ABOUT BHUTAN
Bhutan
Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjekha, Bumthang, & Paro
Why Visit Bhutan?
Bhutan is considered the ‘Shangri-La’ of the Himalayas. A trip to Bhutan is an exciting adventure that will include incredible views of the Himalayas, visit to diverse national parks and renowned religious sites like the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is one of the top destinations in the world that provides an insight into how sustainable tourism is going to shape the future of nature tourism.
Bhutan remains the only Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom in today’s world. It is known to the outside modern world as “The land of Thunder Dragon”. In ancient times, it was considered “The southern land where traditional medicinal herbs and plants are found in plenty”. Even today, this remains true as herbs and medicinal plants are found in abundance amongst unspoilt nature, and the Bhutanese people thriving on ancient age-old culture, and tradition.
There is minimal outside influence with restrictions in place ensuring to preserve the kingdom’s heritage. This last Himalayan Kingdom offers authentic experiences to the tourists in its natural surroundings, unique culture, allowing them to explore many ancient fortresses, old villages and cultural sites at their own pace.
In Bhutan, clear blue perennial rivers are fed by melting glacier lakes from the Himalayas. Bhutan exports 90% of eco-friendly hydropower energy generated from these lakes. The Himalayan Kingdom is the first carbon negative country in the world and revenue from tourism is also a major source of its earnings.
The Gross National Happiness (GNH) of people is given priority over Kingdom’s GDP, thus country’s development planning secretariat is renamed GN Happiness Commission to focus on enhancing happiness of people through balanced economic, and societal development.
Bhutan Luxury Travel Holidays with over 20 years of successfully handling thousands of happy tourists offers exclusive experiences based on ground research. Itineraries are selective and unique, and journeys are planned around comfortable stay at four- and five-stars resorts, and boutique hotels.
With increasing demands from our repeat clients to combine tours with other destinations in the nearby regions, we have gained valuable insights conducting bespoke tours to nature destinations in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Nepal and Assam. This has enabled us to build a dedicated team with good ground logistics offering highest standards of services to tourists since 2008. Moreover, our long partnership with quality resorts makes us the top luxury tourism providers in Bhutan and nearby destinations.
Only Carbon Negative Tourist Country
Kingdom of Bhutan; Named “Drukyul”, or the “Land of Thunder Dragon”, where regardless of life’s hardships, people’s devotion to the peaceful Buddhist teaching of loving-kindness remains ever present. Here all Buddhists aspire to attain enlightenment, and have a strong belief in the existence of inherent goodness in human beings.
Visitor to Bhutan can always be promised an authentic experience, amidst features and traditions resembling that of medieval Europe. Bhutan is the best-kept secret in the world of travel. Bhutan is today a “global tourist hotspot”. It is considered a top tourist destination by many travel magazines for decades.
Our tour and trek consultants are the expert in designing itineraries that allow you to revive your spirit, experience your sense of adventure, or submerge wholly into Mahayana Buddhism and cultural experiences.
AHKE is proud to be Royal Government. certified and licensed. We are also a member of ASTA, ABTO, and International Ecotourism.
Government Tourism office
With Government and TCB and business associations:
As a recognized tour operator, we are actively part of various Government consultative meetings involving Bhutan Visa with Immigration department, Tourism Council of Bhutan, Ministry of Economic Affairs, beside remaining active members of Association of Bhutan Tour operators (ABTO) and few business associations.
Bhutan as Tourist Destination
Bhutan as a destination offers unlimited experiences – you can witness centuries old mask dance at the festivals’ gathering spread through out the year inside medieval fortresses, or you can walk up to village homes and mingle with generous host farmers amidst peaceful surrounding. You can be part of photographic journey, or nature trip traveling amongst areas abundance in flora, and fauna in a tropical to alpine vegetation spread from 100 metres to 7000 metres. You can even plan with us your treks choosing from range of trails in those mountains, which are amongst least frequented trial in the world or where only few or no foreigners have ever been before.
