Bhutan is a landlocked country located in South Asia. It is situated in the Eastern Himalayas and borders Tibet in the North, the Chumbi valley of Tibet and the Indian state of Sikkim in the West, the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the East and the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal in the south.

The capital of Bhutan is Thimphu.

The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is divided into 20 districts or dzongkhags, as they are commonly called.

The official and the national language of Bhutan is the Dzongkha.

The constitution of Bhutan proclaims it as a Buddhist country. The official religion of Bhutan according to its constitution is Vajrayana Buddhism.

Bhutan is also a predominantly Buddhist country by population as an overwhelming majority of the people here practice it. Buddhism also plays a key role in the traditions, festivals, culture and the everyday lives of the people here and forms a key part of the rich cultural heritage of Bhutan.

The early history of Bhutan remains unknown to the world due to its protected and hidden location amidst the Eastern Himalayas. In the 7th Century A.D., this place was ruled by the Cooch-Behar King, Sangaldip. The 12th century saw the establishment of the Drukpa Kagyupa School which marked the Drukpa Kagyupa branch of Buddhism as the country’s dominant religion.

The 17th century saw the rise of Ngawanag Namgyal from an ordinary Tibetan lama to a successful emperor who defeated foreign invasions, codified the Tsa Yig (Buddhist code of moral discipline) and created a comprehensive system of law and order. His death created a huge power vacuum in Bhutanese Politics which resulted in a long and drawn out civil war lasting the next 200 years. Finally, Ugyen Wangchuck came to power in 1907 and immediately began building close relations with the British crown which was ruling over the Indian subcontinent at that time. King Ugyen of Bhutan and the British Crown signed the treaty of Punakha in 1910 which solidified the sovereignty of Bhutan. His son Jigme Wangchuk acceded the throne in 1926. In 1947, the neighboring nation of India became independent from the British. The new Indian administration followed a policy similar to that of the British when dealing with Bhutan which led to the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the two nations in 1949. In 1971, Bhutan became a member of the United Nations. Jigme Singye Wangchuck became the King of Bhutan in 1972 and continued the successful development plan of his predecessor.

In spite of being an off-beat travel destination, Bhutan is still a paradise for shopaholics. Here are the things that one should definitely buy during their vacation in Bhutan:

• The Traditional Textiles and Handicrafts of Bhutan including the exquisitely designed and authentic wooden cups and bowls, handmade paper, Jackets, Rugs, Wall hangings among others from the National handicrafts Emporium in Thimphu. One can also shop for the traditional hand-woven textiles of Bhutan at Paro, Pemagatshel and Wangdue Phodrang.
• Authentic handicrafts from the Authentic Crafts Bazaar in Thimphu.
• Bhutan is famous for its Shawls made of Yak wool, Pashima and Sheep Wool. You can buy them from the many authentic stores in Thimphu and Paro.
• Shop for some Bhutanese fabric and high-quality Bhutanese weave at the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center and the National Textile Museum at Thimphu.
• Budget Shoppers can find good textile products at affordable prices in both Thimphu and Phuntsheoling.
• For those shoppers who don’t mind traveling to off-beat destinations to complete their shopping bucket list, Eastern Bhutan should be their preferred shopping destination. This region of Bhutan is a haven for high-quality textile products especially the dzongkhags of Lhuentse, Bumthang and Samdrup Jongkhar.
• A trip to Bhutan is incomplete without shopping for some marvelously designed scroll paintings called Thangkas in Bhutan. Buy the ones having a robust picture panel, textile mount, a silken cover and leather bound corners along with wooden dowels at both the top and bottom sides. You can shop for them at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu and many other stores in Paro.
• Bhutan is famous for its colorful masks, jewelry and other decorative items. Although a bit expensive compared to the other traditional Bhutanese items, these can still be bought at cheaper prices through a little bit of negotiations at Thimphu, Paro and Phuntsheoling.
• Owing to its massive forest reserve, Bhutan also has a huge paper making industry. You can shop for such high-quality paper products at the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory in Thimphu.
• Don’t forget to buy the locally produced chillies, cheese, noodles, rice, spices and incense sticks from the farmer’s market in Thimphu.

