Tourist guide - Thimphu Tours and Travel

Reviewed by: Holiday in Bhutan Tours & Travels Rating:

Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas bordered by China in the north and the India states of Arunachal Pradesh in the east, Assam, Sikkim in the west and West Bengal in south. The natural beauty of Bhutan is characterized by the environment that has made it stunning and captivating to visitors and the environment is as diverse as its culture. Bhutan is also known as “The Land of the Thunder Dragon” which means an existing culture and one of the last living examples of a rich Himalayan society. Bhutan today is considered to be one of the top ten destinations with its rich culture and vast biodiversity.

The pristine environment is home to exotic wild life and also for the endangered species like the black necked crane, the blue sheep, the golden langur and the Royal Bengal tiger. The country is 65 percent under forest cover currently and more than 26 percent of land is under the protected areas which comprises of four national parks. The rugged mountains and enchanting valleys, winding rivers and colorful lakes, tall shady trees and exquisite flowers make Bhutan a fascinating land and nature's veritable paradise on earth. Bhutan is one of the best examples of sustainable eco-tourism which is inspired by the Buddhist view of the interdependence between man and nature.

Bhutan is a sacred land with deeply spiritual people. Buddhism and Hinduism are both practiced. As you travel inside Bhutan you will come across stupas or chorten and monasteries in the kingdom many of which were built centuries ago. Bhutan is divided into four regions western, central, eastern and southern. A tiny speck on the world map, with an area of 38, 394 sq/km altitudes varying from 180m – 7550m, above sea level. The northern half of the country one encounters a series of valleys separated by mountain ranges which are accessible only through high passes and motor able roads. The foothills upward the whole country is a criss- cross valley and ranges. This mountainous terrain naturally results in a variety of climates, from tropical to extreme cold. The northern part forms the Greater Himalaya with majestic ranges clothed in perennial snow, its rugged peaks rising to more than 7200 meters. The central part lies at the foot of the towering snow clad northern mountains with valleys at heights of between 1800-2700 meters. The Valley of the middle region of eastern Bhutan is comparatively narrow between 900-1800 meters high. The Southern consists of low foothills covered with tropical forests and the summers are warm with torrential rains.

The Bhutanese follow a remarkable way of life with unique traditions and culture little changed from thousands of years ago. The rich cultural heritage of Bhutan still exists as a living culture where age old traditions have not been forgotten even today. The people are very simple, friendly and fun loving and there are nineteen languages spoken in the country. The people from the western region are described as Ngalongs, from the east Scharshops and the Lhotsampas who are of ethnic Nepali origin from the south. There are several communities who have lived in isolation for many years in their own communities keeping their traditional practices alive. The Doyas live in the south, the Layaps in the north-west, the Monpas of central Bhutan and the nomads of Merak Sakten in eastern region.

Today, the kingdom of Bhutan is stepping into the 21st century, but keeping alive its past traditions, culture and heritage, it is determined to balance with the new changing world that will have a remarkable identity of its own. Tourism in Bhutan is known for its high value, low volume and the philosophy GNH (Gross National Happiness) which is the national policy. The policy asks every visitor to be careful or sensitive to social, cultural and environmental system as we are trying to preserve the best of its traditions in a fast changing world.

You can experience Bhutan, where you can be with nature at its finest and witness the unique lifestyle, traditions and culture in this peaceful land on the top of the world. You can be sure your vacation will be memorable.

You will experience one of the most fascinating journeys ever traveled across the globe with a totally different experience in the Hidden Kingdom also known as “The Last Shangri-La on Earth”.

Tourism Policy

The tourism policy in Bhutan is “high value low volume”, and to preserve its old age traditions, culture and heritage trying to balance between the past and the present keeping it intact and unchanged in this modern era.

Visa:
All travelers visiting Bhutan will require visa, except for Indian travelers. Visa is issued only when a confirmed booking through a Bhutanese tour operator has been made.

Visa has to be approved before arriving in Bhutan or prior to air ticketing. Visas would be processed only after the confirmation of your travel with your local tour operator.

Visa clearance takes at least 7days to process and air tickets cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry the visa will be stamped on your passport, two passport size photos will be required. Bhutanese Embassies and missions abroad do not issue visa for entry to Bhutan. The visa processing fee is US$20 which has to be paid along with the tour fees. Visa is issued for 15 days period only. Visa can be extended in Thimphu if you intend to extend your stay in Bhutan and visa extension fee of Nu.510/- for each passport should be paid.

