BHUTAN

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.

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