Do's and Don't

Do's

• Loss or theft of any important travel related documents may be reported to the nearest Government of Bhutan Tourist Office / Police Station etc
• For any emergency medical assistance contact hotel or accredited hospital / nursing homes
• It is recommended that tourists follow local tradition / custom guidelines while visiting religious places
• Money exchange facilities are available at the Paro airport, Bhutan National Bank and the Bank of Bhutan, and at major hotels in Thimphu and Paro, all of which accept traveler's checks and/or dollars and various other currencies
• During summers light to medium woolens and during winters heavy woolen clothes are advisable

• Refuse food / drinks offered by unknown people
• Foreign tourists cannot purchase ngultrum (Bhutanese currency) prior to arriving in Bhutan

Topography and Climate

Bhutan is approximately 300km long and 150km wide. The total area is about 38,394 square kilometers. It shares its borders with Tibet in the north, Sikkim and Darjeeling in the west, Assam and West Bengal in the south and Arunachal Pradesh in the east.

It is best to visit Bhutan during:

Spring (March-May)
Autumn (late-September to late-November)

Bhutan experiences the monsoons from June till mid September. Winter is cold and with lots of snow.

Important Information

Entry formalities-
Tourists visiting Bhutan are required to obtain a visa. Tourists cannot obtain visa prior to their arrival in Bhutan. The actual visa will be stamped on the passport at the Paro airport. Travelers to Bhutan must be tourists or guests of the government. All tourists must travel on a pre-planned, pre-paid guided tour. Travelers must book their travel through one of the registered tour operators in Bhutan.

Restricted area (Route) Permit-
Tourists planning to travel to places other than Thimphu, Phuntsholing, and Paro (free zone) will have to obtain route permit from the immigration office in Thimphu

Special Permit-
Some religious places restrict entry to tourists. Though most religious places are made accessible to tourists they are required to obtain a special permit from the Department of Culture

Vital Statistics