BHUTAN

Frazzled and paced out with a hectic lifestyle? Arrive in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan to its pure air and unblemished habitat fiercely protected by its people.

Monasteries with ancient sanctum sanctorum alive with legends of the past; unfrequented trekking trails that take you deep into the valleys; people who are happy walking the path of their ancestors – these are just wee glimpses into your rejuvenation experience. The country isn’t promoting tourism on a big scale and you will not be particularly seduced by its amenities. If you can visualize your visit as a privilege peek at pristine and protected land, you have the essence!

Bhutan lies west of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and east of Nepal. Thimphu, the capital, is at an altitude of 7700 feet, a small charming city in the heart of the Himalayas. Modernization is strictly monitored and buildings must be made in the traditional Bhutanese style and cannot exceed a specified height. In fact, the first and the only traffic light was installed near a chorten (a small Buddhist temple) but was later removed upon the order of the king as not suitable to the environs of Thimphu.

Capital:Thimphu

Best time to visit:

  1. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Bhutan, particularly the months of October and November, when the skies are clear and you can get stunning views of the mountain peaks. For those who wish to catch a Bhutanese festival, especially the masked dance of the monks, the months to be there are October

Minimum days required: 5 days

Places of Interest:

  1. ParoTaktsang
  2. PunakhaDzong
  3. Tashichhoedzong
  4. RinpungDzong

Climate:

  1. Bhutan’s climate ranges from tropical in the south, to temperate in the center of the country, to cold in the north.
  2.  Weather can vary dramatically from place to place, day to day or even within the same day. In the Thimphu and Paro valleys, daytime temperature in winter averages 20° Centigrade during clear winter days but drops well below freezing during the night.
  3. Mid December to early January can be beautifully clear and dry in Western Bhutan. Fluctuations are not so dramatic in summer and daytime temperatures often rise to 30° Centigrade.
  4. The Punakha and the central valleys tend to be warmer.
  5. The high mountain peaks are snow covered through the year and the mountain passes, especially Thrumsing La (between Bumthang and Mongar), can be treacherous during winter.
  6. Thimphu and Paro have light snowfall in winter, and once in a while comes a heavy snowstorm.
  7. The rain laden monsoon winds hit Bhutan from late May to early October. Valleys in the inner mountains receive less than 800 millimeters of precipitation annually, while the lowlands receive as much as 5,500 millimeters.
  8. The views of the Himalayas are completely obscured by clouds and rain from May to August. The spectacular rhododendrons bloom in the verdant valleys in this season.
  9.  Autumn, October and November, is mild and “fall colors” are dominant. Spring is multihued and can only be compared to an artist’s palette.

Currency: Ngultrum (BTN)

Things to carry:

  1. Pack light clothes for summer but throw in some warm wraps for the evening.
  2. Winter is very cold and you will require thick woollies to keep yourself warm. It is advisable to carry your medicines, especially if you are on prescription drugs.
  3. If you are a keen photographer, you may want to buy your film before you set out for Bhutan because you don’t come by it easily except perhaps in some shops in Thimphu and Paro.
  4. The consumer boom hasn’t touched Bhutan yet so it is advisable to carry your own personal care items

How to get there:

Air:

  1. Bhutan has only one international airport at Paro.
  2. Druk Air is the national airline that flies to destinations that include Delhi, Kolkata, Bangkok, Bodh Gaya, Dacca, Kathmandu and Guwahati in Assam