17/03/2023
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FAQ to visit Bhutan
Nestled in the Himalayas, the Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most stunning destinations that few travelers due to its location, cost, or travel logistics.
As the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation in the world, Bhutan counts with a strong cultural heritage, a harmonious society, and a varied natural scenery that ranges from Himalayan Mountain on the north to lush jungles on the south.
This all sounds beautiful and paradisiacal in my opinion, it is. But since Bhutan is not your typical holiday destination, there are several things you must take into consideration before planning your trip to “The Last Shangri-La.”
1. You need a visa to enter the country
Except for the people of India, rest all other nationalities require a visa to enter Bhutan.
Indian nationals can fly in with a valid passport (may also use their Voters Identity Card [VIC]). All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance via their tour company before traveling to Bhutan.
You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. At your point of entry, you will be required to show your visa clearance letter (emailed to you by your tour company), so immigration then stamps your official visa in your passport.
2. You must hire a tour company
Unfortunately, it is not possible to travel Bhutan independently.
To get the visa approved for Bhutan westerners must hire a tour company or reliable stakeholders. Once you’re in Bhutan, you’re not allowed to roam freely between cities; it is only possible with your tour guide. There are checkpoints between zones (regions) where your visa is verified along with the tour company’s documents.
Having said that, you’re free to make a round within the city or hike on your own, as long as you don’t hike from one to the other. Another plus point of having a tour company is that they will take care of everything for you, as the whole tour is es**rt tour.
3. The visa costs $40 one time along with $100 SDF per night.
It sounds expensive, and maybe it is for a budget traveler. The new revise with the SDF cost is because Bhutan is focusing on “high value, low volume” tourism. The high cost will “control” the number of tourists coming into the country, thus enhancing the individual, “almost exclusive” experience you have there.
However there is always a misconception regarding visa and daily tariff. Clients are charged one time visa fee of $40 and $100 SDF is charged separately as per the nights . Basically $180 and $160 is the minimum daily package rate for peak and lean season respectively to travel to Bhutan. Your daily tariff includes your accommodation (three stars hotel most probably), private transportation (SUV with chauffeur), tour expert guide, and meals.
What’s not included are beverage items other than tea or coffee, souvenirs, tips, insurance (unless stated), and other expenses not specified by the tour company.
If you looking for luxurious hotel (four or five-stars) for booking then you need to pay additional amount depending upon the hotels you prefer to stay.
For example, if a five-star hotel costs $400 per night, you will subtract the $80 from the visa and pay a difference of $320 per night. The average extra cost for a five-star hotel is $300 more per day, depending on the hotel and season.
On the other hand, it is not possible to downgrade the hotels just to pay less for your visa. But, you can compromise it with tight budget tour trip, by joining big number tour groups instead of having a private tour.
Our company, depending on the trip and the group size, often offer discounts on daily package. But, the average discount will be normally around 10% to 20% off for a tour group.
Note; In a group of three persons, if one member is a child of 5 years and below, the group shall be treated as a FIT (Free Independent Traveler) group of two persons will be applicable.
Unfortunately, Bhutan is not a budget-backpacker friendly country, but even with the relatively high expenses, it is worth visiting it.
Regarding travel insurance, if your tour company doesn’t include it, I recommend buying your travel insurance with World Nomads, which covers you in Bhutan.
4. You can either fly or enter the country overland
Flying is the most common method to reach Bhutan, but you must know that there’s only one international airport in the country, located in Paro which is one hour away from Thimphu (the capital city).
Only two airlines fly to Bhutan: Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. Depending on the demand they also arrange charter flights too. Flights to Bhutan only depart from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Malaysia and Indonesia are seasonal departure points.
If your tour doesn’t include flights, I recommend checking for flights on Skyscanner.com. That often helps save money to buy two separate roundtrips: one from your home country to other countries mentioned above, and then another from that “middle country” to Bhutan. It’s convenient and cheaper, but not always, so please checks the both options.
Entering overland is possible from India, but not from Tibet/China.
Also worth noting about Paro Airport is that landing there is one of the most interesting, if not scary, landings you will ever experience. The airport is wedged in between mountains, so pilots have to do some serious maneuvering and turns to reach the landing strip as it is one of the world extreme international in the world.
5. It is possible to go camping and do home stays
While you can’t downgrade to lower star level hotels, you can do home stays. Having said that, Bhutan’s home stay is not like the typical home stay program where you stay at someone’s home.
In Bhutan, you can stay in farmhouses in the countryside, but they operate like a hotel, with hotel standards (western standards). On the other hand, you eat with the family at every meal experiencing local Bhutanese life style.
