EFFECTIVE 15MAY-30OCT2010

NOTE: SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THEREFORE, NO RESONSIBILITY CAN BE ASSUMED FOR DELAY, CANCELLATION OR UNAVAILABILITY OF FLIGHT OR MISSED CONNECTIONS.

TENTATIVE FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2011

I.  COST INCLUDES:

1. Arrival and Departure transfers’ assistance

2. Sightseeing arrangement as stated in itinerary.

3. Use of exclusive vehicle for the sightseeing and transportation.

4. Local English speaking tour guide during the whole trip in Bhutan.

5. Accommodation in the stated places of Bhutan with twin basis on Full Board basis (B, L, D,)

6. Tourism development fees, entrance fees and Visa fees for Bhutan trip

6. Government taxes of 35%

7. Special Permits to Visit restricted area, Temples and Monasteries.

8. M/Water in the car

9. One time Traditional Culture Show

10. Riding Ponies to Taktshang Monastery

11. Visa and Especial Permit to Bhutan

Write us if you would like to know more about above trip at trekkingbhutan@gmail.com

If you would like to know more feel free to contact us at anytime.

Ashi : Honorific title used by women of the Royal or aristocratic family

Avalokitesvara: Bodhisattva of compassion

Bodhisattva : Enlightened brings.

Bon : Religion with shamanistic and animist practices that predated Buddhism in the Himalayan region

Chathrim: Act, rules and regulations

Chhu: River or Water

Chitshog: Parliament

Chiwog: Group of villages.

Choesham: An altar, shrine room

Choeten: Stupa, usually containing sacred relics choetho

Thrimkiduensa: high Court

Dasho: A title given by His Majesty the King to people who have been recognized for their services to the country

Desi or Deb: Title given to temporal ruler of Bhutan from 1851-1905

Dochok Gothrip: Title given to the Leader of Opposition.

Drangpon: Judge

Dratshang: Central Monastic Body

Driglam Namzha: Age old etiquette and code of conduct

Dromchoe: Annual religious festival held at Punakha and Thimphu Dzongs dedicated to the protecting Deities of Bhutan

Druk: Thunder Dragon

Druk Gyalpo: Formal title for reference to His Majesty the King of Bhutan literally meaning the King of Bhutan.

Druk Yul: Dzongkha name for Bhutan. It means ”Land of the Thunder Dragon” or ”Land of the Drukpas”

Drukpa Kagyu: The sect of Buddhism that is the official state religion of Bhutan

Duar: Indian word meaning doorway or gate, which refers to the traditional entrances to Bhutan from the Bengal and Assam Plains of India.

Dungkhag: Sub Division of a District.

Dungkhag

Thrimkiduensa: Sub-Division-Court

Dungpa: Head of Sub-Divisions.

Dzong: Fortress-like structure that serves as the headquarters of a district administration and the residence of the Monk Body

Dzongda: District Administrator

Dzongkha: The national language of Bhutan (literally means language of the Dzong)

Dzongkhag: District

Dzongkhag

Thrimkiduensa: District Court

Dzongkhag

Tshogdu: District Council

Dzongkhag Yargye

Tshogchung: District Development committee

Gewog : Country, consisting of a block of villages

Gewog Tshogdu: Country Committee

Gewog Yargye

Tshogchung: Block Development Committee.

Gho: Men’s traditional attire, a long-sleeved robe, worn knee-length and fastened at the waist

Goenpa: Monastery

Gup: Head of the country

Guru

Padmasambhava: The Indian saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8^th century also known as Guru Rinpoche.

Gyalyong Tshogde: National Council

Gyalyong Tshogdu: National Assembly

Je Khenpo: Chief Abbot of Bhutan, also Head of the Monastic Body

Kabney: Ceremonial scarf worn by men

Keyra: Hand woven fabric belt to fasten a women’s kira

Khuru: Agame of darts.

Kira: Traditional ankle-length dress worn by women

Koma: Apair of silver brooches, which fastens the women’s kira at the shoulder

La: Mountain pass

Lama: Buddhist priest who is a religious master

Lhakhang: Buddhist temple

Lhengye

Zhungtshog: Cabinet

Lodroe Tshogde: Royal Advisory Council

Lyonchhen: Title for Prime Minister

Lyonpo: Title for a minister

Mangmi: Elected representative of the country, also the deputy Gup

Namthar: Life stories of great people or hagiography

Nyentho

Thrimkiduensa: Supreme Court

Penlop: Governor of a region consisting of several districts.

