Best Selling Tiger Nest Monastery Tour in Bhutan

About the country

Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, was off-limits for tourists up until the seventies. Enveloped in mystery and magic, this soulful country is deeply rooted in its past. Resting in the Himalayas, this country is also known as the last Shangri-La. With the pristine Himalayan landscape, Bhutan also has a lush green forest, mesmerizing traditional villages, temples, and fortresses. To avoid any impacts of tourism on the country’s culture and environment, Bhutan limits its visitors to pre-planned tours. Foreign visitors here pay a minimum tariff of USD 200-250 daily which includes meals, accommodation, food, transport, and official guides. With its extraordinary culture, traditions, and history, Bhutan is a place you must visit at least once in your life.

Key Facts

Location: Bhutan is located in South Asia, and is bordered by the Autonomous Region of Tibet and the Republic of India.

Geography: It is a sovereign nation located toward the eastern extreme of the Himalayas.

Capital: The capital city of Bhutan is Thimphu.

Area: It covers an area of 38,394km².

Population: The current population of Bhutan is 827,403.

Political system: The political system of Nepalis a constitutional monarchy and the current King is Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk.

Major religion: Bhutan is a Buddhist country and more than half of the population follows Vajrayana Buddhism.

Time zone: UTC+06:00

Official language: Dzongkha or Bhutanese language is the official language.

Working hours: The working hours in Bhutan are differentiated into summer timing and winter timing, 8 hours, and 7 hours respectively. During summer, the timing is from 9 am to 5 pm and, during winter, it is from 9 am to 4 pm.

Electricity: Most parts of the country are well connected with electricity. The standard voltage of electricity is 230V.

Visa Information 

All tourists except India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives require a valid visa to enter Bhutan. You can process your visa to Bhutan through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or foreign travel agency. With a photo sample of your passport and USD 40, you will be able to apply for a visa. As soon as you provide the required documents and full payment for the tour, the tourism council of Bhutan will process your visa. Within 72 hours, you will get your visa cleared and, now, you can head to Bhutan.

How to reach the country 

Bhutan was recently opened for tourism and, recently, it has been made easier to access through planned economic development. You can reach Bhutan through land or air as there are well-connected networks of roads and an international airport. Visitors can enter Bhutan by land through Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkar. These are the only open borders for those entering Bhutan by land. For those who are traveling by air, there are currently two operators Druk Air and Bhutan airlines. Paro International Airport is the only international airport to reach Bhutan.

Popular destinations to visit 

Bhutan is known for its unique and amazing landscapes, cultural heritage, and historic fortresses. The well-preserved authentic culture, history, and traditions spring out admiration towards the country. While visiting Bhutan, there are few places you should certainly see. You should start with the unbeatable Tiger’s Nest monastery also known as “Paro Taktsang”. This monastery resting on a 3000m vertical cliff is something you should not miss out on. If you are on time, you can also observe the Punakha festival in Punakha Dzong. The capital city of Thimphu should also be on your list as it boasts an array of traditional arts, cultural sites, markets, and fortresses. From Dochu La pass, you can visit the 108 Chortens (stupas) which were built in memory of a Bhutanese soldier who died fighting against the insurgency in 2003. Finally, you can tour the Phobjikha valley where you will witness the wildlife of Bhutan.

Internet and communication in the country 

Within recent years, communication services have improved in Bhutan. The country has a good network of telecommunication facilities. The major cities are filled with hotels, restaurants, internet cafes, domestic, and international phone booths where you can make phone calls and use the internet. Wi-Fi is widely and easily available in major cities. However, in a remote area, the availability and reliability are both quite poor. You can also acquire a sim card to access the internet or for communication purposes. Having said that, some rural areas do not have proper connectivity.

Local currency and foreign exchange 

The official local currency of Bhutan is Ngultrum. The Bhutanese currency is equivalent to the value of the Indian rupees. The Indian currency is also widely accepted in Bhutan. You can exchange dollars and other foreign currencies at the bank in Thimpu and a few other major cities. In such situations, you need to be updated to exchange your currency. This information is available on the official website of the Bank of Bhutan at https://www.bob.bt/forex-all/.

However, you will not be needing a lot of cash as everything is prepaid and included within the mandatory price of USD 200-250.

Weather and Climate 

The climate in Bhutan depends upon the season, altitude, and influence of northern Indian monsoons. Bhutan also possesses four seasons, namely, autumn, spring, winter, and monsoon. Autumn offers pleasant weather for exploration and sightseeing whereas the spring season brings in the colorful flora and vibrant fauna. Winter experiences cold and harsh weather conditions whereas monsoon welcomes rainfall across the country.

Likewise, the country is divided into three parts mainly southern, central, and northern. Southern Bhutan is hot, humid, and unchanging throughout the year. Temperatures can vary from 15-30 degrees Celsius. The central part of the country is engulfed in the deciduous forest which results in a fair temperature, with warm summers and cool dry winters. However, in the far northern part of the kingdom, the weather is much colder during the winter and cooler during the summer. Mountains peaks are perpetually covered in snow while the lower green lands blossoms during the summer.

People, culture, and festival

Bhutan is the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation in the world and Buddhism is the official religion of the nation. Hence, Bhutanese culture and traditions are heavily influenced by Buddhism. Bhutanese people are very warm and welcoming resulting in the boost of your gross domestic happiness. You will see many elderly and middle-aged people draped in Bhutanese dress as it is the national dress of the kingdom. Bhutan is rich in cultural diversity which leads to a wide variety of colorful and elaborate festivals. The widely celebrated festival is Tshechu which marks the important events in the life of Guru Rinpoche. Likewise, Paro Tshechu, and Wangduephodrang Tshechu. Punakha Drubchen and Haa Summer Festival are some other popular festivals in Bhutan.