Festival Dates 2024

SL #

FESTIVAL

PLACE

Date

1

Punakha Drubchen

Punakha Dzong, Punakha

16th -18th March

2

Punakha Tshechu

Punakha Dzong, Punakha

19th -21th March

3

Tharpaling Thongdrol

Tharpaling Lhakhang, Chumi, Bumthang

24th March

4

Gomphukora KoraFom Kora Lhakhang, Trashigang17th – 19 March

5

Talo Tshechu

Talo Gonpa, Punakha17th-19 March

6

Gasa Tshechu

Gasa Dzong, Gasa

17th-19 March

7

Zhemgang Tshechu
Zhemgang Dzong, Zhemgang
17th-19 March

8

Paro Tshechu
Rinpung Dzong, Paro
20th -24th March
(Thongdral on last day)

9

Chhorten Kora
Chorten Kora,
Trashiyangtshe
25th March & 8th April

10

Domkhar Tshechu
Domkhar, Chumni, Bumthang.
18th -20th April

11

Ura Yakchoe
Ura Lhakhang, Bumthang
20th -24th April

12

Nimalung Tshechu
Nimalung Dratshang,
Chumni, Bumthang
14th -16th June

13

Kurjey Tshechu
Kurjey Lhakhang,
Choekhor, Bumthang
16th June

14

Tour of the Dragon
(Mountain Bike
Race)
Bumthang to Thimphu
2nd Sept

15

Thimphu Drubchen
Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu
8th Sept

16

Wangdue Tshechu
Tencholing Army Ground,
Wangduephodrang.
11th -13th Sept

17

Tamshing Phala Chhoepa
Tamshing lhakhang,
Bumthang
13th -15th Sept

18

Thimphu Tshechu
Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu
12th -14th Sept

19

Gangtey Tshechu
Gangtey Gonpa,
Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang.
16th -18th Sept
(Thongdral on last day)

20

Thangbi Mani
Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor,
Bumthang
17th -19th Sept

21

Jhomolhari Mountain
Festival
Dangochong, Thimphu
14th -15th Oct

22

Chhukha Tshechu
Chhukha Dzong, Chhukha
10th -12th Oct

23

Jakar Tshechu
Jakar Dzong, Choekhor,
Bumthang.
10th -12th Oct

24

Jambay Lhakhang Drup
Jambay Lhakhang,
Choekhor, Bumthang
17th -21st Oct

25

Prakhar Duchhoed
Prakar Khakhang, Chumig,
Bumthang
18th -20th Oct

26

Dechenphu Tshechu
Dechenphu Lhakhang,
Thimphu
3rd Nov

27

Black Necked Crane Festival
Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha,
Wangduephodrang.
11th Nov

28

Mongar Tshechu
Mongar Dzong, Mongar
9th -11th Nov

29

Trashigang Tshechu
Trashigang Dzong,
Trashigang.
9th -11th Nov

30

Jambay Lhakhang Singye Cham
Jambay Lhakhang,
Choekhor, Bumthang
15th Nov

31

Pemagatshel Tshechu
Pemagatshel Dzong,
Pemagatshel.
9th -11th Nov
(Thongdral on last day)

32

Nalakhar Tshechu
Ngaa Lhakhang, Choekhor,
Bumthang
15th -17th Nov

33

Druk Wangyel Tshechu
Douchula,
Thimphu
13th Dec

34

Trongsa Tshechu
Trongsa Dzong,
Trongsa
8th -10th Dec
(Thongdral on last day)

35

Lhuentse Tshechu
Lhuentse Dzong,
Lhuentse
8th -10th Dec
(Thongdral on last day)

36

Nabji Lhakhang Drup
Nabji Lhakhang, Nabji,
Trongsa
15th-16th Dec

37

Samdrupjongkhar Tshechu
Samdrjupjongkhar
13th -15th Dec

NOTE:

Religious festival dates are tentative so please confirm with us prior to confirming your holiday plan.

Visa to Bhutan

General Informations

  • Bank transfer charges of USD 50 per group and visa fee of USD 40 to be paid
  • Accommodation is generally arranged in 3 start (***) hotels approved by TCB in twin sharing rooms
  • Cost do not include – air fares, beverages, personal expenditures, travel insurance, excess baggage, tips to guides and drivers, services not mentioned and airport taxes if any.

