Due to the wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions, it is advisable to dress in layers and learn more on Travel Tips below.
We recommend durable, comfortable trekking boots, sunglasses, headgear, raincoats, and warm clothing. A sleeping bag is a must and it is advisable to have a medium to a heavy one. A torch can be handy. (Note: for trekking a load of 20kg is allowed).
What to Pack for Travel Tips:
The following is a fairly exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip:
Photography Travel Tips:
The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. The natural scenery is superb, and you will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops, etc. Always ask by a gesture if it is ok to do so. Don’t take your destination as a living museum! Please do not photograph shrine rooms in dzongs, monasteries, or religious institutions. Outdoor photography is typically allowed but confirms with your guide before taking any pictures.
“Kuzu Zangpola” Greetings! & Kadinche – Thank you! Dzongkha is the national language. English is commonly spoken throughout the Kingdom.
The following information acts as a guide when traveling to Bhutan. This practical advice is not a comprehensive list but should provide some useful information for you as you plan your traveling.
The Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan has initiated a travel and medical plan solely for our visitors. Travel insurance can be provided through your Bhutanese tour operator or international partner. You may also visit the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan website at www.ricb.com.bt for more information.
Electricity in major towns runs on 220/240 volts and uses two-pin and three-pin power outlets. Bring flat-to-round pin converters for electronics. Most hotels offer multi-plug sockets. Bhutan is a carbon-neutral destination. Our energy is clean and green and generated by hydropower.
Some popular handicraft items available for purchase are hand-woven textiles of raw silk or silk, carved masks of various animals, woven baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, handmade paper products, or finely crafted gods of silver. You may find Buddhist thangkha paintings or Bhutan’s colorful postage stamps intriguing. You can come across these items in the many handicraft shops in and around Thimphu and in other major towns. Please remember that buying and selling antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.
Tipping is a purely personal matter. We leave it up to you as to whether you want to give a gratuity to your guides and drivers. However, if doing so, we recommend that you place the gratuity in an envelope.
The country has a good network of telecommunication facilities. Most hotels and cafes offer Wi-Fi internet access. Bhutan has a comprehensive mobile (cell) phone network with global roaming also assessable.
Bhutan ascribes to the metric system and most weights are measured in grams (g) and kilograms (kg). The standard time is 6 hours ahead of GMT.
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:
Nationwide holidays are celebrated. Additionally, each Dzongkhag observes its own regional holidays, particularly during annual tshechus (religious festivals). For such a list, please contact your service provider or travel agent.
It is advisable to dress in layers, especially since there is a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions. Layered clothing provides better protection against cold compared to one or two thick garments. Clothing made from natural materials is preferred as they allow the body to breathe. Shorts and tight-fitting clothes are not welcome, and women are advised to wear below-the-knee skirts or fairly loose trousers. It is also recommended to dress modestly and respectfully when visiting monasteries, dzongs, and other religious institutions, and to refrain from smoking while on the premises. Hats, caps, etc. should be removed before entering the premises.
When packing for a trip to Bhutan, it is advisable to bring clothes suitable for the season, durable, comfortable trekking boots, sunglasses, headgear, raincoats, and warm clothing. It is also recommended to bring a sleeping bag, torch or flashlight with spare batteries, insect repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit & safety pins, mirror, scissors, sun cream, lip salve, soluble aspirin, antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream, anti-diarrhea pills, a preparation for the relief of sunburn, medicine for anti-motion sickness, and any medication you take regularly, or might need to take for a periodically recurring condition, such as asthma. Other items to pack include sunglasses/spare glasses, a pair of casual shoes, a knife, an umbrella, a camera, and accessories (including spare camera batteries).
Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.), which is at par with the Indian rupee. Indian rupee denominations of 500 and 1000 are not accepted in Bhutan. POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at most hotels and handicrafts stores.
Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan, but English is commonly spoken throughout the country.
Bhutan offers immense opportunities for photography, especially during outdoor sightseeing trips. However, before taking pictures or filming inside Dzongs, temples, monasteries, or religious institutions, it is advisable to consult with your guide. Some areas may not allow photography/filming. You are free to capture images of the landscape, panoramic views of the mountain ranges, rural life, flora and fauna, distinctive Bhutanese architecture, and the exterior of Dzongs and Chortens in particular. Some popular handicraft items available for purchase are hand-woven textiles of raw silk or silk, carved masks of various animals, woven baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, handmade paper products, or finely crafted gods of silver. You may find Buddhist thangkha paintings or Bhutan’s colorful postage stamps intriguing. You can come across these items in the many handicraft shops in and around Thimphu and in other major towns.