Facts for visitors to Bhutan

GEOGRAPHY

Bhutan is situated in the eastern Himalayas and is mostly mountainous and heavily forested. In the north, the snowcapped Great Himalayan Range reaches heights of over 7,500 meters above sea level and extends along the Bhutan-China border. The highest point is claimed to be the Kula Kangri, at 7553 m. The northern region consists of an arc of glaciated mountain peaks with an arctic climate at the highest elevations. The Lesser Himalayas are southward spurs of the Great Himayalan Range. Peaks in the Black Mountains range between 1500 meters and 2700 meters above sea level. The capital of Thimphu lies in the western region. The region is characterized by its many rivers flowing into India's Brahmaputra. The extreme southern strip of the nation consists mostly of tropical plains, more typical of
India

HISTORY

The name Bhutan appears to derive from the ancient Indian term Bhotanta, which means the end of the land of the Bhots (Tibet). The Bhutanese themselves refer to their country as Druk Yul or the Land of the
Thunder Dragon. Druk meaning Dragon and extend from the predominant Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Bhutan’s history parallel Buddhism’s spread in the Himalayas and to properly understand Bhutan’s history one also needs to understand its religion.

Mystery surrounds Bhutan’s distant past, as books and papers were lost in a consecutive fires at the national printing works and at Punakha Dzong in 1828 and 1832. And then a massive earthquake in 1896 and a fire in Paro Dzong destroyed all but a few of the records.

Bhutan was not unified under a central authority until the 17th century, although the Buddhist religion in the country has provided some sort of cohesion during the Middle Ages. It was in 747AD that Padma Sambhava who is known as Guru Rimpoche made his legendary trip from Tibet across the mountains flying on a tigress’s back. He arrived in the Paro Valley at Taktsang Lhakang, better known as Tiger’s Nest. This monastery was burned to ground by a fire in 1998. Guru Rimpoche is not only recognized as the founder of the Nyingmapa religion school but he is also considered to be the second Buddha.

Many of Bhutan’s most celebrated ancestors descend from the Nyingmapa School, including the ancestors of the present day Royal family. Pema Lingpa, the best known Nyingmapa saint died in Bumthang, his home, in 1521. He was the reincarnation of Guru Rimpoche and Longchen Rabjampa the philosopher. In his lifetime he founded the monasteries at Petsheling, Kungzandra and Tamshing in the Bumthang valley.

Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a Tibetan lama of the Drukpa School, designed the present system of intertwined religious and secular government. He came to Bhutan in 1616. At that time no central authority existed and regional conflict has persisted for centuries. In his quest to unify the country, he gained the support of many powerful families of his school and constructed dzong(fortress monasteries) in the main valleys of western Bhutan.

Shabdrung Ngawang fought and won a battle against the Tibetans in 1639 and assumed the title Shabdrung, meaning “at whose feet one submits”. In effect he became the first secular and religious leader in Bhutan.

During the next two centuries civil wars intermittently broke out and the regional penlop became increasingly more powerful. At the end of the 19th century the Penlop of of Trongsa (who controlled central and eastern Bhutan) overcame his greatest rival, the Penlop of Paro (who controlled western Bhutan), and was soon afterwards recognized as the overall leader of Bhutan. The Penlop of Trongsa, Ugyen Wangchuk, was elected the first King of Bhutan in 1907 by an assembly of representative of the monastic community, civil servants and the people.

This monarchy has thrived ever since and the present King, His majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the first King’s great grandson, commands the overwhelming support of his people. After assuming the throne in 1974, the present King continued his father’s policy of pragmatic development. He actively pursues industrial progress, country-wide education and medical care and ensures, at the same time, Bhutan culture remains intact.

In 1998, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk empowered the National Assembly to make all legislative
decisions independent of Royal decree.

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PEOPLE OF BHUTAN

Early records suggest scattered clusters of inhabitants had already settled in Bhutan when the first recorded settlers arrived 1,400 years ago.

