Bhutan is a state. Tours in Bhutan. Bhutan Currency

The Asian Kingdom of Bhutan is a state with an area of 46,000 square meters. Km, which borders with India and China.

The capital of Thimphu

Urban buildings are made in the same national style. The main attraction is the largest monastery of Bhutan - Trashi Chho Dzong. In winter, the government of the country is located in it, and in summer - a religious leader with a retinue of two thousand monks. In the capital there is the Royal Art School, the Institute of Traditional Medicine, the largest in the Himalayas, a national library that stores ancient manuscripts in Tibetan languages, a small reserve of Motitan Tucking, a rich and huge urban market.

Near the Thimphu stretches the nature reserve area of Jigme Dorji National Park . Here you can find more than 30 species of animals and 300 species of birds. In the park are laid hiking routes of varying complexity.

The Kingdom of Himalayan Happiness

Butane is a state that has refused universal globalization. Only in 1974 the country became available to foreigners. Tours to Bhutan for citizens of Russia and the CIS are provided only in an organized manner with a guide. Without him, all movements around the kingdom are prohibited. The visa is issued only for groups - $ 60 per person. Bhutan is not a state for individual tourism.

The hotel will cost 250 dollars per day. This includes food, accommodation, transport, local guide services. Direct flights from Moscow yet, only with landing in Bangkok or New Delhi. The flight will cost about two thousand dollars.

Tours in Bhutan are all combined. They include visiting monasteries and temples, admiring the natural beauties and festivals.

Bhutan is a state professing the philosophy "Happiness is to be here!", And even sophisticated tourists who have seen a lot, is struck by the very friendly reception of local residents and the atmosphere of universal love and joy reigning in the country.

Money

The coins of Bhutan are quite rare and are used in small private shops and markets. The nominal value is 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 of the fours. The monetary unit of Bhutan ngultrum (denomination 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 100, 500) is linked to the Indian rupee. She is also in constant circulation in the country. One dollar costs 45.71 ngultrum (BTN), and it is equal to 100 chetrumumam (Ch).

The Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon has two banks with offices located throughout the country. There you can exchange currency and traveler's checks. Also it can be done in most hotels. Cashless payments and ATMs are not available. Banks work from 10 to 13 hours, except on Saturdays and Sundays. But small offices are open on weekends, at the same time.

Ngultrums may be needed to purchase small souvenirs, as the rest in Bhutan and the service of tourists are based on the principle of "all inclusive", and money is almost unnecessary.

Purchases

Most of the trinkets (fish, figurines, housekeepers, etc.) are made of bronze. The main souvenir is rice paper. The main pride of Bhutanese are brands of different sizes and colors with state symbols. A good acquisition will be a male or female national outfit. It is created manually for six months and is expensive.

In the markets and in stores, it is not accepted to bargain, although for the sake of communicating with buyers, Butans can provide some discount. It can be hinted at, but not demanded in an ultimatum form.

Tipping in the country is not given. However, the maintenance staff will not refuse them.

Flag

It is a panel of yellow and orange rectangular triangles. A white dragon is depicted in the center. The flag of Bhutan was adopted in 1969. The yellow color means secular royal authority, orange means adherence to Buddhism. White dragon, the symbol of Bhutan, personifies purity. The Tibetan name of the country is Dryuk, which means "thunder dragon".

Health

When traveling to Bhutan, you need to have full comprehensive insurance that can cover transportation costs (helicopter evacuation) and medical assistance. In the country such a service is not available. For travel, no special vaccinations are provided, but vaccination against tetanus, cholera, malaria, poliomyelitis, typhoid, hepatitis A can be done. It is advisable for the heart to consult a doctor before going to the trip.

In unprepared tourists when climbing even on an uncomplicated route (height 2500 m), altitude sickness can begin.

All the water used for ingestion should be boiled. Outside the capital, you only need to use liquid in bottles. Vegetables should be washed thoroughly, fruits should be cleaned from the skin.

Since 2004, a ban on smoking has been introduced in Bhutan. The penalty is 175 euros. On foreign tourists, the ban does not apply.

There are a lot of hospitals in the kingdom, in each of them medicines are made. Among the local population there are cases of leprosy. The leper colony is located in the vicinity of Timphu.

In all areas of the country there are their rescue services, their phone numbers are in the local reference books.

Connectivity

Telephones are only available in large cities. The meeting points are available from Monday to Friday from 9 to 13 hours, excluding weekends. Mobile network of Bhutan uses GSM-900. The only company - B-Mobile - covers the zone of large cities. In the mountains, mobile communication is often unavailable. Roaming is available to Russian users of large cellular operators.

Internet access in the kingdom is somewhat limited. But this sphere is developing rapidly. In large cities there are Internet cafes, and in hotels - own access points.

Television in the territory of Bhutan is prohibited. Receivers are used to watch movies. But the hotels are equipped with satellite television, which provides a large selection of channels.

Weather

The climate is comfortable almost always, but the best time to visit is spring or autumn. Summer is not very hot - not above 25 degrees. Rains go at night infrequently. The local population considers the climate of their country to be cold, therefore in all dishes there is chili pepper. It is even served as an independent dish.

National cuisine

Very spicy dish - hematazi from cheese and chili. Not inferior to him and kevadatsi of potatoes, cheese and chili and shamudatsi of mushrooms, cheese and chili. In Bhutan, they like red rice with a nutty flavor and stewed vegetables with herbs, ferns and spinach. On the table there are fish, meat (pork and beef) and chicken. The only neostroye dish - Momo, something in between dumplings and vareniki. A lot of fruits. From drinks it is offered local vodka - macaw, which is prepared from rice, wheat beer and tea with oil of suze. Sometimes salt and pepper are added to it. Local people eat with their hands sitting on the floor.

Features

Bhutan on the map is represented by a large number of reserves, but their territories are often closed to tourists. Thus, the authorities take care of the seclusion of monasteries and preserve the local flora and fauna.

It is the duty of Bhutanese to wear national clothes. They are very hospitable, religious, hardworking and polite. About 90% of the population can read and write. Just ten years ago, a decree was issued banning physical punishment of students. Earlier they twisted eyelids, ears, beat on the palms and fingers with a pointer. Today, education in Bhutan is free. Students go in uniform. Higher education Bhutan gets in India, and more often in Europe.

In three-star hotels in the interior of the country, as a rule, a good level of service. The most luxurious hotel is the five-star Taj Taji in Timphu. This is a five-storey building in traditional style. Rooms are decorated in black carved wood and mosaic. Everywhere pictures with a picture of Buddha and huge chandeliers.

Festivals are very often held in spring and autumn. Dances and theatrical performances have been unchanged for several centuries. People believe that when looking at dances, one can achieve enlightenment. Wearing the best clothes, the population gathers at the monasteries still before dark. The most crowded festivals are held in the major cities - Paro, Timphu, Bumtane. In addition, there are other religious holidays - Buddha's birthday, Buddha's departure to Nirvana, birthdays and the days of death of all kings.