Getting around the Bhutan
Usually travel through road to Bhutan is undertaken to complement one of your trip to nearest state in Eastern part of India. All districts Head Quarter in Bhutan are accessible with road except Gasa. Journey through out Bhutan is organized through Luxury Cars for smaller or in Bus for larger group. Road may not be straight or flat in many places, but it is well networked and most places can be reached between 6 to 7 hours of journey. For you, comfortable journey time has been arranged to able to see places during and after you reach new destinations.
Bhutanese People
People are frank, helpful and out spoken. If you lost on your way, or you want to see any kind of help, you can unhesitantly catch one passer by and ask him or her. Most people in town can converse in English.
Currency
Ngultrum (Nu.) at par with Indian Rupee or US $ 45 (RMA, May 2006). Traveler can exchange their money in hotels and or at the Air port through Govt. approved money exchanger. There are few craft shops which accept American Express or Visa Cards.
Travel in Bhutan
Tours are escorted by licensed guides by Department of Tourism. Depending on your needs foreign language guide can also be arranged. Hotels and food are arranged and paid for within the amount you paid. There is no extra payment except for visa, and museum fees.
Food
Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese. AHKE Adventure Travel selected list of hotels and lodges offer delicious Chinese, Continental, Bhutanese and Indian Cuisine. Even on trek AHKE Adventure travel trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.
Climate
Places in Bhutan start at hot topical climate in south to extreme cold condition in north.
During the summer, Trashigang, Phuntsoling, Samdrupjongkhar, Wangduephodrang, Punakha are hot at an average temperature between 25 and 33 degree Celsius. While places in middle or temperate region, Thimphu, Paro, Bumthang in Bhutan experiences very nice weather condition with temperature between 15-25 Degree Celsius. Winter is very cool in these areas, where Bumthang have much harsher climate.
July and August can be preety rainy months, with monsoon around the regions.
Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November until mid-March, with low humidity. Temperature is as high as 15 degree, while minimum goes below minus 5. March, April, May and Mid August, September, Oct, are the best time to visit Bhutan with clear sky, and lots of Sun.
Clothing
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. During visit of monasteries, Dzongs and other religious institutions you would be adviced to wear proper attire, and follow proper dress code.
What you can bring along
Important list that you shouldnot miss out.
- sunglasses, spare glasses or contact lenses,
- sun screen, preparation for relief of sunburn,
- Sufficient cotton shirt or T
- Good working shoes,
- Toiletries
- Good sun cap,
- insect repellent,
- hand cream,
- torch or flash light with spare batteries,
- nail clippers,
- antiseptic cream,
- anti-histamine cream,
- anti diarrhea pills,
Photography
The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. You will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc. Always ask by gesture if it is ok to do so. Don’t take your destination as living museum. Also while visiting Dzong, monasteries and religious institutions, please follow your guide’s instruction carefully.
35mm colour print film is readily available. Slide film is more difficult to find. Bring enough batteries if you use lithium batteries.
Health information
No vaccinations are currently required for travelling to Bhutan. However if you are arriving from an area infected with yellow fever, you are required to have a yellow fever vaccination and should be administered at least 10 days before your arrival in Bhutan. Also if arriving from a Cholera infected area, the vaccination is strongly recommended. Anti-malarial medication is also recommended for all travelers who are visiting rural areas in the districts that border India.
Shopping
You can shop at numerous tourist handicraft shops, and post office for those of who collect stamps.
Electricity
Electricity is 220/240 volts. You should have much problems, incase you have doubt bring along international electricity converter kit.
Insurance
We recommend that all travelers obtain a short-term traveler’s insurance policy, which covers everything from life and emergency medical care to lost baggage.
Accomodation
Visitors must be informed that Bhutan is remote and a unique country and all the facilities are not the best. There are comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses at tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in central and eastern part of the country; accommodations are more rudimentary but cleaned.
Communication
The telecommunication services available in the Kingdom include: telephones, facsimile, telex, telegraph, international phone links and 14.4 Internet e-mail cafes.
Bhutan Travel Guide
Plan your Bhutan trekking, tours and Bhutan family holidays with the leading Bhutan tour operator. Make your once in lifetime holidays memorable with us.