FAQs for Bhutan Trip:

Most visitors to Bhutan take the standard Bhutan tour package which includes Bhutanese style 3-star hotel accommodation with private bathroom. In order for you to get the best from your Bhutan experience we suggest you to consider the following points. Please don’t expect your hotel to be any more than a basic 3 star property, and you won’t be disappointed. Rooms with double beds are somewhat rare. We can request one for you but please expect twin beds in most hotel rooms. All hotels offer private bathrooms, however the hot water supply can be ‘erratic’ in some valleys in Bhutan.

Most Farm-house stay accommodation offers attached bath facilities with western style toilet

It is also possible to stay in luxury hotels in Bhutan (4 and 5 star), however; we can work with you on the extra supplement charges to determine the level of luxury you’d like enjoy on this trip!

Most hotels, Resort and Guest houses have wifi. There are also often computers for use by guests. Some remote areas outside of western Bhutan have sparse Internet, if at all. This is one of the FAQs.

You can purchase a local SIM card that would give you connectivity outside the hotels when you’re in town and such, but most people don’t find that necessary for a short trip. Bhutanese SIM cards are available from a SIM counter located in the post office (to the right of the terminal exit door) at Paro Airport. Here you can purchase and get assistance for activating your new SIM cards in your devices as it is often necessary to call the local Telco HELP line for SIM activation. The cost for the SIM is approximately US $ 2.00 plus call credits.

The typical Bhutanese person will eat rice, chilies and vegetables three times per day. Along with that they often have beef, poultry, and some dairy. Ema Datshi (chilies and a mild cheese) is the national dish and prepared differently wherever you go. It’s spicy and is typically eaten every single day. Some say you haven’t really visited Bhutan unless you try it. Have your guide ask for it at your hotel or restaurant as it may not be served with your meals as it is too spicy for many visitors.

Butter tea (Suja) is served on all social occasions. Chang (a local beer) and Ara is a clear alcohol distilled from various grains.

The typical tourist class hotel serves a western style breakfast and quasi-Bhutanese style lunches and dinners (which are adjusted slightly for the western palette). Some hotels and restaurants, however, forego Bhutanese cuisine entirely for a more international fare.

While you are eating it will be rare that your guide or driver will eat with you. If you ask them to join you (sometimes you have to press the issue) they will join. Otherwise they’ll eat in a back room with the other drivers and guides at the hotel or restaurant.

Some dzongs and monasteries (Lhakhang) are not open for visits by tourists so that the monks can continue their practices without interruption. Parts of many monasteries and temples do not allow photography. Please be sensitive to never disturb someone while taking their photo and be sure never to take someone’s photograph without them acknowledging that it’s OK (usually just a nod–which most people will give you). This is one of the FAQs.

Yes, there is a LOT of street (stray) dogs in Bhutan. On the whole, they appear healthy and many have notches in their ear to indicate they have been sterilized. It is rare that they are aggressive and most won’t pay you much attention. They can often be noisy at night–especially in downtown Thimphu. You might want to bring earplugs if it’s bothersome. Rabies does exist throughout Bhutan. ..For more info…Bhutan Travel Information.

Bhutan remains an extremely safe destination with an exceptionally low risk of theft or harassment. However we do recommend you keep all cash & valuables either on your person or in your vehicle where they will be safely managed by your driver whom you can trust implicitly. Please do not leave cash or valuables on display in hotel rooms.

Road condition is Bhutan is fairly good but some sections of Bhutan’s windy roads are currently undergoing widening or repair especially in Bumthang area. Road closures if any, your driver & guide will suggest best times for road travel to suit the conditions on the day. This is one of the FAQs for Bhutan trip

Here are a few basic phrases to help you along the way. Your guide, along with most Bhutanese up to around 40 years of age will speak English very well.

Kuzu Zangpo La – Respected Greetings.

Tashi Delek – May all good things come to you. (Use this as a farewell.

Kardenche La – Thank you.

Goemba – Meditation Centre.

Lhakhang – Temple.

Chapsa – Toilet.

Chu – Water.

Bang Chhang – Beer.

It is NOT mandatory for the visitors to Bhutan to hold a valid comprehensive travel insurance policy. If you are on a Trekking trip, then we would advise you to get Insurance. One of the main FAQs for Bhutan trip.

