Points to remember before you go in Bhutan

Bhutan is one of the few idyllic places remaining in the world. Owing to its years of isolation from the rest of the world has added to its mystery. It is very understandable that traveling to such a far away destination may seem somewhat daunting. This feeling is aggravated while gathering information from several different websites, as different website will tell you different things. So, this blog of mine will highlight some of the key points to remember before visiting the place without making confused.

1.     VISA: Do not get influenced by popular myths that you need a special ‘pull’ to get visa in Bhutan. Also, there is no limit on the number of tourists allowed to visit. The Government of Bhutan believes in ‘High value, low impact tourism’ and hence the tourism policies are strict in Bhutan. So to minimize the perceived threat to Bhutan's unique culture and abundant biodiversity and natural environment, the government has established a stringent set of rules. Owing to these rules you must travel on a pre-arranged itinerary that will include all costs. The process is otherwise rather straightforward. If you wish to visit Bhutan then your visa applications must be channeled through the Department of Tourism (DOT) from a selected and registered tour operator such as Bhutan Mahayana Tours. After that with notification of approval, visas will be issued to you when you arrive in the country. Contrary to popular belief it is quiet an efficient system. You can plan your trip within a short period of time which could be as little as two weeks.

2.     FESTIVALS: You must have seen several sites about Bhutan that kep telling you about Bhutan and its culture. This is one thing which you will find common in almost every site regarding Bhutan. Bhutan is nothing without its unique culture. Festivals are undoubtedly one of the most striking features of any culture. Tsechus are the largest and most colourful festivals in Bhutan which are organized at Bhutan's dzongs and monasteries once a year in honour of Guru Rinpoche. Tsechus normally take place during the spring and the fall. They are celebrated up to five days which consists of magnificent pageantry, masked dances and religious allegorical plays. All the rituals and customs of Tsechus have remained unchanged for centuries. Tsechus are at the same time an important medium of Buddhist teaching as well as huge social gatherings. It is during the tsechus that the Bhutanese dressed in their finest clothes and jewellery revel and rejoice together.  The tsechus create an infectiously genial atmosphere where humour and devotion complement each other. The true essence of Bhutanese culture can be best appreciated by visitors during the Tsechus. So make sure that your camera or phones have enough memory to store every bit of it!

3.     HOTELS: No matter which part of the world you are traveling hotels are going to be an integral part of your visit as these are the places where you will stay during your visit. If you think that Bhutan is too small a country and the hotels are not likely to be as good, then you are in for a major surprise. The hotels in Bhutan are not only beautiful but they also ensure that the guests are treated hospitably and get a consistent style and comfort throughout their stay. Each and every hotel in Bhutan is designed in the traditional Bhutanese style yet each has its own character and is located around unusual and dramatic locations.

4.     FOOD: Ema Datshe is the national dish of Bhutan which is made with a mixture of spicy chillies and cheese. In Bhutan, chilies are not treated like a seasoning rather than a vegetable. Also, the Bhutanese diet includes a wide variety of fresh vegetables. Meals are never complete without red or white rice. Along with Tibetan momos and noodles, meats, poultry and fish (usually in the form of stews) are also part of Bhutanese menus. Though, Bhutanese cuisine is generally infamous over its overtly spicy character, the professional chefs in Bhutan prepare food which is more suitable to the western palate.

5.     TRANSPORTATION: You have to travel by motor vehicles only as there are no trains or domestic airlines in Bhutan. However, this should not be treated as a major drawback as the main roads are very well-maintained. There are main two-lane highways which run from west to east thereby connecting all the major towns and villages. Due to the mountainous terrain and winding roads the average speed of vehicles is limited to less than 40 km/hour. It is normal for weather to disrupt travel during monsoon and winter months and thus unexpected changes might occur in itineraries.

6.     FLYING INTO BHUTAN: The national airline of Bhutan is Druk Air and thus most visitors to Bhutan are introduced to the country by it. The entry points to Bhutan through flights are from Delhi, Calcutta, or Kathmandu. The flight to Bhutan is one that travelers will find memorable. The mountains are on an eye-level with the aircraft as soon as the aircraft starts rising towards the foothills of the Himalayas. One can see the summit of Mount Everest on clear days from Kathmandu.

7.     WHAT TO WEAR: Due to the constant changing climate of Bhutan one has to bring an assortment of clothes including rain gear. Bringing a layered wardrobe along with you would be the most sensible thing. Even if you are not hiking it is essential that you bring good walking shoes or hiking boots along with you. Also, a hat or cap and a good pair of sunglasses are essential because of the altitude. Warm clothes will be required for the evening. Carrying medicines and some first-aid supplies is also necessary due to the long distances between towns and villages. A good flashlight and water bottle is also going to be handy in Bhutan.

8.     HEALTH: At present no vaccinations are needed for traveling to Bhutan. Though if you are coming from an area which is infected with yellow fever then you should take a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days prior to your arrival in Bhutan. Same goes for Cholera vaccinations if you are coming from an cholera infected area.

9.     PHOTOGRAPHY: It is said that it is impossible to take a bad picture in Bhutan. It is a paradise for photographers across the globe. Bhutan offers immense photographic opportunities to all its visitors with its superb natural scenery and the local people, their houses and shops etc. However, you should be polite enough to ask for clicking pictures and not treat Bhutan as a living museum! It is important to note that photography in shrine rooms of dzongs, monasteries and religious institutions are generally not permitted. Though, outdoor photography is usually permitted, but make sure that you ask your guide whether photography is allowed or not before taking any pictures in such places.

10. SHOPPING: There are plenty of options for shopaholics in Bhutan. One can buy hand-woven textiles, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade paper products, finely crafted metal objects, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.

11.TIPPING: You do not need to add any extra tipping amount along with your bills in Bhutan as the hotel and restaurant bills include service charges amounting to 20%.

So, keep all the above things in mind before visiting Bhutan. No matter which part of the world you belong from, it is guaranteed that you will have never forgettable experience in Bhutan.