About Bhutan

CUSTOMS
Arrival. You will receive a baggage declaration form to complete when you arrive in Bhutan. For tourists, the main purpose of this form is to ensure that you re-export anything you bring into the country. List any expensive equipment that you are carrying, such as cameras and portable computers. Customs officials usually want to see the items that you list, and then they endorse the form and return it to you. Don't lose it. You must return the form, and may be asked to show the items listed when you leave the country. Departure. Departure formalities are straightforward, but you must produce the form that you completed on arrival and show the items listed on it. A lost forms means complications and delays. If you lose the form, let your guide know as soon as possible so that special arrangements can be made to avoid inconvenience. Antiques. The export of antiques and wildlife products is prohibited. If you purchase a souvenir that looks old, have your guide clear it as a non-antique item with the Division of Cultural Properties in Thimphu (tel: 322284, 324751; fax 323286). Customs authorities pay special attention to religious statues. It would be prudent to have any such statue cleared old or not.

CURRENCY
Bhutanese currency is the Ngultrum (abbrev. Nu.) which, is divided into 100 Cheltrum. Bank notes come in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 ngultrum. One Ngultrum is equivalent to one Indian Rupees.

CLIMATE
It is hard to generalize about Bhutan's weather since the mountain climate varies enormously from region to another. It varies with the altitude and can also reach extremes of heat and cold within the 24 hours at any given altitude. Southern Bhutan is tropical, with monsoon season. The East is warmer than the West. The central valleys of Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, whereas Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Trongsa, Bumthang and Phobjikha have a much harsher climate, including occasional snowfalls in winter. The north of the country is inhabited up to 5,00 meters (16,400 feet) in summer. The climate there is rough, with monsoon rains in summer and heavy snowfalls in winter that block the passes leading into the central valleys. In this valleys, where most tourist activities are concentrated, the winters (mid-November to mid-March) are dry, with daytime temperatures of 16-18 degree Celsius (60-65 degree F) if the sun is shining. By contrast, the evenings and early mornings are cold, with nighttime temperatures falling below freezing. Snow covers the mountain tops but reaches the valleys only two or three times each year. Spring lasts from mid March to the beginning of June (27-19 degree Celsius / 80-84 F) by day and 18 - 20 degree Celsius / around 65 degree F at night. Summer temperatures are 23-24 degree Celsius / 73 - 75 F by day and 15- 16 degree Celsius / 59-61 F at night. At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly arrives. All at once the sky clears, a brisk breeze picks up and temperatures start falling towards freezing at night although bright sunshine continues to keep the days warm.

CLOTHING
The wide range of temperatures does not make dressing easy. The best solution is to wear several layers, such as a cotton shirt, pullover, wool cardigan and jacket, which can be taken off or added as needed. Do not bring delicate clothes: conservative sportswear is the appropriate style for a traveler in Bhutan. Even in summer you will need a sweater or a light jacket in the evening. An umbrella is a must in all seasons. It is more useful than a raincoat and acts as protection not only against the rain but also against the sun, which can be fierce at these altitudes. Comfortable sports shoes are strongly recommended; mountain boots are not necessary unless you plan to go trekking. From May to September, cotton cloths are sufficient, plus a woolen sweater or light jacket. From November to the end of April, on the other hand, you will need very warm cloths including long underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, and a warm jacket. Clothes dry fast and you are able to get your laundry returned washed and ironed, on the following day in all the major hotels in Thimphu, Paro and Phuntsholing. Dry cleaning takes two weeks.

EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
In addition to the medication supply you may want to bring with you: sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, a water flask, a flashlight with extra batteries, a folding pocket knife, a hat or head scarf in summer, cap and gloves in winter, disinfectant tablets for water, insect repellent (summer). Coffee - lovers may want to bring their own preferred brand. There is no good coffee available in Bhutan.

ELECTRICITY
Bhutan's electricity is 220V 50HZ.

GETTING THERE
Bhutan is connected by air from Delhi, Calcutta, Dhaka, Bangkok and Kathmandu. You can also enter via land from the Indian State of West Bengal to Phuntsholing, Bhutan.



HEALTH
To assure that you are in good health, contact your physician and have a fairly rigorous exam than regular one. Your doctor is the best source of information about immunizations and medicines; he knows your medical history and is in touch with local public health officials. Ask and follow his advice in medical matters regarding the trip. Vaccination requirements and recommendations do change frequently, so each traveler should check with the US Center of Disease Control and their physician or a travelers clinic for the most up to date information. Recommended vaccinations: Typhoid Fever, Gamma Globulin, Tetanus-diphtheria, Polio, Measles and Malaria.

LANGUAGE
Dzongkha, is the national language, Numerous languages and dialects are spoken in the Kingdom, however, Dzongkha, Sharchobkha and Lhotsamkha are the major language spoken by the mass. English is widely understood.

MEDICATION
Bring all your customary medicines with you plus a laxative, an anti-diarrhea medicine (an oral rehydration solution is also very helpful in case of diarrhea), antihistamine tablets, anti-nausea tablets (in case of mountain sickness), eye lotion, lip salve and one or two syringes with disposable needles.

PHOTOGRAPHY
You should plan to bring all your own photographic equipment, including film and batteries. You can find film for prints and slides in Thimphu. There is no way to get a camera repaired in Bhutan. Video cameras are permitted but 16 mm movie cameras are not, the later being considered professional equipment and subject to duty.

TOURIST VISA
The Bhutan Government issues visas to all tourists on arrival in the Kingdom. Passport details should be forwarded to the tour operator in advance, which will be handle by them and visa clearance will be send to you. You will not be permitted to board the plane for Bhutan unless visa clearance has come from Thimphu. The visa costs US$ 20 and must be paid in cash on arrival at the Paro airport or by land at Phuntsholing.