepted in Bhutan. You will have to pay between INR 150 and INR 200 to access a tourist site. If you are trekking alone, you will have to pay about INR 12,000 as opposed to INR 5,500 if you are trekking alongside a group of 10 or more people.

Money Saving Tips

• • Travel during the low season so your daily cost is at a maximum of 240 USD per individual including FIT surcharges

  • Travel as a group to escape the FIT surcharges if you are more 3 or more individuals or to reduce it by 10 USD to 30 USD if you are 2 individuals

  • Visit regions that are exempted from royalty. This will further reduce your minimum daily cost

  • Do not opt for luxury/premium tour packages

  • Enter from a border town

How To Get Around?

The main way to get around is by road (cars and motorcycle) as the country does not have any rail infrastructure. You can also fly between Gelephu, Bumthang, and Paro.

Things Not To Do

• • Do not wear tight clothes or clothes that reveal the skin

  • When visiting Dzongs or temples, remove your sun caps

  • Don’t use slangs on religious sites

  • Don’t feed animals and birds in natural sites

  • Don’t smoke in a place not designated for smoking

  • Do not point at individuals or art

  • Do not break traffic regulations

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Conclusion

Bhutan is a great place to visit as there are so many sites to see and explore. Tourism in the country is very much regulated by the government. You should thus, ensure that you get your visa ready before visiting the country.

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