Buying snow Thimphu

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Buying snow Thimphu

This tiny Himalayan kingdom does things differently. Having only been open to visitors for 45 years, Bhutan puts its environment, culture and well-being ahead of economics. This place absorbs more carbon than it creates and a Bhutan tour is perfect for trekkers, nature lovers and Buddhist pilgrims. Bhutan Discovered. Since opening up to travelers in , Bhutan has seen visitor numbers rise from just a couple of hundred to upwards of , The appeal is obvious: pristine alpine landscapes, magnificent Buddhist architecture, and an air of mystery that pulls travelers in, not to mention the much-discussed Gross National Happiness used to measure national well-being, which is prioritized over GDP. Bhutan is the only country in the world to be carbon negative. Since the country has been run by a democratic government, with three separate parties having won the three national elections. Approximately 75 percent of the population are Buddhist and these religious values are used to guide government policy along with prioritizing sustainability and cultural preservation. The yellow represents the king and his secular power, while the orange represents Buddhism. The dragon holds jewels in each of his claws, representing the wealth of the nation. A wealth of tradition, of culture, of history. A wealth of beauty, of happiness, of prosperity. What will be interesting is how Bhutan manages to balance its age-old traditions with its quickening march toward modernity. As one of the few countries in the world to have never been conquered or occupied by another, Bhutan has a long history of independent governance. Although its early history is shrouded in mystery, Bhutan is thought to have been inhabited from as early as BC. Tibetan Buddhism was introduced into the region around the 9th century, when many Tibetans fled neighboring Tibet to seek refuge in Bhutan. The 16th and 17th centuries saw some conflict with Tibet, although Bhutan was never officially taken over by its neighbor. External threats from the British presented themselves in the 18th and 19th centuries; however, once again Bhutan was never officially controlled or governed by an external power. Bhutan introduced a new monetary system and currency in and also opened up its borders to welcome foreign tourists in the same year. By , Bhutan had its first television set and internet cafe, and by Bhutan became the first country in the world to ban the sale of tobacco products. It has held two democratic elections since. Vegetarians will find traveling through Bhutan easy as meat does not play a huge part in the Bhutanese diet. Vegans may have a more difficult time as dishes will often come with cheese. Be sure to ask that your dish is prepared without butter or cheese. Sharing borders with China and India, Bhutan is known as 'The Switzerland of Asia' for its mountainous topography and similarity to Swiss landscapes. Bhutan has largely resisted overdevelopment, which has left much of its natural environment intact. As a result of this, Bhutan is one of the most species-rich countries in the world — with hundreds of species of mammals, birds, and plants calling the Bhutanese valleys, mountains, and meadows home. Endangered red pandas and snow leopards can be found in Bhutan as well as a huge variety of wildflowers and birds. The country can be divided into three areas. This region sees monsoonal rains from June to mid-October and mild winters through December, January, and February. Travel north and the climate becomes progressively colder as the Himalayas rise. In the northern regions, as the Himalayas rise above feet meters , the winters are cold and while the summer can be warm, the valleys are generally protected against monsoonal rain. It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country. Australia and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws. Bhutan's festival calendar is packed with colorful occasions filled with celebrations and dancing. The people of Paro welcome the start of spring with five days of cultural and spiritual celebration. Locals shake off the winter blues by indulging in sword dancing, drumming, and feasting. This three-day festival is meant to be highly auspicious to all who attend. Bhutanese people travel from all over to attend this spiritual celebration that features prayers and rituals to invoke the gods as well as traditional dance, costume, and theatre. Bhutan experiences monsoonal weather between June and August and consequently is not a particularly pleasant time to visit the country. The best times to visit are the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November, with the later months being particularly pleasant as rainfall is lower and the views tend to be clearer. December to February sees snowfall in many areas but it can be a beautiful time to visit thanks to the snow covering the mountainous landscape. Yes, it is safe to visit Bhutan. The crime rate in Bhutan is low although petty crime does happen. Travelers should be alert and keep an eye on their belongings, particularly in crowded or well-touristed areas. If you are visiting high-altitude areas be sure to discuss altitude sickness with a doctor and plan accordingly. Flooding and landslides occur during the monsoon period June—September so follow local advice and check with your tour operator for disruptions. All nationalities require a visa for Bhutan and, at this stage, travelers can only enter as part of a group visa on a tour. Independent visas are not issued and the cost of the visa is included in your tour. If you are traveling with Intrepid, please provide your booking agent with the following information for us to apply for your group visa:. Due to the controlled nature of travel in Bhutan, the group visa can only be submitted once we have the above details from ALL travelers in the group. Failure to advise any of the information above can slow the visa-issuing process and delay the visa for the whole group. Visas are generally issued within 5 days of departure and as close as 48 hours prior to travel into the country. We will send your group visa to your traveling email address. Please print this visa and carry it with you as you will need it at the time of boarding your Bhutan flight. You must show the copy of your Bhutan group visa at the check-in