Rabdey: District Monastic Body

Rinpoche: Title given to reincarnated lamas

Thrimchee

Lyonpo: Title given to the Chief Justice

Thrimzhung

Chhenmo: The ‘Supereme Law’, which is a comprehensive code of categories of criminal offences and the appropriate penalties that were approved by the National Assembly in 1957 that were approved by the National Assembly in 1957

Thrizin: Title for Chairperson of the National Council

Thromde Tshogde: Municipal Committee

Thrompon: Municipal Administrator

Tshechu: Religious dance festival held in honour of Guru Padmasambhava

Tshokpoen: Title for Speaker of the National Assembly

Yenlag Thromde: Satellite town

Zhabdrung: Title given to Ngawang Namgyal and his Successive reincarnation, literally means ”he at whose feet one submits.”

Travel Insurance:

Do we need Travel Insurance?
Yes you need to buy travel insurance or if you have then you will have to inform an insurance company.

Do we require Medical Insuarnce?
Yes you do need Medical Insurance too, Can you consult with us for the matter at trekkingbhutan@gmail.com

CURRENCY

The national currency is the Ngultrum (Nu). 100 Chetrum=1 Nu. Exchange rate is approximately USD 1=Nu. 45.85 (September, 2008). Indian Rupees circulate at par and is widely used except for the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs1000

American Express credit cards

VISA credit cards are accepted in few shops in the capital and important towns. American Express credit cards are accepted in few hotels and shops at a higher commission. Visitors are advised to carry traveler cheques (preferably American Express) with some cash (US Dollars)

Time Difference

Bhutan Standard time is 6 hours ahead of GMT. There is only one time zone through out the country. The time in Bhutan is 30 minutes earlier than India, 15 minutes earlier than in Nepal, and 1 hour later than in Thailand.

Electricity

230-240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. The current is variable. If you do bring electrical appliance, bring along an international converter kit with a set of adapter plugs.

Plugs and Sockets

Bhutan uses the standard Indian roundpin sockets which come in variety of sizes. Most European round pin-plugs work, but their pins are usually smaller than the Indian variety and fit loosely and provide an unreliable connection. There are plenty of Electrical shops in Thimphu whereyou can buy an adapter if you have any trouble plugging in an appliance.

Laundry

Hotals do the laundry, but vary few hotals have dryers. Same day service is possible depending on the availability of sunshine. There are few dry cleaners in Thimphu and Phuntsholing.

Communication Facilities

Reliable telephone and fax services are available in all towns in Bhutan. International connections are excellent. Internet cafes are few in number and available only in a few places. However most tourist hotels have internet connection. Prepaid SIM card can be purchased and you can use your mobile phones in most of the major towns in the country.

Insurance

To protect against unforeseen accidents and mishaps, it is advisable to obtain travel insurance from your country. It should adequately cover helicopter evacuation and medical assistance.

Health Information

No Vaccinations are currently required for travelling to Bhutan. However, Visitors coming from an area infected with yellow fever are required to get a yellow fever vaccination and must be administered at least ten days before arrival into Bhutan. Likewise, visitors arriving from a cholera infected should get vaccinated.

Cuisine

Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chillies and cheese. Continental, Chinese and Indian cuisine is served in most restaurants. In Thimphu, there are more choices with restaurants specialized splely in Chinese, Thai, Italian and Indian.

Shopping

The country’s exquisite postage stamps, lovely hand woven fabrics, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade papers, finely crafted metal objects, thangkha paintings are popular items purchased by foreign visitors. Buying and selling of antiques id strictly forbidden in the kingdom.

Gratitudes

In general, tipping is neither compulsory nor there is any fixed amount. It is dependent on how much the individual did to make your travel more enjoyable.

Winding Roads

The roads are winding and narrow by western standards. Since bhuatn is a mountainous country it takes time to travel from place to place. To travel 127 kms it may take 5 hours.

Altitude

The maximum elevation that you can reach on a Bhutanese road is 3150m in the west and 3750m in the east. There are rare cases where individuals have suffered from altitude problems

Clothing

While casual clothes are fine, sleeveless top, shorts and caps are strictly not permitted for entry into Dzongs, government offices and monastic festivals. To withstand Bhutan’s changeable weather, it is advisable to bring travel cloths and wamer clothes for evenings.

Photography

Bhutan is a photographer’s paradise. However, it is recommended to seek permission before you photograph people and places of interest.

Senior Travellers

Many visitors are senior citizens travelling in organized groups. Hotal guides and tour operators are all familiar with their needs and treat them with respect that the Bhutanese have for their elders. The primary precaution one should take is to have an ample supply of any special medicines, as they probably may not be available in Bhutan.

