Bhutan is known as the land of the thunder dragon. Located between Tibet to the north & the Indian territories of Assam & west Bengal to the south. The Druk Kingdom is a land of immense natural beauty with rich ancient culture & tradition. Bhutan is one of the few unexplored tourist destinations in the world. Often referred to as Shangri-La. Buddhism is the national religion of Bhutan. Buddhism is believed to have been first introduction in Bhtuan the 8th century B.C. The Bhutanese people love themselves to be called Drukpas. Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan, while the Nepalese origin people domintae the southern part. Bhutan was opened to the modern development in the 1960’s after the years of self-imposed isolation with the building of the first schools, hospitals & roads.
BUSINESS HOURS: Saturday is the weekly day off for all Government Offices and some shops are closed however in the private sector the day off is Sunday. Please note that the National Museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
TOBACCO: Bhutan has become the first nation in the world to ban the sale and consumption (in public) of tobacco. While visitors can still bring in cigarettes for their own use the items will attract a duty of 200%. Smoking in public should be avoided.
Guides Of Bhutan: Inspiring & Uplifting Adventures in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan Website www.guidesofbhutan.com Email info@guidesofbhutan.com Phone +44 20 7193 5239
INTERNET ACCESS: Bhutan’s connectivity is improving by the day, with most smart phones working and wireless connections available in Tourist Class hotels however this diminishes as you move eastwards beyond Punakha.
ELECTRICITY: 220 volts AC from clean Hydro Electric plants. Please pack a universal plug adapter as the type of electrical sockets varies across the country.
LOCAL TIME: Bhutan is 10 hours ahead of New York, 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime with no daylight saving, 30 minutes ahead of India, 1 hour behind Thailand and 2 hours behind Tokyo.
LANGUAGE: Dzongkha is Bhutan’s official language and there are countless dialects. Thanks to his Majesty the 4th King’s education policy, English is widely spoken in shops and hotels.
FOOD: Bhutanese dishes are rich and spicy with plenty of cheese and chili. Do try the national dish called Ema Datse whose spiciness can be reduced to visitors’ tastes. Most guests stick to the Chinese, continental or Indian cuisine that is served in restaurants and hotels. There are always vegetarian options plus momos Tibetan dumplings) and mushrooms are served in abundance (Bhutan is famous for delicious matsutake and chanterelle mushroo
COMMUNICATION: Telephone & fax services are available in all major towns. International connections, internet & e-mail facilities are also available in most of the palces. There are numerious internet cafes in every town.
CUSTOMS & REGULATIONS: The Bhutanese authories strictly prohibit the export of any religious Antiquity or antiques of any type. All personal electronics, cameras, video cameras, computers & personal electronic equipment may be brought into the country but they must be listed on the customs form provided on arrival at Paro & will be checked on departure. Two liters of Alcohol and reasonable quantity of cigrattes may be brought into the country without duty.
CLOTHING: IN Bhutan, Due to wide range of temperature & climatic conditions, It is advisable to bring appropirate clothing. From May to september normal traveling cloths plus a light woolen sweater or a light jacket & a light walking boots are sufficent. From Novembet to end of April on the other hand, you will need very warm cloths including underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, thick socks, strong boots & down jackets.
Climate in Bhutan: Bhutan’s climate ranges from tropical in the south, to temperate in the center of the country, to cold in the north & like much of your adventure in the Himalayas it will be quite unpredictable. In the Thimphu & Paro valleys, the winter day time temperature averages 60 degrees Fahrenheit during clear winter days but drops well below freezing during the night. Mid December to early January can be a beautifully clear & dry time in Western Bhutan. Late December through mid February is the period of heaviest snow fall in the higher elevations.
Tourist Accommodation: There are comfortable hotels, lodges & Guesthouse at our tourist destinations. Generally speaking, hotels in western Bhutan are better appointed, while accommodation establishments in the central & eastern part of the country are more modest, with fewer amenities. There is no star categorization of hotels & five star luxuries are not available. Bhutan, All seasons has carefully selected the list of accommodation units with the best of location, service & ambience. Away from the towns & villages, there are purpose-built cabins on some of the principal trekking routes. But there is nothing like camping out in the forest or at the foot of a mountain. Wherever you spend the night, the warm Bhutanese hospitality will make you feel welcome.