Bhutan Cultural Tour 5 Days

Useful Information

A thoughtfully made Bhutan cultural tour itinerary not just offers tourists multiple exploration and experiences but also the chance to discover some of its unbelievably inspiring places and culture authentically. Like every culture, Bhutan has its own reasons and purposes. Bhutan is one of your ultimate travel experiences and a journey to the destination. A vacation to Bhutan will give you the whole freedom to build a unique and personal trip in fulfilling your desire to travel and to discover your new self.

Customs

The Bhutanese authorities strictly monitor the export of any religious antiquities or antiques of any kind from the Kingdom. Personal videos, cameras, personal computers, portable telephones, or any other electronic device should be registered with the customs authorities on arrival at Paro and will be checked by the same on departure.

Meals in Bhutan

Traditional Bhutanese food is hot and spicy. For our visitors, however, Chinese, Indian, and Continental fares are also served. The more adventurous can try hot Bhutanese dishes. Meals are normally served buffet style in the hotels but you can always order your own meals of your choice at all the restaurants and hotels.

Bhutan Cuisine & Food:

• Cucumbers with Onion and Cheese
• The Bhutanese serve soothing side dishes like this one to temper pepper-laden entrees.
• Buckwheat Dumpling with Bok Choy & Poppy Seed
• The spicy filling provides a sharp contrast to the subtle flavor of the pasta
• Buckwheat Noodles with Egg Strips and Scallion
• Tossing the noodles with egg, scallion, and tomato gives this delicious dish a shot of color.

Climate in Bhutan

Temperatures vary according to elevation. Temperatures in Thimphu, located at 2,200 meters above sea level in west-central Bhutan, range from approximately 15° C to 26° C during the monsoon season of June through September but drop to between about -4° C and 16° C in January. Most of the central portion of the country experiences a cool, temperate climate year-round. In the south, a hot, humid climate helps maintain a fairly even temperature range of between 15° C and 30° C year-round, although temperatures sometimes reach 40° C in the valleys during the summer.

Time Difference

Bhutan is 6 hours ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Nepal.

Social Conventions

The lifestyle, manners, and customs of the Bhutanese are in many respects unique to the area. The strongest influence on social conventions is the country’s state religion, and everywhere one can see the reminders of Buddhism and the original religion of Tibet, Bonism. There are no rigid clan systems and equal rights exist between men and women. The majority of the Bhutanese live an agrarian lifestyle.

Major Bhutan Holidays

Nov 11th, the Birthday of HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Dec 17th, National Day of Bhutan

Photography in Bhutan

The photography opportunities on the trip are immense. Carry plenty of films and batteries. Photo shops in Bhutan do not sell equipment or accessories. Places to photography in Bhutan

Travel Insurance

TO protect against unforeseen accidents and mishaps, we advise you to have a travel insurance policy from your country. Alpine Eco Trek regrets the unavailability of such policies in Bhutan.

Currency in Bhutan

The currency used is 1 Ngultrum (NU), broken into 100 chetrums (Ch). The Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee (which is also accepted as legal tender). Notes are in denominations of NU100, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1. Coins are in denominations of NU1, and 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 chetrum. Leading foreign currencies are accepted but travelers’ cheques are preferred as the exchange rates are better. These can be exchanged in any Bank of Bhutan branch or at all BTCL hotels. You are advised to carry your money in the form of Traveler’s Checks (preferably American Express) OR cash (US Dollar) which might be needed for incidental expenses.

Banks in Bhutan do not accept credit cards. Visa Card and American Express credit cards are accepted in a few shops. No other credit card is accepted so far.

Communications in Bhutan

Bhutan’s country code is + 975. Telephone communication is very reliable. Free Wi-Fi and Internet service is available in every tourist lodge/hotel as well as in town Cafes at cheaper rates.

Night Club in Bhutan

Thimphu has around five licensed nightclubs that operate on a weekly basis, on Saturday night, and some of them on Wednesday as ladies’ nights.

Tipping in Bhutan

Small gifts, such as pictures or objects from your home country, are appreciated. For guides, drivers, cooks, and porters on tours and treks, cash is appropriate, as is clothing or items you wish to give.

Shopping in Bhutan

Traditional handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, baskets, and masks. Paintings and woodcarving make good buys. The Handicraft Emporium is a nice place to shop, located on the main street of Bhutan’s capital city. It is open daily except for Sunday and offers a magnificent assortment of hand-woven and handcrafted goods.

Equipment for Bhutan Tour

Casual clothes are fine. Use a layering system, starting with thermal underwear and adding a shirt, pile jacket, and windbreaker or parka as necessary.

• Backpack
• Woolen/Cotton trousers (warm clothes for mornings and evenings)
• Down jacket (wind stopper) – especially for higher altitudes
• T-shirts or long-sleeved shirts (not sleeveless) • Sandals or flip flops
• Sun hat
• Comfortable shoes (sneakers)
• Pairs of socks and vests
• Torch (flashlight)
• Sunglasses, spare glasses and contact lenses
• Sunscreen lotion
• Insect repellent cream and your personal medical kit
• Thermal underwear and long jorns will be of essential use

You will be outside a lot, and much of this time is at altitudes above 2,500 m (7,800 ft); so there is plenty of sun and wind. Bring a supply of sun cream and some lip protection, such as Blistex; these items are not available in Bhutan.

Essential Extras 

• Be sure to carry earplugs (and spares) to reduce the noise from the barking dogs at night. The Bhutanese are Buddhists and do not euthanize or pound stray dogs.
• There are occasional electric outages throughout the country; so you should always keep a torch (flashlight) beside your bed. You will also need while visit some monuments and monasteries as some monasteries do not have electricity in order to protect the artworks and paintings.
• Carry a pair of sunglasses (as protection from high-altitude glare).
• A Swiss army knife has many uses, such as cutting cheese and opening bottles.
• You will also want a small rucksack or backpack to carry your camera, water bottle and other essentials in the vehicle and when you are hiking or visiting monuments.

Tours Booking

• Tours must be booked through a recognized Bhutanese Tour Operator such as Alpine Eco Trek, with entire land arrangements provided by one and the same operator.
• For cultural tours, booking arrangements must be completed 60 days in advance, but for cultural tours during festivals, arrangements must be completed 90 days in advance. The spring and autumn festivals are our prime times for tourism; if the booking is not done early it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.
• Booking arrangements should be completed at least 90 days in advance for trekking groups, as this activity requires a lot of detailed planning. Alpine Eco Trek offers you a choice of the most excellent and finest organized holiday experiences in the entire Himalayas.