Bhutan is the second least populous country of South Asia after Maldives. It is also the ‘least corrupt country’ in the region and ranks first in economic freedom, ease of doing business and peace. Bhutan is also the only country in the world to measure its prosperity in terms of its Gross National Happiness. It is also a mesmerizingly beautiful country nestled in the laps of the Eastern Himalayas and comprising of a rich biodiversity and an excellent forest conservation system. Apart from these, there are also some important factors which makes Bhutan one of the most sought after travel destinations in the world:-

• Bhutan boasts a rich cultural and traditional identity. The people here take great pride in preserving their environment, traditions and values.
• Bhutan is one of the best places to visit for foodies. Boasting a rich and exotic cuisine, the culinary delights of Bhutan leave many visitors with happy and satiated tummies and taste buds.
• For many backpackers and budget travelers, Bhutan proves to be a cheaper destination than the other countries of South Asia. The country also doesn’t require the Indian nationals to get a visa to visit it.
• For followers of Buddhism, Bhutan proves to be a spiritual abode and still exhibits a rich legacy of the teachings and philosophies of Buddha.

According to the Worldometers elaboration of the latest United Nations Data, the current population of Bhutan as of October, 2019 is 765,459.

Bhutan has a total of four Airports. They are:

• Paro International Airport, situated in Paro.
• Gelephu Airport, situated in Gelephu in the Sarpang dzongkhag.
• Bathpalathang Airport, situated in Jakar in the Bumthang dzongkhag.
• Yongphulla Airport, situated in Trashigang in the Trashigang dzongkhag
• The Paro International Airport is the biggest and the only International Airport in Bhutan.

• Bukhari at Hotel Uma in Paro: Try the delicious traditional Bhutanese dish of Ema Datshi here and have a delightful gastronomical experience.
• The Sonam Trophel Restaurant in Paro: Enjoy a scrumptious meal of thukpa, momos and Datshi in this moderately priced restaurant. It also offers vegetarian dishes and a host of other Asian delicacies.
• The Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant in Thimphu: The best restaurant in Thimphu for enjoying traditional Bhutanese dishes like the different kinds of Datshi and the Buckwheat pancakes.
• The Babesa Village Restaurant in Thimphu: For meat lovers, this is the perfect destination in Bhutan. Enjoy a yummy meal of pork and beef curries, different kinds of Datshi and vegetables like eggplant and turnip among many other dishes.
• San Maru Restaurant in Thimphu: This is the only restaurant in Bhutan which serves lip-smacking Korean food.
• Zombala in Thimphu: Try their different kinds of momos made from ingredients like mushrooms and chicken.
• Taktsang Cafeteria in Paro: This beautiful restaurant is situated amidst the majestic Himalayan mountains on the way leading up to the Tiger’s Nest. It is the perfect resting place where you can enjoy the traditional dishes of Bhutan.
• Bhutan Kitchen in Thimphu: Another restaurant in Thimphu that serves only vegetarian dishes.
• Ambient Café in Thimphu: A stylish restaurant located at the heart of the capital Thimphu, the Ambient Café is a popular hangout spot amongst tourists. This place serves a range of dishes including a variety of western dishes.

• The National handicrafts Emporium in Thimphu.
• The Authentic Crafts Bazaar in Thimphu.
• The Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center in Thimphu.
• The National Textile Museum in Thimphu.
• The numerous Textile shops in Lhuentse, Bumthang and Samdrup Jongkhar in Eastern Bhutan.
• The National Institute for Zorig Chusum in Thimphu.
• The Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory in Thimphu for high quality paper products.
• The Farmer’s Market in Thimphu for locally produced fruits, vegetables and spices.

The best time to visit Bhutan is during the spring months from March to May when the weather is pleasant and the region is adorned with the colors of the blossoming flowers.

October is also a good time to visit this ‘Himalayan Kingdom’ due to the presence of clear skies and a mild but not too cold weather. It is the ideal time for trekking and adventure activities.

Bhutan boasts a plethora of culinary delights and so, it would be impossible to pick out a single dish as the most popular food of Bhutan. Therefore, to do justice to the delicious and varied cuisine of Bhutan, we have compiled a list of the most popular and must-taste foods of Bhutan.

• Ema Datshi: The Ema Datshi, a stew made of cheese and chillies is the national dish of Bhutan.
• Jasha Maroo or Maru: This mouth watering dish is made by mixing chillies, onions, ginger, tomato, coriander leaves and garlic with finely diced chicken or beef. It is a popular dish of Bhutan.
• Phaksha Pa: A traditional Bhutanese stew comprising of boneless pork shoulders cooked with red chillies.
• Red Rice: One of the unique food items of this Himalayan Kingdom, it is also a famous dish synonymous with Bhutan.
• Momos
• Salt Butter Tea

The official and accepted currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum (BTN). It is used for all economic trades and purposes at both professional and local levels.

