Introduction
“Land of the Thunder Dragon”.
Area: 46,500 sq.km.
A landlocked country
“Land of the Thunder Dragon”.
The kingdom is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth and the only Vajrayana (Thunderbolt ) Buddhism country kingdom in the world. The legends called it Druk Yul because of the violent and large thunderstorms that whip down through the valleys from the Himalayas
The Druk is the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology
Dzongkha, the national language is the only language with a native literary tradition in
Bhutan, though Lepcha and Nepali are literary languages in other countries.
Capital city- Thimpu
Dzongkha
With 209,570 tourists, including regional tourists, visiting the country, Bhutan recorded the highest tourist arrivals last year.
This is an increase of 35 % over the previous high of 16 % in 2015.
In general, visitors tend to prefer spring (March, April, and May) and autumn (September, October, and November) season.
Nestled in Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is the most famous travel destination.
Also known as ‘Last Shangri-la’.
Picturesque village to colorful monasteries perched on cliffs.
Packed by cultural and natural treasures.
Things to do in Bhutan
Festivals
Trekking
Enjoy Nature and landscape
Experience Adventure
Get Spiritual
Bhutanese Cuisines and Cultures
Important tourist destination
Western Bhutan- includes Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha, and Gasa
Central Bhutan- Bumthang, Jakar, Trongsa, Gelephu, Sarpang, Zhemgang, The Burning Lake
Eastern Bhutan- Trashigang, Trashigangtse, Mongar, Lhuntse, Khoma The village, Samdrup Jhonkhar,
Radhi Village, Gangzur Village, Pemagatshel Dhongkhag .
THIMPHU
Home to approximately 100,000 inhabitants including the Royal family
This the bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion, and government in the country.
Major attractions:
The capital city is probably the most popular choice for shopaholics. The main street of Norzin Lam is filled with shops selling various items – souvenirs, woolen clothes, crafts, and local wine. Although slightly expensive, some things are worth buying there if you’re not going further till Bumthang.
Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimphu
The Buddha Dordenma Statue is a 169 feet tall statue of Buddha, built at the foot of the hills in Thimphu. This iconic gold and bronze statue is visible from almost anywhere in Thimphu and is among the popular Bhutan tourist places.
PARO
Paro is a valley town in Bhutan, west of the capital, Thimphu. It is the site of the country’s only international airport and is also known for the many sacred sites in the area. North of town, the Taktsang Palphug (Tiger’s Nest) monastery clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Northwest of here are the remains of a defensive fortress, Drukgyel Dzong, dating from the 17th century.
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN PARO
Taktsang Palphug Monastery
Chele La Pass
Rinpung Dzong
National Museum
Kyichu Lhakhang
Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge
Drukgyel Dzong
Dzongdrakha Temple-
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche-
Rinpung Dzong, Paro
Rinpung Dzong is a beautiful dzong (fort), with towering walls, built in the
16th century. Known as the Fortress on a Heap of Jewels, Rinpung Dzong is among the best tourist places in Bhutan and a classic example of Bhutanese architecture and deep-rooted traditions.
Tiger’s Nest, Paro
Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Monastery is one of the
most popular Bhutan tourist places in Paro, known
for the beautiful and the sacred monastery of guru
Rinpoche. It is considered as a place of pilgrimage
and is an easy half trek, which gives you the
panoramic views of the Paro valleys.
PUNAKHA
Punakha is a town in the Himalayas of Bhutan. It's known for the Punakha
Dzong, a 17th-century fortress at the juncture of the Pho and Mo Chhu
rivers. The fortress hosts the Punakha Tshechu, a religious festival
featuring masked dances and music. In the surrounding Punakha Valley,
temples include the fertility-focused Chimi Lhakhang and the hilltop
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which has a river and mountain views.
PHUNTSHOLING
Phuntsholing, also spelled as Phuentsholing is a border town in southern
Bhutan and is the administrative seat of the Chukha District. The town
occupies parts of both Phuentsholing Gewog and Sampheling Gewog.
Phuentsholing adjoins the Indian town of Jaigaon, and cross-border trade
has resulted in a thriving local economy. The town has the headquarters of
the Bank of Bhutan previously but shifted to Thimphu. In 2005,
Phuentsholing had a population of 20,537.