Visa

  • Every vistiors to Bhutan reqires a tourist visa. Exception are India and Bangladesh passports holders.
  • Visas are only issued to tourists whom booked tour packages with local tour operators, directly or through a foreign travel agent.
  • Visa application is submitted by tour operator on behalf of visitors.
  • Visa is issued by Tourism Council of Bhutan in Thimphu, Bhutan.
  • The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan and this must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.

Daily Tariffs

The minimum tariff for tourist visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:

  • High Season Tariff: USD 250 per person per night halt (March, April, May, September, October & November)
  • Low Season Tariff: USD 200 per person per night halt (January, February, June, July, August & December)

The minimum price includes:

    • All internal Taxes and charges (including the royalty)
    • Acccommodation
    • All Meals
    • All travel with a licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
    • All internal Transport
    • Camping Equipment and Haulage for Trekking

Surcharges

Individual tourist and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:

  • Single Individual: USD 40 per night
  • Group of 2 persons: USD 30 per person per night

The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.

Get into Bhutan

Best Visit Time

Trip to Bhutan can be planned throughout the year but best months are Mar, April, May, September, October, November. Also there are several festivals taking place during these months, offering an added attraction. Winter in Bhutan is from mid November to mid March and at this time of the year, climate is dry and sunny for the most parts with perfect blue sky, temperatures peaking at around 15c 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.

Travel to Bhutan

By Air

The common arriving and departing by air is Paro. The national airline, Druk Air operates international flights to Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi, Rangoon, Bodhgaya in Bihar and Calcutta.Druk Air operates two 72-seats BAe 146-100 four engine jet aircraft.Druk Air used to operate 2 Downier.These planes are now obsolete and the airline has upgraded its fleet with two Boeing.

Druk Air announces schedule changes at least a week in advance in Kuensel, the National Newspaper.Flights are often delayed because of weather and Druk Air recommends that you travel on non-restricted tickets and allow at least 24-hours transit time with your connecting flight in order to minimize the complications of delays.

All landings and take offs are by visual flight rule ( VFR ), which means the pilot must be able to see the runway before landing, and the surrounding hills before takeoff. For the same reason no flight can be operated at night or in poor visibility.

Druk Air on its way to Paro flies over 8 of 10 tallest peaks of the world.These mountains are, Mt. Everest ( 8848 m ) in Nepal/Tibet; Kanchenjunga ( 8586m ) in Nepal/Tibet; Lhotse ( 8511m ) in Nepal; Makalu ( 8463m ) in Nepal; Cho Oyu ( 8201m ) in Nepal/Tibet; Dhaulagiri (8167m ) in Nepal; Manaslu ( 8167m ) in Nepal and Annapurna ( 8091m ) in Nepal.

Further, Bhutan has another private air by the brand name Bhutan Airlines. This very flight/carrier is operated by Tashi Group of Companies.

By Road

Other entry to Bhutan is by land from Kolkata ( Inida ) and Kathmandu ( Nepal ) via Phuentsholing, the commercial center in south sharing border with Indian State of Bengal.

Weather, Climate, Flora & Fauna

Weather & Climate
Geographically, Bhutan is a land of dramatic contrast. From the near tropical southern border with India, steep slopes climb to snow-capped heights of over 24,750 feet / 7,500m at the northern border with Tibet. Consequently, temperatures vary greatly between day and night and at different altitudes, so layered clothing for changing conditions, is recommended. In the central valleys, the summer rains are not as heavy as in the south and occur mostly in late afternoon and at night. From mid-May to the end of September, the weather is warm at night (60-64F/17-18C) and in the day (72-78F/22-26C). In winter, the sky is bright and it is sunny but cold, especially when the sun hides behind the mountains in the mornings and evenings. At night, the temperature falls below zero. Spring and Autumn are very pleasant with warm days and cool nights.
Flora & Fauna

Forest types in Bhutan are fir forests, mixed conifer forest, blue pine forest, chirpine forest, broadleaf mixed with conifer, upland hardwood forest, lowland hardwood forest, and tropical lowland forests. Almost 60% of the plant species found in the eastern Himalayan region are present in Bhutan.

