Travel Tips

Climate

While traversing across the country, you can feel the vast differences in altitude. This makes the climate extremely varied and at some point, you can enjoy all four seasons in one go. September to December is the ideal time to visit Bhutan, it is autumn and the air is fresh with clear blue skies. January and February are colder with occasional snowfalls but from then onwards, it's spring until June, the climate remains dry and pleasant. In late spring, the famous rhododendrons bloom spectacularly flooding the valleys with colors. July and August are Summer (Monsoon season)and the weather is warm with rain during the day or several overcast days in a row.

What to Pack

The first thing to note about packing is which time of the year you’ll be visiting Bhutan but please bear in mind that the higher the altitude, the cooler the weather will be. We have listed a exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip in Bhutan:

Clothes as per the season
Pair of walking shoes
Sunglasses, hat & sun lotions
Insect repellent
Cameras and accessories.

Travel Insurance

The costs that we offer do not cover your Travel Insurance. It is imperative that you have full comprehensive insurance covered to protect against unforeseen incidents. Such policies are not available in Bhutan. It should adequately cover baggage and travel delays, etc. And helicopter evacuation, transportation and medical assistance in case of treks.

Financial Security

Department of Tourism (DOT) is the regulatory authority of the Tourism industry, in particular to frame policy directives, which will ensure the Industry’s healthy growth. As a rule, all monetary transactions must be deposited in USD to TCB’s account (and in INR for Indian nationals) and only then the visa/permit is issued. The payment is approved and released to the tour operators after deducting the Government Taxes only after the tour is completed and the standards are met. As such, there is no risk involved while booking your tours.

Time Zone

Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and it’s the same time zone throughout the country.

Telecommunication

Bhutan is well connected with mobile phone connections and travelers can get temporary sim cards. Almost all the hotels have free Wi-Fi services. You will be able to check your emails and make international telephone calls from almost all the places while touring in Bhutan.

Electricity

In Bhutan, electricity runs on 220/240 volts, with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. If you bring electrical appliances, also pack appropriate adapter plugs. Thimphu electrical appliance shops stock adapter plugs, but they are unlikely to be available elsewhere.

Money

Bhutan’s currency is Ngultrum (Nu). There are banks and ATM facilities in most of the major towns. You can withdraw local currency via Visa, MasterCard, credit & debit cards. However, ATMs do not work always and usually you will be able to draw a small amount in single transaction. So backup cash in US$ is advisable. You can exchange it to local currency at the airport on arrival or at the local banks.

Accommodations

We have comfortable resorts, hotels, lodges and guest houses at every destination. We offer free room upgrades exclusively for BMV Tours' guests. We take pride in providing first class accommodations for our guests. We have carefully selected a list of accommodation units with the best of location, service and ambiance. Away from the towns and villages,if you are trekking in the mountains, there are purpose-built cabins on some of the principle trekking routes but there is nothing like camping in the breath-taking landscapes of Bhutan. Majority of the hotels are 3 stars (by international standard), which are small properties with 20-30 rooms. They are built in traditional architectures. You will have en suite bathroom with running hot and cold water. The hotels exhibit Bhutanese décor and are generally comfortable. All the hotels provide free Wi-Fi. The lobbies and receptions are cozy. They are staffed with friendly locals. We have a few more luxury 4 & 5 star hotels, accommodation upgrade requires an additional top up.

Food

Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chili and cheese. It is varied and each region has its own specialties. You’ll find lots of dairy products, a wide variety of fresh organic vegetables, and spices such as cardamom, ginger, caraway and turmeric. Meat and poultry dishes are usually served in the form of stews or curries and all meals are accompanied by either white or red rice. Buckwheat and maize are sometimes substituted for rice. All the hotels, resorts and local restaurants serve delicious local food and some of them also serve Chinese and Indian cuisines.

Photography

The natural scenery is superb and the architectures are colorful which offers you immense opportunities of photography on your entire trip. It’s always good to ask by gesture if its okay to take pictures of the localities in fact, most of them are pleased. Photography inside shrine rooms of the dzongs(Fortress), monasteries and temples are generally not allowed.

Tour Guide

In order to ensure that visitors receive high quality professional service, all our tour guides are trained by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Most of our tour guides have been working in tourism industry for years, they are trained to specialize in either cultural or adventure tours. Our Tour Guides are college educated locals. All of them are proficient in English and some of them are fluent in other languages like German, French, Japanese, Mandarin and Hindi, they are friendly and committed to deliver the best services.

Gratitude

Tipping is totally a personal matter. The bottom line in determining whether or how much to tip is to ask yourself how much our Guide and Driver did their best to make your experience a memorable one.

Below is a list of essential do’s and don’ts that should help make your Bhutan experience even more enriching.

DOs

DON'Ts

Remember that you are going to a Happy Place:)

Remember that credit cards are not accepted in small shops. So remember to carry Bhutanese currency with you though India Rupee is also widely accepted.

Be cautious about purchasing anything old or antique in Bhutan since export of antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.

Remember to take off hats and sunglasses while entering dzongs and monasteries.

Remember to keep mobiles on silent while entering monasteries and other religious places.

Refrain from touching any murals, paintings and any other ritual objects.

Ensure you walk in clockwise direction when visiting religious places.

DON’T forget that smoking is strictly prohibited in public areas in Bhutan. Bhutanese stores are also not allowed to sell tobacco. Visitors are permitted to bring 200 cigarettes or 30 pieces of cigars into the country provided they are willing to pay 200% tax.

DON’T wear shorts in monasteries and public buildings and monasteries as it is considered to be a sign of disrespect.

DON’T point at any person, object or animal with a single finger, instead use an upturned flat extended hand especially while indicating a sacred object or place.

DON’T throw garbage anywhere except designated places. Protecting the environment is a serious matter in Bhutan.