Bhutan holidays

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Destinations » Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean holidays » Bhutan holidays

Thimpu is the only world capital without traffic lights. Instead, two white-gloved police officers direct the traffic

Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.

Bhutan holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Bhutan holiday, personal to you.

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Bhutan tailor-made holiday highlights

Thimpu
The pretty capital of Bhutan, set in a wooded valley on the banks of the Thimpu Chhu (river). It has a medieval feel, thanks to the many brightly painted buildings with beautifully decorated facades. Dominating the horizon is the imposing fortress monastery, Trashi Chhoe Dzong.

Bumthang
Located in the centre of Bhutan, the country's spiritual centre is home to many precious Buddhist sites, dzongs, temples and palaces. Jakar Dzong, founded in 1549, is the largest in Bhutan. The temple of Jampa Lhakhang hosts the spectacular Jampa Khakhang Drup festival, in October.

Paro
The heartland of the Drukpa people, with spectacular dzongs and a peaceful feel. As in the rest of Bhutan, locals in traditional dress go about their daily business, or play the national sport, archery. The men wear a gho, the women a kira.

Tiger's Nest
Nestled on a dizzy mountain ledge 700-metres above the Paro Valley is the Taktshang monastery, one of Bhutan's best-known sights.

The flight
If you're fortunate enough to fly into Paro from neighbouring Nepal, you'll experience one of the most incredible flights of your life. Soaring up from Kathmandu, the journey passes eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Everest and Kanchenjunga, before touching down at possibly the most ornate airport in the world. Truly magical.

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife reserve in the east, created to protect the habitat of the yeti, known locally as the migoi, or strong man.

People & place

Bhutan facts

Capital: Thimphu
Language: Dzongkha.
People: Drukpa, Nepalese.
Religion: Buddhist, Hindu
Size (sq km): 46,500.
Population: 654,269.
Population density/sq km: 14.1.

Etiquette

The strongest influence on social conventions is the country's state religion. Normal Buddhist etiquette applies, such as not pointing your feet at people and removing your shoes before entering important rooms or temples. Equal rights exist for men and women. Until 1974, Bhutan was deliberately isolated. Visitor numbers remain limited, but all are welcomed with warm hospitality.

Shopping

Markets open on weekend. Beautiful handmade textiles, woven in striking colours and patterns, jewellery, and foodstuffs. Goldsmiths in Thimpu valley make to order.

Food & drink

Restaurants are scarce since visitors are always on an organised tour. Vegetarian based cuisine. Chillies are often cooked as vegetables instead of being used as a condiment. One popular dish is a cheese and chilli stew. Rice is ubiquitous, including Bhutanese pink rice. Bhutanese tea (souza) is the most popular drink.

International Airports

Paro (PBH) - journey into Thimpu takes about 90 mins by bus or taxi.

Internal travel

No internal rail services, good internal road network. Yaks, mules and ponies are the most common transportation, but buses are also run. Taxis do not have meters and fares are open to negotiation.

Red tape

Visas

(UK/US) Required. You can not travel independently in Bhutan, you must be on an organised tour.

Vaccinations

BCG, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Hep. B, JE, Malaria, Meningitis ACWY, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2 


Driving requirements

International Driving Permit.

Reps in UK/US

UK: n/a. US: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, 44th Street, New York NY 10017, tel (212) 826 1919, fax (212) 826 2998, email pmbnewyork@aol.com.

UK/US reps in Bhutan

UK: n/a. US: n/a. Tourism Authority of Bhutan, PO Box 126, Thimpu, Bhutan, tel (2) 232 51/2, fax (2) 323 695, email tab@druknet.net.bt. Bhutan Tourist Corporation Ltd (BTCL), PO Box 159 Thimpu, Bhutan, tel (2) 322 045 fax (2) 323 392 email btcl@druknet.net.bt. United Nations Development Programme: United Nations Building, Dremton lam, GPO Box 162, Thimpu, tel (2) 322 605, fax (2) 322 657, email registry.bt@undp.org.

Currency

Ngultrum (NU) = 100 chetrum (Ch).

Finance

American Express and Diners Club have very limited acceptability.

Business hours

0900-1700, Mon-Friday.

Safety & life expectancy

Safety information

Generally very safe.

Life expectancy

Life expectancy: M 54.65, F 54.11.

Useful websites for travel

www.kingdomofbhutan.com, www.undp.org.bt.

Local media

Kuensel, a government news bulletin, is published weekly in English. The Bhutan Review is published monthly. The Bhutan Observer and The Bhutan Times are private newspapers. One TV channel and one radio station, both state-owned.

Tourist boards

UK: n/a. US: c/o Far Flung Places, 1914 Fell Street, San Francisco, California 94117, tel (415) 386 8306, fax (415) 386 8104, email info@farflungplaces.com

Bhutan tailor-made holiday ideas

Thimpu
The pretty capital of Bhutan, set in a wooded valley on the banks of the Thimpu Chhu (river). It has a medieval feel, thanks to the many brightly painted buildings with beautifully decorated facades. Dominating the horizon is the imposing fortress monastery, Trashi Chhoe Dzong.

Bumthang
Located in the centre of Bhutan, the country's spiritual centre is home to many precious Buddhist sites, dzongs, temples and palaces. Jakar Dzong, founded in 1549, is the largest in Bhutan. The temple of Jampa Lhakhang hosts the spectacular Jampa Khakhang Drup festival, in October.

Paro
The heartland of the Drukpa people, with spectacular dzongs and a peaceful feel. As in the rest of Bhutan, locals in traditional dress go about their daily business, or play the national sport, archery. The men wear a gho, the women a kira.

Tiger's Nest
Nestled on a dizzy mountain ledge 700-metres above the Paro Valley is the Taktshang monastery, one of Bhutan's best-known sights.

The flight
If you're fortunate enough to fly into Paro from neighbouring Nepal, you'll experience one of the most incredible flights of your life. Soaring up from Kathmandu, the journey passes eight of the world's ten highest peaks, including Everest and Kanchenjunga, before touching down at possibly the most ornate airport in the world. Truly magical.

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife reserve in the east, created to protect the habitat of the yeti, known locally as the migoi, or strong man.

Uma Paro, Bhutan

Uma Paro is a wonderful Himalayan retreat in the hills overlooking the cultural centre of Paro and surrounding mountain villages, rice paddies, fields and streams. Visits include exceptional guided walks and excursions and a world-class spa....

Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.

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Bhutan - Land Of The Thunder Dragon

Of all the Himalayan kingdoms, Bhutan is the most mysterious. It's a land of supernatural legends and ancient dzongs (monasteries) , where even today the local people wear traditional national dress. Located in the eastern Himalayas bordering Tibet and In...

Please call 0845 643 6562 for price details.

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