Bhutanese generally refer to themselves as Drukpas meaning the inhabitants of Druk Yul. Three main ethnic groups, the Sharchops, Nglops and the Lhotshampas (of Nepalese origin) make up today’s Drukpa.

Bhutan’s earliest residents, the Sharchops, reside predominantly in eastern Bhutan. Their origin can be traced to the tribes of northern Burma and north-east India. The Ngalops migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to the kingdom. Most of the Nepalese migrants settled in the fertile agriculture southern foothills in the 20th century. The geography of the land kept each ethnic group separate until the middle of this century when roads were built between the east and the west.

The ethnic diversity of the Bhutanese people has meant that a number of different languages and dialects are spoken throughout the kingdom. The national language is Dzongkha, which is taught at all schools. So different are the dialects that eastern and western neighbours can have great difficulty understanding each other.

The national newspaper, Kuensei, is written in Dzongkha, English and the Nepali and published weekly in print and on the Internet. A growing proportion of the people, especially in the urban areas, spoke English. However, increasing efforts are being made to write more textbooks and to introduce Dzongkha as the principle language of instruction. The Royal Government of Bhutan’s education policy has ensured education is now required for all Bhutanese children. Visitors are assured of being greeted in English by groups of laughing school children.

Bhutanese are traditionally rural dwellers and their homes and villages reflect their rich history. Bhutanese homes are built to stand up to long, arduous winters. A large dry storage area is built under the roof. Symbols are painted on almost all homes to bring fertility to the home or to prevent evil spirits from entering. Wood-burning stoves are used for heating and cooking and most houses are surrounded by some land used by the family for growing vegetables.

His Majesty the King has said “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product”. The success of this policy is arguably Bhutan’s greatest export.

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RELIGION

The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the land and its wellbeing. Annual festivals (tsechus and dromchoes) are spiritual occasions in each district. They bring together the population of the district and dedicated to either Guru Rimpoche or other deities.

Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Vajrayana form of Mahayana Buddhism as its religion.

Dzongs are fortresses that were built in every district in the Middle Ages. Most of them were built as defensive fortresses to repel invading armies. They can then be seen from miles around and often appear to be impregnable. Today, dzongs function as the center of both religious and secular activities in each valley.

The area’s monk body live and practice their faith in the dzong. The head of Bhutan’s monk body, the Je
Khenpo, is a deeply revered figure who is afforded the same respect as the monarch.

The courtyard and entrances to dzongs open to visitors during festival time and at other selected times but are closed for most of the year. By respecting the monastic order’s wish for privacy inside the dzongs, visitors are participating in the preservation of the kingdom’s religious environment by enabling religious activity to continue unimpeded at most time.

Throughout Bhutan, chortens (stupas) dot the landscape. They ward off evil spirits and protect travelers and residents from imminent danger. They are also said to symbolically represent the mind of the Buddha and serve to remind people of the possibility of and the path to enlightenment. Prayer flags on mountain slopes, bridges and high passes are even more common. Transmitting prayers to Gods and keeping up a constant communication with the heavens, prayers flags fluttering in the wind are a simpler reminder of the clarity and ubiquity of the Buddhist faith.

It is deemed an honour and a virtuous act for Bhutanese families to send a son to join the monastic order which are normally located in the dzongs.

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FESTIVALS

Many visitors come to Bhutan to witness religious festivals held annually in dzongs throughout the country. The most popular for tourists are those held in Thimpu, Paro and Bumthang. They mark the busiest time of the year for tourism and reservations (particularly for hotels and Druk Air) are difficult to come by. Festival time is one of the only periods during a year when tourists are permitted inside the courtyard of the dzongs.

The dzong comes to life with color, music and dancing as valley dwellers and townsfolk dress in their best clothes and join together to exorcise evil spirits and rejoice in a new harvest. Rare masked and sword dances and other rituals are performed in the dzong’s courtyards and temples.

