ACCESS BY AIR

The national carrier Druk Air and private carrier Bhutan Air operates from the only international airport in Bhutan at Paro.  It has flight to Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore. Druk Air has ATR turboprop and Airbus A319 aircrafts whereas Bhutan Air operates Airbus A319.  Three domestic airports link Paro to Bathpalathang Bumthang, Gelephu and Yongphula Trashigang.

ACCESS BY ROAD

if travelling via Nepal, it is possible to fly from Kathmandu to the east of the country Bhadrapur airport and drive via India to the Bhutanese town of Phuntsholing, gateway point in the south west.  For those arriving in Bagdogra airport in India, it is a drive of 4 hour to Phuntsholing. One can also use the Samdrup Jongkhar in south east Bhutan connecting the state of Assam, India.

GEOGRAPHY

Bhutan lies in between two immense land mass; to the north Tibet TAR plateau and to the south the Gangetic plains of India.  It is located between 80*45' and 92*10' longitude east and between 26*40' and 28*15' latitude north and covers 47,000 sq kms.  It is basically mountainous with its mid valleys being the most inhabited, followed by the towns in the southern foothills of the country.  The far north is a sparsely inhabited.

CLIMATE

Weather conditions are ideal for visiting the country in all seasons, but winter is cooler from 2^nd  half of December to February.  Days are warm and sunny, though night time temperatures can take a dip.  The seasons can be designated as : Spring from March to May, Summer from June to mid July, Autumn from September to November, Winter from December to February. 

South Bhutan is tropical, with a monsoon season.  The east is warmer than the west.  The central valleys of Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang, Gangtey, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters; whereas Ha, Paro, Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a colder climate with ocassional snowfalls in the winter.

POPULATION

Bhutan has a population of a little more than 700,000 people mostly living in scattered towns and the broad fertile valleys of the inner Himalayas at altitude of 1000 metres to 3000 metres.  Almost 90% of the populace are engaged in agriculture and livestock raising being the main pillars of the economy. 

RELIGION

Almost 90% practice the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism of the Drukpa Kargyud Sect.  The balance 10% are Hindus Southern Bhutanese of Nepalese origins.  Bhutan has many Dzongs which are very large castle like complexes with religious and government administration offices alongside one another.

LANGUAGE

The national language is "Dzongkha" meaning the language spoken in Dzongs.  The written form is derived from ancient sanscrit script.  Nepali is spoken in towns and by a majority of people engaged in business.  Local dialets include Sharchopkha and Khenkha.

VISA

All visitors to Bhutan must hold valid passports for entry into the country.  Visas are issued only after a tour program is booked and confirmed.  Asian - Bhrikuti will advice on the procedures to be followed.  A US$40 flat visa fee is valid for the period of visit prepaid by the agency.

HEALTH

No major immunisation are required for a visit to Bhutan.  An updated list is available for possible prevention before travel.

MONEY

US Dollars cash can be changed in hotels and banks.  It is adviced to have them exchanged in larger towns Paro, Thimphu, Phuntsholing and Bumthang.  Credit cards are gradually being accepted in hotels but still limited with shops.  There are ATMs in Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang.  No exchange is available while on trekking. 

The exchange rate is Ngultrum Nu 82.91 = Indian Rs 82.91 = US$1.00 on 21 February 2024.

Those who are travelling from Nepal to Bhutan, can change all their excess Nepali Rupees to Indian Rupees which can be used in Bhutan.  If travelling from Bhutan to Nepal, clients can change their Bhutanese Ngultrum to Indian Rupees which can be used in Nepal.  Please note Nepal Rupees and Bhutanese Ngultrum can only be used in their respective countries.

CLOTHING

The wide range of temperatures makes choosing a clothing list a little challenging.  Asian Encounters – Bhrikuti Himalayan Treks has a comprehensive clothing list for specific trips when bookings are confirmed.  Layered clothings are recommended for all seasons.  During most of the year light woolens with wind breakers are sufficient for day wear, conservative sportswear is the appropriate style for a traveller.  Comfortable sports shoes are suggested; whereas trekking boots only if you plan on hiking.

