Travel to Bhutan
Everything you need to know about Traveling to Bhutan in 2021 and beyond
KUZUZANGPO LA!
Welcome to Bhutan, a country blessed with rich culture and living traditions. Bhutan is also referred to as Drukyul which translates to the Land of Thunder Dragon. The nation has remained immune to the global shift that has affected customs and cultures throughout the world. Bhutan is still one of the most gorgeous countries on the planet adorned with plenty of rich all-natural resources and biodiversity. Bhutan has a population of roughly 750,000 inhabitants and Buddhism is the main religion practiced in Bhutan. Since 1907, Bhutan became a unified country under the Institution of Monarchy and since then enjoyed a graceful development pathway in the last ten decades.
The geographical terrain of Bhutan stretches from the snowcapped Himalayan ranges into the tropical forest in the south next to India. This makes Bhutan, the ideal destination for the enthusiastic traveler to trek through the magnificent valleys and temperate mountains of Bhutan.
BHUTAN TOURISM POLICY
Bhutan’s tourism sector is regarded as one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Bhutan enjoys a reputation for authenticity, remoteness, and a well-protected cultural heritage and natural environment.
The Tourism Policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan is based on the concept of “High Value & Low Impact”. Founded on the principle of sustainability, tourism must be environmentally friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and economically viable. The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socioeconomic development, particularly for a developing country like Bhutan. It believes that tourism, in affording the opportunity to travel, can help to promote a deeper understanding among people and to strengthen ties of friendship based on a deeper appreciation and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.
Tourists are kept to a manageable level through a government regulated tourist tariff. This all inclusive tariff covers all food, accommodation, transport and guide services. A portion of the tariff (currently 35%) helps to sustain the provision of free medical care and education for everyone in the country.
All tour operators are subject to this all inclusive rate.
Where is Bhutan?
Bhutan lies in the eastern Himalayas, sandwiched between China and India.
Gross National Happiness | Land of Happiness
Gross National Happiness, or GNH, is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. The objective of GNH is to achieve a balanced development in all the facets of life that are essential; for our happiness.
We are in the age of the Anthropocene when the fate of the planet and all life is within the power of mankind. Boundless consumerism, widening socio-economic inequality, and instability is causing rapid natural resource depletion and degradation. Climate change, species extinction, multiple crises, growing insecurity, instability, and conflicts are not only diminishing our well-being but are also threatening our very survival.
Today, it is inconceivable for modern society to function without the business of commerce, finance, industry or trade. These very factors are altering human destiny by the day in extraordinary ways, both positive and negative. GNH directly addresses such global, national, and individual challenges by pointing to the non-material roots of well- being and offering ways to balance and satisfy the dual needs of the human being within the limits of what nature can provide on a sustainable basis.
HOW TO GET TO BHUTAN
The best way to get into Bhutan is by air. Bhutan has only two airlines operating in Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines flies in from Thailand, Singapore, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. You can also enter via road from the border town in the south of Bhutan.
FESTIVALS OF BHUTAN
You can find a list of festivals happening in 2021. You can work with our travel expert to design and custom tailor your trip to coincide with a festival in Bhutan.
DESTINATIONS IN BHUTAN
Western Bhutan
Central Bhutan
FACTS OF BHUTAN
1. LAND OF THE THUNDER DRAGON
The Bhutanese call their land Druk Yul, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, because of the storms that often pass over Bhutan from the Himalayas. The Druk, a Thunder Dragon, is the national symbol of Bhutan. It is depicted holding jewels on Bhutan’s national flag. Meanwhile, they identify themselves as Drukpa, dragon people, and their king as Druk Gyalpo, dragon king.
2. IT’S THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT MEASURES ITS PROSPERITY BY HOW HAPPY PEOPLE ARE
Bhutan is unique in measuring its economic prosperity not by how wealthy its people are, but by how happy they are. Their official equivalent of our ‘Gross Domestic Product’ or ‘GDP’ is ‘Gross Domestic Happiness’. Introduced by former king, this choice of indicator reflects the values of the Bhutanese: happiness and contentment should come first.