• 1 BTN= 100 cents
• 1 BTN= 1 Indian Rupee

Bhutan offers a plethora of accommodation options ranging from luxurious hotels and resorts to budget hotels and little homestays in traditional Bhutanese homes and settings. All the hotels and homestays in Bhutan maintain a high level of cleanliness and aim to provide tourists with an unmatched hospitality and service.

In the offbeat destinations of Bhutan, you’ll not find a lot of fine accommodation options. However, you can reside in the numerous homestays and lodges available in these secluded destinations.

Bhutan is a mountainous country with very little air connectivity and no rail connectivity between its different cities. Therefore, the length of your stay in Bhutan depends on a few factors:

How much of the country are you willing to cover

Most of the tourists who visit Bhutan only travel to the major cities and destinations of the country like Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. Generally speaking, one should at least spend 2 nights at each of the major cities of Bhutan to get a fulfilling traveling experience. For those tourists who are willing to travel to the offbeat destinations of Bhutan, it is recommended that they spend at least 9 nights in this beautiful Himalayan country which will give them ample time to also visit Trongsa, Bumthang and the Royal Manas National Park.

At what time of the year are you visiting Bhutan

The weather plays an important role in determining the length of your stay in Bhutan. Monsoon months should ideally be avoided for traveling as the roads become impassable during this time of the year. The Winter months of December and January should also be avoided as the roads tend to become frozen and dangerous in many parts of the country. The ideal time to spend a thrilling and unforgettable holiday in Bhutan is during the spring months of April and May and from October to November when the roads are clear and allow for safe and fast traveling.

According to the latest data published in 2013, there were 32 hospitals throughout Bhutan. Most of the districts/dzongkhags had at least one hospital with the exception of Gasa. The capital city of Thimphu had 5 hospitals. Apart from the major hospitals, smaller medical facilities are also available at most of the dzongkhags.

In 2011, Bhutan launched a telephonic Health Help Centre (HHC), with the aim of providing Emergency Response and Healthcare Helpline services through both landline and mobile phones.

The Bhutan Food Act of 2005 regulates the public health and safety of the people living here. The Act also launched the National Food Quality and Safety Commission and the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority which come under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Easily at all times in these places. However, the internet and cellular connectivity in the smaller and remote destinations of Bhutan are very limited or poor. However, most of the hotels and homestays here boast a decent cellular and internet connectivity. It is advised that one either buy a local Bmobile SIM (Bhutan Telecom, the state mobile network provider) or a TrashiCell SIM card after arriving in Bhutan to enjoy unlimited high-speed internet and cellular connectivity.

One can find ATM’s in all the major towns and tourist destinations of Bhutan like Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Trongsa and Bumthang, where money can be easily withdrawn using a Visa or a MasterCard. However, tourists are advised to carry sufficient cash with them at all times when traveling in Bhutan, especially in the remote and off-beat towns of the country which have a distinct lack of proper and well functioning ATM’s.

All international travelers except the citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives require VISA to enter into Bhutan. A valid passport is also required to visit Bhutan. Before traveling to Bhutan, it is advised that you get your VISA clearance from Thimphu. The VISA clearance is required to obtain the VISA as without it, air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased. For this, you are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your local Bhutanese tour operator.

The VISAs are approved at the capital city of Thimphu and issued to tourists who have booked their holidays in Bhutan with a local licensed tours and travels operator either directly or through a foreign agent after the submission of the tourist visa application to the Tourism Council of Bhutan in Thimphu. The VISA fee of $40 must also be paid to get your VISA processed. After the payment has been made, it takes around 72 hours for the VISA clearance to get approved. Your VISA is issued once you show your VISA clearance letter at the point of entry.

For the citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives, a permit needs to be obtained at their point of entry in Bhutan, which can be easily done by producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian Nationals may use the Voters Identity Card).

It is not advised to drink the tap water in Bhutan. Bottled water is available at all places in Bhutan and one should always drink water from the same. Also, one should always carry a bottle of mineral water when traveling in Bhutan.

