Visas are stamped on your passport on arrival after you produce your visa letter that has been sent to you by us. You will have to submit two passport size photos.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Bhutan was inhabited by nomadic herders as early as 2000-1500 BC. Although the destruction of original documents in fires and earthquakes has left much of Bhutan 's ancient history obscure, a few of the scriptures that were saved from such natural disasters reveal the prominence of Buddhist tradition and mythology. Other sources rely on reports from British explorers, and on legend and folklore.

Recorded Bhutanese history dates back to the 747 AD when Guru Rimpoche first visited the country. Regarded as the second Buddha and the patron saint of Bhutan , he introduced the Buddhist religion in the country, providing a sense of cohesion during the middle ages.

Until the early 17th century, Bhutan was a cluster of fragmented provinces constantly at odds with each other. It was Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, a great spiritual personality and leader who brought an end to warring factions and unified the country into one nation, establishing a theocracy in 1652 and introducing a code of law. In the process of crushing several foreign invasions, mainly from Tibet , he initiated the building of many fortresses called Dzongs, which to this day, serve as centers of administration in the country.

The theocracy established by Shabdrung endured until 1907 when Sir Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary king of Bhutan by popular consensus. Jigme Wangchuck succeeded him and ruled the country from 1926 to 1952. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, also known as the father of Modern Bhutan, was king from 1952 to 1972. The present king Jigme Singye Wangchuck came to the throne in 1972.

The Bhutanese are the Drukpas meaning the inhabitants of Druk Yul. They are generally categorized into three broad ethnic groups. The Sharchops are people of the East and are held to be the indigenous inhabitants of the country. The dialect spoken by most of the people in the eastern region is called Sharchopkha. The people of Western Bhutan are called Ngalongs whose descendents are traced to neighboring Tibet . They speak Dzongkha, which is the national language. The Lhotshampas are the people of the south who began settling in southern Bhutan in the beginning of the 20th century. They are of Nepalese origin and speak Nepali .

Druk air is Bhutan 's national airline and they have two BAE 146 aircraft and a flight crew trained specifically for Himalayan terrain by Thai Airways International. On 31 st October 2004 , the two new Airbus A319 launched its first commercial flight. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, (watch tower), now the National museum.

The flight into Paro is one of the most spectacular and mesmerizing in the world.

Owing to the unique conditions Druk Air suggests a few tips to clients to make their journey a pleasant and comfortable experience.  As we operate from an airport that is “daylight restricted” and totally dependent on weather, flights can sometimes be delayed. It is suggested that passenger's keep at least 24 hours transit time for connecting flights out of Paro. It is also advisable to travel on non-restricted tickets so that if a connection is missed, it can be re-routed or ‘endorsed' onto another carrier on the first available flight.

Flights into Paro can also at times be disrupted due to unfavorable weather conditions. Under such circumstances, the flight halts the night at transit stations. In order to be prepared for such an event, it is advised to carry essential personal items like medicines, toiletries, minimum change etc. in the hand baggage as it is not possible to remove checked-in-baggage at the transit station.

Accompanied baggage from Bangkok and Calcutta is restricted to 20 Kilos above normal allowance subject to 2 suitcase-sized pieces per passenger. Normal excess baggage rates will apply for this allowance. Further, bulky items like TV's etc will not be accepted as accompanied baggage. Passengers are requested to book anything additional as unaccompanied baggage (Cargo).

Bangkok to Calcutta 1670 kms and takes 02hrs.40 min.
Bangkok to Paro 1930 kms and takes 03hrs.20 min.

Paro to Delhi 1340kms and takes 02hrs.40min.
Paro to Kolkatta 556kms and 01hrs.07min.

200 cigarettes on payment of import duty of 200 percent.
Alcoholic beverages up to 1 litre.
Pipe Tobacco: 3 tins of 50 grams each
Other Tobacco Products: 50 grams

Bhutan unit of currency is Ngultrum (Nu.). 1 Nu. = 100 Chetrum. The Ngultrum is fixed at parity with the Indian Rupee.
Visa and American Express credit cards are accepted only in a few places. Visitors are advised to carry traveler checks (preferably American Express) with some cash (US Dollars).

