Bhutan is a land-locked country nestled between the world’s giants, India and the Tibetan region of China. Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon is one of the most exotic destinations in the world today. It is one of the best tourist destination in around the world.
Every season has its own charm. But, the most popular time to visit Bhutan are autumn and spring seasons which fall on the month from September -November and March- May respectively.
A visa is required to visit Bhutan. Expert Tibet Travel will arrange for the traveler's entry visa and clearance. No independent travel is allowed in Bhutan and all travel arrangements must be confirmed by an authorized agency.
What do you hope to see and experience during your trip? Our destination specialists will make recommendations based on your travel preferences. Many travelers incorporate Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang, though some travel solely for trekking in the Himalayas.
Yes, altitude sickness is common in Bhutan and can affect any traveler, regardless of age, strength, or fitness level. Symptoms include dehydration, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, edema and insomnia. To alleviate the chances of altitude sickness, we recommend limiting alcohol, staying hydrated and planning for rest days in the higher elevations.
Due to Bhutan’s restrictions and control on visitors into the country, it’s not possible to book your own flight into Paro, so we book your flights into and out of Bhutan for you. Usually this is from Kathmandu, where most people stay prior to the start of your tour. But there are flights into Bhutan from Delhi, Calcutta and Bangkok (which we would also book), if you prefer to fly from one of those destinations and meet the group in Paro for the start of the tour.
Meals are usually served buffet-style at the hotels and include plenty of cooked vegetables, rice and meat. Vegetarians will have no issues finding enough to eat. Chile and cheese is the national dish of Bhutan and is often available at meals. Rice is always plain and vegetables are often served plain or with cheese.
Hotels are quite comfortable, usually in the 3- to 4- star range (5-star hotels are an additional cost ) and have private bathrooms, heat and hot water.
As of 2012, hotels are now required to provide either WiFi service or computers to guests. Sometimes the service is free, sometimes it’s not. Note that some computers can very extremely slow, infected with a virus or just not working. Having said that, it’s likely that you’ll have access to the internet in most locations (except when trekking) but know that there will be times when it goes down in the whole country.
There are a few ATMs in Bhutan but they may or may not accept foreign credit/debit cards. We suggest you change money at the airport or in Thimphu.
The baggage allowance by Druk Air is 20 kg in economic class and 30 kg in business class. An extra 5 kg allowed for storing in the overhead baggage bin or under the passenger’s seat.
It depends on the season of travel. Except for summer months, warm clothing, down jackets, and sweaters are recommended. In summer, heavy cottons and lightweight woolens will be acceptable. Layering is best to accommodate the varying temperatures. Also remember to pack comfortable, soft-sole shoes. While visiting temples and other religious places, remember to dress conservatively. Slacks are more appropriate for men and pants/longer skirts appropriate for women. Shoulders must also be covered when inside religious buildings.
There is only one international flight to Tibet, which is from Nepal (Kathmandu). There are two ways to enter Tibet either from Nepal by Overland or Flight or From any Chinese cities by domestic flight or by Train.
A great difference as you knows without Tibet entry Visa you cannot travel in Tibet so first Tibet Visa is a must and important, the other Tibet Travel permit which you will get on entry point as well with the help and service of our Tibetan guides.
If you are flying into Tibet from Mainland China, then you should have the original Tibet Travel Permit with you. We will mail the permit to your hotel in China before you fly into Tibet. If you fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa, you will need a Tibet Group Visa, which we will help you obtain it.
Independent travel has been prohibited in Tibet since 2008, so all the travelers should come part of an organized tour group or a private tour from a local Tibet based agency, because all foriegn travelers should have the Tibet travel permit to travel into Tibet, so only the local Tibet based travel agencies has the authority to obtain the related permits that issues from the Tibet Tourism Bureau and other corresponding departments.What do you hope to see and experience during your trip? Our destination specialists will make recommendations based on your travel preferences. Many travelers incorporate Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang, though some travel solely for trekking in the Himalayas.
The Chinese RenMingBi (RMB), also called Chinese Yuan (CNY) is the currency using in Tibet. You can’t use other foreign currencies for shopping, but the Bank of China accepts credit cards and travelers checks in exchange for cash. You can also withdraw cash from ATM in Tibet and it is easy to find in bigger cities like Lhasa, Shigatse, Tsedang, Gyantse, Nyintri and so on.
Yes, you can withdraw money from the Bank of China or ATMs in Lhasa. But please be aware that there aren’t as many ATMs as what you used to meet. Plus, Lhasa city is big, a run to a bank often takes up lots of time, especially when there is a queue. You can use your credit card at 5-star hotels, fancy restaurants, big malls, etc., but it is not widely accepted. And it charges a service fee. To sum up, it’s neither convenient to withdraw money nor to pay with the credit card in Tibet, so please prepare enough cash before you enter Tibet.
Base on years of our tour operating experience, from April to Oct is the best time to travel to Tibet, but choosing the best season to travel to Tibet mainly depends on the tour you are interested in, eg. if you are interested in Mt.Everest tour, the best time would be May, June, Sept and early Oct, as EBC is relatively less windy and clear during these months. From the blue sky, you could view the peak of Mt. Everest from the Everest Base Camp. If you are interested in the western part of Tibet like Mt. Kailash, from May to later Sept is the best time to visit there due to warmer climate and less rain. You would also have the opportunity to see local pilgrims during doing trekking tour around Mt. Kailash. Aug is the best time to witness local popular festival celebrations in Tibet. In a word, you will have different experiences in different months.
Getting adequate rest and administering oxygen can help alleviate some of the symptoms of altitude sickness. The main form of treatment for all kinds of mountain sickness is to descend to a lower altitude as rapidly and safely as possible. Extra oxygen should be given if available. If a patient does not show any sign of improvement after 3 to 4 hours, he/she should go to a hospital for treatment.
This actually depends on the area, in most of our 3-star hotels and all 4-5 star hotels in major cities have access to the internet in a hotel room. But you could only find internet access in lobbies of most of guesthouse & 3-star hotel in the remote place, some even don't have it.
Tibetan people have unique food and drink due to the high altitude, their religious beliefs, and ethnic customs, their diet mainly consists of beef, milk and other high protein food such as yak meat and mutton to help them fight the cold. Tsampa is also the staple food in Tibet, which is a dough made with roasted barley flour and yak butter. Tibetan people eat this at every meal and bring it as ready-made food when traveling.
For emergency rescue, depending upon the conditions of the victims if its medically serious taken immediately to nearby hospitals with intensive care with local agents guides to care when recovered sending you back to your country at the earliest by drive or flights depending upon the situation and the area of travel destinations. If it is AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) drop you to lower elevations as much as possible in Tibet which is world highest and largest plateau, descend is not that easy like in Nepal or Bhutan where descend has to be taken uphill before ending at lower altitude. An immediate hire of vehicle or horses or other means of quick transportations applies to take the victims to safer areas or in hospital. In most of the tour where one can buy portable 1-2 liter oxygen cans, in some high and remote areas Expert Tibet always carries Gamma Bag and Oxygen also.
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