MAP OF BHUTAN

HIGH VALUE, LOW IMPACT TOURISM POLICY
Tourism is one of the largest generators of foreign exchange for Bhutan. Inspired by the Buddhist view of inter-dependence between man and nature, the tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, and for this reason, the number of tourists visiting Bhutan is kept on an environmentally manageable level. Since Bhutan is just too small for mass tourism, and to avoid the negative impacts that mass tourism could have on Bhutan, the government adopted a cautious national tourism policy of High Value, Low Impact. This national policy enables Bhutan to share its traditions and culture with the world, and in turn expects the visitors to be sensitive to its heritage, its spirit and, its culture.
You can plan to trek and tour in Bhutan through us. Travelers are required to travel on a pre-planned and pre-paid guided tour.

TREKKING IN BHUTAN
Trekking in Bhutan is unique and a wonderful experience, and vary from short three-day walks across low altitudes to even 21 days of high altitude climb. Few sights on earth can equal the power, beauty, and the majestic views of the Himalayan peaks that provide a sense of wonder, and a point of contemplation for trekkers along the way. Trekking in Bhutan offers a combination of natural discovery and an insight into the Bhutan’s delicate and unique way of life. Trekkers will come across breath-taking mountains capes, ancient monasteries, crystal lakes, and will be taken through deep forests, and will come across a variety of flora and fauna. In the northern part of Bhutan, that climbs as high as 5500 meters high, you will come across grasslands, pastures for yaks and other livestock, meadows and yak herders. Tour and trekking guides, trained and certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan will accompany, and guide you every step of the trek. Provisions and luggage are carried by mountain horses / yaks. The horseman and cook will usually run ahead during a trek, and will have prepared meals, set up tents, and readied the area for the arriving trekkers. All guides speak fluent English, and are well versed about Bhutan’s history, traditions and culture.

GUIDES
All Bhutanese tour and trekking guides are certified and licensed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. The Council also guides, monitors, and regulates the tourism industry. All guides undergo periodic examination to upgrade their knowledge and services, and speak fluent English. Guides meet their groups on arrival at Paro airport and remain with them until their departure.

MONEY
The Bhutanese currency is called the Ngultrum and is officially pegged to the Indian Rupee, which is also accepted in Bhutan. Ngultrum will be required for shopping and personal expenses outside the capital. Foreign currency is exchangeable on arrival at the airport, or in banks. Banking hours are from 9am to 3pm (in winter) and from 9am to 4pm (the rest of the year) Mondays to Fridays and 9am to 12 noon on Saturdays.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Bhutan’s landscape, buildings and people are some of the most photogenic in the world. While photographic local people, it is always better to take permission first. There are certain places you can take photograph such as Dzongs, monasteries and temples from outside only, if you are uncertain about whether or not photography is permitted, please check with your local guide. You should refrain from taking pictures of military installations.

SHOPPING

Some popular handicraft items available for purchase are hand-woven textiles of raw silk or silk, carved masks of various animals, woven baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, handmade paper products or finely crafted gods of silver. Other items you may be interested in are the exquisite Buddhist thangkha paintings or Bhutan’s wide array of colorful and creative postage stamps. You can come across these items in the many handicraft shops in and around Thimphu and in other major towns. Please remember that buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.

GRATUTIES

Tipping is a purely personal matter. We leave it up to you as to whether you want to give a gratuity to your guides and drivers. However, if doing so, we recommend that you place the gratuity in an envelope.

COMMUNICATION

The country has a good network of telecommunication facilities. Most hotels and cafe’s offer Wi-Fi Internet access. Bhutan has a comprehensive mobile (cell) phone network with global roaming also assessable.

CLOTHES & OTHER PARAPHENALIA

With great altitudinal variations, weather is quite mixed in Bhutan. So be prepared to face the unforeseen weather conditions.

