Tourism in Bhutan and 5 tourist cities and villages do not miss visiting
Tourism in Bhutan is yet to be discovered, despite being the last Himalayan kingdom, as it is the only country covered by 72% forest which makes it abound with stunning landscapes, from the majestic Himalayas, shady forests, and an abundance of rare animals and plants, as well as Hills, rivers, valleys and plains.
Bhutan is also the meeting place of diverse traditional Buddhist culture, with majestic castles, monasteries and forts, and Buddhist monuments. As well as the exciting monastic architecture, religious ceremonies, annual festivals, museums, theme parks, shopping areas, restaurants and many other tourist attractions.
Tourism in Bhutan
Explore tourism in Bhutan
Bhutan is a perfect destination for a family vacation, honeymoon tours and also adventure lovers. Here is a comprehensive guide on tourism in Bhutan and the most important information about it, the most important 5 tourist cities in it, as well as a set of the most important tips before traveling…
Best places to stay in Bhutan
To complete your tourism holiday, you must choose an accommodation that is suitable and ideal for your needs and requirements as well as your budget. Bhutan hotels are distinguished by being suited to the needs of all tastes and different financial levels… Read more about the best Bhutan hotels.
Where is Bhutan located?
Where is Bhutan located?
Bhutan is located in the Asian continent, in the northern part of the Himalayas. It is a landlocked country. Bhutan is bordered on the north and east by the People’s Republic of China, and on the south and west by India.
Best time to travel to Bhutan
The best time to travel to Bhutan is between (October to December), when the climate is mild and the sky is clear and sunny. The following is the nature of the climate and tourism activities in Bhutan during the four seasons of the year:
Spring in Bhutan is from March to May.
This season is characterized by its beauty and cheerful colors, as different flowers begin to bloom and cover the areas, such as the rose trees “rhododendron”, wild azaleas, edelweiss “snow flower” and many other beautiful flowers that adorned Bhutan during that period. This allows you to enjoy many fun outdoor activities.
Summer in Bhutan from June to August
It is one of the ideal seasons for tourism in Bhutan, where the temperatures are moderate and suitable for exciting excursions in the Himalayas. In addition to witnessing the charming natural beauty, where the valleys are covered in green, and exploring the tourist and archaeological attractions of the country.
Autumn in Bhutan is from September to November.
Autumn is also one of the best times for travel and tourism in Bhutan, with its calm atmosphere and warm colors. It also has the Black Crane Festival, a festival to promote the conservation of these endangered migratory birds, as well as wander through the mountains and enjoy the nightlife.
Winter in Bhutan is from December to February.
Winter is a special season in Bhutan and it is a great time for tourism, as it has sunny days and very cold nights. In this season, you can enjoy a clear view of the highest mountain ranges of the Himalayas in the world covered with snow, as well as practice exciting winter sports.
The language in Bhutan
Bhutanese or Dzongkha is the Ngalope language and is the official national language of Bhutan. There are also many other languages spoken in Bhutan, all of which are sub-branded from the Dozangkha mother tongue.
Tourist visa in Bhutan
Tourist visa in Bhutan
Tourist in Bhutan, requires you to obtain a visa to travel to Bhutan, except for some countries such as India, Bangladesh and the Maldives, they get a free entry permit to Bhutan. But if you are not one of those three countries, you have to follow a set of rules and submit some documents to obtain a Bhutan tourist visa, the most important of which are:
Apply for a Bhutan visa online, fill it out and sign it.
Scanned copy of passport valid for at least six months.
Pay the visa fee to Bhutan which is 40 USD.
Full payment for a pre-booked tour of Bhutan must be finalized.
The ideal period of tourism in Bhutan
The ideal period of tourism in Bhutan is about 7 days, which is a suitable period to explore, visit its best tourist attractions, and do the most beautiful recreational and tourist activities. Here is a suggested itinerary to spend 7 days in Bhutan:
Day 1 Arrive in Paro and travel to Thimphu
On that day it offers you to witness a wide range of the world’s highest Himalayan peaks, hike and explore the best things to do in Paro village, and then travel to the capital, Thimphu.
Second day in Thimphu
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, a beautiful and colorful city full of stunning landscapes. That’s where the bright blue sky and green mountains are. You can head to the Bhutan Post Office to get custom stamps made with your photo on them. You can also visit the country’s Takin National Animal Sanctuary, Cherry Monastery, and Chi Chu Dong Fortress.
