Bhutan
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Country
Bhutan, the last Himalayan Kingdom
Bhutan is a small country in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent, at the border between India and China (Tibet). Its name means "land of the thunder dragon", a symbol taken from the national flag. It is located on the south side of the Himalayas, south-east of this very mountainous massif. The southern edge of the country is represented by the Ganges and Brahmaputra plains (minimum altitude: 318 feet), while its northern edge is bounded by the ridge of the Himalayas (maximum altitude: Kula Kangri, 24,783 feet).
Bhutan is a small country in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent, at the border between India and China (Tibet). Its name means "land of the thunder dragon", a symbol taken from the national flag. It is located on the south side of the Himalayas, south-east of this very mountainous massif. The southern edge of the country is represented by the Ganges and Brahmaputra plains (minimum altitude: 318 feet), while its northern edge is bounded by the ridge of the Himalayas (maximum altitude: Kula Kangri, 24,783 feet).
Highlights
Our exhaustive knowledge of the country: began 15 years ago. We travel the paths of Bhutan, knowing even the «lesser » valleys.
Climate
Bhutan has a continental mountain climate which is characterized, on one hand, by sharp fluctuations in temperature between day and night, and on the other hand, between winter and summer. Summer is monsoon season with heavy rains and generally cloud coverage. March, April, and specifically October and November are usually the sunny months, sometimes with a few rainy days.
Profile
| Population | 2,1 million habitants |
| Surface | 18,147 square miles |
| Capital | Thimphu |
| Main city |
Paro |
| Summits | Kula Kangri (24,783 feet) |
| Official language |
Dzongkha |
| Currency |
Ngultrum (Nu) |
| Religions | Buddism of the Drukpa Kagyu school |
| Head of the country |
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk |
| Political Status | Absolute Monarchy |
| Time shift |
http://www.worldtimezone.com/utc/utc+0600.html |
Currencies
Nepal-Bhutan
We advise you to carry American dollars in small increments that you can exchange upon your arrival at the airport, or in the big hotels. There are ATM machines in Paro and Kathmandu.
We advise you to carry American dollars in small increments that you can exchange upon your arrival at the airport, or in the big hotels. There are ATM machines in Paro and Kathmandu.
Travel Warnings
As an organizer of worldwide trips, Mountain World Travel is concerned for our guest's safety and security. We always keep ourselves up to date with current travel warnings and always consider the government safety advisories, while organizing and preparing our different trips.
Please double check on the official government website regarding each country's warnings.
Nepal Us Government Travel Advices
Bhutan Us Government Travel Advices
Please double check on the official government website regarding each country's warnings.
Nepal Us Government Travel Advices
Bhutan Us Government Travel Advices
Some Useful Words
Learning some key words will enable you to gain the respect of your interlocutors and to make for a more pleasant exchange with the Buthanese. Therefore, do not hesitate to make the effort to use the following expressions:
Hello and goodbye: namaste (joined hands and a tilt of the head rather than a handshake)
Yes: Ho
Not: hoïna
"Dhanyabaad", which could be interpreted as a "thank you", is not a word adapted to express gratitude in everyday language. It is used in exceptional situations, such as acknowledging sincere politeness.
Few polite expressions are used in Bhuthan. People act more with gestures of respect. For example, when you meet a local with whom you wish to engage in a conversation: join hands and tilt your head.
You can ask your guide to teach you some other common words; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language!
And then smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!
Hello and goodbye: namaste (joined hands and a tilt of the head rather than a handshake)
Yes: Ho
Not: hoïna
"Dhanyabaad", which could be interpreted as a "thank you", is not a word adapted to express gratitude in everyday language. It is used in exceptional situations, such as acknowledging sincere politeness.
Few polite expressions are used in Bhuthan. People act more with gestures of respect. For example, when you meet a local with whom you wish to engage in a conversation: join hands and tilt your head.
You can ask your guide to teach you some other common words; your voyage will only be richer by your attempting to speak the local language!
And then smile, it is often the best means of having good contacts!
Respect of Customs and Habits
Wear long and roomy clothing, covering knees and shoulders, downtown and in the villages.
- Avoid contact with certain body parts (caressing a child's head, shaking a woman's hand).
- Couples, be discrete in your signs of affection
- While having picnics on the ground, please, don't make the mistake of walking over food
- Fire is holy and home is a pure place; never throw waste in either place.
- Remove shoes when entering a place of worship or even a residence.
- Circumvent temples and monuments from the left (cosmic direction).
- It is customary to donate a few rupees in visited sanctuaries and temples.
- Never distribute money, candy or pens, especially either money, or candies, or pens, especially to children, in order to not encourage them to beg. It is preferable to offer gifts to associations, schools, community clinics or other recognized organizations.
- Do not distribute any kind of medication which could be misused for lack of knowledge.
- Before entering a residence, wait to be invited in.
- Ask permission before taking a picture.
Some Advice
Can I bring home all of the souvenirs that I want from Bhutan?
Acquiring authentic religious objects and/or ancient objects of art is strictly regulated. However, you will find very beautiful reproductions at reasonable prices in all of the shops. Thangkas (religious paintings), Buddha statues and Tibetan carpets will peak your interest!
Safeguarding the Environment
Seventy-five percent of Bhutan territory, consisting of the Himalayan Mountains and the plains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, is over 13,000 feet above sea level. These areas offer immense typical natural surroundings. As land farming is localized (livestock on the plateaus, crops in the valleys), the impact of human presence on the landscape remains low.
We are counting on you all to leave these natural areas as clean as possible:
- Remember to pick up your trash throughout your walk and take the time to leave your own camps clean. Sort and bring the most polluting waste back to your home country (batteries, etc...) Regroup your waste and burn it.
- Prefer to treat the water using tablets (type Micropur) rather than buying lots of plastic water bottles that will only increase the amount of waste.
- Wash your laundry away from water sources that serve as drinking water for people or for animals (horses, yaks, etc...).
We are counting on you all to leave these natural areas as clean as possible:
- Remember to pick up your trash throughout your walk and take the time to leave your own camps clean. Sort and bring the most polluting waste back to your home country (batteries, etc...) Regroup your waste and burn it.
- Prefer to treat the water using tablets (type Micropur) rather than buying lots of plastic water bottles that will only increase the amount of waste.
- Wash your laundry away from water sources that serve as drinking water for people or for animals (horses, yaks, etc...).