Most of the dances date back to beyond the middles ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own significance and can be performed by monks or lay village leaders dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliques or thongdrels. The moment of the unveiling is shrouded in secrecy and creates great excitement amongst all the participants.

Thimpu and Paro’s proximity to the airport make their festivals the most popular. Visitors who come to Bhutan at other times of the year should find out if other regional dromchoes or tsechus are taking place. In one festival in Bumthang, some programmes are held during the evening and includes fire dances intended to help the childless women at the festival conceive during the forthcoming year.

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ARTS AND CRAFT

Weaving

Fabric and weaving are an inseparable part of Bhutan’s rich culture. The colours, weaves and textures have evolved over centuries. A particular design cannot only be attributed to a particular village but to a home and a family. In the far east of Bhutan, it is not uncommon to come across teams of women seated on a valley slopes with a heavy leather of belt strapped fast to their waists. The women will be pulling a wooden slat across recently dyed fabrics; pursuing an age-old custom that creates the vivid patterns that have become synonymous with Bhutanese design. Bhutanese men and women continue to wear elegant national dress: a kho for men and kira for women.

Woven products are sold all over Bhutan. Lengths of material hang from rafters making colourful displays. In Doksum, near to Gom Kora, material hangs almost every balcony. Despite its isolation, the cost of material and labour have translated into relatively high prices. The weavers will bargain but will not budge from US$25 a length.

Handicrafts

Bhutanese culture is protected by the Kingdom’s environmental policy. As a critical part of the Kingdom’s heritage, the art, weaving, handicrafts, sculpture and festivals cannot be diluted. Because some religious art decorates inner galleries or dzongs, visitors to Bhutan may not be able to see them. The holiest shrines are closed to tourist because they are always in use and the piety of the temple would be disturbed by visits. Many artistic media can be viewed at the National Museum in Paro. The museum’s artefacts include such unlikely subjects as animal horns, archery bows and a collection of stamps.

Few tourists keep Bhutan handicraft industry small. Plenty of shops in Thimpu sell mask, carpets, jewellery and Bhutanese wooden products. The Central Post Office in Thimpu sells collection of stamps mounted in collectors’ books and first day covers.

The Thangka Painting School in Thimpu sells fine quality hand-painted thangkas. The widest selection of handicrafts can be found at the Tourist Emporium on Thimpu’s main thoroughfare. Masks, fabrics, stamps, thangkas, handicrafts, carpets and books are all on sale. The store is one of the few to accept American Express cards.

Sports In Bhutan

Inter-village rivalry is common throughout Bhutan and this rivalry is no more fiercely expressed than during archery tournaments. They are generally held at Losar (Bhutanese New Year) but smaller competitions are held throughout the year.

The revelry begins the night before the contest. Teams employ astrologers to assist in the selection process and to help cast spells on the opposition.

The tournament itself begins with initiation ceremonies and a traditional breakfast. Alcohol flows from early in the day and spirits are always high. Despite the frivolity the archers take the game seriously and the level of play is professional. Bhutan sent its first team to the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

Bhutan’s only golf course is located outside Tashichhodzong in Thimpu. The nine-hole circuit may not be challenge professionals but it provides a relaxing break from the rigors of sightseeing and there can be few more beautiful courses in the world.

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TIME DIFFERENCE

Bhutan is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time which is
• 2 hours behind Hong Kong's time
• 1 hour behind Bangkok’ time

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Passport
Please ensure that your passport has more than six month’s validity from the date of travel.

Visa
Bhutan requires visa but it does not issue them abroad. You will not be permitted to board the plane into Bhutan unless the clearance has come from Thimpu. The visa itself will be stamped into your passport on arrival at Paro Airport.

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CUSTOMS

Airport Taxes and Visa Fees
Your airport taxes in both Bangkok, India and Paro airports are already included in your Druk Air ticket cost and paid in advance.