3. A CAPITAL CITY WITH NO TRAFFIC LIGHTS!
It seems inconceivable that a busy capital city could function without traffic lights, but Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, manages it — and is the world’s only traffic light-free capital. In place of these ubiquitous traffic controls are men wearing white gloves, who direct the traffic in person using hand signals. Apparently a set of traffic lights were trialled in Thimphu, but they were quickly abandoned after locals complained they they were too impersonal.
4. RICE IN BHUTAN IS RED
The staple rice in Bhutan isn’t the white rice we’re used to, or even the brown rice loved by health fanatics. It’s red. It has a nuttier flavour than other types of rice, and cooks more quickly, producing a sticky texture and deep pink colour when cooked. It’s an important part of the Bhutanese diet, but it may come as a surprise to the western visitor.
5. SMOKING, SKATEBOARDING AND PLASTIC BAGS ARE ALL BANNED
Quite a few things in Bhutan are banned. It’s officially the only non-smoking country in the world, although plenty of people defy the law when at home or in nightclubs. Plastic bags are, understandably, banned for environmental reasons, but the country’s motives for banning skateboarding are a little harder to discern. Apparently the government decided that they were too dangerous, after a few too many accidents involving skateboarders and cars.
6. EVERYONE APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME BIRTHDAY IN BHUTAN
The song “Happy Birthday” may be among the most played songs of all time here in the west, but it’s not such a big hit in Bhutan. That’s because birthdays aren’t celebrated in Bhutan, and most people don’t even know their date of birth or how old they are. For administrative purposes, therefore, Bhutan’s citizens have the same birthday: 1 January. So, if you’re planning a birthday trip to Bhutan, don’t expect them to sing Happy Birthday to you — just enjoy the fact that you’ll be in a country that genuinely believes that leading a happy life is more important than how many years you’ve been on the planet for.
7. PHALLUSES SYMBOLIZES GOOD LUCK AND FERTILITY IN BHUTAN.
The Bhutanese value fertility. It is not uncommon to see phalluses painted on walls and carved into wood or buildings — these are believed to bring good luck and fortune.the ubiquitous phallus! Known for his crazy ways of enlightening others, legend has it that he subdued evil spirits and turned them into protective deities by hitting them with his erect member, which by the way is also referred to as “Thunderbolt of Flaming Wisdom”. He is known as the fertility saint and the site blessed by him is home to the famous Temple of Fertility, Chimi Lakhang.
8. BHUTANESE MANNERS REQUIRE YOU TO REFUSE FOOD WHENEVER IT’S OFFERED TO YOU.
The tradition is to say the words “mishu mishu” and cover your mouth with your hands. You can give in, though, after two or three offers.
11. PARO AIRPORT IS THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OF BHUTAN.
Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Himalayas, Paro is one of the world’s most challenging airports for pilots. In fact, only eight pilots in the world are currently certified to land there.
10. GANGKHAR PUENSUM, AT 24,842 FEET, IS THE HIGHEST POINT IN BHUTAN. IT ALSO IS THE HIGHEST UNCLIMBED MOUNTAIN IN THE WORLD.
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT BHUTAN?
THE MOST PEACEFUL KINGDOM IN THE WORLD
Bhutan is a small kingdom with an area little over 38,394 sq.km and a population of 7, 97,335 only. The Kingdom is situated in the greater Himalayan region with two giant neighbors, China in the North and India in the south. Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion and the head of state is His Majesty the King.
Bhutan hasn’t been marred by any political conflicts, extreme poverty or has to worry about crime In the Kingdom. Bhutan is a very safe and peaceful destination. Bhutan is also known as the “Druk Yul” Land of the Thunder Dragon thus Bhutan is popularly known as the Thunder Dragon Kingdom.
SMILING AND FRIENDLY PEOPLE.
While walking in Bhutan do not be surprise if someone smiles at you and greets you “Kuzuzangpo La” Hello! Or if a villager or stranger asks you to visit their home for tea, “suja” butter milk, wine or request you to eat at their place. Well! This is Bhutan where the people are very friendly and always will be smiling.
Ever since the times of our forefathers it has been a tradition to welcome anyone with smile and treat them in the best manner. Bhutanese people are very friendly and helpful people so don’t be surprised if you make dozens of very good friends while you in Bhutan for a week’s trip.
