Some Tips for Bhutan Tour

Travel Tips and Checklist

Before coming to Bhutan, make sure that you attend to the following:

Travel/Medical Insurance:

The Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan has initiated a travel and a medial scheme solely for our visitors. Hence it is important that you get detailed information about the insurance scheme from your travel agents before you leave for Bhutan.

Money

Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.). It is however recommended that you carry travelers’ cheque or cash, preferably American Express and US dollar. The ATM facilities for foreign currency are limited to just few towns including the capital city Thimphu. Visa and American Express credit cards are also widely accepted.

Banking

Financial institutions in Bhutan have been improved greatly. Some of the banks that you can get services and facilities from are the Bank of Bhutan Limited, the Bhutan National Bank, the Druk PNB and the Tashi Bank. Many of these banks provide you with SMS and internet banking facilities. There are also ATM facilities and ATMs are located in a number of places where you can withdraw your money especially in Thimphu and in the border town of Phuentsholing. Traveler’s cheque can be easily withdrawn and exchanged into local currency. However, as you travel into the interior, ATM and internet facilities are almost non-existent. So, it is suggested that you do your banking works while in Thimphu.

Electricity

All major towns are well connected with electricity that runs on 220/240 volts with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. All the energy in Bhutan is clean and green energy generated by hydro power.

Communications

The country has a good network of telecommunication facilities. Almost every town has an internet cafe and calling booths from where you can log on to and send messages home and to your loved ones. Also most hotels in Thimphu and Paro have internet access. Mobile (cell) phone is also widely used with international roaming facilities.

Travelling Kits

Bhutan experiences a great variation in its climate. Summers are warm with average daily temperature ranging from 20 to 25 Celsius, while winters are cold. In winters temperatures are usually below 15 Celsius. So bring with you a couple of warm clothes and comfortable shoes to go with the weather, the terrain and the program. You might want to consider ‘what to wear’ for hikes, trekking and sightseeing, as well as for dinners, appointments and functions.
Other than that you could consider bringing with you a pair of sunglasses, sun screen lotion and a hat; antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream, anti-diarrhea pills, altitude & car sickness medicine; insect repellent, flash light, umbrella, camera, films and accessories (including spare camera batteries) etc.

Photography

Bhutan is an ideal place and a frequent haunt for photographers offering immense opportunities for photography especially during our outdoor sightseeing trips. However you may need to check with your guide for indoor photography as taking photographs inside Dzongs, temples, monasteries and religious institutions are restricted unless you have a special permission from the Department of Culture. One can however, capture images of the landscapes, the panoramic views of the mountain ranges, the rural folk life, the flora and fauna, the Bhutanese architecture and the Dzongs and Chortens in particular.