Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [1]
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Getting Started
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WHEN TO GO
COSTS & MONEY
TRAVEL LITERATURE
INTERNET RESOURCES
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Bhutan is an extraordinary destination; surrounded by myth and secreted within the mightiest mountain chain, it bumps shoulders with the global giants of China and India. Traditional culture is proudly cherished and natural heritage is equally treasured, and yet modernisation and development is equally conspicuous in this complex and little-known country.
Though it is certainly isolated and remote, Bhutan is not a difficult place to visit. There is no limit to the number of tourists who can visit and there are no restrictions on group size. You can easily organise a journey as a couple or as a solo traveller. The Royal Government of Bhutan requires that foreign visitors travel with a prepaid and preplanned itinerary through a Bhutanese tour company. You can simply buy a space on a group tour or arrange a custom-made program. With some background information and a helpful tour operator you can customise an itinerary that suits your interests, be they culture, wildlife, festivals, trekking, cycling, rafting etc. Generally there is a great deal of freedom as to where you can go and what you can do, though it’s sometimes difficult to change your program once you have finalised the arrangements.
English is widely spoken and there are Western-style hotels and food throughout the country. Though as you move further from the capital, Thimphu, expect more simple facilities and less familiar food. The costs seem very steep at first, but factor in what is supplied – accommodation, food, transport, guides – and, of course, Bhutan’s unrivalled uniqueness.
WHEN TO GO
Climate, and therefore season, is certainly a consideration when planning your trip to Bhutan, especially if you are trekking. However, Bhutan’s altitude range, from subtropical valleys to alpine peaks, and its busy festival calendar means you can pretty much visit Bhutan at any time of the year to explore its attractions and witness colourful festivals.
The ideal time for trekking and for travelling throughout the country is autumn, from late September to late November, when skies are generally clear and the high mountain peaks rise to a vivid blue sky. While the climate is best in autumn, in Bhutan an umbrella is usually never far from reach, and no matter when you go, there is likely to be rain periods. Autumn is also the time of the popular Thimphu tsechu (dance festival) and heralds the arrival of the black-necked cranes to their wintering grounds in central and eastern Bhutan. Not surprisingly, therefore, international visitors also peak in autumn, indeed about half of the total annual tourist numbers arrive between September and November. Avoiding the busiest tourist seasons can save you money (see opposite) and hassle.
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TOP FIVE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
Traditional