Archive for the ‘Bhutan’ Category

Bhutan Map

Bhutan Visa

• Once you confirm your trip with us by sending the trip payment, we will then process your visa clearance and for everyone in the group which will then normally take 2 working days.

• Once the visa clearance has been approved, we will send you a copy of it via email, which you will need to bring along with you to display in the immigration counter and also to the Druk Air check in counter.

Visa Clearance Requirement

• Photo Copy of the passport details via email.
• Recent passport size photo via email

Following are a range of itineraries to meet the needs of most “independent travelers”. But if you would like us to provide a tailor made itinerary with your own dates to meet your requirements then just complete the Private Journey Form here giving us an outline of your thoughts, or just asking us to contact you and we’ll plan something together.

Also please note that any of the trips mentioned in the website can be arranged for your independent private trip.

5 Day Glimpses of Bhutan

10 Day Festival Trip to Bhutan

RAVEN’S 9 day Druk Path Trek

RAVEN’S 12 Day Jumolhari Trek

We have designed a range of itineraries by carefully taking in mind those “visitors wishing to come in any months of the year” to experience the unique cultures, festivals and to see remarkable terraces and stunning colours which combine to form a beautifully picturesque landscape.

However if you would like us to provide a tailor made itinerary with your own dates to meet your requirements then just complete the Featured Trip Form here ,giving us an outline of your thoughts, or just asking us to contact you and we’ll plan something together

Also please note that any of the trips mentioned in the website can be arranged for your independent private trip.

Raven’s 7 Day Trip to Bhutan, 2010

Raven’s 10 Day Himalayan Discovery, 2010

14 Day Wild East West Trip to Bhutan, 2010

Raven’s 11 Day Thousand Lakes Trek, 2010

Raven’s 7 Day Bicycling Trip to Bhutan, 2010

Raven’s Small Group Trip is an ideal tour for “those who would like to come as a small group or be a part of a small group”.

We have designed a range of itineraries which can meet your expectations of experiencing unique cultures, festivals and to see remarkable terraces and stunning colours which combine to form a beautifully picturesque landscape.

However if you would like us to provide a tailor made itinerary with your own dates to meet your requirements then just complete the Small Group Journey Form here,giving us an outline of your thoughts, or just asking us to contact you and we’ll plan something together

Also please note that any of the trips mentioned in the website can be arranged for your needs.

7 Day Explore Bhutan with Raven

10 Day Central Bhutan Trip

10 Day Festival Trip to Bhutan

9 Day Druk Path Trek

FOLLOWING ARE THE HOTELS WHICH WE USE ACROSS THE COUNTRY

IN THIMPHU

IN PARO

IN PUNAKHA

IN GANGTEY

IN TRONGSA

IN BUMTHANG

IN MONGAR

IN PHUENSTHOLING

Hidden deep in the folds of the greater Himalaya mountains for years. Bhutan developed its own civilization. Living in close harmony with nature, evolved a unique identity, derived largely from a rich religious and cultural heritage. Today, the world is seeing many exotic aspects of this kingdom.

Located in the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, the kingdom is landlocked between the two great Asian civilizations, Tibet (China) to the north and the Indian States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim & West Bengal in the East, West, & South.

POPULATION OF BHUTAN

These are the latest figures revealed by the Population and Housing Census Report.

Bhutan has a small population but variety of people that makes up the country. People known as Drukpas and stone tools suggest that Bhutan was inhabited since 2000 B.C.

CURRENCY
The Bhutanese currency is called NGULTRUM, and is at par with the Indian Rupee-BOTH are used in Bhutan.

1NU (Ngultrum) = 100 CH (Cheltrums)

1NU (Ngultrum) = 1Rupee (Indian)

$US1 = 48 Nu (Approx)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Bhutan is well connected and every town has IDD services.

INTERNET Cafes are available in most towns.

Cell/MOBILE phones can be used, provided they have a GSM 900 specification.

TIME DIFFERENCE
Bhutan has ONE time zone for the whole country. It is 6. Hours ahead of GMT (+6GMT)

ACCOMMODATION
Visitors are accommodated in Hotels and Resorts of 3 to 4 star category. However on visitors interest and request we provide accommodation in 5 star and other luxurious hotels for extra charges.

TOBACCO IMPORT- CUSTOMS
The sale of cigarettes and any other tobacco related products are forbidden in Bhutan.
For personal use, visitors are permitted to bring 200 cigarettes (10 packets) into the country on payment of 200% duty.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
With a National Policy and any Law to always maintain 6% of the country under forest cover, it is not surprising that the Bhutan countryside is will protected and in pristine form. Approximately 9% of the land falls into biological corridors where wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves flourish under such protected conditions.

