Bhutan Travel
Bhutan is a nation famous for lying peacefully nestled amidst the lofty heights of the Himalayas . The total number of tourists arriving in Bhutan in 2011 was around 66,000 of which 64,028 were high-end tourists.
The Bhutanese tourism industry earned 47.68 million from tourists last year . Last year, 36,765 international tourists travelled to Bhutan. Of these 10,129 were international business travellers, 10,552 were regional high-end business travellers, and 716 were other international tourists. A majority of tourists who pay a minimum daily rate of USD 250 during peak season and USD 200 during off-season are from the USA. Other countries from which many tourists travel to Bhutan are Japan, China, United Kingdom, Germany, Thailand, Australia, France, Singapore and Canada. Bhutan has followed a policy of regulating tourist inflow to preserve its unique heritage and culture.
The two of the seasons which are considered as the best time to travel in Bhutan are spring and autumn. But the natural beauty of Bhutan is capable of drawing tourists in winter and summer too. Nature lovers can try to come during the spring as various flower festivals in Bhutan are in store for them. These festivals are held during May and the end of April. Tourists can also participate in the colourful rally of Bhutan's king. During autumn, the weather is just perfect to travel around the country. It is also famous for its festivals like harvest festivals and the Black-necked Crane Festival. But if any traveler wants to avoid the chilliness and high tariffs, then they should visit Bhutan during the summer. Summer can offer greener views and clear skies with vibrant beauty of nature. Winter is suitable for those travelers who don't like crowds. Winter in Bhutan offers many beautiful scenes like watching cranes and the Himalayan skyline in all their glory.
How to reach
Every tourist (except the nationals of Maldives, Bangladesh and India) should get their visa before their departure. Visitors can reach Bhutan by:
1.Bus: from India
2.By Air: There are planes routes from Bhutan that reach Bangkok, Kolkata, Dhaka, Gaya, Delhi and Guwahati. These planes land in Paro international airport. This is the only entry point of Bhutan. Recently Bhutan has introduced another airport where flights from Singapore and Mumbai are operated.
3.Car: There are a total of 3 border check posts along the border with India. Border crossings are generally not a free pass affair. During car travel, the road permit and visa should be processed properly by the local operators of the tour.
4.Train: Bhutan does not have its own railway network. So the best way is to reach Hasimara in India from the Kolkata-Siliguri line and cross the borders by car. Visitors can also take a train to Jalpaiguri and then reach Bhutan by bus or shared taxi.
Local Transport
Bhutan has innumerable ways of transport. The common ways of transport are:
1.By bus: The roads of Bhutan have many steep turns and twists, but still it is safe for driving. The local bus services are not very comfortable but are useful going one place to another. Generally the tour guides arrange for a driver and a vehicle but the costs of the arrangement are included in the tariff.
2.By car: Driving a car in the Bhutan needs a road permit. It is not advisable to drive a car in Bhutan just to experience the thrill. But the visitors can rent a car and a driver for a comfortable and planned journey.
3.By air: Paro is the primary airport in Bhutan. Travelling by air is the most comfortable way to view the beautiful countryside of Bhutan.
Hotel
There are many types of hotels which are available for travelers in Bhutan. There are many options for staying, ranging from luxurious resorts to small lodges. Some common accommodation types are:
1.Home stays: This is one of the most popular accommodation options. In this type of stay, the visitors are allowed to stay in a traditional house in Bhutan with all basic facilities. It provides privacy and helps the visitor to feel at home. The host cooks delicious meals and helps the visitor to live a completely traditional life.
2.Hotels: Hotels are rated from 5 stars to no stars. Most hotels come with amenities like TV, spas, fitness center, room service and a hygienic environment.
3.Farm Stays: In this type of accommodation, the visitors can watch and learn many different things about the traditional Bhutanese culture. They can watch their daily routine and enjoy the warm hospitality.
4.Resorts: Resorts and hotel are similar but the resorts are more comfortable and the facilities which are provided are much better than hotels besides being more expensive.
Food
The food in Bhutan is characterized by the level of its spiciness. Chillies are an important part of every Bhutanese dish. The staple part of every meal consists of rice and 2 or 3 side dishes. These side dishes generally consist of vegetables and meat. The types of meat which are eaten are pork, beef and chicken. Grains like rice, barley and buckwheat are the main type of food grains produced here. Vegetables like onions, green beans, river weed, turnips, spinach, pumpkins, radishes, tomatoes are found in Bhutan. Some Bhutanese dishes are:
- Momos: Dumplings which are stuffed with pork, cheese, cabbages etc.
- Red rice: Soft and pale pink colored rice filled with nutrition.
- Jasha maru: This is special type chicken minced with spicy tomatoes.
- Tripe: It is one of the meat dishes with lots of chilli powder.
- Ema Datshi: A mixture of green beans, mushrooms, potatoes, ferns and cheese. It can also have yak cheese.
