Here you find some useful information for your travel preparations
- Arrival
- Time of travel
- Festival rules
- Health
- Travel advice
- Costs and Visa
Travelling on your own. Discover Bhutan without guides?
Before you decide to go to Bhutan it is important to know that you can’t travel around on your own. Its visa policy is restrictive and every tourist is required to have a visa. The only way to get a visa is to plan your journey with a registered Bhutanese travel agency. During your trip a Bhutanese guide will accompany you. For any further information go to Visa.
Acclimatization
The airport of Paro is about 2380 metres above sea level. Most of our European guests do not have problems adapting themselves to this height. If you do not overexert your body the difference will not be noticed. Furthermore our trekkings usually begin on your third or fourth day in Bhutan. Before its start we are going on short hikes to give you the possibility to adapt to the height properly.
Electricity
The line voltage is 220 Volt. Power cuts are rare.
Food
Typical meals mostly consist of vegetables with rice or potatoes. Hotels usually have buffets with a wide range of menus to choose from. There are non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks available, but wine is served rarely.
Photography
Bhutan is a great place to take unusual photographs. The spectacular landscape and the unique architecture of the dzongs, monasteries and other religious institutes make wonderful pictures.
Inside the temples and monasteries it is not permitted to take photographs. We ask you to respect that and to follow the advice of your guide.
Money
The currency of Bhutan is called Ngultrum (Nu). It values equally as much as an Indian rupee. We recommend to bring US dollars or euros in cash as well. If you enter the country in Paro, you can withdraw cash directly at the airport. Ask your guide for further possibilities to change money.
Recently cash machines have established but have not become widespread yet. Credit cards are accepted in big hotels.
Clothing / equipment
It is necessary to bring along clothes for cold weather in summer as well. For the reason that many places of interest can only be got to by foot you should wear comfortable shoes with good tread. Short trousers are a taboo in Bhutan. Especially while visiting religious places one has to be dressed appropriately and respectfully. Because we are mostly staying in over 2000 metres above sea level wearing sunglasses and a sun hat and applying sun block is unavoidable.
If you are going on a trekking we will provide the tent and an isolation mat. Suggestion of a packing list for a trekking.
Clothing for visits to dzongs and monasteries
It is very important to dress oneself appropriately for a visit to a religious place. Short trousers and tank tops are prohibited. We strongly recommend wearing long trousers or long skirts and a jumper with sleeves. In case you enter a temple shoes are to be removed. We thank you in advance for your understanding!
Criminality
Bhutan is a safe country. It cannot be guaranteed that a safe is being provided in your hotel room. Not utterly necessary valuables are recommended to be left at home.
Ban on smoking
Bhutan is the first country in the world which has legislated against smoking. It is not possible to purchase cigarettes, so you have to bring your own from your home country. Do not forget to check the current regulation of the customs duty or ask us about it. However, smoking is not permitted in public places. Especially near religious places it is disrespectful to smoke.
Tips
Our co-workers are delighted about receiving a tip if you have been satisfied with their effort. It is up to you if and how much money you like to give.
In case you honoured the hard work of the carriers on a trekking with a tip, please make sure you do it in Ngultrum. Usually a possibility to change money is quite far off.