CULTURES and TRADITIONS
Bhutan’s unique cultural heritage has remained intact and untarnished over the centuries, and today, one can witness many of those cultural traditions as they are practiced on a daily basis. They continue to have tremendous value and significance in the life of the people of this remarkable nation.

PEOPLE
There are 19 Languages spoken in Bhutan, and yet in spite of such linguistic diversity, there is a common denominator of fun loving, friendly, and good-natured people. They represent a warmth that is unique- a warmth that embraces all who visit the country.

Climate: The climate varies, hot subtropical climate in the south to cold alpine slopes in the north. Human settlement is confined mostly to interior river valleys and a swath of southern plains; nomads and other tribes live in the north, raising sheep, cattle and yaks.
SPRING: March-May
SUMMER: June-August
AUTUMN: September-November
WINTER: December-February
Bhutan experiences total annual rainfall of above 2000mm to as low as 1000mm. Permanent snow line is found above 4800m, 15840ft. The mean monthly temperature varies and the maximum temperature goes up to 35 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature goes as low as -1.4 degree Celsius.

Topography
Its physical geography consists mostly of steep and high mountains with a network of swift rivers, which form deep valleys before draining into the Indian plains. The land rises with three broad categories of Himalayas.

1. The Sub Himalayas: It ranges from 200m, 660ft to 2000m, 6600ft above sea level. Average width is of 50kms.
2. The Inner Himalayas: It ranges from 2001m, 6603ft to 4000m, 13200ft above sea level. Average width is of 70kms. It is marked by five major river systems, by flat mid Himalayan river valleys (Paro, Haa, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue and Bumthang). Between the valleys mountains rise to great heights and many mountain pass are found in the inner Himalayas (Dagala, Dochula, Pelela, Thrumsengla…).

People of Bhutan can be grouped into five broad divisions.

1. • The Northern region: People of north are popularly known as Bjops. Found in Laya, Lingshi and Lunana. They speak slight variation of Dzongkha. They are Yak herders by occupation and they have a standard Bhutanese dress but women from Laya retain their distinctive dress.
   • The Western region: People of west are popularly known as Ngalong. Found in the valleys of Ha, Paro, Thimphu , Punakha and Wangdue.They are the migrants from Tibet . They speak slight variation of Dzongkha. It is the rice growing regions.
   • The Central region: It comprises of part of Wangdue, whole of Trongsa, Bumthang, Zhemgang and part of Kurtoe.They speak a different language belonging to Bumthang group.  They too are rice growing regions. They herd yaks and sheep and also produce special products from bamboo, yaks and sheep.
   • The Eastern region: They are known as Sharchops (people who live in the eastern side). The area comprises of Mongar, Trashigang, Pemagatshel ans Samdrup jongkhar. They refer to Tshangla speaking people which are spoken beyond the border of Bhutan in the Dirang district of Arunachal Pradesh ( India ). Sharchops shares a close cultural and linguistic affinity with the people of northern Burma and northern Laos . They cultivate maize and rear livestock. Special products that they produce are wood products and silk textile.

Bhutanese Food

Rice is the staple food but Bhutanese are very fond of meat, especially dried meat. Pork, beef, chicken, and fish are served with chillies, a ubiquitous and fiery part of every dish.

Change and Challenges

It is inevitable that Bhutan is changing. Three decades of development have had a dramatic impact on the kingdom.

A comprehensive network of roads, schools and hospitals reaching their services to the people, a modern telecommunication system, increasing contact with international community, urbanization, and a growing private sector cannot but bring change.

Bhutan has long decided that economic achievement is no replacement for its unique national identity. In the past, the kingdom fought aggression, in different forms, to safeguard its interests, its priorities, and its identity. The future will be no different.

• Foreign language speaking guide supplement other than English FIT/ GROUP = USD 70 per day.

All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Accommodation in Tourist Standard Hotels (equivalent to 3 or 4 Star) approved by Tourism Council of Bhutan and Hotel Association of Bhutan.

Experienced English Speaking Tour Guide licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Private transport within Bhutan (Toyota coach / Tucson / Santafe / Land cruiser / Prado) as per itinerary.

Museum & Monuments entrance fee.

Mineral water.

Airport assistance (Pick/Drop).

Riding ponies and pack animals on treks.

Cooks (professional) and staff (experienced) on treks.

Tents (high quality from Bangkok) and other equipments on treks.

Government Royalty

Tourism Development Fund

Service not included are as follows:

• Visa fee USD 20 Per Person.
• Bank fee = USD 25 only.
• Air ticket cost
• Gratuities, bar bills, telephone bills, personal expenses and laundry.
• Travel Insurance