In Bhutan, the travelers can shop for traditional and ethnic souvenirs like wood carvings, bamboo items, colorful masks, stamps, silk, bronze and silver items, hand woven items, religious thangkas, paper products, and paintings of Buddha etc. Thimpu is a haven for any shopaholic. But antiques can't be allowed out of the country so it's better not to buy them. Everything found in Bhutan is truly vibrant and beautiful. Weaving is like the national handcraft of Bhutan and you will find hand-woven items displayed in many stores. Traditional robes are also very popular like the dresses worn by the Bhutanese men and women. These dresses are expensive but very beautiful. The dresses are made of hand-woven wool. They are revered for their beautiful patterns.
Popular things
Bhutan is a mountainous country that is unprecedentedly popular for its festivals, beautiful scenes, clothes, handcraft, temples and many more. The most popular things in Bhutan are:
- Dappa: These are wooden handmade bowls. They are generally used to take cooked food from one place to another. They are made up of two halves. These halves tightly fit with each other. They are also used in making salad.
- Bangchung: These are small traditional hand-woven bamboo baskets. They also have two halves that fit with each other.
- Woven cloth: Woollen clothes of Bhutan are famous worldwide. The woven items like wall hangings, rugs, table mats, and clothes are world famous.
- Yathra: It is a woollen item which is dyed by using various colors. They are generally very bright and beautiful. The dye is done by natural colors. This item is sold in pieces or can be sewn. The sewed items like rugs, bags, jackets and wall hangings are quite common.
Here are some of the tips which can make your tour to Bhutan, a pleasant experience. These tips are just some advice which can be taken into action during the travel to plan a safe journey. These tips are:
1.Travel insurance: The Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan has made a medical insurance and travel plan exclusively for foreign travelers from other countries. This insurance plan is provided by the international traveling agency or the Bhutanese travel agency.
2.Money factor: Denominations like 500 and 1000 in INR are not accepted here. Some ATMs is present in the main town of Bhutan, which allows withdrawal of money by using a VISA, bankcard or MasterCard.
3.Electricity: Take an adaptor while travelling.
4.Photography: Photography is not permitted in temples, monasteries and religious institutions, but images of nature can be taken without any problem.
5.Customs: Visitors are allowed to bring more than 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of spirits in a single trip.
Cost to Travel
Tourism in Bhutan is a result of the joint association between the government and the travel agencies. There is a minimum tariff introduced by the government. This daily tariff includes accommodation, land transport, food and a tour guide. Generally the daily tariff value of a group of tourist, which has more than three members, is US $250 per day. During summer this tariff is reduced to $200. To encourage the tourists, various types of discounts are also used. Tourism department of Bhutan allows a big 20% discount in tariff from the 21st day and 10% discount after the 11th day of the stay. Sometimes surcharges are also introduced at the daily rate. If a member of the group departs and arrives via different flights then $40 per night for one person and $30 for two is introduced. There are many extra costs like liquor cost, riding horse, hot stone bath etc. which are typically provided by the guide. These are the one time facilities which can be enjoyed in Bhutan only. The availability of these facilities is under the guides.
How many days are enough to travel?
Well Bhutan may appear to be a small country on the map, but it is actually large in reality, as there's so much to see. Generally 5-6 days is enough to travel across the whole country, but if someone wishes to learn more about its culture then they should stay for around 10-15 days. This trip can help the tourist to enjoy the natural beauty and also isolate them from all the tensions and stresses of their life. So the travelers should plan their tour from the start and should take help from the tour guides. Also booking of cars or transport should be done from the start to enjoy everything in good time.
Tourism department contacts:
Bhutan has many embassies across the world, which facilitate international tourists who plan to visit Bhutan. Some of their contact details are given below: In Thailand: The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok - address: Jewelry Trade Center Building, Rm. 1907, 19th Floor, 919/1 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500.
Tel: 2671722, 630119
Fax: 6301193.
In Canada: Honorary Consul of Bhutan - address: 150 Isabella Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 1V7.
Tel :( 613) 232-1222
Fax :( 613)569-4667
In U.S.: Consulate General of Bhutan - address: 2 UN Plaza, 27th Floor, New York NY 10017
Fax :( 212) 826-2998
Tel :( 212) 826-1919
In Hong Kong: Honorary Consul of Bhutan - address: 32/F, New World Tower, 16-18 Queens' Road, Central, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 28443117, 2844-3111,
Fax: (852) 25247652
Email: joycecheung@nwd.com.hk
In India: Royal Bhutanese Embassy - address: - Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021.
Fax: 6876710
Tel: 609217/ 609218
Emergency Contact Numbers
Most of the places in Bhutan have a good range of networks. The international code of dialing for Bhutan is 975. Also the official site of Bhutan travel i.e. Tourism Council of Bhutan is there to provide any kind of information needed by any visitor. If any visitor needs help they can seek help from the local police. For further assistance they can contact their country's embassy situated in Bhutan.
For more information on any topic the Bhutanese Tourism department can be reached at:
Post box number 126, Thimphu, Bhutan
Phone: +975-2-323251 and +975-2-323252
Fax: +975-2-323695
Email address: info@tourism.gov.bt.
Places to Visit in Bhutan
- Paro
- Taktsang Monastery
- Phuentsholing
- Thimphu
- Trashi Chhoe Dzong
- Bumthang
- Punakha
- Haa Valley
- Taktsang Temple
Last Updated on : 01/10/2013