Bhutan boasts of about 300 species of medicinal plants and about 46 species of rhododendrons. Some common sights for the visitors are the magnolias, junipers, orchids of varied hues, gentian, medicinal plants, Daphne, giant rhubarb, the blue and trees such as fir, pine and oaks.

fauna 300x180

A wide range of rare and endangered animals can also be found frequenting the dense jungles and high mountains of Bhutan. Due to the countries conservation efforts and its unspoiled natural environment Bhutan supports thriving populations of some of the rarest animals on earth and has thus been classified as one of the last biodiversity hotspots in the world.

Some high altitude species are the snow leopards, Bengal tigers that are found at altitude ranging 3000 to 4000 meters, the red panda, the gorals and the langurs, the Himalayan black bear, sambars, wild pigs, barking deer, blue sheep and musk deer.

In the tropical forests of Southern Bhutan one can come across clouded leopards, the one horned rhinoceros, elephants, water buffaloes and swamp deer. You can even find the Golden Langur, a species of monkey that is unique to Bhutan.

Bhutan also has a great variety of bird species. It is recognized as an area of high biological diversity and is known as the East Himalayan ‘hot spot’, the hub of 221 global endemic bird areas. The recorded number of bird species is over 670 and is expected to rise as new birds are discovered.

In addition, 57% of Bhutan’s globally threatened birds and 90% of the country’s rare birds are dependent on forests. Bhutan has about 415 resident bird species. These birds are altitudinal refugees, moving up and down the mountains depend

flora 300x200

ing upon the seasons and weather conditions. Of about 50 species of birds that migrate during the winters are the buntings, waders, ducks, thrushes and the birds of prey. Some 40 species are partial migrants and they include species such as swifts, cuckoos, bee-eaters, fly catchers and warblers.

Bhutan is also home to about 16 bird species that are endangered worldwide. These include the White bellied heron, Pallas Fish eagle and Blyth’s King fisher to name a few. Phobjikha valley in Wangdue Phodrang and Bomdeling in Trashi Yangtse are also two especially important locations of the endangered Black Necked Cranes.

As one of the ten global hotspots, Bhutan is committed to preserve and protect its rich environment through its government and environmental organizations. This commitment is apparent in the fact that the kingdom has the distinct honor of being one of the only nations whose forest cover has actually grown over the years.

Culture & Language

CULTURE

Bhutanese culture and Buddhist influence go hand-in-hand. The influence of religion is highly visible in every day life and is a major reason for Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural legacy. The hundreds of sacred monasteries, stupas, religious institutions, prayer flags and prayer wheels make Buddhism a faith that nowadays still is very alive and probably always will be in the kingdom. Not only this makes Bhutan a very authentic country; it is also because of the traditional woven garments the people wear, the typical robust yet refined architecture and the splendid cultural festivals which are steeped in Buddhism. All of these combined make Bhutan into a unique cultural setting.

All religious ceremonies and rituals (and there are many!) are regularly performed, with reverence for all of life. All Bhutanese families go on a pilgrimage on auspicious days, offering prayers and butter lamps to the gods of the Himalayas. National and regional festivals coincide with the seasons, happening all year round.

Bhutan might globally be a small country, yet it holds a very strong identity and unity. The rich cultural heritage is strongly promoted by its government. Although modernisation is slowly making its way, generating urban settlements and introducing computers, mobile phones and other Western modernities, most of Bhutans people still live quietly in small remote villages. The predominant way of life are small family farms and Bhutan’s number one occupation is being a farmer.

LANGUAGE

Bhutanese people can be generally categorized into three main ethnic groups. The Tshanglas, Ngalops and the Lhotshampas.

The other minority groups are the Bumthaps and the Khengpas of Central Bhutan, the Kurtoeps in Lhuentse, the Brokpas and the Bramis of Merak and Sakteng in eastern Bhutan, the Doyas of Samtse and finally the Monpas of Rukha villages in WangduePhodrang. Together the multiethnic Bhutanese population number just over 700,000.