OFFICE HOURS

Most office, banks, government offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through to mid Saturday.  Shops and restaurant usually open seven days a week.  In the winter months though the work day time are 10 am to 2 pm.  Embassies (only Bangladesh, India and Kuwait) and International organisations are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

TIME

Bhutan is 6 hrs ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.  It is half an hour later than India's and 20 mins ahead of Nepal time. 

ELECTRICITY/TELEPHONE/CABLE

Bhutan uses 220 volts alternating current.  All urban and rural areas have phone and mobile communication.  International Direct Dialing system and Internet is available in all the major towns. SIM cards of Druk Cell and Tashi Cell can be purchased for local use. Some international SIM mobile phones can also avail of service.

HOTELS

The hotels and guest houses considered for use in the tours are the best available reflecting traditional Bhutanese architecture and of generally good standards.  All have their own restaurant and bar, toilet and bathing facilities.  While all meals are served in the hotels, in Thimphu and Paro there would be opportunity to eat in speciality restaurants.  On special occasions outdoor catering is done as well.  Bhutan’s very modest tourist arrivals make it incumbent that all the hotels built are of corresponding small size.  A big hotel could be one with not more than 80 double rooms! A very important segment of super deluxe boutique hotels such as the Aman Resorts available in 5 locations, Uma Cumo Resort Paro, Le Meridien hotels in Thimphu and Paro, other international brands Six Senses, Dhensa have opened to fave reviews and eclectic clientle.  Asian – Bhrikuti will provide the accommodation as per client’s preference and up-grades available.

RESTAURANTS / FOOD

Dining is a mix of Continental, Pan Asian including Chinese, Indian, Thai cuisine, delicious Bhutanese meals and for those adventurous a dash of the famous hot chillies "emma dazi" the Bhutanese love.  Emphasis is on fresh vegetables, rice and noodles with chicken, beef and pork.  Meals are often served buffet style.  Both fresh and canned fruits and juices from orchards in the south are frequently offered.  Hotel bars are stocked with more local than foreign liquor, bottled beer and mineral water

ALTITUDE & ROADS

All roads are mountain highways often winding along scenic river valleys or going up high passes and forests.  Since traffic is very light it is a delight to travel here.  Mode of transport within the country is by a fleet of modern mini-buses, cars and 4-wheel drive vehicles.  There are no domestic airlines or trains.  Roads are uniformly well maintained and  connect to all major sightseeing places. The mountainous terrain restrict the average speed of vehicles to less than about 40 km per hour. The mean average altitude of the towns being not much over 3000 metre, travellers do not experience any situation caused by high altitude.

THE PEOPLE

With the opening of roads, small towns have sprung up and visitors can occasionally find modern automobiles parked in front of centuries old temples.  But most of Bhutan continues to live as it has for hundreds of years – in rustic, rural homes surrounded by fields of rice, maize, buckwheat and wheat or, at higher altitudes in nomadic tents woven of yak hair.  This life close to nature has moulded the hardy charter of the Bhutanese.

ETHNIC ORIGINS

The Bhutanese fall into 3 broad ethnic groups – the Sharchops who live mostly in the east, the Ngalops living in the western part of Bhutan and Lhotsampa people of Nepalese origin who are in the south.  In the high reaches live nomadic yak herders.  The mid-hill valley are inhabited by farmers and the foothills support trading communities and orchards.

LANGUAGE

The national language is Dzongkha and each region has its own dialect.  English has been the principal medium of instruction in public schools since the 1960’s and is spoken by many.  Nepali is also widely used in the country.

COSTUME

The national dress of the country is Kira and Gho which is worn as a matter of rule.  The women wear the Kira a long finely woven dress secured at the waist by a cotton belt.  Under it is worn a silk or cotton long sleeved blouse “thyogho”. The men wear Gho similar to the Tibetan dress, a sort of highland plaid with a huge fold above the belt forming a pouch.  Under this is worn a long sleeved shirt with broad cuff. 

ARCHERY

Archers throughout take great pride in hitting any portion of a dinner plate sized target placed 140 metre away with traditional bow and now increasingly with modern bow.  Every village has its own archery teams and range; high spirited competitions take place as part of every festival. It is a delight to watch as each team compete in a surreal and enthusiastic way.

Bhutan the mystical Kingdom  is a destination for all seasons and is welcoming of all visitors.  

Choose and Book a Bhutan holiday to enjoy its many beautifull places and people!