Checked Baggage
You are allowed two checked pieces of luggage on Druk Air with a total weight not exceeding 44 lbs or 20 KGs.

Carry-on Baggage
You should also always hand-carry any essential items such as your passport, money (including travelers checks), camera equipment, prescription drugs, etc.

** IMPORTANT: New rules for liquids in carry-on baggage
• All liquids, gels, aerosols in cabin baggage have to be carried in containers with a capacity not greater than 100ml. Liquids, gels, aerosols carried in containers larger than 100ml are not to be accepted, even if the container is only part-filled;
• Containers have to be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of a maximum capacity not exceeding one litre. The containers must fit comfortably within the transparent plastic bag, which should be completely closed;

For passengers departing from Hong Kong, full details can be found at:
http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/sa/1155262291437.html

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Arrival in Bhutan

Upon arrival in Paro, you will have your Bhutanese visa stamped in your passport. After the visa clearance, collect your baggage and go to the Customs counter.

Prior to arrival in Paro, you will be given a customs declaration form. This completed form will be given to the customs officer at time of arrival, and the carbon copy returned to you. PLEASE KEEP IT IN A SAFE PLACE as you will be required to present it to the customs official as you exit the country. List the electronic items such as cameras, tape recorders, binoculars, etc. Please note that visitors can bring their own cigars or cigarettes up to 200 pieces for personal consumption paying a 200% tax

After the customs clearance, you may change money at the Bank’s Money Exchange counter located near the exit gate.

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Departure from Bhutan

It is strictly forbidden to export antiques. It is also forbidden to take out religious objects such as status, prayer wheels, reliquaries, bells or vajras, whether old or new. If you already bought a religious object before entering Bhutan, declare it on your customs form and mention it to your Bhutanese guide. However, an exception is made for new thangkas purchased at the state store, the Handicraft Emporium, in Thimpu, but they must be accompanied by a certificate from the Department of Antiquities. Purchases without sales slips runs a risk of being confiscated.

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HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Vaccinations are not compulsory as long as the tourists are not from infected zone. However injections such as tetanus and typhoid are recommended.

(Please consult your doctors for further medical advice)

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CURRENCY & MONEY

Bhutan's unit of currency is the ngultrum (Nu), which is divided into chetrum. A ngultrum has the same value as the Indian rupee, which is also the legal tender. Tourists can exchange their travellers' cheques or cash at the Bank of Bhutan in Thimpu or at the airport and larger hotels. US dollars and travellers' cheques are highly recommended during travel in Bhutan.
US$1 is equalled roughly 46Nu.

Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted in almost all shops and hotels in Bhutan. US$ and Travelers check are accepted in most places.

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LANGUAGE

Dzongkha, the language of the western region, is the national language. English is the medium of instruction in all schools throughout the country, so most educated people speak it fluently. English is also spoken by all government officials and businessmen. Nepali language is prevalent in the south while spoken in the centre is Bumthangkha, Khyengkha and in the east Sharchopkha.

Throughout the country, signs, books, menus, road signs, and even government official documents are
written both in Dzongkha and English.

Useful Dzongkha Words
• Kuzu-Zangpo La - Hello or greeting
• Kadin-Chey La - Thank you
• Me-zhu La - No Thank you
• Tashi Delek - good luck, good wishes

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CLIMATE

THE BEST TIMES TO TRAVEL
Bhutan has a season for everyone. The Kingdom stretches across all climatic zones; from the sub-tropical jungles in the south, to the moderate heights of 2000 – 2500 metres in the centre and up to the alpine world of the towering Himalayas and glaciers of the north.

In Winter the South beckons. Dry and pleasant conditions make this the best time of year for bird watching in the jungles, village to village trekking in the lower altitudes or a bicycle trip along quiet mountain roads. The trekking routes in the high mountains are covered in deep snow and are impassable at this time of year. The impressive and endangered Black Necked Crane spends the winter in the high valley of Bumdeling (in eastern Bhutan) and Phobjika (in central Bhutan).

