Travel Guide Bhutan
Preserved from the tumult of the world, the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is undoubtedly one of the most majestic destinations in South Asia for the most seasoned travelers. The lands of the Thunder Dragon, wedged between the two giants that are China andIndia, in the eastern part of the titanicHimalayan range, impress the eye and calm the heart. As soon as the visitor steps onto the tarmac of Paro, he is surprised by the powerful silence that reigns here, and already the silhouettes of Buddhist houses and temples of traditional architecture are visible on the horizon, made of valleys and peaks. In a country that evaluates its progress by taking into account the GNH (Gross National Happiness) index, the kindness of the local population has no common measure. The Kingdom of Bhutan is a mosaic of grandiose landscapes, from the subtropical plains of the south where panthers, tigers and deer cohabit, to the mountainous regions of the north - here culminates at 7,326 m the Chomolarhi - where yaks, takins, snow leopards and marmots thrive in peace... for the greatest happiness of nature lovers and trekkers! It is well away from mass tourism that the Bhutan tourist guide takes you, from its capital Thimphou to the monastery of Taktshang, the Tiger's Lair, and the green valley of Paro. Welcome to the serene roofs of the world!
What to visit Bhutan?
Suggested addresses Bhutan
When to go to Bhutan?
When to go to Bhutan ? If a stay in this corner of theHimalayas can, because of a pleasant climate, be undertaken at any time of the year, it is nevertheless advisable to avoid the monsoon period which runs from the end of April to the beginning of September. While not a particular hindrance to activities, your view of the mountains may be impaired by the cloud cover. The best time to go to Bhutan is during the high tourist season, between October and April, when the climate is dry and sunny. During this long period, the months of October and November (autumn) and March and April (spring) are preferred. To know when to go to Bhutan, one can also take into account the calendar of festivals which are numerous in high season, making the daily visa price higher.
Weather at the moment
The weather in Bhutan allows for stays in all seasons. However, if you want to see the mountains, it is best to go during the high season. In June and July, the humid air masses from the Bay of Bengal meet the Himalayan range, cool down and form condensation which falls as rain. This is the monsoon. Temperatures vary according to the region. In the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, they range from -1 °C in January to 25 °C in July.
The national currency of the Kingdom of Bhutan is the ngultrum (Nu). The visa policy makes Bhutan an expensive country. Thus, it is necessary to count 250 US$ per day and per person (high season) and 200 US$ per day and per person (low season) for a "visa" including everything: food, accommodation, transport and visit. Apart from this "visa", you will not have to pay anything, except perhaps for your souvenirs. The practice of tipping is widespread and the amount is left to your discretion.
Visa application for Bhutan is mandatory for tourists. You will need to contact a travel agency that will arrange the arrangements for you and pay the requested amount (US$250 per day per person in high season or US$200 per day per person in low season), via bank transfer or cash upon arrival in Bhutan.
No special vaccines are required to travel to Bhutan except for conventional vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis). Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended in the absence of prior immunity. The most frequent problems encountered in Bhutan are altitude sickness, sunstroke or heat stroke, digestive difficulties due to lack of familiarity with cooking and food (vegetables, raw vegetables...) and insect bites, especially mosquitoes. Advice to travellers, remember to bring, according to your sensitivity, mosquito repellents, sunscreen, pills to calm heartburn, diarrhea and other digestive problems, etc. Finally, since stray dogs are numerous, a vaccination against rabies would be a good idea. The water is not drinkable and you will not find a bottle of water everywhere so be careful.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
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How to go to Bhutan? Our advice & tips
It is quite simple, a trip to Bhutan is only possible with an organized tour. Indeed, the tourist policy in force is that of the daily visa (250 US$ in high season, 200 US$ in low season). This includes, in addition to an authorization to travel on the Bhutanese territory, food, accommodation, transport and visit. It is recommended to contact travel agencies specialized in the destination before embarking on the adventure.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationThere are no direct flights from Europe to the Kingdom of Bhutan. The easiest way is to leave from Kathmandu (AR ticket around 700 €) and to add 300 US$ for a return ticket Kathmandu-Taro, whatever the season. Please note that the price variation depends on the airline used, but especially on the reservation delay. As for the rest of the stay, it is the Bhutanese tourist authorities who take care of it, with the purchase of a daily visa.
The distances to be covered in the city centre of Thimphou, the capital, are very reasonable and can easily be covered on foot. To reach Bhutanese cities, you will use the newly renovated Bhutanese road network.
