Tour Info
Accessibility:
Paro: The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the National Air Carrier Druk Air services Paro, Bhutan from the following countries: · India : Delhi & Calcutta · Nepal : Kathmandu · Thailand : Bangkok · Bangladesh : Dhaka. Druk Air is the only airline operating in Bhutan. Click here for the Druk air schedule. By land, if you want to combine your trip to Bhutan with a visit to nearby Indian States of West Bengal, Sikkim, and other northeastern states, you might want to enter or exit through a border town.
Phuentsholing: It is also possible to enter and exit Bhutan through Phuentsholing, the south-western Bhutanese border town. Bagdogra, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport and is approximately 4 hours drive away. For travelers wishing to visit Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsholing serves is probably the convenient Point of entry/exit.
Samdrup Jongkhar: Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup Jongkhar also. This Frontier Bhutanese town is approximately 3 hours drive from Guwahati, The capital town of Indian north eastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar is only and authorized exit point and is an important link for visiting further north eastern states in India.
*NOTE* As per Government Rules, It Is mandatory to travel at least one way by Druk Air, It Can Be Either Entry Or Exit Or Both. However, if Druk Air seats are not available, both entry and exit by surface is also permitted.
Money/Currency:
Bhutan unit of currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.), with 100 Chetrum = 1Ngultrum. The Ngultrum is fixed to the value of Indian rupee. Tourists are advised to carry their money in form of traveler checks (preferably American Express) with a little cash (US Dollars) which might be needed for incidental expenses. A few places accept visa and American express credit cards.
Language:
Dzongkha, 'the language of Dzong', is one of the Tibetan family of languages. Originally spoken only in western Bhutan, Dzongkha is now the Bhutanese national language. English is commonly spoken in main towns and also it is the medium of education in schools throughout the Kingdom.
Accommodation:
There are comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses at tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in central and eastern part of the country, accommodation establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities. There is no star categorization of hotels and five star luxuries are not available. Ancient Bhutan has carefully selected the list of accommodation units with the best of location, service and ambience. Away from the towns and villages there are purpose-built huts on some of the principal trekking routes. Otherwise, there is nothing like camping out under the clearest night skies that you have ever seen. Wherever you spend the night, the warm Bhutanese hospitality will make you feel welcome.
Tour Escorts:
All Ancient Bhutan tours are escorted by well trained, knowledgeable guides, Certified by Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Ancient Bhutan has English, German, Japanese and French speaking guides. The services of Italian, Spanish, German, Russian-speaking guides could also be provided with prior information and on additional cost.
Food :
Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese. The Ancient Bhutan selected list of hotels and lodges offer delicious Chinese, Continental, Bhutanese and Indian Cuisine. Even on trek Ancient Bhutan trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.
Climate:
The central valleys of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhunsthi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter, which often blocks the passes leading into the central valleys.
Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November until mid-March, and at this time of the year the climate is dry, with daytime temperatures sometimes falling below zero Celsius.
The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly arrives, and is a magnificent season for trekking until November.
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country.
Clothing:
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold-layered clothing is better than a few thick ones, so choose your cloths accordingly. Cloths should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, we would advise women to wear skirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlet. During visit of monasteries, Dzong and other religious institutions you should not wear shorts & hats.
What to Pack:
The following is fairly exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip :
1. Clothes as per season,
2. sunglasses / spare glasses or contact lenses,
3. sun screen, preparation for relief of sunburn,
4. pair of casual shoes,
5. washing kit,
6. shaving kit,
7. towel,
8. hat,
9. umbrella,
10. camera, film and accessories,
11. books, maps,
12. insect repellent,
13. hand cream,
14. small sewing kit & safety pins,
15. torch or flash light with spare batteries,
16. mirror,
17. nail clippers,
18. scissors,
19. lip salve or soluble aspirin,
20. antiseptic cream,
21. anti-histamine cream,
22. anti diarrhea pills.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. You will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc. Always ask by gesture if it is ok to do so. Don't take your destination as living museum. Also while visiting Dzong, monasteries and religious institutions, please follow your guide's instruction carefully.
35mm color print film is readily available. Slide film is more difficult to find. Bring enough batteries if you use lithium batteries.
Health information:
No vaccinations are currently required for traveling to Bhutan. However if you are arriving from an area infected with yellow fever, you are required to have a yellow fever vaccination and should be administered at least 10 days before your arrival in Bhutan. Also if arriving from a Cholera infected area, the vaccination is strongly recommended. Anti-malarial medication is also recommended for all travelers who are visiting rural areas in the districts that border India.
Shopping:
The country's exquisite postage stamps, lovely hand woven fabrics, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade papers, finely crafted metal objects, thangka paintings are the items mostly purchased by travelers in Bhutan. Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in the Kingdom.
Gratuity:
In general, tipping is neither compulsory nor there is any fixed amount and the bottom line in determining whether and how much to tip is to ask yourself how much the individual did to make your travel more enjoyable.
Electricity:
In Bhutan, electricity runs 220/240 volts. If you do bring electrical appliances, take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs.
Time:
Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and 30 minutes ahead of IST. There is only one time zone throughout the country.
OTHER INFORMATION
Tourism has been strictly limited in Bhutan so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. The Bhutanese are highly religious people and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for local customs, way of life especially while visiting religious institutions.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. And for these reason the number of tourists visiting Bhutan are kept to an environmentally manageable level.