In Spring the trekking season commences in moderate altitudes. Above 3000 metres spectacular rhododendron forests bloom. It is also the perfect time for a rafting tour. In Paro, one of the largest monastic festivals - Paro tshechu – takes place.

The temperature is pleasantly mild even up to the Alp regions. Rain comes only in May as the harbinger of the approaching monsoon.

The Summer brings with it the monsoon, but this should not deter travellers. In the settled areas of the medium ranges of Central and Western Bhutan pleasant summer temperatures without heat or humidity can be found. Rain falls for short periods daily but is manageable with adequate planning and equipment. Treks in high mountain areas, e.g. the Snowman Trek, are characterised by mild temperatures, verdant green meadows, and pastures of Blue Poppies and Edelweiss. Nomads tending their yaks in the high Alps are a common sight.

Autumn is the traditional high season in Bhutan. September und October have the highest number of tshechus (monastic festivals). Trekkers particularly enjoy the clear view of the mountains in October and
the low rainfall. Rice harvest means a picturesque landscape remarkable terraces and changing colour.

Temperatures and vegetation in the altitudes between 200 and 300 metres are comparable to the moderate climate of middle Europe. The tree line lies just under 4000 metres. During winter there is little precipitation. Snow falls rarely below 2500 metres.

Temperature Chart for Bhutan

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PHOTOGRAPHY

You should equiped yourself with your own photographic equipment including film and batteries. You can
find film for prints in Thimphu but rarely for slides. There is no way to get a camera repaired in Bhutan. Kindly note that photography is not allowed inside religious monuments or dzongs.

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ELECTRICITY

The voltage is 220V but it is erratic. Power cuts are frequent, even in Thimphu. Always keep a torch (flashlight) handy and do not rely on an electric razor. Wall outlets take either two or three flat prongs or Continental-type plugs, with 2 round pin or 3 round pin.

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Telephone, Fax & Mail
Bhutan has an excellent all-digital telephone system for international direct dialing (both telephone& fax).

Auto roaming on your mobile phone is possible in Bhutan if you are a CSL mobile phone subscriber in Hong Kong. For further details of roaming services and charges, please contact your own telecom service provider

Note: information is correct at the time of printing. Please verify this information with your service provider for the latest advice.

Calling from Bhutan hotels:
- The first 3 mins @ Nu. 30 and then every additional min is Nu. 7

However, when you go out into the mountains, you will not be able call or fax anyone till you get back to a town. You can send or receive mail but it takes approximately 10 to 14 days to receive mail from anywhere in the US.

Country Dialling Code: 975

Internet & Email
Almost all major towns have some basic internet/email services.

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FOOD & DRINK

Bhutanese cooking is very interesting. There are 3 conditions for fully appreciating Bhutanese cooking: you should like hot, spicy food, you should like meat (pork or yak) and dried meat. However, there are also many vegetables dishes that are very tasty.

The national dish, hemadatsi is made entirely of chillies (hema), treated as a vegetable rather than as seasoning and served in a cheese sauce.

The typical Bhutanese meal consists of a mountain of rice and two or three dishes with various rice. Rice is the staple food there apart from buckwheat, pancakes, maize and noodles. Rice is eaten with the right hand, pressed into a small ball and dipped in the stew, or alternated with bits of meat or vegetable.

Desserts: barely exist except for kabze, dried fritters in various shapes that are prepared for festivals. Roasted flour, called pchie or toasted rice, called zao, flattened maize, called gesasip or flattened rice, sip are served with tea as an appetizer or for breakfast.

Tea is generally considered to be the most widely consumed beverage, but it is surprising to note that in
parts of Central and Eastern Bhutan, ara, a drink with 20% of alcohol content is the commonest drink. There are two kinds of tea; seudja, which is tea churned with salt and butter, and nadja, tea brewed with milk and sugar in the Indian style.

