Time: Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and there is only one time zone throughout the country.

Health: Before embarking on a trip to Bhutan, please seek advice from your doctor about vaccinations and appropriate medication you should have prior to your travels. As a minimum you should have tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A inoculations

Money: Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.). The Ngultrum is fixed to the value of Indian rupees. You are advised to carry your money in the form of traveller’s checks (preferably American Express) and cash (US dollars would be best), which might be used for incidental purchases/expenses. There are bank branches in all major towns.  A few hotels and shops in Thimphu accept payment by credit card, but with a surcharge added. Visas cards are more widely accepted than MasterCard or American Express. Daily expenditure varies from person to person, but in general you should allow US$5-10 daily for laundry, drinks, phone calls overseas, small souvenirs, postcards, and stamps.

ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) are not available. The government has issued a notification to banks to remove ATMs by the end of 2022 as these machines have become redundant due to the gaining popularity of digital transactions in the country.

Visitors can bring cash equivalent up to USD 10,000

Electricity: In Bhutan, electricity runs on 220/240 volts, with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets.  If you bring electrical appliances, also pack appropriate adapter plugs. In Thimphu electrical appliance shops stock adapter plugs, but they are unlikely to be available elsewhere.

Communications: Most of the major towns and cities in Bhutan are equipped with basic communication facilities that include telephone, fax, and internet service. Most of the bigger hotels provide email, internet and WiFi facilities within the hotel premises. Visitors can get a sim card from visitor information centres on arrival, branch offices of Bhutan Telecom and Tashi Cell or from authorized agents in towns.

Accommodation: There are comfortable hotels, lodges, and guesthouses at our tourist destinations.  Hotels in western Bhutan are better appointed, while accommodation establishments in the central and eastern part of the country are more modest, with fewer amenities.  The hotels are categorized as 3 stars, 4 stars and 5 stars.

Alms giving: The giving of alms to mendicants and holy men in the vicinity of markets and outside temples is an accepted practice.  In exchange for your contribution of a small coin, a prayer will be intoned for you.  Take your cue from the Bhutanese on such occasions and, when in doubt, ask your guide what the appropriate thing would be to do.

Climate: The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the eastern region of the country is warmer than the central valleys.   However, bear in mind that the higher the altitude, the cooler the weather, and that with a brisk wind blowing down off the mountains, even a low-lying valley can become quite chilly.

The central valleys of Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuentse enjoy a semi-tropical climate with cool winters, whilst Paro, Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with summer monsoon rains and winter snowfalls which may block passes leading into the central valley’s for days at a time.  Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November till mid-March, and at this time of the year the climate is dry and sunny for the most part, temperatures peaking at around 15 degree centigrade in the daytime and falling below zero at night.  The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with light rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings.  At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly arrives, and is a magnificent season for trekking until November.