GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BHUTAN
Bhutan is nestling in the heart of the Himalayas; it remained in self-imposed isolation for centuries. Its doors were cautiously opened to the tourists in 1974, the environment is pristine, the scenery and architecture is beautiful, the people are hospitable and charming, and the culture is unique and despite the huge potential of its natural resources. Bhutan developed its own civilization. The population of about 700,000 people, living in close harmony with nature, evolved a unique identity, derived largely from a rich religious and culture heritage. Today, the world is seeing many exotic aspects of this kingdom.

Bhutan is becoming increasingly known for its pure practice of Mahayana Buddhism in the Tantric form, its untouched culture, its pristine ecology and wildlife, and the unparalleled scenic beauty of its majestic peaks and lush valleys. It is still, in many ways, a magical kingdom of the past.

Most people have never heard of Bhutan. Yet, a handful of people around the world, who visited Bhutan say - it is truly Shangri-La. All of them have returned enthralled by this secret land.

Bhutan is a mythical country hidden deep in the Himalayan Mountains between India and China (Tibet). It is as big as Switzerland, but sparsely inhabited. It certainly exudes charm with magnificent mountains, fast flowing rivers, dense forest, delightful people, pure air, imposing architecture, exciting religion, and the superb art.

Nepal Adventure Point specialize trekking company offering both standard and personalized tours throughout Bhutan. We believe that the goal of business is to create and keep customers. We have always gone out of our ways in providing the best services to our clients, because our support to the rural communities would be meaningful only if our well wishers are happy and satisfied with our services.

BHUTAN COUNTRY INFO
Area : 47,000 sq km
Location : Southern Asia, between China and India
Area - comparative : about half the size of Indiana
Land Boundaries : 1,075 km
Border Countries : China 470 km, India 605 km
Coastline : 0 km (landlocked)
Climate : varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Elevation extremes : Lowest Point : Drangme Chhu 97 m Highest Point : Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Natural Resources : timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide.

HISTORY :
Archaeological evidence suggests Bhutan was inhabited possibly as early as 2000 BC. Buddhism was probably introduced in the 2nd century although traditionally its introduction is credited to the first visit of Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. Guru Rinpoche is one of the most important figures in Bhutan's history, regarded as the second Buddha.

Before the 16th century, numerous clans and noble families ruled in different valleys throughout Bhutan, quarrelling among them and with Tibet. This changed in 1616 with the arrival of Ngawang Namgyal, a monk of the Drukpa Kagyu school of Buddhism from Tibet. He taught throughout the region and soon established himself as the religious ruler of Bhutan with the title Shabdrung Rinpoche. He repelled attacks from rival lamas and Tibetan forces and transformed the southern valleys into a unified country called Druk Yul (Land of the Thunder Dragon). While the political system he established lasted until the beginning of the 20th. century, the announcement of the Shabdrung's death in 1705 was followed by 200 years of internal conflict and political infighting.

Instability lasted until 1907 when Ugyen Wangchuck was elected, by a unanimous vote of Bhutan's chiefs and principal lamas, as hereditary ruler of Bhutan. Thus the first king was crowned and the Wangchuck dynasty began. Over the following four decades, he and his heir, King Jigme Wangchuck, brought the entire country under the monarchy's direct control. Upon independence in 1947, India recognized Bhutan as a sovereign country.

The present monarch, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, has continued the policy of controlled development with particular focus on the preservation of the environment and Bhutan's unique culture. Among his ideals is economic self-reliance and what has now become widely known as 'Gross National Happiness'. His coronation on 2 June 1974 was the first time the international media were allowed to enter the Kingdom, and marked Bhutan's debut appearance on the world stage. The first group of paying tourists arrived later that year. In major political reform in June 1998, the king dissolved the Council of Ministers and announced that ministers formerly appointed by him would need to stand for open election. A rotating chairman fronts the resultant cabinet. In 1999 television and Internet were first introduced to Bhutan.

GEOGRAPHY :
Bhutan is a land locked country, approximately 300-km long and 150-km wide, with an overall size of 38,394 square kilometers. It is situated along the southern slopes of the Himalayan range between the parallels 26 30’ of north latitude and 88 45’ and 92 25’ of east longitude. It is bounded by Tibet in the north, the Indian Sikkim and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal in the west, on the south by Assam and West Bengal and on the east by the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

FLORA AND FAUNA :
Bhutan has a rich and varied biological diversity. Very few countries in the world match Bhutan’s biological diversity and fewer still have taken such strong steps to conserve their biodiversity. Bhutan, for example, has its own Biodiversity Action Plan. The country ranks amongst the top ten percent of highest species density (species richness per unit area) in the world, and it has the largest proportion of land under protected areas. Some 26.23% of the country’s area is protected through National Parks. In addition, a further 9% has been declared as Biological Corridor, connecting protected areas, and there are a series of Conservation Areas intended to protect important conservation sites outside the formal Protected Areas system. As a result, more than 35% of the country’s area is under the protection of some form of conservation management. This system serves as a globally unique system for in situ conservation of biodiversity.

