Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan. Sharchop-kha is spoken is the eastern Bhutan and Lhotsampa ( Nepalese ) in the southern region.
Kuzuzangpo-la Greetings.
Kadrenchey-la Thank you.
Bhutan Time
Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and there is only one time zone throughout the country.
Health Inoculations
No vaccinations are currently required for traveling to Bhutan. Before embarking on a trip to Bhutan, please seek advice from your doctor with regard to vaccinations and appropriate medication you should have prior to your travels. As a minimum you should have tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A inoculations.
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 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. People prone to car sickness should bring appropriate medicine as the winding roads on the mountains have plenty of curves and turns.
Bring any medication you take regularly, or might need to take for a periodically recurring condition, such as asthma.
Travel & Medical Insurance
We strongly advice travellers to get a comprehensive travel & medical insurance before travelling to Bhutan. If you are coming on a trek, your medical/travel insurance must include provision for evacuation by helicopter and repatriation – should this be necessary.
Climate
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the eastern region of the country is warmer than the central valleys. However, bear in mind that the higher the altitude, the cooler the weather, and that with a brisk wind blowing down off the mountains, even a low-lying valley can become quite chilly.
The central valleys of Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuentse enjoy a semi-tropical climate with cool winters, whilst Paro, Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with summer monsoon rains and winter snowfalls which may block passes leading into the central valleys for days at a time. Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November till mid-March, and at this time of the year the climate is dry and sunny for the most part, temperatures peaking at around 15c. in the daytime and falling below zero at night. The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with light 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. Average Temperature (in Celsius)
| Places | January | April | July | October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paro | -5.8 to 9.4 | 4.6 to 17.6 | 14.9 to 26.8 | 7.4 to 18.7 |
| Thimphu | -2.6 to 12.3 | 7.1 to 20.0 | 13.4 to 28.9 | 10.4 to 28.9 |
| Punakha | 4.2 to 16.1 | 11.9 to 24.4 | 21.6 to 32 | 18.9 to 27.8 |
| Wangduephodrang | 4.3 to 17.0 | 12.9 to 26.2 | 16.2 to 28.4 | 14.7 to 26.1 |
| Trongsa | -0.2 to 13.0 | 6.6 to 20.1 | 15.3 to 25.3 | 11.7 to 28.8 |
| Bumthang | -5.1 to 10.8 | 3.9 yo 87.7 | 10.9 to 24.1 | 5.9 to 19.5 |
| Mongar | 8.2 to 15.5 | 14.0 to 22.8 | 15.8 to 26.1 | 15.8 to 22.7 |
| Trashigang | 10.5 to 20.4 | 17.0 to 28.3 | 23.1 to 31.5 | 17.7 to 29.1 |
What to Pack?
Clothing
Due to the wide range of temperature and climatic conditions it is advisable to dress in layers. For protection against cold, layered clothing is better than one or two thick garments. Clothing should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe.
Shoes
Bring comfortable sport shoes for light hikes & sightseeing; hiking boots for treks; semi formal shoes for dinners/appointments/functions.
Trekkers
Here are the items which we recommend you to bring along:
- Thermarest and sleeping bags (if you prefer to use your own, we provide used but clean sleeping bags and foam mats)
- Mountain trekking shoes (soles with good grip that have already been broken in)
- Running/ walking shoes (to use after arriving at camp in the evening)
- Sandals or slippers (useful at camp site)
- Socks (bring plenty, wool ones dry quicker than cotton)
- Light warm jacket and/or fleece / down jacket
- T-shirt and inner wear (bring enough as spares)
- Rain and wind proof gear – pants/jackets/ponchos/gaiters
- Gloves, scarves, other clothing
- Water bottle
- Cap/hat to prevent sun exposure
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, lip protection, sun burn relief cream
- Insect repellent
- Tooth paste, tooth brush and other sanitary items
- Camera with extra charger (no facility to charge battery during trek)
- Small sewing kit & safety pins, pocket knife, scissors
- Flash light with spare batteries
- Your favorite sweets and/or snacks for energy
- Your favorite card game
- Personal medicines and/or medical kit
- Water proof bags/pouches to protect your clothes, electronics and personal items
- Backpack & waterproof backpack cover in case of rain
- Duffel bags or bags without wheels (easier for ponies to carry) to pack your belongings
Electricity
In Bhutan, electricity runs on 220/240 volts, with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. If you bring electrical appliances, also pack appropriate adapter plugs. In Thimphu electrical appliance shops stock adapter plugs, but they are unlikely to be available elsewhere.
