Expert Tips

You must book well in advance

Entry to Bhutan is largely controlled by the relatively small number of airline seats on Drukair. To ensure you obtain space on Drukair flights it is strongly recommended you make your travel arrangements for Bhutan at least 3-6 months in advance iun the regular season and for peak  periods, such as September to November & March to May, at least 9-12 months advance booking is required to avoid disappointment.

Mandatory Travel Package Structure

All tourist visitors MUST travel on a pre-planned, pre-paid, guided package arrangements. However, you do not have to travel as part of a group, you can travel independently on a pre-planned itinerary with your private guide and driver and enjoy flexibility to wander the Bhutan towns and countryside with a reasonable degree of freedom.

You must always travel with your guide & driver between towns and villages and stay in your pre-booked hotel or home/farm stay accommodation. The Bhutanese are extremely hospitable and your guide will be a valuable asset and add to the enjoyment of your stay immensely.

Travel Packages and Costs

The Royal Government of Bhutan has a fixed tariff system for visitors. This is based on a minimum set nightly fee per person. Additionally all tourists pay a Tourism Development Fee and a Visa Fee and surcharges apply if travelling as a party of less than 3 persons and for those requiring single rooms.

Bhutan Land Travel Packages Include:

• A professional English speaking guide & driver with car/SUV or minibus depending on party size.
• All touring, transfers, entrance fees & sightseeing throughout your stay in Bhutan.
• Hotel accommodation (3 star standard) with private bathrooms.
• All meals
• When trekking tented campsites replace hotels and additional support crew and ponies are included.
• When staying in Home/Farm Stay accommodation bathrooms are shared.
• Visa fees, Government Royalties and taxes.

Visa

A visa to enter Bhutan will be pre-arranged on your behalf by Bhutan & Beyond. All you need do is email us a quality scanned copy of your passport photo page.(preferably in colour please). When entering Bhutan through the land borders of Phuentsholing & Samdrup Jongkhar two passport sized photos are also required.

A visa to enter Nepal is provided on arrival at Kathmandu airport for a fee of US$25.00. If you are travelling or trekking in more remote areas an additional permit must be obtained and Bhutan & Beyond will pre-arrange this on your behalf. Once again 2 passport photos are required for visa issuance

A visa to enter India must be pre-arranged well before you depart Australia. This is your personal responsibility and Bhutan & Beyond cannot assist you with this process. All necessary information can be found on the following  web link  Indian Visa Information 

Special Notes on Indian Visa’s: Whilst a transit visa is lower in cost it is only valid for 15 days from day of issue. We do NOT advise you to obtain this type of visa. A single entry or double entry visa for India is best, depending on your itinerary. Obtaining a multi-entry for India is not recommended, unless absolutely necessary, as often additional permits are required for holders of this type of visa.

Checking in your baggage to/from Bhutan

Please do NOT attempt to have your baggage checked through to Bhutan from Australia. Baggage can only be checked to Bhutan by Drukair immediately prior to your flight to Paro. Please apply the same procedure for your departure flight from Paro & check your luggage only to the next city ie Bangkok.

EXCEPTION: When connecting home to Australia the same day on Thai Airways please advise Drukair at Paro airport to tag your baggage through to your Thai Airways entry city in Australia. Drukair will give you a boarding pass to Bangkok and baggage tag to Australia. On arrival in Bangkok please go the Thai Airways transfer counter in the transit area of the airport and present your baggage tag and Thai Airways e-ticket to obtain your onwards Thai Airways boarding pass.

Connecting to Drukair flights

We strongly advise you factor in a transit stop / stopover of a least 8 hours before connecting to or from a Drukair flight. Due to alpine conditions and operational requirements Drukair often runs some hours late from it’s published schedule.

Bangkok stopover guide.

In Bangkok, we recommend from personal experience, the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel at approx A$185.00 per room per night (including 17.7% taxes). The hotel shuttle runs every 5 minutes and can be accessed by Arrival Gate 4 or you can take the 300m under-ground walkway. A slightly lower nightly rate is generally available however must be purchased instantly online and is non-changeable and non-refundable. We can also assist with a wide range of Bangkok city hotels for those on longer stopovers.

