Bhutan Travel Guide

Facts about Bhutan

• The unique philosophy of Gross National happiness is officially measured in Bhutan
• Bhutan is the Carbon Negative Country in the World
• Bhutanese people believe that the Phallic images offer protection from evil and for Good Luck that are almost everywhere painted in walls.
• Bhutan is a Buddhist country with strong beliefs
• Bhutan is well-known for holding some of the most vibrant and colorful festivals in the world.
• Travelling Bhutan on a budget is impossible, but you do get your money’s worth.
• Bhutan provides free education and health care to their citizens.

Weather & Climate
Bhutan weather is highly influenced by its altitude. The northern regions of Bhutan where mountains rise as high as 7,000m/22,960 feet, the weather conditions are as similar as to arctic, frozen and frosty. Mountain peaks are continually covered in snow and the lower parts of Bhutan are still cool even in summers because of the high-altitude topography. 

Internet & SIM card
There are two GSM network providers in Bhutan. First is the government owned B-mobile (Bhutan Telecom) and second is private Tashi Cell. SIM card of both companies can be purchased rather easily. Network coverage is better with B-mobile although Tashi Cell is catching up recently. We recommend getting B-mobile, especially if you're traveling to less developed areas. Data are charged per MB basis and if you're active user, it's highly recommended getting some data package, otherwise you can drain your balance rather quickly. Most urban areas are now fully covered with 3G and 4G signal and it's not uncommon that you get much better Internet connection from mobile phone than from the hotel's Wi-Fi. 

Electricity And Electronic Devices
The standard voltage of electricity in Bhutan is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. If the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 and 240 V, as it would be in the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of Asia and Africa, you can use your electric or electronic appliances in Bhutan without a voltage converter.

Bhutanese Cuisine
Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Bhutanese cuisine ropes in much red rice, buckwheat and maize with meat varieties like chicken, yak, lamb, pork and dried beef in almost all parts of the country. Vegetables commonly eaten include Spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans. The most distinguishing attribute of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness and chilies are unbelievably an indispensable.

Cultural Tips
Bhutan is rich in cultural diversity and this richness is further enhanced by the wide variety of elaborate and colorful religious festivals that are celebrated throughout the country. Every village is known for their unique festival though the most widely known is the annual Tshechu, an annual. religious festival. Bhutan is a country which has only been recently introduced to the foreign tourists adhering to the policy of ‘High Value, Low Volume’ tourism.

Best Places to Stay in Bhutan
Bhutan is undeniably a unique place to visit partly because of the country’s standpoint to all visitors. Although it is a tiny country, high-end hotels and resorts are scattered all over Bhutan’s tourist destinations. Normally, when a traveler books a Bhutan holiday after paying a daily fee, it is an all-inclusive package that includes cost of their hotel, meals, transportation, guide and driver. The minimum daily fee, however, includes a 3-star hotel for accommodation.

Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall (autumn) are undoubtedly the best times of the year to visit Bhutan. The weather of Bhutan fluctuates radically depending on the elevation. Having said that, summer and winter seasons also have their own appeal and attractions. Spring season during the months between March and May is the all-time favorite season to visit Bhutan for all foreign tourists when the valleys come alive with flowers in bloom. Be it in its festivals or festivities, clear skies and glimpses to the Himalayan peaks, flourishing Himalayan flora and fauna, or simply beautiful snowfall.

Festivals And Holidays
The public holidays of Bhutan comprise both national holidays as well as the local festivals better known as Tshechus, which take place on different months of the Tibetan lunar year, they're always held on the tenth day and are an important social and spiritual event. 

National holidays are observed throughout the country while the local festivals are celebrated region wise and at particular times of the year. Since Bhutan has its own calendar, dates of some national holidays as well as the festivals change every year.

Top Attractions
There is no denial to the fact that Bhutan is the happiest country, at least in the whole of Asia. The land of the Thunder Dragon is a remote kingdom holding on to its centuries’ old Buddhist cultures while trying to cope with the present modernization. A remarkable land with museums, monks and mountains, Bhutan has copious reasons to fascinate travelers from all around the world despite of its stringent tourism policy. Foreign tourists have their own reasons to step their footsteps onto this mystical land of the Druk Yul. Bhutan provide boundless opportunities to enjoy the country’s affluent cultural heritage. Side by side, it is a fine chance to explore the natural beauty and the scenic outlooks and stunning milieu in the land of the Thunder Dragon.