Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [219]
Return to beginning of chapter
HITCHING
Most people pay for a ride, either in a bus or cab or back of a truck. But bus services are limited, especially in the east, and it’s not unusual to see someone flagging down a vehicle asking for a ride. If you have paid for a vehicle, you will only need to hitch if that vehicle has broken down and you are stranded on a mountain road. Hitching is never entirely safe in any country in the world, and we don’t recommend it, but if you do have to hitch because of a breakdown, Bhutan is about as safe a place as you could find.
Return to beginning of chapter
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Taxi
There are taxis in Phuentsholing and Thimphu. Taxis have meters, but drivers rarely use them. For long-distance trips they operate on a flat rate that is rarely open to negotiation.
You should expect to pay Nu 50 for a local trip within Thimphu, Nu 700 for a full day and Nu 1200 (Maruti) to Nu 2000 (Mahindra Jeep or Bolero) from Thimphu to Phuentsholing. If you are travelling between Thimphu and Phuentsholing, look for a taxi that is from the place to which you want to go (vehicles with BT-2 numberplates are from Phuentsholing and those with BT-1 numberplates are from Thimphu or Paro) – you may be able to negotiate a lower price.
Return to beginning of chapter
Health
* * *
Before You Go
Insurance
Vaccinations
Medical Checklist
Internet Resources
Further Reading
In Transit
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Jet Lag & Motion Sickness
In Bhutan
Availability of Health Care
Infectious Diseases
Traveller’s Diarrhoea
Environmental Hazards
Women’s Health
* * *
The main health concerns in Bhutan are similar to those in other south Asian destinations: the relatively high risk of acquiring traveller’s diarrhoea, a respiratory infection, or a more exotic tropical infection. If you go trekking, there are also risks associated with accidents and altitude sickness. The infectious diseases can interrupt your trip and make you feel miserable, but they are rarely fatal. Falling off trails, or having a rock fall on you as you trek, is rare but can happen.
The following advice is a general guide only and does not replace the advice of a doctor trained in travel medicine.
BEFORE YOU GO
Pack medications in their original, clearly labelled containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity. If you have a heart condition, bring a copy of your ECG taken just prior to travelling.
If you take any regular medication, bring double your needs in case of loss or theft. You can’t rely on many medications being available from pharmacies in Bhutan.
Return to beginning of chapter
INSURANCE
Even if you are fit and healthy, don’t travel without health insurance – accidents do happen. Declare any existing medical conditions you have – the insurance company will check if your problem is pre-existing and will not cover you if it is undeclared. You may require extra cover for adventure activities such as rock climbing. If your health insurance doesn’t cover you for medical expenses abroad, consider getting extra insurance – check Lonely Planet’s website (lonelyplanet.com) for more information. If you’re uninsured, emergency evacuation is expensive; bills of over US$100,000 are not uncommon.
Find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. (In many countries doctors expect payment in cash.) You may prefer a policy that pays doctors or hospitals directly rather