Bartering

A fixed price system prevails in some shops and many Bhutanese find bartering offensive so please only barter in a relaxed friendly manner. The best places to consider bartering is at the weekend markets in Thimphu and the many handicraft shops in Thimphu and Paro main streets where it is deemed more acceptable.

Bhutanese Cuisine

The Bhutanese diet is rich in meat and poultry, dairy, grain (particularly rice and white rice) and vegetables. Emadatse (chili pepper and cheese stew) is considered the national dish with many interpretations to this recipe throughout the country.

Salted butter tea, or suja, is served on all social occasions. Chang, a local beer, black mountain whiskey and arra, a spirit distilled from various grains, are also common and widely favoured. The standard tourist class hotels generally offer a western style breakfast and Bhutanese style lunches and dinners adjusted to western tastes.

EXCEPTION: At Amankora Luxury Lodges and selected other luxury hotels an international menu is generally available in addition to Bhutanese favourites.

Currency & Credit Cards

The Bhutanese currency is the Ngultrum and is the same value as the Indian Rupee. Both can be used in Bhutan. It is recommended that foreign visitors take in Indian Rupees and/or US$ which are widely accepted.

Here are some useful tips on currency & credit cards.

• Consider a budget of US$45-70 per person per day. This will cover tips, drinks & most handicraft purchases along the way.
• If taking US$ please ensure you have some US$1 and US$5 notes for convenience to use in shops for small purchases.
• Larger US$ denominations (US$50 & US$100′s) do receive a better exchange rate if purchasing larger souvenirs.
• If taking in Indian Rupees do NOT carry 500 or 1000 rupee notes as they are rarely accepted.
• Selected ATM machines are now available for use by tourist visitors in Paro Airport & & Thimphu city.
• Cards accepted are Visa & MasterCard credit & debit cards, however ATM’s often run out of cash.
• ANZ Travel Cards and Cash Passport Cards will NOT work in Bhutan.
• If bringing travellers cheques please ensure these are US$ cheques.

Visa card, MasterCard & American Express are now frequently accepted in the larger souvenir shops & in most hotels. When using your credit card a surcharge of up to 7% applies so please check with the merchant first..

Drink Prices

Approximate drink prices in US$ at BTCL Hotels. Prices may differ in different hotels and restaurants.

• Large bottle of mineral water……………………………US$ 0.75
• Local Red Panda Beer (Large)…………………………US$ 2.75
• Local Druk 11000, 10000, Lager & Indian beer……..US$ 2.50
• Tiger Beer…………………………………………………..US$ 3.50
• Bottle of imported Red & White………………………..US$ 40.00

Duty Free Allowance

The following allowances are per person:

• 1 litre bottle of spirits
• 250mls of perfume
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250grams tobacco
  (a duty will apply to bring cigarettes, and tobacco products into Bhutan of 200% and you must have the receipt of purchase.)
• Currency – no restriction
• Gifts/Souvenirs – no restriction

Please note the exportation of genuine antiquities, religious objects, and manuscripts is strictly forbidden.

Dress for Bhutan

The official word is dress should not be too formal. Plain, simple and inoffensive clothing but no singlet tops or short shorts, 3/4 pants are fine as long as not entering Dzongs or Lhakhangs (monasteries). Remember to pack warmer clothing for the evenings and try and take just 2 pairs of footwear. A pair of stout walking shoes or light boots (unless trekking where heavier boots are recommended) will see you right for day use and a more comfortable pair of shoes for about the hotels in the evenings. Please ensure your walking shoes/boots are well worn in!

Dress Code For Entering Dzongs & Monasteries

Depending on whom you talk to the exact dress code for Dzongs, Monasteries and Lhakhangs can differ. Use the details below to assist with your planning and we recommend you discuss each days visits with your guide to reconfirm appropriate attire.

• Wear shirts with collars, long or short sleeved.
• Full long pants or long skirts – ankles must be covered!
• Shoes of any type with socks covering ankles – we recommend comfortable shoes easy to remove.
• No hats, umbrellas, slippers, T-shirts, knee length / short skirts or 3/4 pants please
• It is safer to dress up ‘Smart Casual’

Special Note: Photographs are only allowed to be taken in the courtyard of most monasteries. Please consult your guide for advice as the rules seem to be constantly changing!