Third day Punakka visit
Head to visit Dordinma Buddha, which is the largest Buddha statue
In the world, it is made of copper and inlaid with gold and has 125,000 small statues of golden Buddha. Then you can visit the fertility temple Chimi La Khang, and see buildings decorated with giant bars.
Day 4 White water rafting and drive to Paro
On that day, enjoy the scenery on the valley and river, then white water rafting on the Mocho River, and then drive to Paro.
Fifth day in Paro
On this day, head to the National Museum, which is Bhutan’s first museum. Then you can visit many of the city’s famous temples, and then spend the rest of the day shopping in Paro and trying dinner at one of the city’s restaurants.
Day Six Visit Takchang Monastery “Tiger’s Nest”
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a small group of buildings perched precariously on a cliff, 900 meters from the ground. The only way to get to the tiger’s nest is to hike. It is an extraordinary and exciting experience. This is where you will climb a thousand steps, and you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the picturesque scenery with rhododendron forests, pine trees and many birds and small animals to enjoy.
The seventh and final day Complete your trip and prepare to leave Bhutan
In it, you can see what remains and want to explore, and also shop for beautiful souvenirs and then leave and return to your homeland.
How much does tourism cost in Bhutan?
Bhutan is one of the high-cost tourist destinations in the Asian continent, so you should plan your budget well before traveling to have the perfect holiday. It is worth noting that the cost of travel in Bhutan is determined by the government, which closely monitors tourists. There is a minimum spending that tourists must adhere to when visiting Bhutan.
It is between 200 and 250 USD, depending on the month you are traveling, the cost covers accommodation, meals, guide, transportation, etc. The amount must be paid in US dollars prior to your arrival.
Transportation and transportation in Bhutan
Transportation and transportation in Bhutan
To move within Bhutan to explore its tourist cities, learn the following about the most important types of local transportation in Bhutan:
Taxis:
Taxis are available in major cities and tourist areas, but they are unregulated and most do not have meters. Also, drivers usually raise prices from the real price, so it is an expensive means of transportation in Bhutan.
car rental:
Visitors are currently not allowed to rent a car or drive in Bhutan, due to the condition of the only national highway, roads and mountain passes make it best to hire a driver. It is a way to enjoy scenic views on both sides of the road. It is one of the best and most convenient means of transportation.
buses:
In Bhutan, public transportation is not available, except by bus service in areas where there are paved roads, there are no railways in the country, and the buses are very crowded and uncomfortable, in addition to the bad roads, and their prices are very cheap.
The official currency of Bhutan
The official currency of Bhutan
The Bhutanese ngultrum is the official currency of Bhutan. The ngultrum is divided into 100 khertoms.
Communication and the Internet in Bhutan
Bhutan has a huge telecommunications network, where Bhutanese telecommunications companies have worked to provide advanced modern technologies and high-speed networks that meet the needs of customers. It also continues to provide many technological services, and to support innovations in communications. Among the most important telecommunications and Internet companies in Bhutan are:
TashiCell Company.
Bhutan Telecom Company.
Distance between the most popular cities in Bhutan
To spend a tourist holiday in Bhutan, you will definitely move between its various tourist cities. Here are the distances between the most important and popular major cities in Bhutan:
Paro to Thimphu 23 km.
From Paro to the village of Punakha 49 km.
Barrow to Gaza 82 km.
Thimphu to Tongsa 91 km.
Punakha village to Thimphu 27 km.
Thimphu to Gaza 67 km.
Thimphu to Wangdu Phudrang Village 43 km.
Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar 227 km.
Rent a car in Bhutan
Driving in Bhutan is challenging and adventurous, but it enables you to explore Bhutan and its wonderful attractions with complete freedom and enjoy watching the landscapes on both sides of the road. Here are the most important rules and papers required to be allowed to rent a car in Bhutan:
A translated copy of the original driver’s license.
Obtaining a local driving license in Bhutan, with an international driving license.
The legal driving age in Bhutan is 18 years.
Credit card for security deposit.
Choose a reliable car rental company, by reading customer reviews and seeing how many stars it has earned.
Driving is on the left side of the road in Bhutan.