FAIRY TALE KINGDOM.
Bhutan has rich heritage, culture and the myth and legends seamlessly comes together to create a unique and journey. The centuries old rich architecture and customs are still been practiced today. Everything in Bhutan is simply beautiful and very different.
Since Bhutan has noble and popular Kings, the massive centuries-old “Dzongs” forts which are situated on the high hills, towns and villages with colorful traditional houses, man and women who are wearing their national dress called Gho and Kira and beautiful valley all around, it will make you wonder if you have just landed in a Fairyland Kingdom which you always dream about.
EXCLUSIVE TOURISM DESTINATION.
Bhutan is possibly one of the best examples of sustainable eco-tourism and a country that is committed to this concept, inspired by the Buddhist view of interdependence between man and nature. Bhutan opened up its door to Tourism only in 1974 and the government adopted a cautious tourism policy to avoid any negative that mass tourism could have on a small country.
All visitors to Bhutan have to book their tour and avail their Visa through a registered Bhutan tour operator.
(Tourist visiting Bhutan has to pay a Minimum tariff of USD$ 200 per night during off season and USD$250 per night during peak season, an all inclusive payment for accommodation, meals, guide, travel and environment policy)
RICH BIO-DIVERSITY.
Due to Bhutan’s strict environment policy. Bhutan possesses flora and fauna that is unrivaled in the Himalayas. While developing countries forests have been plundered, Bhutan’s, which cover 72 percent of its land, are in fact increasing.
Bhutan is marked by raw natural beauty where the dense foliage change dramatically as the sub tropical jungles at sea level merge into a fertile temperate zone and rises up to the great northern glaciers. The pristine environment is home to exotic wild life and is the last refuge for endangered species like the black necked crane, the blue sheep, the golden languor, the Takin and even the royal Bengal tigers.
IMPRESSIVE FESTIVAL CALLED TSHECHU
Festivals in the Land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts inside a black necked crane, the blue sheep, the golden languor, the Takin in honor of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhist to Bhutan in the 8th century.
Tshechu takes place on auspicious days and months according to the Bhutanese calendar and last up to 4 days in which a series of highly stylist mask dance rituals are performed. During the festival, the locals come and enjoy the festival in their finest clothes.
The Tshechu’s are a rich form of our oral history tradition where the Bhutanese pass on values, mythology, and spiritual beliefs through the dance dramas. Many of the Tshechu’s culminate with a rare display of a giant silk appliqué Thangka” painting” depicting Guru Rimpoche or some other important Buddhist deities.
UNIQUE TREKKING EXPERIENCE
Trekking in Bhutan is a unique experience unlike many of the more crowded trek’s offered in Asia. The variety of treks range from a simple 3 days trek from the district of Thimphu to Paro ( and vice versa ) to the 25 days legendary snowman’s trek that takes veteran trekkers to some of the most exquisite spots in the country. The snowman trek is also labeled the world’s toughest trek as it goes over 12 mountain passes, all of the over 45oo meters.
GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS
Since 1971, the country has rejected GDP as the only way to measure progress. In its place, it has championed a new approach to development, which measures prosperity through formal principles of (GNH).
The four pillars of GNH philosophy are the promotion of:
- Sustainable development
- Preservation and promotion of cultural values
- Conservation of the natural environment, and
- Establishment of good governance.
The phrase “Gross National Happiness” GNH” was coined by Bhutan’s fourth Dragon King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The phrase was coined as a signal of commitment to building an economy that would serve Bhutan’s culture based on Buddhist spiritual values instead of the western material development that was represented by gross domestic product.
UNIQUE CULTURE AND TRADITION.
Bhutan has a rich and unique cultural heritage that has largely remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the world until early 1960s. One of the main attractions for tourists is the country’s culture and traditions.
The government is increasingly making efforts to preserve and sustain the current culture and traditions of the country. Because of its largely unspoiled natural environment and cultural heritage, Bhutan has been referred to as The Last Shangri-la.
JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME.
If you visit Bhutan then you will cherish this wonderful journey forever. Ask any friends or family member who has visit Bhutan they will tell you fascinating story and experience they had in Bhutan. Bhutan truly is a country that should be in your bucket list. If you are a frequent traveler but if you have not been to Bhutan then your travel will never be complete.