Smoking in public places

On the 17^th December 2004, in keeping with the decision of the Bhutanese parliament, the nationwide ban on the sale of tobacco products was implemented making Bhutan the first country in the world to do so. The maximum amount of cigarettes that can be imported for personal consumption is 200 pieces. For other tobacco, the maximum import amount is 50 grams. For pipe tobacco, it is three tins of 50 grams each.

Smoking in public places which includes parks, discotheques, entertainment centers, sports facilities like football grounds and archery ranges, commercial centers including shops, bars and restaurants, institutions like Dzongs, hospitals, schools, and government offices, public transport carriers, public gatherings such as monastic festivals, official receptions, national celebrations, and vegetable markets is banned

Golfing

Bhutan has seven courses. Four are nine holers Royal Thimphyu (par 34, 2,800 yards), the Wangdi Military Base Course (2,000 yards, par 32 with sand greens), India House (a 2,100-yard layout that is located on the Indian Embassy compound inThimphu and has eight greens and six fairways) and the King’s private layout on his property in Punhaka. The other three courses range from four to eight holes and are located on military bases. Royal Thimphu is the only course open to the public.

An Indian Army officer brought golf to Bhutan in the early 1970s by convincing Bhutan’s king to let him build a course on the fallow rice paddies adjacent to the Thimphu dzong. Indian and Bhutanese army officers, and a few high-ranking government officials and businessmen, took up golf in Bhutan during the 1970s. The kingdom’s golf population swelled to around 50 in the 1980s, and by the end of the millennium there were nearly 100 golfers, including His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. There are no pro shops in Bhutan, so players either purchase gear when travelling abroad or they buy used clubs from friends. Children began playing the game when Rick Lipsey, an American, came to Bhutan in 2002 and created the Bhutan Youth Golf Association.

Golfing on the top of the world can be an amazing experience for avid golfers. The Royal Thimphu Golf Course is one of the highest in the world. It is a challenging nine hole (Per 34) course beautifully situated behind Tashichhodzong and surrounded by mountains. The course’s water hazards are man made and is strategically placed for a challenging game on the narrow fairways. A different set of tees for the back nine makes it a great double round of 18 holes (par 67). Contact us at trekkingbhutan@gmail.com

Fishing

As a Buddhist country, fishing is not common amongst Bhutanese but for visitors, fishing in the crystal clear rivers set against breathtaking landscape can be quite an experience. Fishing spots range from large rivers to crystal clear spring-fed streams at altitudes ranging from 1,200m to 3,000m. The most common varieties are the snow trout and the brown trout. The best times for fishing are in spring (February to April) and autumn (September to October).

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing was first introduced in Bhutan in 1998 by the ”Vertical Bhutan Climbing Club.” The ”Nose”, a climbing rock ideally situated just above Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, offers 13 different safely bolted climbing routes in difficulty degrees from 4B upto 7B in lengths between 12 and 27m. The vertical Bhutan Climbing Club welcomes every visitor to join in. the Club provides climbing equipment and training if required.

Hiking

Possibilities for day hikes are numerous all over Bhutan. There are short one or two hour walks to a strenuous hike for a whole day. Hiking is the best way to explore the beauty of Bhutan as you hike through the serene nature, wilderness and enchanting valleys with incomparable views.

All arriving passengers and visitors are required to fill in the required details and submit the customs declaration from upon arrival at the Paro Airport.

Tourists

Visitors are allowed to import temporarily free of customs duty her/his personal and articles of high values such as sound recording equipment, film projectors, slides and film for demonstration, professional equipment, instrument and appliances like video recorders, provided that the visitors on arrival declare all dutiable goods in the passenger declaration from and produce the same form at the time of departure if these items are disposed become liable for customs duty.

Visitors are advised to be cautions while purchasing old and used items, especially of religious or cultural significance as customs authorities will not allow any old/used items to be taken out of the country unless certified as non-antique.

Tourists allowance

• Spirits: One bottle not larger than one liter
• Cigarettes: one carton (containing 200 pieces) subject to 100 percent customs duty and 100 percent sales tax

Free baggage allowance

Bhutanese nationals, other national working as a regular employee in Bhutan and resident in the country are permitted to bring in personal items upto the assessed value of USD 1000 without payment of duties and taxes, subject to the ceiling prescribed below:

• Spirits: Two bottles, not larger than one litre
• Perfume: One bottle, not larger than two ounces
• Gold:50 grams
• Silver: One Kilogram
• Clothing: Maximum of 10 pieces of each type
• Other household or personal goods including electronics and bedding are limited to one piece each
• Cigarettes: One carton (containing 200 pieces) subject to 100 percent customs duty and 100 percent sales tax.

Restricted Goods

The following are some of the goods that require an import license or permits from relevant authorities: