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Bhutan: Visitor Information
Bhutan Visitor Information
Bhutan Visitor Information
Bhutan Tourist Destinations
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Money
The Bhutanese currency is the Ngultrum. The Ngultrum is at par with the Indian Rupee. US Dollars are widely accepted throughout the kingdom and traveler's checks can be exchanged at the bank. Ngultrum will be required for smaller purchases of souvenirs beyond Thimphu. Credit cards are now accepted in some locations but checks are generally not accepted.
Accommo- dations
There are comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses at tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while Central and Eastern part of the country has simple facilities. There is no star categorization of hotels in Bhutan and no five star luxuries are available. We use a carefully selected chain of accommodations around the country and are approved by the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan. All the hotels, lodges and guesthouses are equipped with telephones, fax machines and international dialing.
Transports
Japanese vehicles are regarded as the most appropriate for the Bhutanese conditions. To ensure comfort and safety for our guests we use vehicle of high quality. We use Toyota Coaster buses for larger groups and Toyota or Nissan cars for smaller groups. The vehicles are given an all round mechanical check up before the tours.
Foods
The Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese. Our selected chain of hotels; lodges and guesthouses offer delicious Chinese, Continental, Bhutanese and Indian dishes. Even on treks, our trekking team is prepared to serve Continental, Chinese, Indian and Bhutanese dishes.
Time
Bhutan Standard Time is half an hour ahead of Indian Standard Time and 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Bhutan GMT +6
Bhutan MET +5

Government offices to resume summer timing from March 2004
Starting March 1, 2004 all government offices in the country will resume the summer timing. According to a press release from the Royal Civil Service Commission, offices will open at 9 AM and close at 5 PM.

Current
Current is 220-240 Volts.

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Plug type
The plug is round, 3 prong, British Type
Tipping & Gift
Tipping is at each visitor's discretion.
Visitors are requested not to give candy, gum, pens, pencils, balloons, etc. to children, who soon learn to demand gifts; or not to hand out medicines to local people which may be inappropriate for their medical problems and delay their seeking professional help. If you want to give children pens, pencils, etc. it is better to give them to local schools. We will be happy to arrange a visit to a local school if you indicate at the time of booking. Instead of gifts, you can show them books and pictures of your country, your home, your children, etc. or teach them a song or a game.
Shopping
All visitors are welcome to visit the Handicraft Centre or all local shops, which contains a very wide range of traditional and modern items. Beautiful hand woven textiles, postage traditional handmade paper, colorful bamboo baskets, thankas, ceramics, musical instruments and masks are some of many favorite items for purchase from Bhutan. The textiles with intricate patterns that take months to weave are made of cotton, wool or raw silk. Ethnic silver jewelry can also be found. The best shopping to be found is in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
Photography
All visitors should bring with them everything they need to take pictures. The photographic opportunities are immense on all trips. Also most important while visiting Dzongs, Monasteries and other religious monuments, please follow your tour escort's instructions properly and carefully.
Health Information

No vaccinations are currently required for traveling to Bhutan. However if you are arriving an area infected with yellow fever, you are required to have a yellow fever vaccination and it shall be administered at least 10 days before your arrival into Bhutan. Also if arriving from Cholera infected area, the vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers who are visiting rural areas in the districts that border India.


Assembly bans sale of tobacco in Bhutan
Sale of tobacco is now officially banned throughout Bhutan according to a decision taken by the 82nd session of the National Assembly on August 12, 2004 The Assembly also resolved on levying a 100 percent duty on tobacco brought into the country for personal consumption. The decision to ban tobacco sales was taken during the ratification of the WHO convention on the Tobacco control by the National Assembly. Officially, sale of tobacco is already banned in 18 of the country's 20 dzongkhags although it is still available in the black-market at much higher prices. The government had also increased taxes on tobacco products from 10 to 50 percent to control tobacco us. The sale of imported cigarettes from duty free shops was banned earlier this year.
Clothing
Because of the variety of climates you may encounter in one day, choose garments, which can be layered. This means that the majority of your clothing can be worn in layers, so that you can put on more clothing if it is cold or take off layers as it warms up. In general, from June to September cottons and a good sweater will be enough, but from October to May you will need warm clothes including long underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, and a down jacket or a warm coat. Also don't forget to bring an umbrella or a rain jacket. Comfortable sports shoes are highly recommended and mountain boots are necessary if you come on a trek or plan to hike up to Taktsang. In Bhutan, you can get sun burnt quite quickly. Don't forget to include a sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and barrier cream for your nose and lips in your packing list.
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