What makes travelling to Bhutan so different and a journey of a life time experience is the uniqueness of the Kingdom, the smiling and happy people which you will encounter in the country, the beautiful landscape, rich cultural, devoted people, the noble King and the Royal family, freedom, unpolluted country etc.
BEST TIMES TO VISIT BHUTAN
The best months for going to Bhutan are those of October and November or March, April and May, when the climate is at its most pleasant. This is a pleasant time to go on a trek. You can also go the rest of the year, but avoid the months of June, July and August, which are very rainy. Cover up if you go to the Himalayas!
Trek in the Himalayas
Go in October-November or between March and May to go on a trek between Paro and Thimphu, for example. The Jhomolhari trek is also exceptional, offering breathtaking scenery. Even though it is (very) expensive, the Snowman trek remains a must for the more fond of sports with a taste for adventure.
Fauna and flora observation trip
Go and meet Bhutan’s mountain goats and also come across red pandas. Choose Royal Manas National Park to meet the country’s wild species, but be careful: tourism here is in its infancy. Or walk amongst the rhododendrons and be hypnotised by the beauty of the absolutely sublime Dochula forest.
Travel around feasts and festivals
You cannot go to Bhutan without taking part in a tsechu, a typical dance festival . You will be charmed by the masked dances and magnificent costumes of these celebrations. Take part in Ura yakchoe or Punakha Drubchen in February or March. If you go in June despite the monsoon, you will be able to take part in the Kurjey festival. If you do not mind the crowd, take part in Paro’s tsechu in November-December.
A trip for relaxation and healthcare
Why not treat yourself with a luxury trip and get pampered? A trip to Bhutan affords a good opportunity to do so. Receive a massage, take yoga classes, hot stone baths… and discover the well-renowned Ayurvedic care.
Trip to the sacred sites
Bhutan abounds in fabulous pilgrimage sites. The most well-known is Taktshang Goemba, but you can also discover Gom Kora and its numerous relics. To discover these out of the ordinary sacred places in the best possible climatic conditions, avoiding the rain and mud, go preferably in spring or autumn.
Embassies and Consulates
Bhutan has a number of embassies and consulates, including those listed below:
- Bangkok: Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok — 375/1 Soi Ratchadanivej, Pracha — Uthit Road, Samsen nod, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10320. Tel: +66–2–2744740, Fax: +66–2–2744743.
- Brussels: Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Avenue Jules César 70, 1150 Bruxelles, Belgium. Tel: 32 2 761 95 70, Fax: 00 32 2 761 95 77
- Dhaka: Royal Bhutanese Embassy,House №12 CEN, Road №107, Gulshan, Dhaka-1212.Phone: 880–2–8826863/8827160, Fax: 880–2–8823939
- Kuwait: Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Kuwait- P.O.Box 1510, Safat 13016, South Surra, Al Salaam, Block 3, Street 308, House 3. Tel: +965–25213601/2 Fax: +965–25213603
- New Delhi: Royal Bhutanese Embassy — Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021. Tel: 609217/ 609218, Fax:6876710
- U.S.: Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the UN, — 763 United Nations (1st Avenue), New York NY 10017. Tel: +212 682–2268, Fax: +212–661–0551.
Contact
- The international dialing code for Bhutan is +975
- WiFi is readily available in the majority of hotels throughout the country. Many of the internet cafes offer WiFi also. Most populated areas have internet cafes, although they are relatively expensive, and the connection is slow. Please make sure you find an appropriate internet cafe in advance if you need a connection for work.
- Telephone call booths are existent in major towns in Bhutan
- Most of Bhutan has mobile phone coverage, which is smart phone capable. B-Mobile has agreements with North American, some Asian and European countries on mobile roaming. Tashi Cell is another mobile company based in the country.
We’d love to hear from you
Please tell us about your plan to Bhutan and our team will be in touch to learn more and to discuss how we may be able to help you. We can help create the perfect experience in Bhutan for you: https://www.alwaysbhutan.com/enquire-now/
Email us at travel@alwaysbhutan.com