Originally spoken only in western Bhutan , Dzongkha is now the national language. English is widely spoken in main towns and it is the medium of education in all schools. Local people are also familiar with Hindi and Nepali.

Rice forms the main diet of a typical Bhutanese person, accompanied by generous helpings of hot chilies and cheese in almost every curry. Hotels and restaurants usually offer Bhutanese, Continental, Chinese, and Indian cuisine. Drink only bottled water that is easily available in the market. Tap water is not fit for consumption.

All guests traveling through Bhutan Paradise Travels will be put in the highest rated hotel by the Department of Tourist. There are no 5 star hotels except Aman (USD 1000 a night), Uma (US$ 200-1000+), Zhiwaling (USD 200-1000). On request of the guest these hotels can be booked. Beside the hotel charges, daily tourists tariff will be levied.

The central valleys, namely Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntshi are characteristic of a semi tropical climate with very cool winters. Thimphu , Trongsa and Bumthang have a harsher climate with heavy snowfall that often blocks the passes leading into the central valleys during winter. Monsoon rains in summer are heavy. Eastern Bhutan is generally warmer than the western region, and southern Bhutan enjoys a tropical climate.

Mid-March to May is spring in the higher valleys with warm days (20 degree centi grade) and cool nights. The summer season starts by June with day temperatures between 27 to 29 degree centi grade . The rainy season starts in July and continues till mid-September. Clear skies and mild weather accompany the autumn months of September to November. Winter is from mid-November until mid-March. Day temperatures can vary between 16 and 18 degree centi grade on sunny days, while night temperatures can fall below freezing. For an update on current weather, www.bbs.com.bt

Currently, there are no vaccinations required for traveling to Bhutan . However, visitors coming from an area infected with yellow fever are required to get a yellow fever vaccination and must be administered at least ten days before arrival in the country. Likewise, visitors arriving from a cholera infected should get vaccinated, and anti-malarial medication is strongly recommended for travelers visiting rural areas bordering India . It is up to the individual to decide if the service is worth rewarding.

Reliable telephone and fax services are available in all towns in Bhutan . International connections are excellent. Internet cafes are few in number and available only in a few places. Internet connection at 53.2kbps dial up and Hotel Druk in Thimphu has wireless connection. If you would like to stay connected with your family, you can bring your laptops and mobile phones (GSM) with you. Prepaid SIM card can be purchased and you can use your cell phones in most of the major towns in the country.

The export of antiques, plants and animal products are strictly prohibited. Personal electronic equipment such as cameras, video cameras and computers must be declared on arrival and will be checked upon departure. Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items. Customs authorities will not allow any old/used items to be taken out of the country if they have not been certified as non-antique.

Import of plants, soils etc. are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be declared on arrival.

Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items. Customs authorities will not allow any old/used items to be taken out of the country if they have not been certified as non-antique.
Import of plants, soils etc. are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be declared on arrival.

On 17th December 2004 , In keeping with the decision of the Bhutanese parliament, the nationwide ban on the sale of tobacco products was implemented, making Bhutan the first country in the world to do so. The maximum amount of cigarettes that can be imported for personal consumption is 200 pieces. For other tobacco products like snuff and chewing tobacco, the maximum import amount is 50 grams. For pipe tobacco, it is three tins of 50 grams each. Cigarettes imported from India will be levied a 100 percent sales tax on the cost price whereas imports from third countries will be levied a 100 percent sales tax plus a 100 percent customs duty.

19 February 2005 Two months after the nationwide ban on the sale of tobacco products the government has announced a ban on smoking in “public places”, public places being defined as “all places where people gather”.

These include parks, discotheques, entertainment centers, sports facilities like football grounds and archery ranges, commercial centers including shops, bars and restaurants, institutions like dzongs, hospitals, schools, and government offices, public transport carriers, public gatherings such as Tsechu , official receptions, national celebrations, and vegetable markets. There will not be smoking corners as suggested by smokers and observers see the council of ministers' decision as a move to make Bhutan a smoke-free nation.

All tourists traveling to Bhutan will have to pay minimum rate of USD 200 per person per night during tourists season and USD 165 during off season ,set by the Government. A surcharge is levied for the group traveling less than three.USD 40 for one person and USD30 two persons.Depending on the services, the rates can be higher. The government levies USD 65 per person per night, as royalty or tourism fees, which goes to the socio economic development of the country. USD 10 per person for the trip is deducted as Tourist Development Fund.

