Bhutan
Discover Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ཡུལ་, Druk Yul) is a small country in the Himalayas between Tibet and India. Besides the stunning natural scenery, the enduring image of the country for most visitors is the strong sense of culture and tradition that binds the kingdom and clearly distinguishes it from its larger neighbours. Bhutan is a bastion of Vajrayana Buddhism, and the profound teachings of this tradition remain well preserved and exert a strong influence in all aspects of life. Bhutan can culturally and geographically be divided into three regions, which are further divided into 20 districts or dzongkhag (singular and plural):
What to Experience in Bhutan
Taste of Bhutan...
Rice is a staple with every meal; traditionally red rice, but white rice is now common too. Vegetable or meat dishes cooked with chilli and/or cheese comprise the accompanying cuisine. Bhutanese food has one predominant flavour – chilli. This small red condiment is not only added to every dish but is also often eaten raw. So, if you don't like spicy-hot food, make this abundantly clear before ordering a meal. Otherwise, you'll be spending the next hour dousing your mouth with cold yoghurt or milk. Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilli and cheese. All the hotels, resorts and restaurants will offer delicious Bhutanese food, Chinese, Continental, and Indian cuisines. Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are the meats that are eaten most often. Vegetables commonly eaten include Spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans. Grains such as rice, buckwheat and barley are also cultivated in various regions of the country depending on the local climate. The following is a list of some of the most popular Bhutanese dishes: Kewa-datsi and shamu-datsi tend to be less hot than ema-datsi; all three dishes are generally served with rice. Imtrat run canteens that sell excellent Indian dishes along with tea from 9:30AM–4:30PM. The quality of the food is very good, while the price is low.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Bhutan into what it is today.
The first humans probably arrived some time after the Ice Age, and little is known about Bhutan's prehistory. Historical records began with the arrival of Buddhism in the 7th century, when Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) visited Bhutan and established monasteries. In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalised the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Relations with its northern neighbour China are tense due to ongoing border disputes, and there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries. In December 2006, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck transferred power to his oldest son, the Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, bestowing upon him the title of the fifth Druk Gyalpo. The coronation took place in November 2008. The Fifth King was educated in Boston and Oxford and is held in high esteem throughout the country....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Bhutan.
Festivals or Tshechu (“tenth day”) are another major draw card to Bhutan and are held every year in various temples, monasteries and dzongs across the country. The Tshechu is mainly a religious event celebrated on the tenth day of the lunar calendar month corresponding to the birth day of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). However the month of Tshechu depends place to place and temple to temple. Tshechus are large social gatherings where people from various villages come together to witness the religious mask dances which are based on incidents from as long ago as the 8th century from the life of Guru Padmasambhava and to receive blessings from lamas. The event also consists of colourful Bhutanese dances and other entertainments. It is said that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to receive the blessings and wash away the sins. Every mask dances performed during Tshechu has a meaning or a story behind.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBhutan has one of the most restrictive visa policies in the world, and travel to the country is highly regulated under the government's "High Value, Low Impact Tourism" scheme. In accordance with this, virtually all nationalities require a visa to enter the country, except citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. As of summer 2023, tourists can independently arrange transportation, accommodations, and guides—requirements for travel beyond Thimphu and Paro. Visa extensions can also be processed while in the country. The government imposes a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per day on visitors from all countries except India and Bangladesh. However, the SDF is waived for a one-night stay at any of the three border entry points: Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar. For citizens of India, visas are issued on entry. A photograph and a valid Passport (or Voter ID Card for Indian residents only), is required (along with a photocopy of either)....
Regions
Explore AreasBhutan can culturally and geographically be divided into three regions, which are further divided into 20 districts or dzongkhag (singular and plural): Official website of National Parks and Protected…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Plane travel is a fast and relatively safe alternative to tackling Bhutan's twisty roads, but schedules are sparse and flights are cancelled at the drop of a hat. Druk Air and Bhutan Airways (aka Tashi Air) fly from Paro (Thimphu) to Yongphula Airport near Trashigang and Bathpalathang Airport in Jakar, Bumthang region, and to Gelephu close to the Indian border, in the southern central region. The roads that cross the country are characterised by their twists, turns, and steep inclines, but despite the difficult topography, they are generally very well-maintained and safe. Local and inter-district bus services are not so comfortable and stop frequently. Your local tour operator will provide a vehicle and driver for the duration of your stay. This cost is included in the daily tariff. However, travelling by local or inter-district bus or taxi can also be organised. The quality of road surface is variable with endless mountainous hairpin bends, so travel sickness tablets are recommended.