Paro: The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the National Air Carrier Druk Air services Paro, Bhutan from the following countries: · India : Delhi & Calcutta · Nepal : Kathmandu · Thailand : Bangkok · Bangladesh : Dhaka. Druk Air is the only airline operating in Bhutan. Click here for the Druk air schedule. By land, if you want to combine your trip to Bhutan with a visit to nearby Indian States of West Bengal, Sikkim, and other northeastern states, you might want to enter or exit through a border town.
Phuentsholing: It is also possible to enter and exit Bhutan through Phuentsholing, the south-western Bhutanese border town. Bagdogra, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport and is approximately 4 hours drive away. For travelers wishing to visit Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsholing serves is probably the convenient Point of entry/exit.
Samdrup Jongkhar: Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup Jongkhar also. This Frontier Bhutanese town is approximately 3 hours drive from Guwahati, The capital town of Indian north eastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar is only and authorized exit point and is an important link for visiting further north eastern states in India.
*NOTE* As per Government Rules, It Is mandatory to travel at least one way by Druk Air, It Can Be Either Entry Or Exit Or Both. However, if Druk Air seats are not available, both entry and exit by surface is also permitted.
Money/Currency:
Bhutan unit of currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.), with 100 Chetrum = 1Ngultrum. The Ngultrum is fixed to the value of Indian rupee. Tourists are advised to carry their money in form of traveler checks (preferably American Express) with a little cash (US Dollars) which might be needed for incidental expenses. A few places accept visa and American express credit cards.
Language:
Dzongkha, 'the language of Dzong', is one of the Tibetan family of languages. Originally spoken only in western Bhutan, Dzongkha is now the Bhutanese national language. English is commonly spoken in main towns and also it is the medium of education in schools throughout the Kingdom.
Accommodation:
There are comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses at tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in central and eastern part of the country, accommodation establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities. There is no star categorization of hotels and five star luxuries are not available. Ancient Bhutan has carefully selected the list of accommodation units with the best of location, service and ambience. Away from the towns and villages there are purpose-built huts on some of the principal trekking routes. Otherwise, there is nothing like camping out under the clearest night skies that you have ever seen. Wherever you spend the night, the warm Bhutanese hospitality will make you feel welcome.
Tour Escorts:
All Ancient Bhutan tours are escorted by well trained, knowledgeable guides, Certified by Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Ancient Bhutan has English, German, Japanese and French speaking guides. The services of Italian, Spanish, German, Russian-speaking guides could also be provided with prior information and on additional cost.
Food :
Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese. The Ancient Bhutan selected list of hotels and lodges offer delicious Chinese, Continental, Bhutanese and Indian Cuisine. Even on trek Ancient Bhutan trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.
Climate:
The central valleys of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhunsthi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter, which often blocks the passes leading into the central valleys.
Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November until mid-March, and at this time of the year the climate is dry, with daytime temperatures sometimes falling below zero Celsius.
The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly arrives, and is a magnificent season for trekking until November.
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country.
Clothing:
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold-layered clothing is better than a few thick ones, so choose your cloths accordingly. Cloths should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, we would advise women to wear skirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlet. During visit of monasteries, Dzong and other religious institutions you should not wear shorts & hats.
What to Pack:
The following is fairly exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip :
1. Clothes as per season,
2. sunglasses / spare glasses or contact lenses,
3. sun screen, preparation for relief of sunburn,
4. pair of casual shoes,
5. washing kit,
6. shaving kit,
7. towel,
8. hat,
9. umbrella,
10. camera, film and accessories,
11. books, maps,
12. insect repellent,
13. hand cream,
14. small sewing kit & safety pins,
15. torch or flash light with spare batteries,
16. mirror,
17. nail clippers,
18. scissors,
19. lip salve or soluble aspirin,
20. antiseptic cream,
21. anti-histamine cream,
22. anti diarrhea pills.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. You will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc. Always ask by gesture if it is ok to do so. Don't take your destination as living museum. Also while visiting Dzong, monasteries and religious institutions, please follow your guide's instruction carefully.
35mm color print film is readily available. Slide film is more difficult to find. Bring enough batteries if you use lithium batteries.
Health information:
No vaccinations are currently required for traveling to Bhutan. However if you are arriving from an area infected with yellow fever, you are required to have a yellow fever vaccination and should be administered at least 10 days before your arrival in Bhutan. Also if arriving from a Cholera infected area, the vaccination is strongly recommended. Anti-malarial medication is also recommended for all travelers who are visiting rural areas in the districts that border India.
Shopping:
The country's exquisite postage stamps, lovely hand woven fabrics, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade papers, finely crafted metal objects, thangka paintings are the items mostly purchased by travelers in Bhutan. Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in the Kingdom.
Gratuity:
In general, tipping is neither compulsory nor there is any fixed amount and the bottom line in determining whether and how much to tip is to ask yourself how much the individual did to make your travel more enjoyable.
Electricity:
In Bhutan, electricity runs 220/240 volts. If you do bring electrical appliances, take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs.
Time:
Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and 30 minutes ahead of IST. There is only one time zone throughout the country.
OTHER INFORMATION
Tourism has been strictly limited in Bhutan so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. The Bhutanese are highly religious people and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for local customs, way of life especially while visiting religious institutions.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. And for these reason the number of tourists visiting Bhutan are kept to an environmentally manageable level.