The minimum daily package rates shall be inclusive of the following:

•  Royalty (Tourism Fee)
•  Charges for accommodation
•  Food and Beverages as per the ‘Minimum Meal Entitlements'
•  Service of Guides
•  Transport within Bhutan
•  Riding ponies and pack animals on treks including trek to Taksang.

The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan . On the day of departure, the ‘local agents' host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.

Casual clothes are fine, but you would do well to have a set up of dress-up clothes (jacket and tie for men, dress or appropriately smart pair of pants for women). Dress clothing is appropriate for visiting Government offices, festivals and for social occasions in Thimphu homes. Bhutan is a small –town atmosphere, and you might easily find yourself in the company of Government officials. If you have scheduled your trip around a festival, you definitely should carry a set of dressy clothing. Bhutanese people dress quite formally, and your casual jeans won't fit in on such occasion. Remember this is a country with a national dress.

Even in the summer, it can be quite cool in Paro and Thimphu , and its downright cold in winter. Days can be quite warm, especially in the lower regions such as Punakha and Phuentsholing, and you could start driving off in the cold dawn and be uncomfortable warm by mid morning. Use a layering system, starting with thermals underwear and adding a shirt, pile jacket and windbreaker or parka as necessary. If you are not trekking you will need:

Thermal underwear for cold weather (and also for sleeping in)
Swimming costumes
Cotton trousers
Cotton skirt for women
Pile jacket or sweater-even in summer
Down or fiberfill jacket-in the winter not needed in the summer
T-shirt or short sleeves
Sneaker or walking shoes and socks
Sandals or flip flops
Rain jacket
1 set of Dress up clothes
Sun hat
Warm hat and gloves in the winter.

If you wish, some presents for school children that you will come across. (Stationeries)

THIMPHU : Except for a handful that felt the need to style their hair or clean the countenance of dead cells, urban Bhutanese women in general were content with a shampoo wash and a face scrub at home. The scene has changed. Thimphu today has around 20 beauty parlors located in every corner of the capital claiming to offer the best in the beauty world. From spunky haircuts, waxing of unwanted hair to eyebrow defining, pedicure, manicure.

Bhutan time is GMT/UTC plus six hours: there is only one time zone through out the country. The time in Bhutan is 30 minutes later than India , 15 minutes later than in Nepal , and 1 hour earlier than in Thailand .

Voltage and cycle
The voltage in Bhutan is the same as India : 230V, 50 cycles AC. The chukha hydropower project provides reliable, well regulated power supply throughout the western region.

Plugs and Sockets
Bhutan uses the standard Indian round-pin sockets. Those come in variety of sizes and there' s no assurance that a particular plug will fit in the socket in your hotel. Most European round pin-plugs work, but their pins is usually smaller than the Indian variety, and fit loosely and provides an unreliable connection. There are plenty of electrical shops in Thimphu that can make up an adapter if you have any trouble plugging in an appliance. If you have an appliance that uses Australian plugs, bring a converter. It is best you bring an international converter that can be bought in your local electrical store.

The metric system is used throughout the country. In the village rice is sometimes measured in a round container.

Hotels do the laundry and very few hotels have dryers. Same day service is possible depending on the availability of sunshine. There are few dry cleaners in Thimphu and Phuentsholing and it takes 2-3 days.

There are very few public toilets available. Most hotels provide western toilets and toilet paper. The toilets may not be up to international standards. The flush is Indian style and not “feather touch” therefore you will need to flush it at least twice before it works.

Attitudes towards women
Bhutan takes pride on its lack of class system and an absence of sexual discrimination. Bhutanese women have the same right as the men, including rights of education, voting and holding positions in the government.

Safety Precaution
Women both foreign and Bhutanese are not subject to harassment and do not need to take any special precaution, other then following sensible practices of behavior and dress

Because of the high cost of traveling in Bhutan , many visitors are senior traveling in organized groups. Hotel guides and tour operators are all familiar with the needs of the senior and treat them with traditional respect that the Bhutanese have for their elders. The primary precaution one should take is to have an ample supply of any special medicines, as they probably will not be available in Bhutan

Bhutan is immune to theft and begging

The maximum elevation that you can reach on a Bhutanese road is (3150m in the west and 3750m in the East) is lower than which causes altitude problems for most people. There are rare cases where individuals have suffered from altitude problems.