What Clothing To Take With You

• Light rain jacket any time of year.
• Warm clothes, hats, gloves and thermals for winter (mid Dec – Feb).
• Comfortable jeans, trousers or long skirts.
• Long or 3/4 sleeved tops/shirts (tops with collars to be worn when visiting Monasteries).
• T-shirts with a collar (for warmer months May-Sep)
• A jumper or jacket is essential at all times of the year due to the chance of unseasonal weather.
• Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm & moisturiser (required year round)

Other necessary items to carry with you:

• Essential medications & a small medical kit incl Diamox (for altitude sickness) & travel motion sickness medication.
• Day pack, binoculars and camera.
• A small flashlight can be useful.

Electricity

Bhutan operates on a 230 volts, 50 cycles AC system, which is generally reliable although short duration power outages are not uncommon. The standard socket is the Indian style round pin socket, however these come in a variety of sizes and there’s no assurance the plug you have on your appliance, or converter, will fit the socket in your hotel. Most European round -pin plugs work, albeit loosely in the socket. Take an adapter with you and if you are still having problems there are plenty of electrical shops in Thimphu who can assist with a local version.

Gifts/Donations

The Bhutanese frown on gifts for local people and children as they are believed to encourage begging which the Bhutanese Government is determined to avoid at all cost. Coloured pencils and pens are always welcomed, however best to give them to teachers or adults to distribute rather than to the children themselves. Stick pins/fluffy koalas are a novelty but of little practical value so best left at home.

For those travelling through the more remote eastern Bhutan consider practical gifts in the form of warm clothing, blankets, writing paper, pencils which can be donated to boarding schools. When departing Bhutan if you wish to donate some of your clothing, shoes, sleeping bag etc, please inform your guide and he will deliver such to the Dragon Riders Motorcycle Club and your gifts will be distributed to the most in need on their next charity ride.

For more information on the Dragon Riders Charity please click here.

Hotels & Farm Stays

On our standard tourist packages when travelling in western / central Bhutan your hotel will be a traditional Bhutanese style property generally of 3 star standard, featuring restaurants with western styled Bhutanese fare. The hotels are generally consistant in standard and facilities with modest rooms featuring private bathrooms. When travelling in eastern Bhutan the hotel standard is generally a 2 star standard however still featuring private bathrooms.

Farm stay accommodations offers shared western style bathroom and toilet facilities.

Opening Times for Major Institutions

Subject to change at short notice! Note most are closed on Mondays and National Holidays.

• National Museum – Paro
  Tue – Sat, 9.00am – 5.00pm; Closed – Sun, Mon & National Holidays.
• School of Arts & Crafts – Thimphu:
  Mon – Fri, 2.00pm – 4.00pm; Sat 9.00am to 12noon. Closed – Sun, Public & Winter Holidays.
• The National Library – Thimphu:
  Sun – Thu, 9.30am – 4.30pm Closed. Fri, Sat & Public Holidays.
• National Textile Museum – Thimphu:
  Mon – Sat, 9.00am – 4.00pm. Closed – Sun & Public Holidays.
• Institute of Traditional Medicine – Thimphu:
  Mon – Fri, 9.00am to 5.00pm. Closed – Sat, Sun & Public Holidays. Note: Visitors only permitted to the museum and library.
• Handmade Paper Factory – Thimphu:
  Open daily, 8.30am – 5.00 pm.
• Gold/Silversmith – Thimphu:
  Mon – Fri ,9.00am – 5.00pm. Closed Sat & Sun.
• The Institute of the Thirteen Crafts – Thimphu:
  Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 4.00pm. Closed Sat & Sun.
• Royal Academy of Performing Arts – Thimphu:
  Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 4.00pm. Closed Sat & Sun.
• Incense Factory – Thimphu:
  Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 5.00pm. Closed Sat & Sun.
• Folk Heritage Museum – Thimphu:
  Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 5.00pm. Sat 10.30am – 1.00pm & Sun 11.30am – 3.30pm.
• Handicraft Emporium – Thimphu:
  Open daily, 9.00am – 6.00pm.
• Punakha Dzong:
  Closed for visits in winter when the Monk Body is in residence.
• Tashichodzong – Thimphu:
  Open for visits only in winter after 4pm, when the Monk Body is in Punakha.