Among specialities of Tibetan origin, by far the most popular are momos, little raviolis stuffed with meat, vegetables or cheese. Thukpa is a noodle soup that many people enjoy in winter. Shabale are fried dumplings stuffed with minced meat. The more rarely found trimomo is a kind of steamed bun served with soup.

A meal must always end with the passing around of doma. Doma is a quid of betel, but in Bhutan this is much more than a simple aid to digestion. To offer doma to somebody is to express friendship and is a
symbol of sociability.

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ACCOMMODATION

Hotels and tourist lodges in Bhutan are comfortable but not luxurious (except for Uma Paro, Amanresorts and Zhiwaling). Although recently a few luxury hotels have been established in Bhutan, visitors in general can expect an unique combination of traditional Bhutanese style together with modern services, but not international five-star luxury all over Bhutan! Clean and well maintained, most of the hotels are equipped with telephones, fax machines and long distance service. The food offered to the visitors is carefully prepared to suit the western taste combining Bhutanese food and western dishes.

Hotels and lodges are categorized by the Royal Government of Bhutan. International visitors will be accommodated in hotels only which fulfill the standards set by the government. Some of the more simple lodges have a special charm of their own, and convince with the traditional warm Bhutanese hospitality.

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TRAVELLING WITHIN BHUTAN

The mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor vehicles only. There are no domestic airlines or trains. Motor roads are well maintained, and the main highway runs from west to east connecting all major sightseeing places. The mountainous terrain and winding road restrict the average speed of vehicles to less than 40 km/hour.

With the exception of the Gasa district, all major towns in the 20 districts of Bhutan are accessible by road. Despite high mountains, steep slopes, and the deepest of valleys Bhutan has a relatively well developed network of roads. That said, rarely will one find a length of either straight or flat road. In some stretches one can encounter 6 to 7 bends per kilometre! Steep ascents and descents are characteristic of road travel in Bhutan and this can make travel much slower than one may be used to. Average speeds for road travel rarely exceed 30 km/h, with tourist buses making even slower progress. One is however handsomely rewarded for the long and sometimes tiring car journey, by the spectacular views of towering mountains, lush green jungle, ancient villages and majestic monasteries.

The majority of roads are sealed but can still be bumpy and are almost always single lane. Bhutan’s drivers know their land well and are cautious and careful drivers. The density of traffic is normally very low.

Motion Sickness

Given the winding roads in Bhutan, motion sickness can be quite a common occurrence. Therefore, if you are prone to motion sickness, you may want to consider taking along medications to prevent it

Distances and Travel Times within Bhutan

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SHOPPING

You will find Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps and various handmade products hard to resist. Bhutan has very fine handicrafts. Objects are fashioned from bamboo, wood and silver and there are many kinds of fabric and even thangkas. Bhutanese handicrafts differ from those of other Asian countries in 2 respects; they are not oriented to the tourist market thereby remaining authentic and they are relatively expensive. Bargaining is not a custom in Bhutan.

Besides thangkas, there are also abundance of Bhutanese and Tibetan jewellery and silverwork, beautiful woodwork, carved slate and bamboo and rattan wares, rugs and these can be bought at the Handicrafts emporium. You can also buy other interesting things such as waterproof black hats made of yak hair, which come from the eastern region of Merak Sakteng.

Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in the country.

