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Bhutan Tigris Tours & Treks
Twins Building, Babesa Express Highway, Thimphu, Bhutan
Notice Board
POINT TO REMEMBER WHILE IN BHUTAN (Precautions)
Bhutan is one of the safest tourist’s destinations to travel with the lowest crime rate in the world. Having said so, you will find Bhutanese people exceptionally warm, hospitable, and friendly and helpful. Despite that we urge you be cautious. There is a saying, “Prevention is better than cure.”
- Please ensure that your belongings particularly your passports, cameras, wallets and purses are properly secured to avoid larceny related problems.
- Pleased be informed to remove your hat in premises such as Dzong, temple and in premises where National flag is hoisted.
- All visitors are requested to wear a proper dress while heading to school, temple, Dzongs or to any government institutions.
- Always move clockwise while going around Dzong, temple, monasteries, prayers flags and any religious sites.
- Purchase of antique items in Bhutan is strictly monitored by Bhutan Custom, therefore, we urge you to get the cash memo as evidence.
- Tipping is a purely personal matter. We leave it up to you as to whether you want to give a gratuity to your guides and drivers. However, if doing so, we recommend that you place the gratuity in an envelope.
- Bhutan is a non-smoking country and has Tobacco Act put in place to regulate all tobacco related issue. Therefore, we would like to urge our valued clienteles to kindly cooperate and abide by the customs regulations. The Royal Government of Bhutan permits our visitors to import tobacco within the set limits. Kindly be informed that smoking other than the designated area shall be guilty of offence. Therefore, consulting your guide before smoking would be more appropriate.
- Bhutan offers ample of photography opportunities especially during outdoor sightseeing trips. However, you should check with your guide before taking pictures or filming inside Dzongs, temples, monasteries and religious institutions as in some area photograph/filming is not permitted. You are free to capture images of the landscape, the panoramic views of the mountain ranges, rural life, flora and fauna, distinctive Bhutanese architecture and the exterior of Dzongs and Chortens in particular.
- Be careful with the street dog while going for a walk and please be informed not to leave alone without the guide.
Delayed Arrival / Departure
- There shall be no charge for the number of days of delays in arrival of visitors due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks.
- There shall be no charge for the number of days of delay in departure of visitors due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks. They will be charged only the actual expenses on accommodation, food, transport and any other services required.
Discount on Tourist Tariff
- A discount of 50% on daily rates is available for one person in a group of 11 to 15 persons and 100% discount to one person for every 15 full paying persons.
- DIPLOMATS from foreign embassies / missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount on the daily rates. From year 2009, Diplomats discount has been discontinued.
- Full time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their institutions shall also be given a 25% discount on daily rates. This discount is subject to approval from Tourism Council of Bhutan, Royal Government of Bhutan.
- There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years (only Visa fee & Tourism Development fee payable). However, those between the age of 6 to 12 years accompanied by elders/guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates.
- For tour durations exceeding eight nights, from 9th night onwards, there is USD 20 royalty discount in High season and USD15 in Low season.
Communication
The country has a good network of telecommunication facilities. Most hotels and cafe’s offer Wi-Fi internet access. Bhutan has a comprehensive mobile (cell) phone network with global roaming is also assessable.
Language Spoken
Bhutanese speak a variety of languages with Dzongkha being the national language and one of the most widely spoken. English is also spoken by the majority of Bhutanese making communication very easy. It is encouraged to speak with the local Bhutanese, especially in the urban areas and towns, as it will enhance your knowledge on Bhutan.
Electricity
Bhutan’s electricity is 220 V and to re-charge your cameras and cell phone we advise you to bring 3 Pin point plugs or one can buy in all the shops in Bhutan too. All major towns are well connected with electricity that runs on 220/240 volts with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. It is recommended that you bring flat-to-round pin converters for your electronics if necessary; however, most hotels offer multi plug sockets. Bhutan is a carbon neutral destination. Our energy is clean and green generated by hydro power.
Bhutan Time (BST)
Bhutan time (BST) is half an hour ahead of IST (Indian Standard Time)
Import of Medicines for Personal Use
Weights and Measures
Bhutan has a standard system of weights and measurements in place and most weights are measured in gram (g) and kilogram (kg). With better and efficient measurement systems readily available, most of the shop keepers in the capital city make use of electronic and weighing scale. However, as you travel further east, you will find the ordinary weighing scale in place.
Guides and interpreters
We have a good team of interpreters and guides that are well versed in history and possess good communication skills. They are all certified by Guide Association of Bhutan (GAB) who has undergone training conducted by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. There are language specialized guides such as Japanese, Chinese, Thai and other European languages available at supplement cost. Please be informed that most of the tour will be accompanied by English speaking guide unless language speaking guided is demand in particular
Shopping
Some popular handicraft items available for purchase are hand-woven textiles of raw silk or silk, carved masks of various animals, woven baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, handmade paper products or finely crafted gods of silver. Other items you may be interested in are the exquisite Buddhist thangkha paintings or Bhutan’s wide array of colorful and creative postage stamps. You can come across these items in the many handicraft shops in and around Thimphu and in other major towns. Please remember that buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.
What to bring?
Casual clothes are fine. Use a layering system, starting with thermal underwear and adding a shirt, pile jacket and windbreaker or parka as necessary.
- Back pack
- T – Shirts or long sleeved shirts (not sleeveless)
- Sandals or flip flops
- Sun hat
- Pairs of socks and vests
- Torch (flashlight)
- Sunglasses, spare glasses and contact lenses
- Sunscreen lotion
- Umbrella or rain coat
You will be outside a lot, and much of this time is at altitudes above 2,500 m (7,800 ft); so, there is plenty of sun and wind. Bring a supply of sun cream and some lip protection, such as Blistex; these items are not available in Bhutan.
Clothes and Other Paraphernalia
With great altitudinal variations, weather is quite mixed in Bhutan. So be prepared to face the unforeseen weather conditions. We expect visitors to dress modestly and respectfully especially if you are planning a visit to the monasteries, Dzongs and other religious institutions. Long pants and long-sleeved tops should be worn when visiting such places. As a mark of respect, be kind enough to remove your hats, caps etc. as you enter religious and administrative premises, institutions and in any other place that you come across with the national flag being raised.
Essential Extras
Be sure to carry ear plugs (and spares) to reduce the noise from the barking dogs at night. The Bhutanese are Buddhists and do not euthanize or pound stray dogs. There are occasional electric outrages throughout the country; so, you should always keep a torch (flashlight) beside your bed. You will also need while visiting some monuments and monasteries as some monasteries do not have electricity in order to protect the art works and paintings. A Swiss army knife has many uses, such as cutting cheese and opening bottles. You will also want a small rucksack or back pack to carry your camera, water bottle and other essentials in the vehicle and when you are hiking or visiting monuments.
Office Hours
Office hours in Bhutan are divided into two timings – the summer timing and the winter timing. The summer timing begins at 9AM Bhutan standard time and goes on till 5Pm in the evening. The summer timing is followed from March till the end of October. The winter timing that lasts for the months of November till the end of February begins at 9AM in the morning till 4 PM in the evening. However, these timings are followed only in Thimphu and few other Districts. These timing is followed only by the Civil Servants who work under the Royal Civil Service Commission. For those people employed in Corporations and private organizations, the timings are usually from 9AM till 5PM irrespective of the season.