Best
Seasons and Temperature
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in
general, the east of Bhutan is warmer than the
west of the country. The central valley of Punakha,
Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntse
enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters,
while Thimphu, Trongsa and Bumthang have a much
harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the
summer and heavy snow fall in winter. Winter in
Bhutan starts from mid-November till mid-March,
and at this time of the year the climate is dry
with day time temperature of 16-18° C and
night time temperature falling below zero. The
monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the
rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
Autumn starts from the end of September, after
the last of the big rains, and it is a magnificent
season for trekking-lasting till mid-November.
|
Place |
Jan / Feb
|
Mar / Apr |
May / June |
July / Aug |
Sep / Oct |
Nov / Dec |
| Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
| Paro |
+13 |
+3 |
+15 |
+3 |
+23 |
+13 |
+25 |
+15 |
+22 |
+10 |
+12 |
+3 |
| Thimphu |
+14 |
0 |
+16 |
+6 |
+22 |
+14 |
+27 |
+17 |
+20 |
+13 |
+16 |
+1 |
| Punakha |
+18 |
+7 |
+24 |
+9 |
+22 |
+10 |
+26 |
+13 |
+25 |
+11 |
+22 |
+9 |
| Wangdi |
+17 |
+7 |
+24 |
+11 |
+28 |
+18 |
+29 |
+20 |
+26 |
+17 |
+22 |
+7 |
| Trongsa |
+12 |
+1 |
+16 |
+2 |
+20 |
+14 |
+18 |
+14 |
+17 |
+13 |
+16 |
+9 |
| Bumthang |
+10 |
+1 |
+16 |
+5 |
+18 |
+10 |
+21 |
+13 |
+19 |
+11 |
+15 |
+2 |
| Mongar |
+23 |
+10 |
+27 |
+11 |
+30 |
+20 |
+35 |
+22 |
+30 |
+18 |
+25 |
+8 |
| Trashigang |
+16 |
+4 |
+19 |
+7 |
+20 |
+13 |
+22 |
+14 |
+20 |
+11 |
+16 |
+9 |
ACCOMMODATION
There are comfortable Hotel and Resorts at all
tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better
hotels, Resorts and Luxury hotels while in central and eastern part of the
country, accommodation establishments are simple
and offer minimum facilities. We use the best accommodations, certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan as "A" grade Hotels and Resorts.
CURRENCY
Ngultrum: It has the same value as Indian Rupee. One US $ is roughly
equal to 42 Ngulturms. The most of the shops in
Bhutan does not accept credits cards except in
few handicraft emporiums. You can cash Traveler’s
cheques at any banks, most hotels and the foreign
exchange counter at the airport.
PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMING
REGULATIONS
The photographic opportunities on all trips are
immense. You will also wish to record the local
people, their houses and shops etc. You can always
ask by gesture, if it’s ok to take pictures.
Also while visiting Dzongs, monasteries, and religious
institutions, please follow your guide’s
instruction carefully. Photography inside the
Dzongs and monuments are not allowed. Although
films and batteries are available locally, it
is best to bring it yourself.
FILMING IN BHUTAN
The rules and rates for filming in Bhutan differ
from that of normal treks and tours. Tourists
or professionals intent on filming in Bhutan must
abide by the Bhutanese Filing Regulations, 1995,
available with the implementing agency, the Tourism Council of Bhutan. (The regulation does not apply to
feature or cinematographic films). Applications
for a filming permit must be submitted to the
Tourism Council of Bhutan at least 30 days in advance.
The application must be accompanied by:
a. Synopsis of the film ~ theme/background/objective/purpose/
b. Specific locations/objects/activities
c. Composition of the team and list of equipment,
accessories/ consumables (members of the team
will have to pay the full daily tourist tariff)
Letter of recommendation from sponsoring agency
(application forms can be obtained from the DOT
on payment of Nu/300.00)
FILMING ROYALTY
1. First 30 Minutes or part thereof ~ US $10,000
2. Next 30 Minutes or part thereof ~ US $6,000
3. Every additional 30 Minutes or part there of
US $3,000
In addition a security deposit of US $5,000 must
be deposited with the DOT. This deposit will be
refunded upon completion of the film to the satisfaction
of the DOT.
MEDICAL & HEALTH
Anyone who enjoys out door life and is physically
fit can participate on our treks and tours. How
ever some treks maybe rigorous and difficult because
of high altitude and therefore a good training
of fitness for at least a month at home is required
for treks going to an altitude in excess of 4000
mts/1500 ft. there are no compulsory vaccinations
for travel to Bhutan or within the continent.
