Best Time to Visit Bhutan
The best time to visit Bhutan is in Spring and Autumn. During this time, the weather is mild and all the major festivals take place. Spring lasts from March to May and Autumn lasts for September to November. Autumn is even more preferable as it comes with clear blue skies and gorgeous views of high Himalayan Mountains. During this period, you can capture some of the most picturesque moments from the passes and other vantage points and you can count on exciting traveling and trekking experience. For bird lovers, it is an opportunity to witness some rare black-necked cranes that migrate to central and eastern Bhutan in the Autumn season, in preparation for the coming winters. Springs in Bhutan are marked by the beautiful blooming flowers that make for some of the most beautiful views of valleys and mountain slopes covered with blooms presenting a riot of colors.
What to bring?
Druk Air observes a baggage weight limit of 20 kilogram’s (44 lb) in economy class and 30 kilogram’s (66lb) in business class so it may be troublesome and expensive to carry too much. Casual clothes are generally most suitable though a set of formal wear might come in handy as might rain gear, windbreakers, sun caps and sunglasses. You should come prepared for vast contrasts of weather.
Sunscreen and lip protection will help. Strange as it may seem you may wish midway through your stay that you had brought along a set of ear plugs, a Swiss army knife or useful equivalent, a small backpack, and a soft suitcase instead of one made of less versatile material.
For trekking a duffel bag would be very useful
Guides
All our tours are escorted by experienced guides who are certified and licensed. Language speaking guides may also be provided with sufficient prior notice and at an additional cost and if available.
Insurance
Insurance will prove useful should trekkers not able to continue trekking and stay at hotels on direct payment and for unforeseen needs like helicopter rescue crop up.
Customs formalities
Customs regulations are strict with Antique export. One must not buy any item which are more than 100 years old. Be sure to complete the Customs form for declaring imported articles for personal use in Bhutan.
Smoking
Sale of tobacco is totally banned and prohibited in Bhutan. However for smokers may import maximum of 200 Cigarettes a visit while paying 200 % taxes on entry to Bhutan. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas in Bhutan and not in public places.
Currency
The national currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum (Nu.) valued at par with the Indian Rupee, which is also used in the country. Visa and American Express credit cards are accepted in few places but have a limited use.
Traveller cheques as well as US and Hong Kong Dollars, Pound Sterling, French and Swiss Francs, German Mark, and Japanese Yen can be exchanged at local banks and at most hotels.
Nepali Rupees and Thai Baht are not accepted in Bhutan although Indian rupees.
Bhutan Weather
Bhutan’s climate is influenced by maritime and continental factors, and has four distinct seasons. Spring lasts from March to May, and is warm with rain showers, and temperatures around 22°C.
Summer, from June to August, is the monsoon season. Temperatures can get quite warm, up to 30°C and more during heat waves.
Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies. Temperatures are not too warm, with daily maxima about 25°C and cool nights with minima of 10°C, it usually does not rain for more that one or two days during the entire autumn and the winter season. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night with temperatures sometimes below zero. However, the maximum temperatures can still reach up to 20°C. Then the mountains are covered with snow including some high hills.
Required clothing
Clothing depends on place and time, however, it is recommended to have both light and warm clothing, because the evenings can be quite cool. In the mountain areas warm clothes are generally a must.
Electricity
Electricity is reasonably stable in Bhutan . The voltage used is 220v in Bhutan. It is possible to recharge your camera batteries in most accommodations. Film batteries may be difficult to get in most places in Bhutan, therefore it is advised that you come well equiped.
Decorum
Festivals are religious events and held is purified and consecrated areas, so when you are watching a festival you must be decently dressed in respect to the local culture and tradition. Miniskirts, shorts and hats are also not allowed while you witness festivals and entering Dzongs and Monasteries. Bhutanese believe that the dancers possess a spiritual power, which cleanses, purifies, enlightens and blesses the spectators.
Remember, too, that smoking is not permitted in public places in Bhutan.
Food
Spicy chillies and cheese blended with a wide variety of vegetables are found on many bhutanese menus. SBT selects restaurants and hotels that prepare food more suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian. To eat in hotels or restaurtants, the choice is yours.
Accommodation
Most hotels in Bhutan are standard hotels and lodge approximately 2-3 star categories. There are Deluxe Hotels and Luxury Hotels available in Thimphu and Paro and a few in other places at additional costs above the minimum tariff. Hotels in western Bhutan and central are better facilitated, while accommodation establishments in the central and eastern part of the country are more modest with basic amenities.
The hotels used for tourist in Bhutan are approved by the Department of Tourism. The hotels standard varies from place to place and the standard tends to get more basic towards central and eastern Bhutan. While we use the best available hotels and early booking of the tour with us will help us to get the best hotels.
We can also make arrangement for “Five Star Deluxe” tour our guest with night lodges in Aman Resorts of the Aman chain of resorts or Uma Resort of the Como groups of hotels at a different rate which will be advised to you later in the process of correspondence along with the entitlements.
All accommodations used by Bhutan bhutanica are certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan and you can be sure that the accommodations in lodges, guesthouses, smaller hotels and camps are the best available.