Trekking is also possible, especially if you’re doing multi-day hikes across the country or in more remote regions. But trekking experience is more like glamping where you will have all the luxury in a tent camping at the same time you will have a cook, horses to carry your stuff, and a guide.
Even when camping or doing a home stay you must pay the visa’s full price as every tourist in Bhutan is required to have a car, driver, guide, meals, and hotel (accommodation).
6. You can go anywhere in the country
When you plan your trip, you will either tell your tour company where you want to go or they will suggest popular tourist attractions to visit. It is possible to go anywhere in the country, but it has to be arranged beforehand to get the zone travel permits.
You can change plans during your trip too, but it shouldn’t be during last minute (like the same day or maybe the next day) although we trip you depending on your best interest at our service. If you’re changing the day before or same day, it is possible too but you will need to pay the hotel cancellation fees.
It takes time for your guide as well as for the travel company to rearrange everything and get zone permits if you’re going to a different zone than previously planned. However our motive is not to dishearten of beloved guest so we give our 100% to give the best of all during their stay in our homeland.
Be aware that changing plans will incur some extra costs, as expected. It is also possible to extend your stay if your visa allows it (or if you extend your visa).
Most travelers don’t go to the east side of the country but it’s only because of logistics and lack of tourism infrastructure in the region, but that is slowly changing as new airports open in those zones, make tourism more accessible.
7. Expect really spicy food
Bhutanese eat chili for breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner. It is believe any meal without chili pepper is an unworthy meal.
If you’re into savory food, then make use of it. On the other hand, if spicy food is not your preferred meals then you can ask for other alternate option.
Your guide will ask you on the first day about any dietary restrictions, so do let him know if you have any or if you don’t prefer spicy food.
Most meals will be buffet, so most dishes they cook will have some spice (nevertheless sometimes they set non-spicy if ordered).
For some non-buffet restaurants, your guide will tell you the meal options to choose about 45 minutes to an hour before lunch/dinner, so your food will be ready once you arrive.
The country’s national dish, ema datsi, is a spicy curry of chilies and cheese, paired with nutty red rice. It is also topped off with ezay salsa, which is also made from dried chilies.
8. Expect to see a lot of ph***ic symbols. It’s not p**n!
Don’t be alarmed by Bhutan’s ph***ic obsession. It’s part of their culture and religion. You’ll see p***ses painted on doorways, across walls, and even as giant sculptures or souvenirs.
This ph***ic worship is a nod to the teachings of Drukpa Kuenley, a revered saint who traveled the country teaching a new form of Buddhism - through s*x and local wine.
You’ll learn about him, his teachings, and how the ph***ic symbol came to be part of their Buddhism throughout your trip. He also sounded like a h***y monk who wanted to have s*x with everyone (even with a cow), but this is part of the interesting history of Bhutan.
There’s even a temple in the Punakha Valley, called Chime Lhakhang, where couples trying to have a kid visit the temple, pray, make an offering.
Women with fertility problems hold a wooden p***s (phallus) about two feet tall and give three rounds around the temple while holding it like a baby. It’s a local ritual for fertility.
9. Bring US Dollars and expect Indian Rupees in return
While you can use the local currency, the Ngultrum, it is convenient to take US dollars for any souvenir purchase, tips, or drinks. Get whatever cash you need at the ATM at the airport as there are not a lot of ATMs in the country.
Major cities do have several, though. But, don’t get too much cash, as almost everything is included on your tour. The Ngultrum and the Indian Rupee are paired one to one, so it is accepted almost everywhere in the country.
10. Astrology is big in Bhutan
Whether you like astrology or not, you’ll learn a lot about it in Bhutan. This study of the movements and relative positions of celestial objects is so prominent in the country that it is consulted even to build a house, have children, get cremated, and so on.
Be respectful with what your guide says about astrology (even if you don’t believe in it) since it is an essential aspect of their culture. 108 white flags commemorating the dead. 108 is an important number in Buddhism.
11. Mountaineering is forbidden in the country
Trekking is possible up to 6000m above the sea level. But mountaineering is forbidden as mountains are sacred as far Bhutanese and further due to local believes. Snow peaks are considered the domain of the gods and goddesses, and it is believed that if we entertain people to climb mountain then they’ll get disturbed and will brings havoc (drought and floods,) like which has the story before. That’s the one reason Bhutan has highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
12. Summer is monsoon season
When planning your trip, take into consideration what you’d want to see and the seasons. Spring are often considered the best times to visit, especially if you’re going for hiking as the skies are mostly clear and the temperature is not too hot nor cold. Also, September to November is considered tourism high season months.