However it is recommended that you be protected
against Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis
A, Malaria, especially if you are traveling out
of Bhutan. If you have heart condition, please
check with the doctor to ensure that it is ok
to undertake high altitude treks.
CLOTHING
The wide range of temperature does not make dressing
easy. From May to Sep. cotton clothes are sufficient,
plus a woolen sweater or light jacket. From November
to the end of April, on the other hand, you will
need very warm clothes including long underwear
or woolen tights to wear under trousers, and down
jacket or coat.
CUSTOMS
Export of antiques, plants or animal products
are strictly prohibited. Cameras, video cameras,
computers and personal electronic equipment must
be declared on arrival and will be checked upon
departure.
SAFETY
The crime rate in Bhutan is very low; the country
lives up to its epithet of the Land of Peaceful
Dragon. Even so there are Police Stations in almost
all districts.
LIABILITY
“Bhutan Bigfoot Trekkers (Tours) ” acts as intermediary
between the concerned operators provide the services.
Bhutan Bigfoot Trekkers (Tours) is therefore not responsibility
for any loss, injury or damage sustained by the
tourists, including those occurring outside the
touring programmes. Additional expenses, natural
disaster. Political actions and unrest must be
borne by the tourists. No refund will be available
in the event of any route or itinerary changes.
PASSPORT
A valid passport is required for all nationals at least six months
except Indians.
CUSTOMS AND REGULATION
The Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibit the
export of any religious Antiquity or antiques
of any type. All personal electronics, Cameras,
Video Cameras, Computers and personal electronic
equipment may be brought into the country but
they must be listed on the customs form provided
on arrival at Paro and will be checked on departure.
Two liters of Alcohol and reasonable quantity
of cigarettes may be brought in to the country
without duty.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic
conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate
clothing. From May to September normal traveling
cloths plus a light woolen sweater or a light
jacket and a light walking boots are sufficient.
From November to end of April,
you will need very warm cloths including underwear
or woolen tights to wear under trousers, thick
socks, strong boots and down jacket.
You will be offending people if you walk around
in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there
are normally opportunities to wear skirts or loose
trousers, men should not wear singlets. During
visit of monasteries, Dzongs and other religious
sites, you should not wear shorts and hats.
The following is a fairly exhaustive list of what
you should pack for the trip:
Clothes as per season, sunglasses/spare glasses
or contact lenses, pair of casual shoes, washing
kit, shaving kit, towel, hat umbrella, camera,
film and accessories, maps, insect repellent,
hand cream, small sewing kit & safety pins,
torch or flash light with spare batteries, mirror,
sun screen cream, lip salve or soluble aspirin,
antiseptic cream, preparation for the relief of
sunburn. You may not be tuned to the Asian drugs
so it is always better to bring own brand
FOOD AND DRINKS
Bhutanese food is a tantalizing blend of hot Himalayan
flavours. Northern Indian cuisine mixes with the
chillies of the Tibetan plateau and traditional
recipes from Bhutan's villages to create sizzling
and memorable tastes. Chanterelle mushrooms, apricots,
asparagus, a wide variety of chillis and a host
of spices grow in abundance in Bhutan's valleys.
These spices, fruits and vegetables are prepared
with beef, chicken, pork, and dried yak or with
each other to make dishes that resemble elements
of both Chinese and Indian cuisine. Bhutanese
dishes are traditionally served with ample portions
of indigenous red rice. The food prepared for
tourists is tempered to western taste. The tourism
authority imported the knowledge of selected European
hotel experts to improve the quality of food and
beverage.
THINGS TO BUY
Thangkas : Thangkas are Buddhist paintings, usually
on canvas. Traditionally, they are mounted on
a background of brocade and hung by a stick sewn
across the top. You can also buy an un-mounted
painting.
Textiles : Hand-woven cotton fabric is the most
traditional and useful item you can buy in Bhutan.
The quality is almost always good, but the price
will vary depending on the intricacy of the design
and whether any expensive imported silk is used
in the weaving
Handmade paper: is available in large sheets and
is packaged into handy packets of letter-writing
size.
Carpet manufacturing: is recent innovation in
Bhutan.
Handicrafts: Bhutan boasts a variety of high quality
handicrafts.
Other Items : Brass statues and Buddhist ritual
items, such as bells, cymbals, trumpets and dorjees
are available form specialist shops. Jewellery
and other silver items are best purchased from
a reputable shop or from the artisans themselves.
Excellent wood pieces can be bought. Useful items
such as picture frames and furniture is available,
as are wooden masks similar to those used in the
tshechu dances. Wooden bowls, either plain or
lined with silver, are a speciality of eastern
Bhutan.