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN BHUTAN
Ancient The ruin of Drukgyel Dzong (2012)
Dzongs: the center of temporal and religious authorities (Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Paro Dzong, Trongsa Dzong, and Dagana Dzong) (2012)
Sacred Sites associated with Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his descendants (2012)
Tamzhing Monastery (2012)
Royal Manas National Park (RMNP) (2012)
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) (2012)
Bundling Wildlife Sanctuary (2012)
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) (2012)
Ancient Ruin of Drukgyel Dzong (2012)
Since its construction in 1649, Drukgyel Dzong had been served as an important base for defense in the region until 1951 when it was destroyed by fire.
Even after the destruction, the ruins of the Dzong continued to be protected as an important monument linking the people of Bhutan with the great events that contributed to maintaining the sovereignty of the country.
Dzongs: the center of temporal and religious authorities (2012
Punakha Dzong
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Paro Dzong,
Trongsa Dzong and Dagana Dzong)
Tamzhing Monastery (2012)
The Temple was built by Pema Lingpa in 1501, situated in Bumthang District in central Bhutan.
Manas national park
Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a national park,
UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant
reserve, and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India. Located in the Himalayan
foothills, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.
The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as
the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, and pygmy hog.
Manas is famous for its population of the wild water buffalo.
Jigme Dorji National Park (JDNP) (2012)
It was established in 1974 and stretches over an area of
4316 km², the second-largest N.P, It occupies almost the
entire Gasa District, as well as the northern areas
of Thimphu District, Paro District, Punakha, and Wangdue
Phodrang Districts.
Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (2012)
The Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (also spelled Bumdelling or Bomdeling), which contains the former Kulong Chu
Wildlife Sanctuary covers 1,520.61 square kilometers (587.11 sq mi) in
northeastern Bhutan at elevations between 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) and
6,000 metres (20,000 ft). The sanctuary covers most of Trashiyangtse
District, including Bumdeling Gewog.
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) (2012)
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the easternmost part of the country in Trashigang Dzongkhag. It encompasses a total area of 740.60 square kilometers covering almost three fourth of Merak and Sakteng gewogs under Trashigang Dzongkhag and part of Lauri geog under Samdrupjonkhar Dzongkhag.
Transport in BHUTAN
Comprises approximately 8,000 kilometers (5,000 mi) of roads and four airports, out of which 3 are operational and interconnected.
Paro Airport is the only airport that serves international flights.
As part of Bhutan's infrastructure and modernization programs, its road the system has been under development since the 1960s.
There are no railways, although one is planned, and as Bhutan is a landlocked country without major waterways, there are no ports.
Chomolhari
Chomolhari is among the popular Bhutan tourist spots, most popular for
its treks. Chomolhari Trek, starting at Paro, is one of the most challenging
treks of Bhutan. With the altitude going about 5,000 meters, it is
enchanting and rewards the trekkers with blissful views after a difficult
trek. The trek is truly for the adventure enthusiasts and spans between 7 –
15 days on average.
Trongsa
Trongsa, previously Tongsa, is a town and capital of Trongsa District in
central Bhutan. The name means "new village" in Dzongkha. The first
Temple was built in 1543 by the Drukpa lama Ngagi Wangchuk, who was
the great-grandfather of Ngawang Namgyal, Zhabdrung Rinpoche, the
unifier of Bhutan.
Jakar
Jakar is a town in the central-eastern region of Bhutan. It is the district
capital of Bumthang District and the location of Jakar Dzong, the regional
dzong fortress. The name Jakar roughly translates as "white bird" in
reference to its foundation myth, according to which a roosting white bird
signaled the proper and auspicious location to found a monastery around
1549.
Dochula Pass
Dochula Pass is a beautiful pass consisting of 108 Chortens or Stupas,
built-in the memory of the Bhutanese soldiers who died in a war against
the insurgents from India. The beautifully built temple and stupas, with
the picturesque Gangkar Puensum peak in the background makes the
Dochula Pass one of the best tourist places in Bhutan.