Telephone and internet
Bhutan telecom uses 5 G and internet is accessible in almost all places. SIM card for phone is available in places. Most tourists hotels and restaurants provide wifi connections.
Bhutanese Money
Bhutanese currency is called Ngultrum and is on par with Indian Rupees. Currently it is Nu.83 = USD $ 1.
Credit card is accepted in some places and all banks in Bhutan exchange US dollars.
Internet
Most hotels in major towns have free wifi services (either in the room, or lobby or both) and in some hotels it maybe chargeable.
Data Cards for internet (usb/thumb drives) can also be purchased and can be used where ever there is cellular network (B-mobile or Tashi Cell).
- GPRS service is available where ever there is network.
- EDGE service is available in all the headquarters of the 20 Dzongkhag /districts, some major towns and where ever there network.
- 3G service is available in the core areas of most major towns of Thimphu, Paro, Wangdue, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar, Samdrup Jongkhar, Phuntsholing
- GSM 1800-900 service is available in all twenty districts and major towns (other GSM bandwidths not available in Bhutan
- For GPRS data service, the data speed range is from 30kbps to 40kbps
- For EDGE data service, the data speed range is from 100kbps to 130 kbps
- For 3G data service, the data speed range is from 550kbps to 1mbps
For more information on communication options visit:
B-Mobile/Bhutan Telecom: http://www.telecom.net.bt/ or Tashi Cell http://www.tashicell.com/
Hotels
There are varieties of Hotels in Bhutan. International standard hotels & Resorts are found mostly in western region of Bhutan where tourists frequently visit. 5 Star hotels & Spa, 4 Star hotels and 3 Star hotels mostly cater to tourists.
There are budget hotels available too.
Farm house stay has recently been added on tourists itinerary. There are farm House stays all over Bhutan and are monitored by Tourism Council for hygiene, cleanliness and suitability for tourists. Also it provides intimacy and insight for travelers with local bhutanese families operating it.
Bhutanese Food.
Most Bhutanese prefer spicy food with chillies being common. However tourists hotels and restaurants serve non-spicy food. Travelers can hop into any local restaurant to try local food.
Photography in Bhutan.
Bhutan is utopia for photographers. Bhutanese landscape provide scenic views for any travelers.
However it is prohibited to take pictures inside temples, monasteries & religious institutions. It is appreciated to ask for permission if in doubt.
Shopping
There are many gift shops for tourists all over Bhutan. Most of them sell traditional and religious items. Be cautious of buying authentic and genuine antiquities without consultation. Most items on display at gift shops are cheap imitations imported from neighbouring states. Few are genuine and worth collecting.
Tipping
Customs
- Visitors are required to complete a passenger declaration form for checking by concerned officers on arrival. The following articles are exempt from duty
- (a) Personal articles for day to day use by the visitor
- (b) Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use
- (c) Photographic equipment, video cameras and other electronic goods for personal use
The articles mentioned under (b) & (c) must be declared on the declaration form. If any such items are disposed of in Bhutan by sale or gift, they are liable for customs duty. On departure, visitors are required to surrender their forms to the Customs authorities.
- Import/export restrictions of the following goods is strictly prohibited
- (a) Arms, ammunitions and explosives
- (b) All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
- (c) Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species
- (d) Antiques
Earlier cigarettes were banned from selling in Bhutan but it was permitted during covid outbreak. Smoking cigarettes in public places, religious institutions and offices are banned.
Advice should be sought from Journey2shangrila or reliable sources before purchasing antiquities.
For further information contact us @ +975 17775271 email : tasheewang@gmail.com