Entering / Leaving
By Air:
You can travel by air to Bhutan. The Druk-Air flies from Bangkok, New Delhi, Dacca, Kathmandu and Kolkota.
(Flight schedules, rates and other flight information are available at www.drukair.com.bt)

By Land:
You can travel by land that is from India through the state of West Bengal That shares a border with Bhutan's border town Phuentsholing in the southwest.

Best time /seasons to visit:
Winter (December-February)
Summer (March-May)
Monsoon (June-Aug)
Autumn(Sept-Nov)

Daily Tariff:
The minimum tariff is priced US $ 200 per person/per day for visit to Bhutan. The daily tariff covers a package that include all internal taxes and charges including royalty, accommodation, all meals, services of licensed guides, internal transport. All visitors make a valuable contribution to the welfare system of the country

Time/Business Hours:
Bhutan standard time is six hours ahead of GMT and Bhutan is thirty (30) minutes ahead of Indian standard time, one hour behind Thailand and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal. Banks are open from Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and on Saturday till 12 pm is open and are closed during government holidays.

Government offices are open from 9 am to 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday during summers and in winters 9 am to 4 p.m. Business offices are open from 9 am to 5 p.m. International organizations are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Most shops open after 9 am and close at about 8 pm. Bhutan observes numerous holidays. Government offices observe all the
national holidays and banks observe most of them.

Currency & Credit Cards:
The Bhutanese currency is called Ngultrum and is at par with the Indian Rupee and both are used in Bhutan.
1 Ngultrum = 100 chetrum
1 Ngultrum = 1 rupee (Indian)
44 Ngultrum (approx) = US $ 1

Foreign currency is exchangeable at the airport or in banks and most travelers cheque are accepted. Some of the hotels accept American Express, VISA and JCB cards and some business establishment in places like Paro, Thimphu and Phuentsholing.

In general cash is more convenient while traveling in the other district.

Transportation:
Most of the places in Bhutan is well connected by road and getting around you can use a taxi, or use four wheel drive vehicle and for lager group of people, luxury buses are available.

Accommodation:
There are various hotels, lodges and guest houses located in different tourist destination, ranging from budget hotels to high end hotels & resorts. Most of the accommodation is basic but clean.

Shopping:
Bhutan is popular for its hand-woven textiles, cane and bamboo products, handicrafts, woven baskets handmade paper products, thangka paintings, wooden bowls, carved masks, textiles finely crafted metal objects and Bhutan's postage stamps.

Food:
Bhutanese food is usually hot and spicy. Most of the restaurants serve Bhutanese, Indian, and Chinese, Continental cuisine. There are specialty restaurants in the capital city which serve Thai, Chinese and Pizza's too.

Clothing:
Bhutan has different climatic conditions, so warm clothes are required during winter (Pullover, or thick jackets) and in summers cotton clothes are preferably better and a light jacket.

Electricity:
Electricity and voltage available is 220/240 volts, three-pin power round and two-pin outlets.

Tobacco products:
Any tobacco products and cigarettes are forbidden in the kingdom. For personal consumption passengers are permitted to bring 200 cigarettes (10 packets) on payment of 200 percent duty.
Alcoholic beverage up to 1 liter for personal consumption is allowed.

Communication Services:
Bhutan Telecom, provides IID services, ISD, STD and B-Mobile which is the service provider and is now almost well connected through out the country. Mobile phone which has GSM 900 can be used. Email is available in mostly every town as there are local internet café, in the hotel and some of the hotels provide you with the wireless internet facilities, ISD, STD and fax services. The STD code for Bhutan is 00975.

Bhutan Post is the general post office and has offices in every town where you can send postcards. It is open from 9 am – 5 pm from Monday – Friday (Sat till 12 pm).Parcels can be sent and received from Bhutan Post and also has Western Money Union Transfer.
DHL is also there to give you services.

Newspapers:
The major newspapers in Bhutan are:
Kuensel – English / Dzongkha (Wed & Sat),
Bhutan Times- English (Sunday)
Bhutan Observer - English (Sunday).
Bhutan Today

Radio:
Bhutan Broadcasting Service has different programs in short wave transmission.
There is FM Radio stations known as Kuzoo FM 90 that broadcasts from morning 6am – 9 p.m. daily

Television:
Bhutan Broadcasting Service transmits from 7:00 am. - 11a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. daily. Cable television is almost everywhere as of now where you can watch
different programme like CNN, BBC, Star Movies, Star Sports, Zee TV, HBO etc.

Category: Tour Operator

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