Phobjikha Valley, Phobjikha
Phobjikha is a small town in the central part of Bhutan. Like many other
beautiful places to see in Bhutan, Phobjikha is bestowed with valleys and
is surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. The place is known for its
beautiful landscapes and passes and a day’s hike will take you through the
town and the woods.
Travel formalities
With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, all other visitors to Bhutan need a visa.
Indian, Bangladeshis, and Maldivian nationals can obtain a visa at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6-month validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).
At your point of entry, you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Visas for Bhutan are issued only when you arrive in the country, either at Paro airport or (if entering by road) at Phuentsholing, Gelephu, or Samdrup Jongkhar.
You must apply in advance through a tour operator and receive visa approval before tourists travel to Bhutan.
All applications for tourist visas must be initialized by a Bhutanese tour operator and are approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu.
For Indian Citizen
Permits: There are 02 types of PERMIT.
Entry Permit: While entering Bhutan, tourists have to get the Entry Permit which can be procured at the entry point either in Paro airport (when traveling by flight) or in Phuentsholing Bhutan (when traveling overland either from Bagdogra or NJP).
Entry permits cannot be made in advance as physical appearance is required at the immigration office. The entry permit is also a valid document to visit Thimphu and Paro.
Route Permit: If a tourist chooses your Itinerary to visit places (Punakha, Wangdue, Bumthang, etc) beyond Paro and Thimphu, you need to have a Route Permit.
We need the scanned copy of either your passport or Voter ID card to make your Route Permit in advance. Route permit will ONLY be made in Thimphu on the working days between 09.00 – 11.00 hrs.
Travel Documents Required With Presence of the Guest
Valid Indian passport (above 6 months validity) or Voters Identity Card (anyone) is a must for 18 years and above.
Child below 5 years (Birth certificate is required).
Child between 6 – 17 years academic School Identity Card is required.
04 recent passport size photographs for each guest.
Bhutan Entry Permit:
Passport is stamped. Tourists will not be allowed to leave the country without stamping the exit on it.
Voter ID Card: For Bhutan, entry permits are issued separately on papers after verifying the Voter ID card.
This document must be carried while traveling & taking an interpoint connection. Tourists are also advised to make a photocopy of the paper permit and keep it in safe custody as you will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering this paper permit in the original. This permit is also required to make the pink permit for visiting any other area other than Thimphu & Paro.
Exiting Bhutan by Flight:
Declaration form for Departing Passengers (Blue Form): You are required to fill it and submit at the immigration counter along with the entry permit (original copy) and Embarkation card which is given to you while entering Bhutan.
Immigration Form (Yellow Form): You are required to fill up this immigration form (Yellow form) and this form has to be submitted at the immigration counter at the final port of Disembarkation, ie Bagdogra, Kolkata, Delhi, and another airport connected by Druk air in India.
Bhutan Entry Permit: This is the same Paper permit issued while entering Bhutan. You will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering this paper permit in the original.
Entering Bhutan by Surface:
Bhutan Entry permits are issued from the immigration office at Phuentsholing only on working day (Monday-Friday) excluding Saturday, Sunday & Bhutan national holidays.
Tourists can visit the immigration office along with your guide/driver at the Bhutan entry gate to obtain your Bhutan entry permit (personal presence is a must for obtaining the permit).
For the surface traveler, Bhutan entry permits are issued separately in papers after verifying the documents. This document must be carried while traveling and taking an inner point connection.
Tourists are also advised to make a photocopy of the paper permit and keep it in safe custody. As you will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering the pink permit for visiting any other area other than Thimphu & Paro.
While exiting from Phuentsholing you will have to provide the original entry permit which was given to you while entering Bhutan at the immigration office, Karbandi, which is 5 km before Phuentsholing.
Tourists is not allowed to leave the country without surrendering this paper permit in original, issued at Paro / Phuntsholing.
Fees and processing time
The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
TASHICHHO DZONG, NATIONAL MEMORIAL CHORTEN, BUDDHA DORMA STATUE, FOLK HERITAGE MUSEUM, THE CENTENARY FARMER’S MARKET, THE JUNGSHI PAPER FACTORY, THIMPHU TSHECHU.
NORZIN LAM STREET, THIMPHU
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