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DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN BHUTAN

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION, New Delhi
Australian Compound No. 1/50 G Shantipath
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi INDIA 110021
Tel: (91 11) 5139 9900
Fax: (91 11) 2687 2228

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION, New Delhi
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
Tel: (91) (11) 2687 2161
Fax: (91) (11) 2687 2882

CANADA- Canadian Cooperation Office
P.O. Box 201,
Thimphu, Bhutan
Tel/Fax: (975) (2) 322109

DENMARK Liaison Office
P.O. Box 614
Thimphu Bhutan
Phone: +975 22 33 31
Fax: +975 22 28 13

EMBASSY OF INDIA
India House Estate,
Thimphu Bhutan
Tel: (975) (2) 322280 / 322612
Fax: (975) (2) 323195 / 325341

THAILAND Royal Thai Consulate Office
Honorary Consul of Thailand
Thimphu Bhutan
Tel: (975) (2) 323978, Fax: (975) (2) 323807

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CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

When traveling around the Himalayas (Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim), it is wise to take note of certain cultural aspects that will make your trip more enriching and interesting:
- Dress appropriately. Brief shorts and revealing clothes for women invite stares and are not appreciated
- Public display of affection between couples are discouraged and frowned upon
- Do not pollute and please dispose of the rubbish in the proper way
- Do not hand out sweets or money to the village children.
- Do not tempt people to thievery by leaving cameras, watches and other valuable at all times. Do keep all your personal belongings in your tent or at the hotel's safe box
- Ask permission before you photograph the locals
- Smoking is generally NOT well received in Bhutan. Therefore, please avoid smoking in religious and public places.

Tipping and Gifts
More than most places in the world, small gifts are important in Bhutanese custom. If you are invited to a Bhutanese home, it is customary to bring a gift. Long argyle socks, t-shirts, perfume, lipstick, make-up set, ready-to-wear garment, key-chains, color pencils and other small souvenirs are welcome and highly appreciated.

At the end of your trip, your tour guide and driver will appreciate a tip. It is impossible to suggest an amount before you have the experience of traveling in Bhutan. Tips can be made using Bhutanese currency or dollars. That allows for flexibility at the end of the trip.

Suggested tipping amounts:
• US$5-10 per person per day for local guide
• US$3-7 per person per day for assistant local guide
• US$3-7 per person per day for driver.

Beside money, other things to give are items of clothing like sweaters, shirts, jackets, t-shirts, socks, shoes, and other items that you do not wish to carry all the way back home.

* Important Note
Please do not give gifts indiscriminately and never give out candies or money to children.
Responding to a child's playful request creates a "begging psychology".

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RECOMMENDED READING LIST

Preparing for a trip by reading one or more books on Bhutan, Mahayana Buddhism, and Bhutanese culture can make your trip much more rewarding.

Guide Books

01. Odyssey Illustrated Guide: Bhutan - Francoise Pommaret
02. Lonely Planet Publications: Bhutan - by Stan Armington.

Special Interest Books

1. The Blessings of Bhutan (highly recommended):
"The blessings of Bhutan are many, including the appearance of this lyrical account of the country's many unique and fascinating aspects. Because they are among the Westerners most familiar with Bhutanese life, the authors are able to penetrate well beyond the Shangri-la myth and show that, while parts of such an otherworldly myth apply, this Himalayan Kingdom is brimful of surprises, contradictions, and modern dilemmas." --K. E. S. Kirby

2. Beyond the Sky and Earth: A Journey Into Bhutan - Zeppa, Jamie, (New York: Riverhead Books, May 2000).
• This book chronicles the experiences of a young Canadian woman who went to Bhutan as a teacher on a two-year Canadian government contract in 1989. A personal tale of adventure and discovery—the author falls in love both with the country and with a young Bhutanese man.

3. Bhutan: Mountain Fortress of the Gods - Schicklgruber, Christian and Francoise Pommaret, (Boston: Shambala, 1998; New Delhi: Bookwise, 1997).
• “Absolutely the most beautiful and authoritative book on Bhutan that has ever been published. It covers various aspects of Bhutanese culture.” (Bernard Faure, Stanford University). Unfortunately, this book is reputed to be out of print. It is difficult to track down, but well worth the effort!

