Kingdom of Bhutan

Land of the Thunder Dragon

Bhutan as a Travel Destination
21
st
March 2013
Bhutan Tourism An Introduction
Bhutan Facts & Figures
Facts & Figures
Population 700,000
Time Zone GMT +6
Currency Ngultrum (Nu) equivalent to
Rupee (INR)
Country Dial Code +975
Languages Dzongkah, English
Airport Paro Airport (PBH)
45 min to capital, Thimphu
Airline Druk Air (KB)
From Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata
& Kathmandu.
Visa Yes, except
Indian, Maldivians &
Blangadashis
Visitors 27,635 in 2008
50,000 in 2011
60,000 International tourist in
2013
Notes Notable : Carina Lau + Tony
Leong was married there in
May 2008
Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon
Theres a place on earth that even the most seasoned travellers consider a
privilege to visit. And, although it is voted one of the worlds top travel
destinations, very few make it. This is Druk Yul, Bhutan, the Land of the
Thunder Dragon.
Where happiness is more than a dream
You cannot find a more enlightening travel destination today. Perched high
on the mighty Himalayan range, the kingdom of Bhutan has defied
globalization and chosen to remain a hidden paradise, accessible only to a
fortunate few.
Bhutan is marked by raw natural beauty where the dense foliage changes
dramatically as the sub tropical jungles at sea level merge into a fertile
temperate zone and rise up to the great northern glaciers. This pristine
environment is home to exotic wild life and is a last refuge for endangered
species like the Black-Necked Crane, the Blue Sheep, the Golden Langur,
even the Royal Bengal Tiger.
An abode of gods?
Bhutan is the last bastion of Vajrayana Buddhism, a spiritual practice that is
known to be one of the most profound schools of teaching in the Buddhist
world. The sacred monasteries that sit precariously on sheer cliffs, the
fluttering prayer flags that line the high ridges, the red-robed monks who
chant through the day and night, give this kingdom an aura that comes from
another time.
The people of Bhutan have drawn a rich culture from this heritage and made
it the essence of their unique identity. They have decided that man can only
survive, and truly live, by being in touch with the past. The onslaught of
globalisation is balanced with the values that have kept human society
together through the ages.
2011 top 20 nationalities to Bhutan
Nationalities 2011 Vistors
American 6224
Japanese 3943
Chinese 2895
British 2795
German 2287
Thai 2235
Australian 1773
French 1585
Singaporean 1349
Canadian 1061
Italian 1016
Dutch 933
Taiwanese 891
Malaysian 788
Swiss 781
Spanish 727
Belgian 539
Danish 430
South Korean 407
Polish 311
Visa Requirement
No Limit to number of visitors to Bhutan since 2000
Minimum Spending
$250 USD per day for peak season (Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov)
$200 USD per day for other months
Package inclusive of
English speaking guide
Driver
Transportation
All meals
3-star rated accomodation
Surcharges
$30 USD / day/pax for 2 traveler in a group
$40 USD /day/pas for single traveler in a group
All nationalities require visa
Except from India, Bangladesh & Maldives
Business invitations
Submit scanned passport with occupation + correspondence address
Electronic submission required from TCB & Immigration
Usually send travelers 2 days before departure
Visa required for boarding Drukairs flights to Paro
Scanned passport Electronic Submission
Only licensed tour operators in Bhutan has access to this portal.
Two-tier approval required by both Tourism Council of Bhutan & Dep. of
Immigration
Electronic Visa
Drukair Services
Drukair Airbus A319s
Drukair Destinations
Started in 1978 to provide
connectivity to Bhutanese
Operates 3 Airbus A319s
116 Seaters - 16 Business Class &
100 Economy Seats
International
Operates to Kathmandu, Bangkok
Daily
Operates also to Delhi, Kolkata,
Dakka, Singapore, Bagdogra (IXB),
Guwahati & Gaya
Domestic OperationsOperations
Bumthang & Yongphula on ATR
Delhi
Singapore
Bangkok
Kathmandu
Kolkata (CCU)
Guwahati
Dhaka
Gaya
Bagdogra
Paro International Airport
Visual landing only
Operates only during daylight : 7am til 5 pm
Winter operates til 1 pm
All private jets or other airlines need to be guided by Drukair
Captains
Paro International Airport
Singapore Paro Direct Flights
Singapore Paro
Started on 1
st
September 2012
Twice weekly, depart Thurs & Sun
Return on Wed & Sat
Via Kolkata (45 min stop to pick & drop
pax)
116 seats Airbus A319
100 Economy 16 Business
Additional flight from 18
th
May
SIN-PBH on Sunday
PBH-SIN on Monday
Druk Asia Ticketing Services
Reservation of issuance of all Drukair tickets including KTM,
DEL, BKK, SIN and more
For reservation, email full name of travelers, required sector
and date of flights
Email request to info@drukasia.com
28 days TTL. No extension possible.