We expect visitors to dress modestly and respectfully especially if you are planning a visit to the monasteries, Dzongs and other religious institutions. Long pants and long sleeved tops should be worn when visiting such places. As a mark of respect, be kind enough to remove your hats, caps etc. as you enter religious and administrative premises, institutions and in any other place that you come across with the national flag being raised.

PRECAUTIONS

Bhutan is one of the safest countries in the world however you should still exercise caution when visiting. Please ensure that your belongings especially your passports, cameras, wallets and purses are properly secured. Please refrain from leaving such items within sight or in locked vehicles while sightseeing.

Avoid drinking tap water which has not been boiled or ice cubes in drinks at all times as most water sources in Bhutan are untreated. One can easily acquire affordable treated and bottled water. 

Also, Bhutan has a duty to protect its citizens from drugs and tobacco products. To do this we need your help and cooperation. Please co-operate if stopped and asked about your baggage. Please do not carry tobacco goods in excess of the set limit. For more information please see following link. Tobacco Control Act

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Public holidays are observed throughout the nation. However, each Dzongkhag has its own list of regional holidays that are observed especially during the annual Tshechus (Religious festivals). For such a list, please contact your service provider or travel agent.

CUSTOMS
The Royal Government of Bhutan strictly prohibits and monitors the export of any religious antiquity or antiques of any form and kind. Personal electronic devices and a reasonable amount of cigarettes and alcohol are permitted into the kingdom.

ACOMODATION
Hotels vary in style and quality, and are generally considered of the highest quality by Bhutanese standards. Most hotel, guesthouses and lodges are clean and well maintained, and offer simple comforts and culinary fare. All hotels are reasonably well equipped with running hot water, telephones, and Internet and fax machines. Hotels accept bookings on a first-come first served basis. The Tourism Council Authority of Bhutan categorizes and monitors the quality of accommodation in the country. For trekking, campsites are established by us, and on some trails, you may also stay in farmhouses.

NOTE: If you wish to stay in one of the luxury resorts (Uma, Amankora,Le Meridan, Zhiwaling, or Taj Tashi), you will need to make an additional payment to us . We will be glad to make a reservation for you, but our tour rate does not cover the high cost of these resorts. Our rate covers tourist-standard accommodations only.

FOOD AND DRINKS
Most hotels and lodges in Bhutan offer delicious Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese, Continental cuisine, and are normally a mixture of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items on buffet style.
The national favourite;Ema Datsi(literally chilli and cheese) has spun into numerous variations like Kewa Datsi(potato and cheese),Shamu datsi (mushroom and cheese),Nakey Datsi(fiddleheads and cheese).These dishes are served with ample portions of indigenous red rice. Mushrooms, asparagus, a wide variety of chilies, a number of spices and vegetables are also prepared with beef, chicken, pork, dried yak meat, to make dishes that resemble elements of both Chinese and Indian cuisine. This would be most standard fare in most Bhutanese restaurants, but do tell them how much chili you would like in your meal. Bhutanese delicacies are normally tempered to the taste of the visitors. Evening meals are buffet style in the hotels. Lunches are often prepared from the last hotel and eaten on the road. Momo(dumpling) is available either as cheese momo or with minced meat. Buckwheat pancakes and noodles replace rice as the favorite staple in Bumthang. In addition to locally produced beer and spirits, there are also a number of local favorite beverages like suja(butter tea) and local brew called ara(distilled from rice, barley or corn).

LANGUAGE
You will get by comfortably if you speak English. English has been the language of educational instruction since 1964 and is widely spoken. The national language,Dzongkha, is widely used and Bhutanese are generally multi-lingual, speaking Dzongkha, Sharchopkha (eastern dialect) and Lhotshamkha(Nepali).Also a number of locals can understand and speak Hindi.

TIME ZONE
Bhutan has only one time zone for the entire country. Bhutan is six hours ahead of GMT, 30 minutes ahead of India, one hour behind Thailand, and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal.

The country code is + 975.