Bamboo work is available in most of the handicraft
shops and sometimes at roadside stalls. The round
bangchung baskets are a typical Bhutanese item.
Another unusual item are the large bamboo pipes
covered with weaving that is used for carrying
local liquor.
POST & COMMUNICATION
The Bhutanese postal system is reliable, you can
send mails from hotels and post offices and no
special procedures are necessary. If you mail
cards or letters from the Thimphu post office,
you can buy exotic Bhutan postage stamps from
the philatelic bureau and use them on your letters
and postcards. Bhutan Post offers outgoing EMS
[expedited mail service], which is a reliable
and fast international mail delivery facility
that is cheaper than courier services. It also
has a LUM [local urgent mail] service for delivery
within Bhutan. DHL is the only international courier
to operate from Bhutan.
Most of the country’s major towns have both
domestic and international direct dial facilities.
Nearly all hotels and some PCOs have facilities
to send and receive faxes. Bhutan has its own
Internet and email services in 1999.
DISTANCE & DRIVING
All mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor
vehicle as there is no domestic airline or trains.
However, motor roads are well maintained and link
all parts of the country. The mountainous terrain
and winding roads restrict the average driving
speed of vehicle to less than 35 - 40 kilometers per
hour.
| From |
To |
Distance
[in Km] |
Driving
Time [approx] |
| Thimphu |
Paro |
54 |
2 Hrs. |
| Thimphu |
Phuntsholing |
172 |
6 Hrs. |
| Thimphu |
Wangdue Phodrang |
70 |
3 Hrs. |
| Thimphu |
Punakha |
76 |
3 Hrs. |
| Punakha |
Wangdue Phodrang |
17 |
40 Mins. |
| Wangdue Phodrang |
Trongsa |
129 |
5 Hrs. |
| Trongsa |
Bumthang |
68 |
3 Hrs. |
| Bumthang |
Mongar |
198 |
7 Hrs. |
| Mongar |
Lhuntshi |
76 |
3 Hrs. |
| Mongar |
Trashigang |
91 |
3 Hrs. |
| Trashigang |
Chorten Kora |
52 |
2 Hrs. |
| Trashigang |
Samdrup Jongkhar |
180 |
7 Hrs. |
| Samdrup Jongkhar |
Guwahati (India) |
110 |
3 Hrs. |
| Samdrup Jongkhar |
Phuentsholing |
380 |
10 Hrs. |
| Phuntsholing |
Bagdogara |
170 |
4 Hrs |
TIME
Bhutan time is GMT/UTC plus 06 hours; there is
only one time zone throughout the country. The
time in Bhutan is 30 minutes later than India,
15 minutes later than Nepal and one hour earlier
than Thailand.
Bhutan Information
National Symbol
The rectangular national flag of Bhutan is diagonally
segmented and depicts a wide dragon across the
middle. The upper part of the flag is golden yellow,
which represents the secular power of the King,
while the lower part is orange, which is indicative
of the Buddhist influence. The Dragon, whose white
color is associated with purity, represents Bhutan.
It holds jewels in its claws, which represents
the wealth and perfection of the country.
The National emblem, contained in circle, is
composed of a double diamond thunderbolt placed
above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and framed
by two dragons. The double diamond thunderbolt
represents the harmony between secular and religious
power; which results from the Buddhist religion
in its varying form. The lotus symbolizes the
purity; the jewel-sovereign power; and the two
dragons, male and female stand for the name of
the country-the thunder.
National day is celebrated on the 17th December
in commemoration of the ascension of Ugyen Wangchuk,
the first King of Bhutan to the throne, at Punakha
Dzong.
Population: 752, 000
Location: Located in the eastern
Himalayas; Bhutan is bordered Tibet in the north
and the Indian states of Assam and west Bengal
in the east west and south.
Area: 47000 sq. km
Altitude: Varying from 180mmetres
to 7550 meters above the sea level.
Capital: Thimphu
Local Time: Six hours ahead of
GMT and half an hour ahead of Indian Standard
Time.
Religion: Buddhism
National Sport: Archery
National Tree: Cypress
National Flower: Blue Poppy
National Bird: Raven
National: Takin
Official Language: Dzongkha
Economy: Agriculture and livestock
raising is the main stay of the economy. It contributes
about 45% to GNP. More than 90% of the people
live on subsistence farming. The farms are narrow
pieces of land cut into terraces on hill slopes.
Forestry contributes 15% to GNP and industry and
mining 10%. |