Payment can be made by wires to Singapore USD/SGD
account at DBS
E-tickets will be issued.
Bhutan Tourism - Attractions
Unique Architecture
Famous Landmarks
- one of the most sought after destination
Unique Culture, History & Traditions
Colourful Festivals
The most famous Asian Wedding in Bhutan
Gross National Happiness
The Happiest Country in the World
Gross National Happiness
Adopted by the United Nations, 65/309.
Happiness: towards a holistic approach to development
First International Day of Happiness on 20
th
March 2013.
7-day Bhutan Itinerary
Best selling 7-Day packages
Township visited
Thimphu
Punakha
Gangtey / Haa
Paro
Western & Central Bhutan
Day 1 & 2 Thimphu
Thimphu
National Memorial Chorten, which was built in honor of the
late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (third king)
Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to show-casing
the Bhutanese feudal past through the exhibition of historical
items and artifacts used in their daily life.
Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is kept
alive, with a great collection of traditional textiles rich in
culture and colors.
School of thirteen tradition arts
Weekend market
Archery Range
Buddha Point
Changangkha Lhakhang
Simtokha Dzong
National Library
Drupthob Nunnery
1 hour
National Memorial Chorten
Build in 1974 by the 3
rd
Queen to commemorate the 3
rd
King.
Currently a busy public square with many devote local Bhutanese
circumventing chorten.
Changangkha Lhakhang
Simotkha Dzong
Oldest Dzong in Bhutan built in 1629 by Bhutans founder Zhadrung.
Currently the Dzongkha Language Institute.
Thimphu Dzong
Largest Dzong in Bhutan and office of the King.
Open only after office hours and on public holidays, Saturdays & Sundays.
Weekend Market
Especially busy from Thursday to Sunday when farmers from all over
Bhutan come to sell their produces.
Great place to understand the daily diet of Bhutanese
Buddha Point
169 ft statue of Buddha Shakyamuni with more than 100,000 smaller
buddhas in interior, completion expected in late 2013.
Great view of Thimphu city from this view point.
Day 3 Punakha/Wangdue
Punakha/Wangdue
Dochula Pass at 3,050m offers a panoramic view of the
Himalayan mountain ranges, about an hour into our
journey. This beautiful pass with its 108 Bhutanese stupas is
the memorial site of fallen Bhutanese soldiers in the 1990s.
Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the
Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the
Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu.
Chhimi Lhakhang [2 hrs] - The divine madman also known,
as Drukpa Kinley is a famous teacher with whom the phallic
symbol is associated. Tales told by your guide would have
excited you to visit Chhimi Lhakhang. The Divine Madman
sits
there though a statue this time. Do not miss the masters
deeds painted on the walls.
2.5 hour
Dochula Pass
108 stupas build in 2003 to commemorate fight against rebels incursion.
Great view of Himalaya range from Dec til March.
Dochula Festival falls on 13 Dec every year.
Chimi Lhakhang
Divine Madman Temple, similar to Chinese Ji-Gongs story, an
unconventional Buddhist saint.
Also a fertility temple where people from all over the world come to pray for
a baby.
Punakha Dzong
The ancient capital of Bhutan until 1955, constructed in 1637.
Punakha festival, on the 10
th
day of the 1
st
Lunar month, is a great festival
with many interesting stories of how the Bhutanese beat back the Tibetan
army.
Jakaranda blossom around dzong in late April.
Day 4 Wangdue - Gangtey
Gangtey
The valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home
of the Black necked crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home
to around six hundred black necked cranes with Phobjikha
being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in
the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant
and shy birds can be observed from early November to end
of March.
Gangtey Goempa [1 hrs] - Situated south of the road and
east of Wangdue Phodrang, is Gangtey Gompa, an old
monastery dating back to the 17th century. The largest
Nyingma monastery in western Bhutan, it was founded in
1613 by Gyalse Pema
Thinlay.
2.5 hour
Gangtey Gompa
Gangtey Gompa & Phobjikha Valley
Phobjikha Valley
In November February, Black-necked cranes comes here to roast from
Tibet.
Black-necked Cranes Festival falls on 11
th
November every year
Beautiful valley for a short 1.5 hour hike
Day 5 - 7 Paro
Day 5 Paro
Drive back to to Paro
Visit
Taa Dzong - National Museum
Drukgyal Dzong [1 hrs] - Let the ruins of this fortress tell
you a tale of how medieval warriors defended Bhutan from
the invaders from the north. Built in 1647 by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan,
to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders.
Kyichu Lhakhang [1 hrs] - Also known as Kyerchu Temple or
Lho Kyerchu, is the oldest temple in Bhutan. Just like
Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is one of the 108
temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to
subdue and pin
down an ogress that was obstructing the spread of
Buddhism. According to legend, all 108 temples were built
in a single
night.
.
3 hour
Taa Dzong National Museum
Taa Dzong are watch towers overlooking Dzongs.