Where to Stay
All towns connected by motorable roads have hotels, though the standard varies considerably. International standard hotels are mostly found in tourist areas or major towns, while five star accommodation is only available in Paro, Jakar, Punakha, Gangtey and Thimphu. The hotel rates shown on the city articles are only relevant to people who have residency, visa exemption (generally this only applies to Indian nationals) or who are visiting the country as an invited guest. Other visitors can only enter the country as part of a tour, for which the daily rates are set by the Bhutanese authorities irrespective of the hotel rates (except for very expensive hotels where a surcharge is added). In addition, the tourism ministry has a list of homestays. These provide accommodation in areas without hotels. There are a few NGOs based in Bhutan, so it is possible to arrange volunteer work. However, Bhutan is very selective about who it engages in this field.
Money & Budget
The currency of the country is the Bhutanese Ngultrum, denoted by the symbol "Nu." (ISO code: BTN). It is fixed to the Indian rupee at an exchange rate of 1:1, and small Indian rupee bills (₹200 or less) can be used interchangeably in Bhutan. (This is one-way only, since ngultrum are not accepted in India.) Banknotes come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 ngultrum. Rice is a staple with every meal; traditionally red rice, but white rice is now common too. Vegetable or meat dishes cooked with chilli and/or cheese comprise the accompanying cuisine. Bhutanese food has one predominant flavour – chilli. This small red condiment is not only added to every dish but is also often eaten raw.
Language & Talk
Bhutan is a linguistically diverse country, with many languages spoken throughout the country. Dzongkha, a member of the Tibetic language family, is the national language of the country and the mother tongue of most people residing in Western Bhutan. In Eastern Bhutan, the major regional language is Sharchopkha (Tshangla), which derives much of its vocabulary from Classical Tibetan. The language is mostly used as a spoken language rather than a written language. In the Bumthang region, the major regional language is Bumthangkha, which is not similar to Dzonghka. Nepali is understood by a vast majority of Bhutanese and it is the most widely spoken Indo-Aryan language in the country.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Much of what is considered good manners in South Asia is applicable to Bhutan. Getting things done at government offices is relatively straightforward and, unlike many countries in the region, you will never be asked to pay a bribe. However, due to excessive red tape, Bhutan's civil service is commonly referred to as 'bureaucracy on steroids', and, as a result of needing to get permission for even the smallest and most insignificant project, Bhutan is often jokingly called the country where you need 'a permit to pee.' So, if you plan to submit any kind of proposal, be prepared to complete endless forms, submit unlimited applications, and to wait in line at numerous counters. Payments can be made in cash (local currency and Indian rupees) and in crypto currency (download the Binance Pay App:https://pay.binance.com/en). Other than airlines and five star resorts, international credit cards are not widely accepted as means of payment, though ATM machines are available in all urban centres.
Glimpses of Bhutan
Paro Taktsang temple in Bhutan viewing mountain under blue and white sky
Punakha Dzong
A building with a mountain in the background
Buddhist monastery Thrangu Tashi Yangtse, Nepal near Stupa Namobuddha in the Himalaya mountains
man in red robe walking on hallway
white and brown concrete house on rocky mountain during daytime
A house in the middle of a mountain range
Big Buddha statue in Bhutan Himalayas mountain. The Dzong Monastery in Bhutan Asia one of the largest monestary in Asia with the landscape and mountains background, Bhutan
white and brown concrete houses near green trees under white clouds during daytime
person standing holding machete selective focus photography
Paro Taktsang temple in Bhutan viewing mountain under blue and white sky
Punakha Dzong
A building with a mountain in the background