Travel Tips

Passport: Passport should be valid minimum of 1year from the date of travel.
Travel Insurance: Do we need Travel Insurance? Yes you need to buy travel insurance or if you have then you will have to inform an insurance company.
Do we require Medical Insurance? Yes you do need Medical Insurance too, Can you consult with us for the matter at trekkingbhutan@gmail.com

1. Currency

The national currency is the Ngultrum (Nu). 100 Chetrum=1 Nu. Exchange rate is approximately USD 1=Nu. 60.85 (Jan, 2016). Indian Rupees circulate at par and is widely used except for the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs1000

2. American Express credit cards

VISA credit cards are accepted in few shops in the capital and important towns. American Express credit cards are accepted in few hotels and shops at a higher commission. Visitors are advised to carry traveler cheques (preferably American Express) with some cash (US Dollars)

3. Time Difference

Bhutan Standard time is 6 hours ahead of GMT. There is only one time zone through out the country. The time in Bhutan is 30 minutes earlier than India, 15 minutes earlier than in Nepal, and 1 hour later than in Thailand.

4. Electricity

230-240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. The current is variable. If you do bring electrical appliance, bring along an international converter kit with a set of adapter plugs.

5. Plugs and Sockets

Bhutan uses the standard Indian roundpin sockets which come in variety of sizes. Most European round pin-plugs work, but their pins are usually smaller than the Indian variety and fit loosely and provide an unreliable connection. There are plenty of Electrical shops in Thimphu whereyou can buy an adapter if you have any trouble plugging in an appliance.

6. Laundry

Hotels do the laundry, but vary few hotels have dryers. Same day service is possible depending on the availability of sunshine. There are few dry cleaners in Thimphu and Phuntsholing.

7. Communication Facilities

Reliable telephone and fax services are available in all towns in Bhutan. International connections are excellent. Internet cafes are few in number and available only in a few places. However most tourist hotels have internet connection. Prepaid SIM card can be purchased and you can use your mobile phones in most of the major towns in the country.

8. Insurance

To protect against unforeseen accidents and mishaps, it is advisable to obtain travel insurance from your country. It should adequately cover helicopter evacuation and medical assistance.

9. Health Information

No Vaccinations are currently required for travelling to Bhutan. However, Visitors coming from an area infected with yellow fever are required to get a yellow fever vaccination and must be administered at least ten days before arrival into Bhutan. Likewise, visitors arriving from a cholera infected should get vaccinated.

10. Cuisine

Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chillies and cheese. Continental, Chinese and Indian cuisine is served in most restaurants. In Thimphu, there are more choices with restaurants specialized splely in Chinese, Thai, Italian and Indian.

11. Shopping

The country’s exquisite postage stamps, lovely hand woven fabrics, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade papers, finely crafted metal objects, thangkha paintings are popular items purchased by foreign visitors. Buying and selling of antiques id strictly forbidden in the kingdom.

12. Gratitude

In general, tipping is neither compulsory nor there is any fixed amount. It is dependent on how much the individual did to make your travel more enjoyable.

13. Winding Roads

The roads are winding and narrow by western standards. Since Bhutan is a mountainous country, it takes time to travel from place to place. To travel 127 kms it may take 5 hours.

14. Altitude

The maximum elevation that you can reach on a Bhutanese road is 3150m in the west and 3750m in the east. There are rare cases where individuals have suffered from altitude problems

15. Clothing

While casual clothes are fine, sleeveless top, shorts and caps are strictly not permitted for entry into Dzongs, government offices and monastic festivals. To withstand Bhutan’s changeable weather, it is advisable to bring travel cloths and wamer clothes for evenings.

16. Photography

Bhutan is a photographer’s paradise. However, it is recommended to seek permission before you photograph people and places of interest.

17. Senior Travelers

Many visitors are senior citizens travelling in organized groups. Hotal guides and tour operators are all familiar with their needs and treat them with respect that the Bhutanese have for their elders. The primary precaution one should take is to have an ample supply of any special medicines, as they probably may not be available in Bhutan.

18. Smoking in public places

On the 17th December 2004, in keeping with the decision of the Bhutanese parliament, the nationwide ban on the sale of tobacco products was implemented making Bhutan the first country in the world to do so. The maximum amount of cigarettes that can be imported for personal consumption is 200 pieces. For other tobacco, the maximum import amount is 50 grams. For pipe tobacco, it is three tins of 50 grams each.

Smoking in public places which includes parks, discotheques, entertainment centers, sports facilities like football grounds and archery ranges, commercial centers including shops, bars and restaurants, institutions like Dzongs, hospitals, schools, and government offices, public transport carriers, public gatherings such as monastic festivals, official receptions, national celebrations, and vegetable markets is banned