BHUTAN

Bhutan is one of the safest countries to travel even if you are heading to remote routes. Crime in Bhutan is very low as the country is known best for meditation and Buddhistic belief in peace. Bhutan is a notable pioneer for being named the happiest country in the world as per the Gross National Happiness Index.

Ngultrum is the official currency of Bhutan. You cannot get your hand on the currency anywhere but Bhutan. You can purchase it at the Paro International Airport, the banks in Bhutan, and major shops in the town and city areas. Do not expect to purchase Ngultrum in smaller cities and villages.

Dzongkha is the national language of the Bhutan, which is predominantly spoken in the western region of Bhutan. However, there are 25 dialects spoken in Bhutan. Bhutanese people speak English as it is the medium of instruction in the schools. Hence it is easy to talk to Bhutanese people if you are fluent in English. The official documents, road signs, and even the major national newspapers are published in English making it easier for tourists to understand.But you should note that in the remote villages Bhutanese people are not introduced to English speaking.

The deliberate tourism policies of Bhutan have instilled the Minimum Tour package for each tourist per night in Bhutan. Hence having a guided tour in Bhutan is mandatory. This rate includes an experienced guide. So, you will not have to worry about finding a guide in Bhutan,on your own.

Bhutan is a conservative country, in that sense, you will see that the locals wear a definitive dress that is not influenced by western traditions.Bhutanese locals and the government are very protective of their culture. Although not publicly disclose it is a social trend to wear clothes that fully cover your skin while visiting places of high cultural significance.Locals are seen wearing their traditional dresses like Gho,a long robe for Men,and Kira,a knee-length dress for women.

The weather in Bhutan is wide-ranging from the hilly regions to the Himalayas. The Southern parts of Bhutan observe the subtropical climate, at times hot and humid.
However, it is mostly unchanging throughout the year unlike that in the Himalayan region. On average, you can witness temperatures of 15 – 30 degrees Celsius/ 59 – 86 degree Fahrenheit. The central region witnesses warm summers and cool and dry winters due to the deciduous forest lines. As you reach the northern end, the weather is generally unpredictable as it witnesses a cold snowy climate in high altitude terrain. The summers are cool in the high altitudes.

The Autumn season is regarded to be the ideal season for traveling in Bhutan regardless of the altitude or place of travel. There are many tour and trekking packages in Bhutan that are best during this season. The weather is clear and cool and the sky looks ever so bright with only hints of clouds. Hence it is also the peak season to travel to Bhutan. During Autumn, you can get a chance to witness the Thimphu Tsechu, Trashigang Tsechu, Jampey Lhakhang Drup, Haa Tsechu, Tamshing Phala Choepa, Jampey Lhakhang Drup, Prakhar Tsechu, Black Necked Crane Festival, Mongar Tsechu,
and Royal Highlander Festival.

Spring Season is another common peak season to excurse around the high hills of Bhutan. Short tours and long treks are both doable in this season. The views of high mountains can be observed along with the rhododendron, wildflower clad forest. The spring season welcomes festivals like Paro Tsechu, Ura Takchoe, Punakha Dromchoe,Chorten Kora, Gom Kora, and Gasa Tsechu in different regions of Bhutan.

Winter season, although is an off-season for trekking, it is good for short tours around the valley floor. Tours are conducted through long drives around the valley and toward some high hills but the elevation does not reach beyond 4000m. The drive is cool and hikes to high cliffs do not make you sweaty. The Winter season is also known best to host some festivals and ceremonies like Lhosar, Nomad’s Festival, Druk Wangyel Tsechu, Lhuntse Tsechu, Trongsa Tsechu, and Trashi Yangtse Tsechu.

Monsoon season typically witnesses rainfall, so it is regarded to be the least favored time for travel. The trails are usually slippery so it is difficult to travel on a vehicle and also on foot. Furthermore, the weather is unclear with clouds hovering to cover the sights of majestic mountains.

If you are a foodie then a visit to Bhutan will make you realize what you have been missing in your daily meals. Bhutan is rich in culture and traditions but it is an undisclosed fact that their traditional vibrant cuisine reflects their heritage. Food in Bhutan is usually characterized as being spicy but they prepare manageable for the visitors. The locals use locally grown spices and products to prepare their meal which is fresh and healthy.In most cities and towns, you can find multi-cuisine restaurants that serve you anything from authentic Bhutanese foods, Tibetan, Indian and continental dishes. However, in remote villages, it is tough to find continental dishes. In homestays, you will be served with foods grown from farm grown produce.You will be fascinated to witness the chilies being left to dry out in the streets of Paro. Ema Datshi is a prominent food in Bhutan. Ema is translated to ‘chilly’and Datshi to ‘cheese’. The Ema Datshi a
combination of chili and cheese has different variations. If you have low capsaicin tolerance then you can ask the locals to prepare food with less chilly. Going beyond Ema Datshi, you can try the local dumplings called Momo, locally brewed wine Ara made from millet and maize, and the very famous butter tea called Suja.