Winter will give you the clearest views of the snowcapped Himalayas, but it is not recommendable as several roads are blocked due to heavy snowfall.
Summer, on the other hand, brings heavy rains. And even when it isn’t rainy, clouds and fog tend to hover the sky and cover some of the best views.
13. Take proper clothing
Dzongs are some of the most impressive buildings in Bhutan, and you shouldn’t miss seeing them. A Dzong is a traditional building that is half a temple and administration offices.
When visiting a Dzong or any monastery, make sure you dressed properly; otherwise, you won’t be allowed in their interior spaces. Proper clothing consists of long pants and long sleeve shirts/t-shirts. Jeans are acceptable (as is casual clothing) as long as they cover your arms and legs. Closed shoes are also required.
You can have a jacket, but you’re not supposed to wear it around your waist or have it unbuttoned or unzipped. You can’t wear caps or hats inside the monasteries, but it’s ok to have them in the courtyards and outdoor spaces.
I insist you to travel with a day pack with a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt. When you make a vist to a Dzong, make sure you wore them over your shorts and short sleeve t-shirt. It will be convenient and easy to put it on and take it off.
Naturally, since Bhutan is nestled in the Himalayas, it’s always good to carry at least a jacket as even during the summer it gets cold up the mountains, especially at night.
14. Want to stay connected? Get a local SIM card.
While there is a mobile network in the country, their service and coverage is still a hit and miss. Some cell phone providers (from your country) might allow roaming there, but most still don’t. You should verify with your company.
Alternatively, if you want to stay connected, you can get a local tourist SIM card. You’ll need your passport to get it. Never to be forgotten hotels will be having Wifi.
The local SIM card for tourists will be available in the local market as well as at the airport by B Mobile and Tashi Cell (the two telecom companies) which will roughly cost Nu 200 (about $4).
15. Bring your own smokes
Bhutan banned the sale of to***co. Smoking is prohibited in public places but allowed privately. Tourists can bring up to 200 ci******es with some extra taxes and formalities at the airport.
Before smoking, it is recommended you ask your guide to find you a place to smoke, so it doesn’t get you into trouble.
Hotels, some local bars, and restaurants have indoor smoking rooms, and some nightclubs informally allow it after dark.
16. Don’t smoke w**d
Cannabis grows almost everywhere in the country freely. Bhutan was the last country to introduce the radio - in 1988 - and later TV and internet in 1999.
Bhutanese didn’t know about w**d smoking until they saw it in TV. Now it is considered illegal, and if found in possession you could land for three years or more in prison for consumption or for smuggling.
What’s even more interesting is that before we “discovered” it can be smoked, locals used to collect the cannabis, chop it, boil it, and give it to the pigs.
17. Don’t go into taboo subjects and don’t disrespect the royals
Your guide will be answerable to any possible questions about the country, but be mindful about controversial topics as they will steer away from them, especially the Bhutanese refugees issue from the 1990s issue.
Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy since 2007. Criticizing the royal family is almost considered as blasphemy since they are seen as incarnations of gods.
Other than this, your guide, who will always be dressed with the traditional gho (if male) or kira (if female), will feed you tons of useful information about religion, culture, and anything you want to know about Bhutan.
18. Practice the Dha
The Dha, or archery, is Bhutan’s national sport. Tell your tour guide to plan some time to take you to an archery field as it’s an activity that foreigners are encouraged to participate in. Most towns have an archery field.
Otherwise, watch a local match with some of the world’s best archers, which I’m sure will impress you.
19. Don’t have enough time to visit much? Go to Paro and Punakha
Ideally, you’ll have enough time to visit places like Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and more. But if times (or budget) don’t allow you to stay there for long, focus on visiting Paro and Punakha.
In Paro, you’ll see the Paro Dzong, and not far from it you’ll be able to hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest. This semi-challenging hike takes half a day (about two to three hours up, and one to two hours down, depending on your pace) but it is worth every step.
You’ll go from 2,500 meters in height up to 3,100 meters, where the temple is nested.
In Punakha, you’ll see one of the most beautiful and biggest Dzongs of Bhutan. It is very picturesque, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can go whitewater rafting on the river that flows in front of it (though its rapids classification is quite low).
Bhutan might be expensive to visit for a budget traveler, but trust me, it is worth seeing as this is one of the few countries in the world where you’ll still feel like stepping into a completely foreign, non-westernized, environment.
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