Those same dogs that wag their tails for you during the daytime turn into barking monsters at night. Avoid walking in the streets at night alone.

Buying souvenirs please be careful as most of the products are bought from Nepal or India . If you are interested in buying genuine souvenirs, please ask the guides.

Travellers and Magicians:

The first internationally released Dzongkha movie shot in Bhutan . By the director of "The Cup", His Holiness Dzongsar Khyentse Rimpoche. It was screened in Sydney in 2004.

“ A Baby in the back pack in Bhutan ” by Bunty Aveioson.

Bhutan-Dragon Kingdom, Foreign Correspondent, Australia Broadcasting Corporation, Series 14, Episode 27

"Beyond the Earth and Sky"

Excellent book by Jamie Zeppa, based the time she spent as a volunteer teacher in eastern Bhutan .

Bhutan the last Shangri-La:

Excellent documentary about the country, its environment and culture. Living Edens Series by PBS and Readers Digest.

River Somewhere:

Following on from the highly successful first release, “ A River Somewhere 2” continues Rob Stich and Tom Gleisner's quest for adventure and travel as they cast off around the globe in this light-hearted journey to some of the most beautiful waters in the world.

From wild Himalayan trout in the tiny kingdom of Bhutan to brightly colored coral trout on the Great Barrier Reef , Tom and Rob crosses the globe to catch and cook their dinner over seven half hour episodes.

For news on Bhutan :
www.kuenselonline.com.bt
www.bbs.com.bt

It has been said that it's impossible to take a poor photograph in Bhutan . Indeed the landscape, buildings, people are some of the most photogenic in the world. (Lonely planet, Bhutan )

What gear to bring?

35mm gear:
Lenses:
I recommend at least one wide-angle lenses in the 24-35mm range for the wide views and a telephoto covering 100-200mm for to get closer pictures of masked dancers at crowded festivals. If you use primes keep in mind that you may not be able to "zoom by walking back and forth" in some situations (steep slopes on a trek or a crowded Tsechu festival).

Bring at least a polarizer - especially useful for during midday festival dances in the dry season, or to cut down reflections from the wet vegetation during the monsoons. A warming filter may help in cloudy conditions in the monsoon season time.

Are manageable for treks (pack ponies) and cultural tours (cars). But forget about using one at a Tsechu festival, you wont find the space.

You will find mostly 35mm print film. The following is what's available in Thimphu . Selections will be limited in all other towns. Color print film is easy to come by in Thimphu . Mostly consumer versions of Kodak and Konica and sometime Fuji in ISO 100, 200 and 400 (all 36 exposures). They cost around Nu 100-150 (Nu 46=US$1 in Dec 2003). Slide film is difficult to come by; I would suggest you bring enough yourself. As for black and white film, you may occasionally find Kodak 400CN chromogenic.

Good alkaline batteries are now easier to find in Thimphu . I would suggest that you stick to the international brands (Duracell, energizer, national etc). Cheaper knockoffs and Indian brands will run out quickly or give you problems at low temperatures.

Lithium batteries CR123 and CR2 batteries are available in Thimphu , Paro (not sure about other places) but you have to know where to look for them. They are usually in the smaller stalls selling imported goods in the "shopping complexes".

Airline restrictions:

You will be flying into Bhutan on a "small" plane (BAe 146 or Airbus 319) with baggage weight restrictions . In economy class, you are allowed 20kg checked baggage, and in executive class, its 30 kgs. Carry on will be limited by size as well. If you are willing to pay for excess baggage and are willing to check in your gear, you have that option as well.

Most of the Tsechu festivals are in the dry season during or after the harvest (late Sept to march) so you are likely to get a lot of bright high altitude sun. Most masked dances will begin around 8 or 9am and go on until late afternoon. So expect clear and bright skies (most of the time).