Special Notes on Cultural Adherence

Some of the Dzongs and Lhakangs are not open for visits by tourists. This is to ensure monastic life can continue unhindered and also for environmental reasons. The Bhutanese appreciate your understanding. Be very careful when purchasing antiquities as souvenirs. Many are not permitted to be removed from Bhutan and will be confiscated without a letter of certification.

Important Advice Regarding Hotels & Itinerary Changes In Bhutan

Whilst improving rapidly Bhutan still has a limited tourism infra-structure, and there are occasionally challenges in providing accommodation to all visitors offered visas at one time. Suitable accommodation is very limited in some remote valleys and late reservations will often require flexibility and possible re-routing to provide the best possible accommodation options.

Our experience in the past suggests this has rarely caused any major inconvenince and certainly has not in any way undermined the rich and rewarding experience offered by this wonderful destination. However we kindly request you factor this possibility into your planning when considering a visit to Bhutan.

Smoking

It is forbidden to sell or purchase cigarettes or tobacco products in Bhutan. It is however NOT forbidden to smoke in appropriate areas and you may carry a small supply for personal use. Please note a 200% duty applies to all imported tobacco products and you must show a valid receipt of purchase to avoid confiscation.

Speaking Dzongkha

Here are a few basic phrases to help you along the way. Your guide, along with younger Bhutanese will speak very good English.

• Respected Greetings (use this when meeting new people) – Kuzuzangpo La
• May all good things come to you (use this as a farewell) – Tashi Delek
• Kardenche – La Thank you
• Monastery – Goempa
• Temple – Lhakhang
• Toilet – Chapsa
• Water – Chuu
• Whiskey – Arra
• Beer - Bang Chhang
• Yes – Ing
• No – Me

Tipping Guide

Tipping is generally discouraged in Bhutan. With the exception of your guide & driver and hotel porters please aviod tipping where possible. It is generally accepted that children do not need to be included in the tipping formula!

• 1-2 person travelling: US$8-10 pp per day for your guide and US$5-7 pp per day for your driver.
• 3-8 persons travelling: US$6-8 pp per day for your guide and US$3-5 pp per day for your driver.
• 8-16 persons travelling US$4-6 pp per day for your guide and US$3-5 pp per day for your driver.

For travellers visiting Bhutan for more than 8 nights we recommend a slightly lower daily rate is paid for your guide and drivers tips, again at your discretion. When trekking, you will also need to tip your cook and horsemen. Your guide will assist you in the amounts required. It is also customary to tip your guide extra when trekking. It is generally accepted that children do not need to be included in the tipping formula!

Trekking

You can trek most of the year (except mid July – mid Sept when it is too wet) and trekking itineraries range from 2 day to 30 day walks/hikes  with varying degrees of difficulty. Guides, horses, horsemen and a cook support trekking groups. Campsites are set up in advance and the trekkers enjoy the magnificent scenery and culture with only a daypack to carry.

Binoculars, camera, sunscreen, insect repellent (in summer), sunglasses, lip balm, a good pair of walking boots and warm clothing are essential when trekking.

 NOTE: Many treks take you to high altitudes and the air is thin. Altitude sickness is common and should be taken into account when planning your itinerary. You must provide your own sleeping bag on all treks. Trekking in Bhutan.

Altitude Sickness

It is advisable to avoid any trekking or climbing until at least day 3 unless you are at least moderately fit and do not suffer from any lung related condition such as asthma. As a precaution we suggest that you carry Diamox which we be taken in advance as a precaution as the Bhutan trekking crews rarely carry such medication.

If you suffer from severe altitude sickness please descend as quickly as possible and drink plenty of fluids. Diamox (Acetazolamide) maybe combined with Ibuprofen or paracetomol after commencing treatment symptoms may last for a few days.

We suggest you consult the TMA 1300 421142 or your local GP for advice.

Dogs

We are delighted to advise the dog numbers are reducing and their general health is much improved due to a successful and ongoing programme for canine rehab run by the government. They are generally well behaved, however, can be noisy at night….especially in Thimphu. You might consider carrying ear plugs if you are generally sensitive to noise at night.