Drukgyel Dzong
Built in 1694 to commemorate the victory over the invading Tibetans, it was
burnt by an accidental fire in 1950 and never rebuilt.
Kyichu Lhakhang
Oldest temple in Bhutan built in the 7
th
century by Tibetan Emporor
Songsten Gampo. It is one of 108 temples built at the same time to tame
evil.
Tiger Nest
Taktsang Monastery, famously known as Tiger Nest Monastery.
Legend believes that Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) flew to this
location from Khenpajong, Tibet, on the back of a tigress
Bhutan An all season Destination
Weather
Spring
March til May (15 ~ 20)
Flower season especially April
Summer
June August (20 ~28)
Light afternoon shower every 2-3 days
August to Sept may have 2~3 days of rain but rare
Lush green scenary, August is apple season
Autumn
Sept Nov (15 ~20)
Rice Harvest season in Oct , clear sky from Oct
Festivals season
Winter
Dec Feb 0~ 10
Dec still good time to visit Bhutan, clear sky
Snow in late Jan til mid Feb
Temperature
Figures in
centigrade
Paro Thimphu Punakha Wangdue Trongsa Bumthang Mongar Trashigang
Altitudes 2400 2300 1300 1100 2300 2600 1600 1100
FEB
Max 13.4 14.4 19.6 19 13.9 10 15.9 21.7
Min 1.5 0.6 5.3 7.8 0.4 -1.4 8.3 11.5
MAR
Max 14.5 16.4 21.12 22.8 16.7 16.2 20 24.8
Min 0.6 3.9 9.2 10.4 4.4 3.5 11.6 14.4
APR
Max 17.6 20 24.4 26.2 20.1 18.7 2.8 28.3
Min 4.6 7.1 11.2 12.9 6.6 3.9 14 17
MAY
Max 23.5 22.5 27.2 29.1 21 21.3 25.1 30
Min 10.6 13.1 14.2 17.7 11.6 9.5 17.4 20.6
JUN
Max 25.4 24.4 31.2 29.2 22.2 22.5 26.1 30.7
Min 14.1 15.2 19.5 20.1 13.6 3.5 19.5 22.6
JUL
Max 26.8 18.9 32 18.4 25.3 14.1 16.1 30.5
Min 14.9 13.4 21.6 16.2 15.3 10.9 15.8 23.1
AUG
Max 25.3 25 31.4 29.1 23.8 23 25.4 30.2
Min 14.7 15.8 19.8 20 15 13.7 19.6 22.7
SEP
Max 23.4 23.1 29.9 27.5 22.6 21.6 24.7 30
Min 11.7 15 20.4 19.1 14.2 12.1 19.4 23.9
OCT
Max 18.7 21.9 27.8 26.1 21.8 19.5 22.7 29.1
Min 7.4 12.4 18.9 14.7 11.7 5.9 15.8 17.7
NOV
Max 13.9 17.9 22.3 22.6 19.8 16.1 19.9 26.1
Min 1.4 5 13 9.6 6.4 -0.5 11.2 13.6
DEC
Max 11.2 14.5 15 19.1 18.2 12.3 15.7 23
Min -1.7 -1.1 7.9 6.3 2.5 -2.3 9.5 11.6
Average Temperature
Spring (April)
Summer (July)
Autumn (Oct)
Winter (Dec)
Winter (Dec)
Winter (Feb)
Hotels in Bhutan
Kisa - Thimphu
Kisa - Toilet
Kisa - Dining
Kisa - View
Dragons Nest - Wangdue
Dragons Nest - Wangdue
Dragon Nest
Metta Resort, Paro
Metta Resort
Metta Resort - Paro
Metta Resort
Metta Resort
Food in Bhutan
Food in Bhutan
Ema Dashi Chilli + Cheese
Shamo Dashi - Mushroom + cheese
Masutake Mushroom
Dried Yak Meat
Food - Momo
Food Lunch/Dinner
Food - Buffet
Food (Seasonal)
Whiskey + Local Beer
Note: Do not purchase alcohol at Paro
Airports duty free shop if you are on
transit. It will be confiscated.
Food caf (out of pocket)
Food caf (out of pocket)
Food Pizza (out of pocket)
Guiding informaton
Guides must be licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan
Group tipping for 7 day trip,
120 USD for guide
60 USD for driver
Bigger groups can tip more
Guides need not be with groups all the time, should group
prefer to walk around town on their own, it is permitted.
Itinerary for FIT groups are generally very flexible and group
can discuss with guide on start time, locations to visit and also
request guide to bring them to locations off itinerary.
Custom & Duty Free
Cigarettes allowance 1 carton with Duty of 1,600 Nu (30USD)
Duty free allowance, 1 liter of alcohol
Thank you
Joni Herison
Druk Asia Private Limited
www.DrukAsia.com
joni@DrukAsia.com
+65 9188 3338
Enquiries : info@drukasia.com
Drukair Website : www.Drukair.com.sg
Representative of Royal Bhutan Airlines
In Singapore