Since Bhutan is a land of high Himalayan Mountains, it is, thus, very common for tourists to get hit with Altitude Mountain Sickness during their travels through this ‘Himalayan Kingdom’. Therefore, it is advised to pace your journey when in Bhutan and avoid rapid ascents. Let your body get acclimatized with the harsh conditions of this place and the low level of oxygen in the air. It is also recommended to not to skip any meals and to take plenty of rest during your travels in Bhutan. If you feel any symptoms of AMS like headache, nausea, indigestion and bloating, contact your tour operator and the local medical facilities immediately.

The CDC and the WHO recommend the following vaccines one should take before visiting Bhutan:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Rabies
• Measles Mumps Rubella
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
• Chicken Pox
• Pneumonia
• Shingles
• Influenza
• Meningitis
• Polio

Yes, Credit Cards are widely accepted in Bhutan. Almost all the hotels, restaurants and shops in the major cities like Thimphu, Paro, Bumthang, Punakha and Trongsa accept payments through Credit Cards. However, if you are visiting the offbeat locales of Bhutan, it is advised to carry sufficient amounts of cash with you at all times.

Yes, Bhutan is a remarkably safe country for both tourists and locals alike. The country ranks very high amongst its South Asian contemporaries in Public Safety, Crime and Theft and it is almost completely devoid of scams and frauds. Nevertheless, it is advised that one should follow the below protocols when traveling in Bhutan:

• One should avoid traveling alone in Bhutan late at night as by this time, most of the shops get closed and the roads get empty. You may also get attacked by wild animals if you are traveling alone during these hours.
• One should avoid traveling in Bhutan during bad weather as the roads become prone to landslides.
• Bhutan is relatively free from theft, but one should always be careful with their belongings during their holidays here.

Bhutan enjoys excellent electricity supply during almost all times of the year. Tourists visiting Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Bumthang and Trongsa will get regular electricity supply at all times. However, in the remote and less-visited places of Bhutan, you may get some power outages.

The energy used in Bhutan is clean and renewable, generated from its massive hydroelectric power plants. As of the data of 2011, around 60 % of the rural households in Bhutan are fully electrified.

The Time Zone of Bhutan is the Bhutan Time (BTT), which is +06:00 hours ahead of the Universal Time Coordinated (UTC+06:00). There are no Daylight-Saving Time Clock Changes in Bhutan.

The Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan bans the cultivation, harvesting, production and sale of Tobacco and Tobacco related products in Bhutan.

The consumption of Tobacco and Smoking is largely banned in all the public places of Bhutan. However, tourists can still bring 200 cigarettes with them but they can only smoke in specific smoking rooms after seeking the permission of the owners of these smoking rooms.

Although Bhutan is a comparatively safe country to visit and there are no immediate health risks and requirements, it is still advised that you should ensure that you have a proper health insurance for hepatitis and rabies before visiting this country.

Bhutan requires all of its visitors to hold a valid and comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes cancellation and emergency evaluation cover. It is also mandatory for motorcyclists planning to ride their ‘over 250cc motorcycles’ in Bhutan to hold a valid travel insurance policy.

• Tiger’s Nest in Paro.
• Chele La Pass near Haa Valley.
• Haa Valley and the Lhakhang Karpo and the Lhakhang Nagpo.
• Punakha Dzong and Punakha Bridge.
• Rinpung Dzong.
• The Buddha Dordenma Statue in Thimphu.
• The Dochula Pass, situated on the way between Thimphu and Punakha.
• The Phobjikha Valley in Wangdue Phodrang.
• Chomolhari and the Chomolhari Trek starting from Paro.
• The Norzin Lam Street in Thimphu.
• The Main Street of Paro.
• The Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.
• The National Museum of Bhutan in Paro.
• The Royal Manas National Park, the Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, the Thrumshing La National Park and the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.
• Gelephu Tshachu.
• Lhuentse.
• The Drametse Lhakhang in Mongar.
• Chorten Kora in Trashiyangtse.
• Gom Kora in Trashigang.
• The Motithang Takin Preserve, the home of the famous species of Takin, the national animal of Bhutan.

Warm and comfortable clothing is recommended to wear in Bhutan along with sturdy and soft-soled shoes. The climate of Bhutan remains mild and pleasant throughout the year and therefore, it is advised to always carry light woolens with you in addition to heavy cotton clothes in Summers and heavy woolen wear in Winters.

The Visa Fee for Bhutan is $40 which must be paid to get your Visa processed.

Yes, Bhutan is very safe for solo female travelers. It is also one of the most progressive countries of South Asia and ranks high in Women Safety amongst its contemporary nations.