4. From the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Textile Arts of Bhutan - Myers, Diana K. and Susan S. Bean, (London: Serindia Publications, 1994).
• This book presents Bhutanese textiles in their cultural and historical context. Bhutan’s intricate brocades and complex supplementary-warp patterns are unmatched anywhere in the world. From the Land of the Thunder Dragon was published in conjunction with a special exhibition organized by the Peabody Essex Museum of Salem, Massachusetts. Although currently out of print, a few copies will be available for purchase at the White Lotus gallery during the Bhutanese textile and craft show (opening October 19, 2000).

5. Birds of Bhutan - Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp and Richard Grimmett (Oxford University Press)
• This is the first detailed Brids of Bhutan guide. Bhutan has a stunning 770 bird species, including many that are globally threatened. The rich diverisity of Bhutan’s bird species is mainly due to its moist climate, wide altitudinal range (from 200m at the southern border to over 7000m sky piercing Himalayan peaks in the north), low population density, vast forest cover, and the government’s strong conservation policy.

6. Journey to Enlightenment: The Life and World of Khyentse Rinpoche, Spiritual Teacher from Tibet (New York: Aperture, 1996).
• “A profoundly spiritually moving and visually exciting work about one of the most respected and beloved Buddhist teachers in the Himalayas in this century. Dilgo Khyentse lived in Bhutan in 1959 and was a teacher of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This book will greatly enrich your trip.”
(Bernard Faure, head of the Buddhist Center at Stanford University)

7. So Close to Heaven: The Vanishing Buddhist Kingdoms of the Himalayas by Crossette, Barbara (New York: Vintage Books, 1996).
• Now in paperback, this book describes the formerly independent Himalayan Buddhist kingdoms that have “vanished” (Tibet, Ladakh and Sikkim) as well as the Kingdom of Bhutan.

8. The World of Tibetan Buddhism, an Overview of Its Philosophy and Practice - The Dalai Lama, (Boston: Wisdom Publications, 1995).
• “His Holiness offers a clear and penetrating overview of Tibetan Buddhist practice from the Four Noble Truths to Highest Yoga Tantra with, as always, special emphasis on the practice of love, kindness, and universal responsibility,” (Richard Gere)

9. The Divine Madman: The Sublime Life and Songs of Drukpa Kunley - Dowman, Keith, trans. (Dawn Horse Press, 1980).
• The vivid legend of a rather extraordinary figure, the “crazy monk” Drukpa Kunley, who today remains one of Bhutan’s most popular figures.

10. Buddhism without Belief - by Stephen Batchelor
• Those with an interest in Buddhism will welcome this new book by Stephen Batchelor, former monk and author of Alone With Others and The Awakening of the West. But those who are just discovering this increasingly popular practice will have much to gain as well-for Buddhism Without Beliefs serves as a solid, straightforward introduction that demystifies Buddhism and explains simply and plainly how its practice can enrich our lives. Avoiding jargon and theory, Batchelor concentrates on the concrete, making Buddhism accessible and compelling and showing how anyone can embark on this path-regardless of their religious background.

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Maps

1. Bhutan Map - Berndtson & Berndtson (US$9.95)
A very nice laminated color map of Bhutan at an excellent scale of 1:500,000. You can buy this map online from the Longitude Books website - http://www.longitudebooks.com/

2. Bhutan Map by Itbt Itmb Publishing (US$8.95)
Scale 1:380,000. With inset maps of Paro; Thimphu. Printed on one side.
Map of the country with portions of India, China, and Tibet. With topographical contours; elevations indicated by color changes. Legend locates settlements of all sizes from national capital to widely spread settlements; international and district boundaries; roads from main roads to paths; mountain passes; ice areas; airports and bus stations; police stations, hospitals, post offices, and other public facilities; radio towers; gas stations; hotels, campsites, and other accommodations; museums; churches, temples, and monasteries; nature reserves; points of interest.

You can buy these maps online from the Longitude Books (website - http://www.longitudebooks.com/) or
http://www.amazon.com

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