We recommend all travelers visiting developing nations to get vaccinations for hepatitis, Malaria, Dengue and other diseases. There are hospitals and clinics in Bhutan, but for serious emergencies you would need to be evacuated to Delhi, Bangkok or Singapore. Please be sure you have travel insurance.

We recommend arriving to Bhutan three days before starting trekking or climbing unless you are at least moderately fit and does not suffer from any lung related condition such as asthma. As a precaution we suggest those in the high-risk category and/or those undertaking high altitude trekking carry Diamox as the Bhutan trekking crews rarely carry such medication. If you suffer from altitude sickness please descend as quickly as possible and drink plenty of fluids. Diamox (Acetazolamide) may be combined with Ibuprofen and after initial treatment symptoms may last for a few days.

Bhutan’s roads are very windy and can induce motion sickness. We recommend bringing dramamine (Dimenhydrinate) as a precaution. In our experience most people who believe they have altitude sickness actually suffer from motion sickness.

It is forbidden to sell or purchase cigarettes or tobacco products in Bhutan.  It is, however, not forbidden to smoke in appropriate areas. You may carry a small supply for personal use. Please note a 200% duty applies to all imported tobacco products and you must show a valid receipt of purchase to avoid confiscation.

For people that carry your bags (porters and such at hotels) Nu. 50 is acceptable or up to $1 if they go really out of their way.

More importantly, for your driver and guide, we suggest that you give them:

• 1-2 people in your group:  US $ $ 8 – 10/person/day for your guide and US $ 5 -7 / person / day for your driver
• 3-8 people in your group:  US $ 6 – 8 / person / day for your guide and US $ 3 -5 / person / day for your driver
• 8-16 people in your group: US $ 4 – 6/ person / day for your guide and US $ 3 -5 / person / day for your driver
• If your tour is more than 8 days, you can lower than rate a little.

It rarely gets terribly cold and certainly doesn’t get terribly hot. The only months where there is considerable rainfall is in mid-June through early September. For the cooler times of year, the hotels have space heaters for your room. There is rarely need for air-conditioning though a few hotels have it.

Well, if you’re from Bhutan, there is a national dress code for anyone that is working at any office or in tourism. Yes, everyone wears it except after work or at home. Luckily for you, however, it’s a little less strict! We recommend casual travel wear, but nothing too revealing (like spaghetti straps or shorts). Pack warmer clothes for the evenings (pretty much year-round) and probably a 2nd pair of shoes for wearing around your hotel.

Dress Code for entering Dzongs & Monasteries:

It’s not agreed upon by everyone, but you can use the following guidelines to help you in your planning. We recommend you discuss each day’s visits with your guide to reconfirm appropriate attire.

• Please wear shirts with collars, long or short sleeved.
• Women can wear a pashmina or scarf in lieu to cover neck & shoulders.
• Full long pants or long skirts – ankles must be covered.
• No hats, umbrellas, t-shirts without collars, knee length/short skirts, ¾ length (Capri) pants or shorts.
• It is safer to dress up in “Smart Casual” and avoid short pants, skirts, tank tops, etc.

In many religious sites you will be required to remove your shoes. Take thick long socks to cover your ankles which you will appreciate on the often cold stone floors.

Bhutan operates on 230 volts, 50 cycles AC system, which is generally reliable, although power outages can occur. The standard socket is the Indian-style round pin socket. We always suggest bringing a universal plug adaptor (or this one with USB outlets). Please know that any plug often fits into the sockets loosely. Sometimes you may find the need to prop it up to stay inside the socket.

The best weavings and textiles will generally be Bhutanese and be quite expensive as they are top quality. For general trinkets and handicrafts the best place to buy price-wise is from the traders at the beginning of the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)–though we suggest you purchase them on your way out and not on the climb up. Some handicrafts sold in Bhutan originate from Nepal.

Both Paro and Thimphu main streets offer excellent shopping and inexpensive local jewelery. There is a new Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre in Thimphu city whose products are all made on site and quite exquisite.

Please be aware that purchasing and exporting (or carrying out) genuine antiques is forbidden. For better or worse, you can usually rest-assured that almost anything you see is not an authentic antique.

Bargaining in Bhutan is not as common or necessary as in nearby India or Nepal. Many shops have fixed prices. If you visit a table in the market or on the street (or many of the shops on the main streets in Thimphu and Paro) you can certainly bargain, but it should be done in a friendly manner and with a smile.