Regarding diversity at the species level, inventories have indicated that there are more than 5,500 species of vascular plants, more than 770 species of avifauna and more than 165 species of mammals, with many species being endemic to Bhutan.

ECONOMY :
Agriculture is still the main source of livelihood for 80% of people living in the rural areas of Bhutan. The agricultural sector includes livestock rearing and horticulture, which contributes 32.7% of GDP. About 62% of women are involved in agriculture and their contribution is substantial.

RELIGION :
Bhutan is the last bastion of the Mahayana form of Buddhism in the world today. It was in the 8th century AD that Guru Padma Sambhava introduced Buddhism to the country. Subsequently this was promulgated by various other religious figures that visited Bhutan. The dominant sect that came to be established in the country was the Drukpa Kargyu sect of Mahayana Buddhism, which is now the official religion of Bhutan.

PEOPLE :
The country's population of 700,000 is composed of three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan. The Lhotsampas who are of Nepalese origin settled in the southern foothills of the country in the early 20th century. This ethnic diversity of the people has resulted in numerous dialects and languages that are spoken throughout the country. Dzongkha is the National language. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely spoken.

VISA AND PASSPORT :
The visitors are required valid passport and visa to enter Bhutan, except for Indian nationals. Travelers to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the kingdom of Bhutan. Those who have not had a visa approved will not be permitted to board their Druk Air flight to Bhutan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu issues visa to all foreign travelers.

VISA COST :
A visa cost US$ 20 and visa is stamped in the passport at rport during the immigration process. Visas are approved and issued prior to entry, with the pre-payment of travel itinerary. The visitors are required to produce two passport size photographs. The visa can be extended up to six months in Thimphu. The visitors to Bhutan are advised to finalize their travel plans well in advance. Visa applications must reach the Thimphu, at least 4-6 weeks prior to the intended arrival date, earlier if traveling to the Kingdom in the peak months of September, October, November, March, April or early May. Nepal Adventure Point will advise the status before your departure date. The actual visas are stamped in the passports at the entry points of Paro airport.

PHOTOGRAPHY :
16mm. film cameras are prohibited in Bhutan. Photography in some of the Monasteries & Dzongs is not allowed.

FESTIVALS :
Religious festivals (Tsechu) are important events and celebrated throughout the kingdom of Bhutan. The tsechus are the most colorful event and all Bhutanese gathers and celebrate at every Dzongs (fortress), temples, and monasteries.
CLOTHING: Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. From May to September normal traveling cloths plus a light woolen sweater or a light jacket and a light walking boots are sufficient. From November to end of April on the other hand, you will need very warm cloths including underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, thick socks, and strong boots and down jacket. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear skirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlet. During visit of monasteries, Dzongs and other religious sites, you should not wear shorts and hats.

The following is a fairly exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip: Clothes as per season, sunglasses/spare glasses or contact lenses, pair of casual shoes, washing kit, shaving kit, towel, hat umbrella, camera, film and accessories, maps, insect repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit & safety pins, torch or flash light with spare batteries, mirror, sun screen cream, lip salve or soluble aspirin, antiseptic cream, preparation for the relief of sunburn. You may not be tuned to the Asian drugs so it is always better to bring own brand. See more about the equipment at equipment Checklist

FOOD & DRINKS :
Bhutanese food is a tantalizing blend of hot Himalayan flavors. Northern Indian cuisine mixes with the chilies of the Tibetan plateau and traditional recipes from Bhutan's villages to create sizzling and memorable tastes. Chanterelle mushrooms, apricots, asparagus, a wide variety of chills and a host of spices grow in abundance in Bhutan's valleys.

These spices, fruits and vegetables are prepared with beef, chicken, pork, and dried yak or with each other to make dishes that resemble elements of both Chinese and Indian cuisine. Bhutanese dishes are traditionally served with ample portions of indigenous red rice. The food prepared for tourists is tempered to western taste. The tourism authority imported the knowledge of selected European hotel experts to improve the quality of food and beverage.

POST & COMMUNICATIONS :
The Bhutanese postal system is reliable, you can send mails from hotels and post offices and no special procedures are necessary. If you mail cards or letters from the Thimphu post office, you can buy exotic Bhutan postage stamps from the philatelic bureau and use them on your letters and postcards. Bhutan Post offers outgoing EMS [expedited mail service], which is a reliable and fast international mail delivery facility that is cheaper than courier services. It also has a LUM [local urgent mail] service for delivery within Bhutan. DHL is the only international courier to operate from Bhutan.

Most of the country’s major towns have both domestic and international direct dial facilities. Nearly all hotels and some PCOs have facilities to send and receive faxes. Bhutan has its own Internet and email services.
 

CLIMATE : Annual Average Temperatures of different places are as follows :