for your flight to Bhutan and on arrival at immigration in Bhutan where you will have a Bhutan entry stamp placed into your passport. Most hotels and restaurants will include a service fee in the final bill. Your local leader may discuss the idea of running a group tipping kitty on the first day of your trip. In a group tipping kitty, everybody contributes an equal amount at the start of the tour that your leader uses to tip drivers, local guides, and hotel staff on your behalf. The leader will keep a running record of all monies spent, which can be checked at any time. Any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassle of needing small change and knowing when and what is an appropriate amount to tip. Participation in this kitty is optional, and you are welcome to manage your own tipping separately if you prefer. Please note the tipping kitty excludes tips for your tour leader. If you plan on using your cell phone in Bhutan be sure to activate global roaming and check charges with your provider before you leave home. If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase a local SIM on arrival. The best coverage is with B-Mobile, while Tashi Cell has similar costs but more limited coverage. Please note that coverage will be limited in more remote areas. You will have to adjust to different standards of hygiene and sanitation while in Bhutan. Squat toilets are the norm across the country, which may take some getting used to, though Western-style, flushable toilets can be found in large hotels and some tourist areas. Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Bhutan. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water and fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating. Credit cards are accepted are large hotels and the bigger stores but a heavy surcharge often applies. Keep in mind that tours in Bhutan are fully prepaid and include all meals and transport, so your only spending money should be for souvenirs, snacks and drinks. If you are traveling outside of the main cities be sure to carry cash to cover small purchases. This summer period, from June—August, also sees the monsoonal rains arrive. The nearby city of Paro experiences a similar climate. The city of Punakha, which is located at feet meters , has a warmer climate than Thimphu. Because of the mountainous terrain, the rains here generally affect the southern side while the valleys experience less intense rainfall. Bhutan, like most Asian countries, is not particularly appreciative of public displays of affection regardless of sexual orientation. If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. A single supplement is available on some tours for travelers who do not wish to share a room. Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. Traveling through Bhutan is difficult for those with physical disabilities. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be. In the summertime, lightweight clothing is best along with a raincoat, as well as a jumper for the evening. You may add warmer clothes if heading into the higher reaches of the Himalayas, including a beanie, gloves, scarf, and down jacket. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey. For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information. Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation. Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief. World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas — giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles — specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions — to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation. Our Bhutan trips. Search similar trips. Add to my wishlist. Premium Bhutan. Hike the Trans Bhutan Trail. Build your dream adventure. Let's create an exclusive trip for your group. Explore Tailor-Made trips. Bhutan tour reviews 4. Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details. Filter by rating. Page 1 of Articles of Bhutan. Learn more about Bhutan Culture and Customs. Culture and Customs. History and government. Early history As one of the few countries in the world to have never been conquered or occupied by another, Bhutan has a long history of independent governance. Eating and drinking. A few dishes to look out for Ema datshi These are very hot chilies served in a cheese sauce. Phak sha pa Sliced pork stewed using red chili, onion, tomato, ginger and sliced radish. It has a nutty flavor and is typically paired with mushrooms and chilli. Momos These Tibetan dumplings are filled with meat, cheese or vegetables and are generally served up as a snack. Never say to no-no to a Momo. Not only does he make Swiss cheese, he also produces this hefeweizen beer. Plant-based options Vegetarians will find traveling through Bhutan easy as meat does not play a huge part in the Bhutanese diet. Geography and environment. Hand-woven fabric Traditional weaving is at its very best in Bhutan. Spiritual souvenirs Vibrant prayer flags, fragrant incense, and prayer beads make meaningful gifts for friends and family back home. Festival and events. Paro Spring Festival Paro Tshechu The people of Paro welcome the start of spring with five days of cultural and spiritual celebration. Thimphu Festival Thimphu Tschechu This three-day festival is meant to be highly auspicious to all who attend. Further reading. Sangay Wangchuk. Is it safe to visit Bhutan? Do I need a visa to travel to Bhutan? Is tipping customary in Bhutan? What is the internet access like in Bhutan? Can I use my cell phone while in Bhutan? What are the toilets like in Bhutan? Can I drink the water in Bhutan? Are credit cards widely accepted in Bhutan? What is ATM access like in Bhutan? What is the weather like in Bhutan? Is Bhutan accessible for travelers with disabilities? What to wear in Bhutan. Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling? How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling? Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travelers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure: From Australia? Go to: Smart Traveller From Canada? Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation? Eden Reforestation Projects Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas — giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. We're here to do good by creating positive change through the joy of travel. Our purpose.