Checklist
The following information which is listed below can be taken as a guide while travelling to Bhutan. The travel tips information is not a comprehensive list and therefore it basically provides some useful information for you when you plan your trip to Bhutan.
Travel and Medical Insurance
You should not travel internationally without a travel insurance. Although we have a local insurance company, it is advisable to get yourself insured with an insurance company at your side.
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel.
Currency
The currency for Bhutan is Ngultrum (Nu.) which has a value at par with the Indian rupee. Although, denominations of 100 rupee Indian currency is acceptable in Bhutan, denominations of 500 and 1000 Indian rupee is not accepted in Bhutan.
Visa or Master card can be used within the country to withdraw money from ATM’s. ATM locations throughout Bhutan can be found here at this link ( http://www.bob.bt/contact-us/atm-locator). Additionally, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide which can be used by visitors to pay by credit card at most hotels and handicraft stores.
Banking
Some of banks which can be used while you are in Bhutan are Bhutan National Bank, Bank of Bhutan, the Druk PNB and the Tashi Bank. Most of these banks can be used to withdraw traveler’s cheque and exchanged for local currency. Foreign currency can also be exchanged at these banks for local currency.
Travelling Kits
Bhutan experience great variations in its climate. Generally, summers are warm with average daily temperature ranging from 20 to 25 degree Celsius, while winter temperatures are usually below 15 degree Celsius.
The northern part of the country is colder than the tropical southern part of the country. If trekking is on your trip, it is recommended to bring appropriate warm clothes and comfortable hiking boots with ankle support and weather-proof to protect yourself from the weather and rugged terrain.
Some essential items of consideration for your trips are as follows:
Photography
You will have the opportunity to capture beautiful scenic and natural photo’s during your outdoor sightseeing trips. However, there are restrictions for photography and video making in some of the sites such as inside dzongs, temples, monasteries and religious institutions. Your guide will instruct you and give more details on the restricted sites.
However, you are free to capture images of the landscape, the panoramic views of the mountain ranges, rural life, flora and fauna, distinctive Bhutanese architecture and the exterior of dzongs, chortens and monasteries.
Shopping
For people who are interested in shopping, Bhutan offers various handicraft items for sale. Some of the popular handicraft items are hand-woven textiles of raw silk, carved wooden masks of various animals, woven baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls, handmade paper products or finely crafted statues of silver. Bhutanese paintings called “thankha” are also popular among tourists. You can come across these items in the many handicraft shops located around the capital city of Thimphu and other major towns. Please note that buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.
Gratuities
Tipping is purely a personal matter and it is up to the visitor to give a gratuity to your guides and drivers.
Customs and Duty
The following articles are exempt from duty:
(a) Personal effects and articles for day to day use by the visitor
(b) 1 litre of alcohol (spirits or wine)
(c) 200 cigarettes, on payment of import duty of 200%
(d) Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use
(e) Photographic equipment, video cameras and other electronic goods for personal use
You have to complete the passenger declaration form at your port of entry.
Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items, especially of religious or cultural significance, as such items may not be exported without a clearance certificate.
If importing any items to Bhutan which are for sale or gift, they may be liable for customs duty. On departure, visitors are required to fill out a departure form, which will be asked for by Customs authorities.
Import/export 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
Imports of plants, soils etc. are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be cleared on arrival.
Communications
The country has a reasonable internet and telecommunication facilities. Most hotels offer Wi-Fi internet access. The country also offers mobile networks for mobile devices which offers reasonable speed of internet.
Language
The national language of Bhutan which is called “Dzongkha” is widely spoken across the country. English is also spoken by majority of the population which makes it comfortable for a tourist to communicate with the locals. It is encouraged for the tourists to speak with the locals especially around the urban areas to enhance your knowledge of the country and also to experience the culture of the locals.
Guides and Interpreters
Guides or interpreters are provided with your trip. The tourism council of Bhutan certifies all guides and it is mandatory for a tour operator to provide a certified guide for your trip to Bhutan. Guides with language skills such as French, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Spanish and other European Languages are available. However, the hiring of such language skilled guides require additional costs.
Clothes and other Paraphernalia
With the variations in altitudes, weather is varied across the country. Preparing yourself for the variations in the weather conditions and unforeseen weather condition is important. It is expected that you dress modestly and respectfully especially if you are visiting the monasteries, dzongs and other religious institutions. Long pants and long sleeved tops should be worn while visiting such sacred and religious places. As a mark of respect, be kind enough to remove your hats, caps etc. as you enter religious and administrative premises, institutions and in any other place that you come across with the national flag being raised.
Measure, Weights and Time
Bhutan ascribes to the metric system and most weights are measured in gram (g) and kilogram (kg). The standard time is 6 hours ahead of GMT.
Health: Inoculations
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 considered as a safe destination. However, you should exercise safety precautions by ensuring that your belongings such as passports, cameras, wallets and purses are properly secured.
Avoid drinking tap water which is not boiled as most of the water sources are not fully treated. Mineral water bottles can be acquired at reasonable rates.
It is advisable to travel or roam at night especially after 10 P.M with your guide or a local friend as unforeseen incidence may occur.
Bhutan has a duty to protect its citizen from drugs and tobacco products, therefore all tourists are expected to cooperate and not bring tobacco goods in excess. In order to avoid excess tobacco product you may refer to the tobacco control act of Bhutan.
Accommodation
Hotels provided to tourists are certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. It is mandatory that tourists are accommodated in at least 3-star hotel. Requirement for 4 or 5 star hotel will incur additional cost. Hotels certified with the Tourism Council of Bhutan are well maintained and have basic amenities such as hot water geysers, room heaters and shower rooms. There are options to camp outdoors or halt at built-in-cabins while on trekking routes.
Food
Food is usually rich, spicy and cheesy for Bhutanese. Tourists are advised to eat continental, Chinese or Indian cuisine if not accustomed to spicy foods. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food are available in most of the restaurants. A popular and very spicy food of the Bhutanese is “ema Datshi” which is a dish served with cheese and chilli.