Traveling to Bhutan
Traveling to Bhutan
Bhutan Tour Companies, Tour cost, Hotels :
Traveling to Bhutan is made easy with lots of Bhutan tour operators to choose from. As of this writing there are more than 200 Bhutan travel companies operating tours, travel and treks in Bhutan.
Almost all of these travel companies are based in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
Some of the oldest and established tour companies in Bhutan are :
1. BTCL(Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd.)
2. Etho Metho Tours and Trek
3. Yangphel Tours
4. White Horse Tours
There are some tour companies providing specialized tour packages. One such Bhutanese tour company is Xplore Bhutan. They provide exceptional Trekking and Rafting/Kayaking tours.
By the Government of Bhutan rule, all tourists visiting Bhutan should come to the country through a registered tour company and not on their own. All visa/permit procedures are taken care of by the tour company after you have booked your tour with them. They will also take care of your tickets if you want them to do it for you.
Though there are hundreds of Bhutan Tour Companies, prices of tour packages to Bhutan costs just about the same, i.e $200 to $250 per day per person depending on the season. This price is government prescribed and it includes all your tourist hotel accomodation (on twin sharing basis), Tour Guides, food, travel and entry fees to musuems, heritage sites etc.
However, there are a few luxury travel companies in Bhutan which charge more than the government prescribed price if you book with them. One of these companies operating in Bhutan is the Amman group of resorts based in Singapore. They have luxury resorts in most parts of Bhutan and their prices range from US$500 to US$1000 per night per room. If you book your tour with your usual tour company and wish to stay in these resorts, you will have to pay more than the US$200 per day price.
As of this writing, Amman Resorts have resorts in the following places/Dzongkhags in Bhutan:
1. Thimphu
2. Paro (Head Quarters)
3. Punakha
4. Gangtey Gompa, Phobjikha
4. Bumthang
Entering and Leaving Bhutan :
Also by Government rule, you should atleast travel once by air (Druk Air - Royal Bhutan Airlines) when you travel to Bhutan. That means, if you decide to enter Bhutan by road from India through Phuntsholing, you should exit Bhutan via Air - Flying in Druk Air from Paro or if you want to visit India going by road from Bhutan after your visit to Bhutan, you should have entered Bhutan from Paro by Air.
Language - The Bhutanese Language
The official language of Bhutan is called “Dzongkha” and is spoken by everyone. Though there are many dialects in Bhutan, most people understand Dzongkha. Most people also have a working knowledge of the English language. Almost everyone in the western parts of Bhutan converse in Dzongkha. This language is hard to understand for a foreigner but if you take care to learn a few phrases, it becomes easy to understand. Some of the useful Dzongkha Language words/phrases are translated as follows:
Greetings:
1. Hello, Good Morning, Good Afternoon etc : “Kuzuzangpo” - ‘Ku Zu Zang Po’. “Ku Zu Zang Po La” if told in respect.
2. Thank You, Thanks : “Kadrinchhey” - “Ka Din Chhey” - ‘Ka Din Chhey La’ in respect.
From the above two phrases, you’d have noticed that putting “La” at the end of each sentence shows that you’re showing respect to the other person.
3. How are you? : “Ga Dhay Bey Yoed Go?” - “Ga Dhay Bey Yoed Go La?”
I am Fine : “Ley Shom Bey Yoed” - “Ley Shom Bey Yoed La”.
4. Where are you going?/Where do you want to go? : “Ga Tey Jo Ni Mo?” - “Ga Tey Jo Ni Mo La?”
I am going to town/I want to go to town : “Nga Throm Kha Jo Ni In”.
We are in the process of compiling a “English - Dzongkha Translation” for foreigners and tourists. So watch this spot in the future.
Food, Tour Guides
“Bhutanese food is very delicious, though a little hot” - is what most tourists say after they have eaten the food in Bhutan. They are right, Bhutanese food tend to be a little spicy, however, most tourist hotels in Bhutan cook food with the tourists in mind, result being less spices.
One of the Favorite Bhutanese Dish is the Ema Datsi (chilli and cheese). Your visit to Bhutan will be incomplete if you don’t try some of these delicious Bhutanese dishes.
As said before, traveling and trekking in Bhutan is easy. One reason being the tour guides provided by your tour company. Every tour company will provide a tour guide to a group of tourists, even if it’s only two tourists, they will provide a guide. All these tour guides are selected after undergoing a government tour guide training. They have above average knowledge of English though some of them are exceptionally good in speaking and understanding English.
Tipping is not mandatory in Bhutan, however, when you leave Bhutan, you should tip your guides judging his/her service.
Check out the other parts of this website for more information and tips on traveling to Bhutan.
If you need to ask questions or want to converse with Bhutanese people, visit Bhutan Live - The Bhutanese Community. Sign up and participate in the discussion forums.
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