High in the eastern Himalayas, lies a tiny mountain kingdom called 'Druk Yul’ or commonly known as Bhutan. This
‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ was closed to the outside world until the 1970s. Considered the last Shangri-la, Bhutan allows only a limited number of tourists to enter the country each year. Bhutanese culture is zealously preserved and all citizens must wear the national dress. The old forts known as Dzongs are of great interest besides the “Tiger’s nest” which is a monastery high on a rock face. Bhutan’s only airfield lies in Paro and the capital city, Thimpu enjoys a grand view of Mt. Chomolhari. The country is known for its pristine natural beauty. This fairy tale land is a strictly Buddhist kingdom, where modernization has been restricted and the rulers have steadfastly retained century old traditions, values and culture. Bhutan is a land where monasteries cling to the side of lofty mountains; where rivers plunge through high mountain passes; where winding trails lead through emerald green hills and dense rhododendron forests; where monks recite from ancient texts lost in the tranquility of their Himalayan retreat. Bhutan is a kingdom shrouded in mystery.

VISITING BHUTAN
All foreign nationals’ tourists traveling to Bhutan must travel through all-inclusive package tours. The Royal Government has set fixed tariff. This tariff includes the services of accommodation, transport, guide and meals.

VISA
· Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it is processed in Thimpu and arranged by the agent.
· Passport details should be forwarded to us at least three weeks prior to date of travel to process it with concerned authorities.
· Actual visa is stamped only on arrival in Bhutan with the support of visa clearance, which will be sent you in advance.
· Visa clearance number is also required while issuing Druk Air tickets.
· Two copies of original passport size photographs are required on arrival.
· Visa fee is US$ 20 per person payable on arrival in addition to the package costs.

ACCESS (Getting there)
AIR: The best way to enter Bhuan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier.

Following stations are connected with Druk Air flight:
INDIA : Delhi & Calcutta
NEPAL : Kathmandu
THAILAND : Bangkok

Druk Air Schedules:
Paro to Delhi & Kathmandu (Mon & Thus)
Paro to Calcutta & Bangkok (Tue, Thus & Sat)
Kathmandu, Delhi to Paro (Mon & Thus)
Bangkok/ Calcutta/ Paro (Wed, Fri & Sun)

ROAD : Entry\ Exit to\ from Bhutan is also possible through phuntshling the southern Bhutanese border town.Bagdogra, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport Approx. 04 hours drive from Sikkim. West Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsholing serves as the convenient point.

Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup Jongkhar also. This frontier Bhutanese town is approx. 3 hours drive from Guwahati, the capital town of Indian northeastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar is the authorized exit point only and an important link for visiting further Indian northeastern states.

AS PER GOVERNMENT RULE IT IS MANDATRY TO TRVEL ARLEAST ONE WAY BY DRUK AIR. IT CAN BE EITHER ENTRY OR EXIT OR BOTH. In an exceptional case, special permission can be obtained.

TOUR ESCORTS : Well-trained, knowledgeable guides, certified by Tourism Authority of Bhutan escort all our tours. Most of the guides are English speaking but Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian-speaking guides could also be provided with prior information and on additional cost.

FOOD : Bhutanese delicacies are limited with spicy chilies and cheese. However you will be served a buffet of Continental food with some local dishes too. Even on trek, our trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.

What to Pack

The following is a fairly exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip:

Clothes as per seasons, sunglasses, spare glasses of contact lenses, pair of casual shoes, washing kit, shaving kit, towel, hat, umbrella, camera, film and accessories, books, maps, insect repellent, hand ream, small sewing kit, safety pins, torch or flash light with spare batteries, mirror, nail clippers, scissors, sun cream, lip salve or soluble aspirin, antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream [for relief of insect bites], anti diarrhea, preparation of relief of sunburn etc.

BHUTAN AT A GLANCE

Area : 46,620 sq. Km (approx. size of Switzerland)
Geography : Located between Tibet in the north, Indian states of West Bengal and Assam in the south, and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.
Capital : Thimpu
Population : 2,049,412 (July 2001 est.)
People : Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Languages : Dzongka is the official language.
Currency : Ngultrum Equivalent to Indian Rupees (US$ 1 equals to Nugltrim. 48 approximately)
Political system : Monarchy
King : King Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Prime Minister : Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba
National Holiday : National Day (Ugyen Wangchuk became first hereditary king), in 17 December (1907)
Religion : Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%