Climate
Weather conditions are ideal for visiting the country in all
seasons. Winter runs from December through February. Days are
warm and sunny, though night tempratures can take a dip. Ha,
Paro, Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a colder climate with
ocassional snowfalls in the winter. The seasons can be
designated as follows:Winter: Mid-November to mid-March. (10-18 °C Days, 0-5 °C
Nights, Dry)
Autumn: End September to mid-November (16-18 °C Days, 0-5 °C
Nights, Dry)
Monsoon rains: June-August
Autumn (end September to mid-November) is the best season for
trekking in Bhutan.
Geography
Bhutan is situated in the eastern Himalayan, bordered by Tibet
in the North, Sikkim in the West, Indian States of Arunachal
Pradesh in the east and Bengal and Assam, the famous lands of
the tea in the South. It is a land of drastic contrast 18,000
sq. miles nestled in the heart of the Himalaya. It has the snow
capped mountain peaks and in the north, glacier melt rivers
cascade down steep granite slopes watering the lush valleys and
passing into the tropical jungle near the border of India.
Population
Bhutan has a population of 700,000 people mostly living in
scattered towns and the broad fertile valleys of the inner
Himalayas at altitude of 1,000m to 3,000m. About 90% of the
population are engaged in agriculture and livestock, which is
the main pillar of the Bhutanese economy.
Religion
Most of the Bhutanese people practice the Tantric form of
Mahayana Buddhism of the Drukpa Kargyud Sect. Few are Hindus,
southern Bhutanese of Nepalese origins. Bhutan has many "Dzongs",
which are very large castle like complexes with religious and
Government administration offices alongside.
Language
The national language of Bhutan is "Dzongkha" meaning the
language spoken in "Dzongs". The written form is derived from
ancient "Sanskrit" script. Nepali is also widely popular and
spoken among majority of people engaged in business. Local
dialets include "Sharchopkha" and "Khenkha".
Immigration
All visitors to Bhutan must hold valid passport for entry. Visas
are issued after a tour/program is booked and confirmed. Visa
fee costs US$ 20.00 for 30 days and is to be paid in cash upon
arrival in Bhutan.
Airport Tax
For all flights out of Paro airport, a airport tax of US$12 has
to be paid, which is also payable in the Bhutanese currency.
Money
US Dollars Cash or Traveller's Cheques can be exchanged in
hotels and Banks, though it is adviced to have them exchanged in
larger towns such as Paro, Thimphu, Phuntsholing and Bumthang.
Credit cards are slowly being accepted in limited hotels only.
The current exchange rate is Ngultrum 39 = US$1.00.
Altitude & Roads
Almost roads are mountain highways, winding along scenic river
valleys or going up high passes and forests. Being light
trafficed roads it is delight to travel here. There are no
domestic airlines or trains, but roads are well maintained and
smooth connecting all major sightseeing places. The mean
altitude of the towns are not much over 3,000m, hence travellers
do not experience any altitude problems.
Itineraries
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