Bhutan currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.), with 100 Chetrum = 1 Ngultrum. The Ngultrum is fixed to the value of Indian rupee. travelers 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 in Bhutan accept visa and American express credit cards.
Language:Dzongkha, 'the language of Fortress', is one of the Tibetan families of languages. Originally spoken only in western Bhutan, Dzongkha is now the Bhutanese national language. English is commonly spoken in Bhutan.
Accommodation:
Accommodation:
There are quality hotels, lodges and guest houses at many towns in Bhutan. Hotels in Bhutan are simple and offer minimum facilities. There are Hotels in Bhutan tie up with multi national companies like Taj Hotels & Uma, Aman. 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.
Food:Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese. Bhutan Himalayan Holidays selected list of hotels and lodges offer delicious Chinese, Continental, Bhutanese and Indian Cuisine. Even on trek Bhutan Himalayan Holidays trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western taste. Taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.
Climate:
The Towns like Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhunsthi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winter. While Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter.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 variation of temperature Bhutan Himalayan Holidays advise our clients to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold weather 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 sing lets. 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:
Clothes as per season,sunglasses / spare glasses or contact lenses,Sun screen, preparation for relief of sunburn,Pair of casual shoes,Washing kit,Shaving kit,Towel,Hat,Umbrella,Camera, film and accessories,Books, maps,Insect repellent,Hand cream,Small sewing kit & safety pins,Torch or flash light with spare batteries,Nail clippers,Scissors,Lip salve or soluble aspirin,Antiseptic cream,Anti-histamine cream,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 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.
Climate:
The Towns like Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhunsthi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winter. While Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter.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 variation of temperature Bhutan Himalayan Holidays advise our clients to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold weather 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 sing lets. 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:
Clothes as per season,sunglasses / spare glasses or contact lenses,Sun screen, preparation for relief of sunburn,Pair of casual shoes,Washing kit,Shaving kit,Towel,Hat,Umbrella,Camera, film and accessories,Books, maps,Insect repellent,Hand cream,Small sewing kit & safety pins,Torch or flash light with spare batteries,Nail clippers,Scissors,Lip salve or soluble aspirin,Antiseptic cream,Anti-histamine cream,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 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.