It will be crowded with people from all over the valleys attending the festival in their finest clothes. You will find good opportunities to photograph ordinary Bhutanese people as well as dancers and monks. You will need a telephoto of at least 100mm focal length to get close up of masks and masked dancers from crowded sidelines - a zoom covering at least 80-200mm is recommended. A polarizer and lens hood is advisable. Since you will be in the Dzong or monastery most of the day, it's also a good opportunity to photograph the architecture and wall paintings and carvings.

Tsechu festivals are living traditions and also because it'll be mostly in crowded courtyards of dzongs and monasteries, please observe your etiquette -our guide should brief you on this.

Most trekking routes will take you to high altitude passes (3000m - 5000 meters) but you may begin your trek at around 1800 to 2400 meters. The vegetation changes accordingly from warm moist broadleaved forests through pine forests through mixed conifers and broadleaved temperate forests up to fir and alpine pastures. The best trekking season is in the fall and spring. It is also relatively dry at this time since the monsoons have either not yet arrived or just ended.

There will be pack ponies (yaks at higher altitudes) to carry all the trekking gear so you do not have to worry too much about weight. You will only need a daypack or a hip pack to carry what you may need on hand.

If you start walking really early in the morning, you will encounter pheasants and sometimes other wildlife on the trail. Watch out for bears in the fruiting season (autumn) - stick with the group. In the wet season in warm areas, especially on the Gasa Punakha route, you'll find a lot orchids and birds but if you stray off the trail you'll be sure to pick up leeches . Tucking pants into socks is no use - a good leech repellent is anti-mosquito cream. Apply the cream liberally on your leg from your ankles to above the knee and also around the shoe. If you see one starting to climb your shoe, flick it off with your finger.

Besides the Tsechu festivals, you will be visiting monasteries and sites of cultural and historical significance and scenic viewpoints. There will be opportunity to visits a few traditional art schools, museums and also some traditional farmhouse visits. Most of your travels will be in a bus, van or car (depending on your group size) and sites are within easy walking distance from the vehicle so weight should not be a problem. Lot of opportunities for landscape, architecture and cultural photography.

In monasteries, temples and dzongs:

Photography inside most monasteries, temples and dzongs (fortress monasteries) is restricted in order to preserve the sanctity of the place (behavior of tourists in the past like theft and disturbance of monks and objects was a major factor). You can however photograph in the courtyards and surrounding areas. If you are traveling with a tour group, your guide will be able to tell you when it is not appropriate to take photographs.

These festivals are living traditions and people come not only to watch and enjoy the masked dances but also because of religious faith. If you want a good spot, you will have to come and reserve your own spot just like everyone else - best location if you want to sit is on the south side of the courtyard, otherwise you have all back-lit dancers. If you must move up in front of the crowd to get a shot of a dancer, do so at accessible areas, and move off when you're done. Bring a long telephoto or zoom of at least 100mm focal length if you want any kind of close up shots. This is also the opportunity to take photographs inside courtyards of some dzongs (cameras are not allowed in the courtyard of some dzongs).

Although most Bhutanese people do not mind their pictures being taken, it would not be impolite to ask their permission first. In urban areas, a lot of the younger people may become self conscious when you point your camera at them. However, outside of the major urban areas, most people will break out into a smile and willingly pose for you. Most children everywhere will be willing to have their pictures taken. However, sometimes a few people (mostly school children) may ask you to send a copy of the picture of you took and will give you their name and mailing address.

Bhutan is one of the best remaining representatives of the Eastern Himalayan environment and forms a major part of this "global hotspot for biodiversity". The kingdom's policy is to strike a balance between economic development and environmental conservation. If you are on a trek (or even stopped somewhere along the road) you may want to take pictures of plants, animals or birds. However, don't expect to see animals like on an African safari because most of the habitats are dense forests and the topography very rugged.

Processing film in Bhutan

Unless you really need it, just don't! A lot of the labs in Thimphu tend to produce green or blue tinted prints. In the past year, a few more labs have come up in Thimphu that provide 1 hour services. They seem to do a decent enough job with negative film. A roll of 36 exposure film will cost about Nu. 250 (US$5) for process and print at 4x6. size. For critical work, I would still not do my processing here. E6 processing is still not available in Bhutan . Pelwang Photo Studio develops digital films.