Getting There    Visa Application    Weather    Travel Tips

Drukair (the national airline) limits your luggage to 20 kg (44 lbs) or 30 kg (66 lbs) if you are travelling on business class. You should try and keep to this allowance to avoid additional luggage charges. Even if you are willing to pay for excess baggage, your extra luggage will be listed as standby, and therefore may not make the same flight. The less you carry, the better. One small suitcase and an even smaller carry-on are best. There is not much room for overhead storage in the cabin.

What to Bring

Comfortable casual clothes are great, but you may want to bring one outfit of some semi-formal clothes (jacket and tie for men, dresses for women) just in case you are invited to a Bhutanese home for a social function. Thimphu and other towns in Bhutan have a small-town atmosphere, and you might easily find yourself in the company of a high government official. Many of our guests have been invited to big social functions or get to meet with government officers. If you have scheduled your trip during a festival, you definitely should carry a set of dressy clothing. Bhutanese people dress quite formally at these occasions, and dirty jeans just do not fit-in.

Even in the summer, it can be cool in Bhutan, and it is very cold in winter. Days can be quite warm, especially in the lowlands of Punakha and Phuentsholing, and you could start off driving in the cold of dawn and become uncomfortable mid-morning. Use the layering system, starting with thermal underwear and adding a shirt, pile jacket, and wind-breaker (or parka) as necessary. If you are not trekking, you will need:

·        Long underwear (for cold weather from November to March)

·        Cotton trousers 

·        Cotton skirt for women (at least one) 

·        Pile jacket or sweater - even in summer 

·        Down jacket - in winter; not needed in summer 

·        T-shirts or short sleeved cotton shirts (not sleeveless) 

·        Sturdy sneakers or walking shoes

·        Sandals or flip-flops 

·        Rain jacket (Gore-Tex or similar quality), otherwise a poncho or nylon jacket 

·        Dress-up clothes for festivals or special functions 

·        Sun hat and sunscreen

You probably won't need bug repellent, but if you do, a small bottle of liquid drops is best

All hotels provide sheets, blankets or quilt, and a pillow. Unless you are trekking, you won't need to carry a sleeping bag. Hotels provide heating in winter; either an electric heater or a wood stove, which will keep you quite warm.

You will be outside a lot, much of the time at altitudes above 2,500 m (7,800 ft), so there is plenty of sun and wind. Bring a supply of sun cream and lip protection, such as Blistex; these items are not readily available in Bhutan.

Essential Extras

A folding umbrella; especially if travelling during the monsoons of mid June to late September. Rain is possible any time, and is almost certain from June through August.

Be sure to carry ear plugs (and spares) for when you sleep. There are a lot of dogs in Bhutan which will bark at night.  The severity of the barking will depend on where you are staying and your general proximity to town.

There are occasional electric outages throughout the country; so you should always keep a torch (flashlight) beside your bed.

Make sure you bring a pair of good sunglasses for eye protection, especially in the high altitudes.

A Swiss-style army knife is a good thing to bring, but with the recent concerns over air travel, you may want to bring a folding utility tool such as a Leatherman and make sure to put it in you check-in luggage.

Bring a small alarm clock if you would like to wake up a bit early. Not all hotel rooms have telephones or a wake-up service. Our guides will make sure you do not miss or are late for anythin

A conversion plug for any hairdryers, shavers, chargers, or other personal items is recommended so that you can utilize local electrical outlets.

Packing

If you are on a cultural tour, it's okay to bring a hard suitcase, though a soft bag is more versatile and easier to pack into the luggage space of a vehicle. For those trekking in Bhutan, a strong duffel bag as luggage is best. You will also want a small rucksack (backpack) or waist pack to carry your camera, water bottle, and other essentials in the vehicle and when you are walking around town or visiting monuments.

Pre-departure Information

Once your tour or trek in Bhutan is confirmed, we will provide you with all the pre-departure information and other details you may desire to help you prepare for you tour/trek in Bhutan.

Electricity 

230-240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. The current is variable.

Credit Cards/Money

American Express, MasterCard, and VISA are accepted in a few shops, but should not be relied upon.  Traveler’s checks are accepted by banks and some shops.   Otherwise, currently there is no ATM in the country which works with outside bank debit or credit cards, so please be sure to bring enough cash and/or traveler's checks for your journey.

Photography 

Carry plenty of film and batteries.   Many photo shops in Bhutan do not sell equipment or accessories.

Telephone System 

Telecommunications facilities are available in most populated areas, although the quality of the connection may vary.  Wireless service has been available since 2003 and works in many areas throughout the country.  You will need a Bhutan SIM card to use your mobile phone here, which can be purchased upon your arrival.

Internet 

Internet facilities are available in the major cities and in some of the smaller towns, although it is generally provided via a dial-up connection which results in a slow to very slow connection.  Higher speed connections are sometimes available, although not readily.