TRAVEL TIPS
TRAVELLING BHUTAN
Traveling to Bhutan is a unique and rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of considerations due to the country’s distinct cultural and regulatory aspects. Here are some travel tips to help you plan your trip to Bhutan
Money: Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (Nu) that is at par with the Indian Rupee. It is however recommended that you carry travelers’ cheque or cash, preferably American Express and US dollar instead, as the ATM facilities for foreign currency is limited to just few towns including the capital city Thimphu. Visa and American Express credit cards are also widely accepted.
Travelling Kits: Bhutan experiences significant variations in its climate. Summers are warm, with average daily temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, while winters are cold, with temperatures usually below 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it’s advisable to bring a couple of warm clothes and comfortable shoes suitable for the weather, terrain, and planned activities. Consider appropriate attire for hikes, trekking, sightseeing, as well as for dinners, appointments, and functions arranged for you. Other items you might want to consider bringing include a pair of sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, and a hat. Additionally, pack antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream, anti-diarrhea pills, altitude and car sickness medicine. Don’t forget insect repellent, a flashlight (with spare batteries), an umbrella, a camera, films, and accessories (including spare camera batteries), etc.
Gratuities: Tipping is a purely personal matter. We don’t have a tradition of giving tips, and it’s entirely up to you whether you want to tip your guides and drivers.
Guides and Interpreters: Bhutan boasts a competent team of interpreters and guides who are well-versed in history and possess excellent communication skills. All of them are certified and undergo training conducted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Moreover, there are guides proficient in languages such as Japanese, Thai, and other European languages.Bhutan has a good team of interpreters and guides who are well-versed in history and possess good communication skills. They are all certified who undergo training conducted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. There are also guides who speak fluent Japanese, Thai and other European languages.
Photography: Bhutan is an ideal destination and a frequent favorite among photographers, offering immense opportunities for outdoor photography during our sightseeing trips. However, it’s important to check with your guide regarding indoor photography, as taking photos inside Dzongs, temples, monasteries, and religious institutions is restricted unless you have special permission from the Department of Culture. Nevertheless, you are free to capture images of landscapes, panoramic views of mountain ranges, rural life, flora and fauna, Bhutanese architecture, and particularly Dzongs and Choetens.
Shopping: For those who love shopping and bringing home gifts, Bhutan offers a variety of goods, mainly centered around textiles. You can explore items like hand-woven textiles in raw silk or silk, intricately carved masks depicting various animals, baskets woven from cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, handmade paper products, or finely crafted silver gods. Thangka paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps are also available for purchase. These items can be found in numerous handicraft shops in and around Thimphu and other major towns. However, it’s important to note that the buying and selling of antiques are strictly forbidden in Bhutan.
Precautions
Avoid drinking unboiled water or consuming ice cubes at all times, as most water sources in Bhutan are untreated, even though they originate from the mountains. Treated and bottled water is readily available and affordable in any town.
Bhutan, a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas, covers approximately 38,394 square kilometers. It is characterized by diverse topography, ranging from subtropical plains in the south to towering peaks in the north, including the majestic Eastern Himalayas. Lush valleys, dense forests, and swift-flowing rivers are prominent features. The country’s geography is defined by deep gorges, high plateaus, and dramatic landscapes. Notable is the sacred Jigme Dorji National Park, home to unique biodiversity. The capital, Thimphu, lies in a central valley. Bhutan’s strategic location in the Himalayas contributes to its rich natural beauty and cultural distinctiveness.
Tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
within 30 days of start of programme – no charges
within 21 days – 10% of rate
within 14 days – 15% of rate
within 7 days – 30% of rate
less than 7 days or without notice – 50% of rate
after arrival in Bhutan – 100%
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
- Single individual US$ 40 per night
- Group of 2 persons US$ 30 per person per night
- The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.
- The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.
- There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the ages of 6-12 years accompanied by elders/ guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates and 100% discount on Royalty.
- Full time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions shall