Make sure to check your car well before picking up, and don’t miss the emission test, because Bhutan has strict environmental protection standards.
Adhere to the speed limits in Bhutan, so as not to face many severe legal consequences.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is not permitted in Bhutan.
Wearing a seat belt while driving in Bhutan.
Park the car in the designated places.
The best tourist cities in Bhutan
There are many tourist cities in Bhutan, which you can visit during your vacation in Bhutan. Here are the 5 most important tourist cities in Bhutan…
Tourism in Thimphu
Tourism in Thimphu
Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan, the largest city in the kingdom, and enjoys wide fame and great prestige. It is the fourth highest capital in the world, it is located on the west bank of the Wang Chu River, also known as the Rydak River. It has no airport, and is the cultural center of Bhutan, as most of the country’s artisans reside in the Thimphu Valley.
Thimphu has many great tourist sites, one of the most important is the Muthang Takin Nature Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to the care and breeding of Takin, the country’s national animal.
Tourism in Punakha
ponkha
Punakha is one of the most popular destinations in Bhutan for international flights. Two major rivers flow through the region, the Mozhou and Fuzhou, as well as valleys along which the main rice-growing areas of the kingdom are spread. Punakha is famous for the cultivation of the unique red rice for which Bhutan is famous.
Punakha has many attractive tourist attractions, most notably the Palace of the Great Happiness “Punkha Dzong”, which dates back to the seventeenth century, as well as many other historical monuments, and charming recreational parks.
Tourism in the village of Baru
Baru village
Paro village is located in its beautiful valley, and it is one of the most beautiful tourist places in Bhutan. Home to the country’s oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries, it also hosts the kingdom’s only international airport, and is the second largest city in Bhutan.
Baro allows you to enjoy many enjoyable recreational activities, among them the most famous of which is “Taktsang Monastery”, which is known as the Tiger’s Nest, which overlooks the Baro Valley, and you reach it by hiking, and the trip is worth it for the splendor of the scenic views overlooking the valley and the amazing caves .
As well as Rinpung Dzong Castle, an ancient monastic fortress overlooking the valley, the monastery is unusual as it is the first building built of stone rather than mud.
Tourism in Wangdu Phudrang Village
Wangdu Phodrang
Wangdu Phudrang Village is one of the beautiful places in the Kingdom of Bhutan, located in the middle of the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is one of the most popular destinations in the country. Wangdu Phudrang Village is characterized by its picturesque landscapes, which provide tourists with the possibility to practice all the interesting outdoor activities.
As well as the Vobjica Valley which is one of the winter nesting grounds for the rare black-necked cranes, which come there during their annual migrations, and is also home to the famous Gangtei Monastery.
Tourism in Fincholeng
Fincholeng
Phincholeng is a bustling frontier town in southern Bhutan, and despite being a relatively small town, it boasts a thriving local economy from cross-border trade with West Bengal.
Ventsholing is the financial, industrial and commercial capital of Bhutan, and that city offers a range of wonderful tourist places, the most important of which are the famous Bhutan border crossing, the famous ornate border gate, as well as the magnificent colossal statues of Padmasambhava, Gautama Buddha, and Chapdrung Ngawang.
Tips before traveling to Bhutan
Avoid buying antiques or antiques
Bhutan does not allow the export of any antiques or antiques, be careful and do not buy them, but you can buy handicrafts from local markets at cheap prices, to avoid penalties.
Beware of buying and selling tobacco products
Do not try to buy or sell tobacco products in Bhutan, as this is illegal, in order to avoid getting into trouble. But you can import a maximum of 200 cigarettes also after paying taxes and import duties of 200 percent.
Beware the mockery of the royal family
The kings of Bhutan have great respect and reverence from the Bhutanese people, as they are considered the embodiment of the gods, and they will not accept the lack of appreciation and respect for their feelings and religious personalities.
Plan to Travel to Bhutan During Festival Celebrations
Make sure to spend your tourist vacation in Bhutan, while celebrating festivals, and discovering the exciting Bhutanese culture. Especially the Thimphu Chicho Festival, and the Paro Chicho Festival, which are among the most colorful festivals in Bhutan.
Don’t miss the sport shooting experience
This is because archery is the national sport in the Kingdom, so enjoy this exciting sport, and do not miss watching the archery match in Paro as one of the most exciting things during tourism in Bhutan.