Before Leaving for Bhutan

Read about passports, visas, vaccinations and the practicalities

Bhutan’s history is both harsh, breathtaking and inspiring. The country, which today has been nicknamed “Kingdom of Happiness”, also includes a period of 200 years of internal conflicts. Bhutan is now a religious and devout country that everyone should experience. However, this is not possible as you as a tourist can only enter the country through a travel agency. That is why we at Tourist Travel are extremely proud to be able to offer you the experience of traveling in beautiful Bhutan.

Only the beautiful monuments in the country, guess at the country’s transition from a conflict-filled country to a quiet kingdom. On this page you can read more about the practical information that you should know before leaving for Bhutan.

Passport & Visa

A very special journey

Traveling to Bhutan is in many ways a very special experience. It is not straightforward to visit the country as a tourist. In 1979, the first 287 tourists were admitted into the country, and to this day, the number of people allowed to visit the small hidden kingdom is still extremely limited. Entry into Bhutan is limited, among other things, by the fact that you must have booked your trip through a travel agency. The country’s strict tourism rules are due to the fact that Bhutan is the only country in the world that has CO2 neutrality.

Please note the following:

• There is a visa requirement in Bhutan no matter how long you have to visit the country
• Tourist visas can take up to a month to issue
• Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the end of your stay
• You must book your trip through a travel agency

Vaccinations before departure to Bhutan

The inhabitants of Bhutan are well aware of what paradise they are living in. Therefore, lush paradise is well taken care of. In order to maintain the country’s CO2 neutrality, it is, among other things, forbidden to smoke in the country and also forbidden to bring plastic bags for this. Despite its small size, Bhutan stretches across the Arctic, temperate and tropical climate belt.

It is a combination that we are not familiar with at home. Therefore, we may react negatively to the country’s content of foreign bacteria and animals if we do not remember vaccinations from home. If necessary, find out which vaccinations are recommended via the Danish Doctors’ Vaccination Service .

Currency in Bhutan

In Bhutan you can use both Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) and Indian Rupee (INR). You get the best rate by bringing Euro or US Dollars to the country.

On the way home, it is possible to exchange Indian Rupees back at the airport. You can also bring your card to Bhutan. However, there is a long way to go between the ATMs in Bhutan.

Language in Bhutan

According to WATCHTUTORIALS, the national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, but Bhutan is also a country full of dialects. Bhutanese, Bhotia and Ihoksad are also spoken in the country. The language of Bhutan is closely related to Tibetan, which is also the language used by the Bhutanese in writing.

The country is home to a number of Nepalese refugees. These both speak and write in Nepali. In the eastern part of Bhutan, a number of mountain tribes live. Their language is related to similar peoples in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.

Time difference between Bhutan and Denmark

Bhutan is five hours ahead of Denmark during Danish winter time. As Bhutan does not use summer time, and by the way has never done so, an extra hour must be added to the tis difference during Danish summer time. Next, keep in mind that the clock must be reset when traveling east.

A rule of thumb says that your body adapts to a new time zone by one hour a day if you do nothing active to adapt faster. It may therefore be a good idea to go to bed extra late the day before you travel to Buthan.

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When it comes to climate and weather, Bhutan has the advantage of extending over three different climate zones. That makes the experiences in this beautiful realm countless. Likewise, it gives you as a traveler good conditions all year round, depending on where you travel to. If you want to achieve a temperate climate without too much monsoon rain, then both autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are preferable.

General about climate and weather in Bhutan

As written, Bhutan’s magnificent landscape can be experienced in three different climate zones. If you travel north towards the soaring mountain range Himalayas, you will experience an Arctic climate. Here you need to remember hat and mittens, because the temperature rarely gets above 6 degrees. The country’s capital, Thimphu, on the other hand, has a temperate climate. It provides short temperate winters and lovely moody summers. However, there may be monsoon rains during the summer periods, but these are generally difficult to escape during the Bhutanese summer.

In the south of Bhutan there is a tropical climate. Here the monsoon rains are heavy and the temperature reaches 40 degrees during the summer months. The best weather conditions in Bhutan are therefore found in the periods March-May and September-November. Especially over the fall, Bhutan is a thriving wonder where the clouds have often receded and the temperature is nicely tempered. However, travel to Bhutan can easily take place all year round, it is just a matter of finding the right destination.

Thimphu

The capital Thimphu is located in the temperate climate belt, surrounded by lush mountains. In Thimphu, the weather always exudes spring. It is beautiful here all year round, sometimes cold and the temperature rarely rounds 25 degrees.

Bhutan is also called “The Kingdom of Happiness” – a statement that the capital absolutely lives up to. Chalky when you visit Thimphu, because there is plenty to see on foot. The average temperature is approx. 14 degrees.

Thimphu	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Christmas	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rain	8	9	33	78	180	406	510	377	235	79	11	4
Max. temp.	7	8	11	14	16	18	18	18	17	15	11	9
Mine. temp.	-7	-5	-1	3	6	9	10	10	8	3	-2	-6

Paro

Paro is a gem without equal. Like in the rest of the country, Vajrayana Buddhism fills a lot here. This is a branch of Buddhism which differs in the way one seeks to attain enlightenment, salvation and liberation.

In Paru you will find breathtaking monasteries and huge Buddhas. The city will sit as an eternal memory in you. As in Thimphu, the temperature in Paro is temperate with an average temperature of around 14 degrees.

Paro	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Christmas	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rain	9	10	34	81	180	416	549	406	259	84	11	5
Max. temp.	8	9	12	15	17	18	18	18	17	16	12	10
Mine. temp.	-6	-4	0	4	7	10	11	10	9	4	-1	-5