Tshanglas: The Tshanglas or the Sharchops as they are commonly known, are considered the aboriginal inhabitants of eastern Bhutan. Tshanglasare according to historians, the descendants of Lord Brahma and speak Tshanglakha. They are commonly inhabitants of Mongar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Pema Gasthel and Samdrup Jongkhar. Besides cultivation of maize, rice, wheat, barley and vegetables, the Tshanglas also rear domestic animals to supplement their living. Weaving is a popular occupation among their women and they produce beautiful fabrics mainly of silk and raw silk.

Ngalops: The Ngalops who have settled mostly in the six regions of western Bhutan are of Tibetan origin. They speak Ngalopkha, a polished version of Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. Agriculture is their main livelihood. They cultivate cereals such as rice, wheat, barley and maize along with a variety of other crops. In the regions of Thimphu and Paro apples are also cultivated as a cash crop. They are known for Lozeys, or ornamental speech and for Zheys, dances that are unique to the Ngalops.

Lhotshampas: The Lhotshampashave settled in the southern foothills of the country. It is believed that they migrated from Nepal in the beginning of the 19th century, attracted by the employment opportunities provided by the many constructions works taking place in the kingdom. They speak Lhotshamkha (Nepali) and practice Hinduism. Their society can be broken into various lineages such as the Bhawans, Chhetris, Rai’s, Limbus, Tamangs, Gurungs, and the lLepchas. Nowadays they are mainly employed in agriculture and cultivate cash crops like ginger, cardamom and oranges.

The Bumthaps, Mangdeps and Khengpas: The people who speak Bumtapkha, Mangdepkha and khengkha respectively inhabit the central areas of Bhutan. The Bumthaps cultivate buck wheat, potatoes and vegetables. A section of this population also rear yaks and sheep and produce fabrics of wool and yak hair. The Mangdeps depend on cultivation of rice, wheat, maize, vegetables, etc besides rearing domestic animals. The khengpas are also dependent on agriculture much like the Mangdeps, however, they are also known for the bamboo and cane craft.

Kurtoeps: Kurtoeps inhabit the eastern part of the country.  Specifically the district of Lhuentse and the villages are found spread along the banks of Kurichu.  Khoma women are expert weavers and are known for their skill in weaving the grandiose Kushithara.

The Brokpas and the Bramis: The Brokpas and the Bramis are a semi nomadic community. They are settled in the two villages of Merak and Sakteng in eastern Bhutan. They mostly depend on yaks and sheep for their livelihood and do not typically grow crops due to the high altitude zones they inhabit. They speak a different dialect and have their own unique dress that is made of yak hair and sheep wool. They are also experts in cane and bamboo crafts.

The Layaps: To the extreme north are the Layaps who speak layapkha. Like the Brokpas, they are semi-nomadic and their livelihood is dependent upon yaks and sheep.  They use the products of their herd animals to barter rice, salt and other consumables with the people of WangduePhodrang and Punakha.

The Doyas: A tribal community that has settled mostly in southern Bhutan. They are considered the aboriginal inhabitants of western and central Bhutan, who over the years migrated to and settled in the present areas in Dorokha. They have their own unique dialect and style of dress.

Monpas:

 The Monpas are a small community in Rukha under WangduePhodrang. Together with the Doyas they are also considered the original settlers of central Bhutan. They have their own unique dialect but it is unfortunately slowly dying out as they are now being absorbed into the main stream Bhutanese society.

National Symbols

BIRD-Raven

The national birdbird is the raven. As noted above, it the most prominent component of the royal crown. In Bhutan, the raven represents the deity Gonpo Jarodongchen, the raven-headed Mahakala, one of the country’s chief guardian deities.The Bhutanese credit the raven with having guided the founder of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, to victory during the invasion from Ü-Tsang (Tibet) in the seventeenth century.

ANIMAL-Takin

animal 300x231

The national animal is the takin (Burdorcas taxicolor). This bovid is also associated with religious history and mythology.Today it is a rare animal, and its conservation status is “vulnerable”. It has a thick neck and short muscular legs.It lives on bamboo, traveling in groups at elevations around 4000m on the northwestern and far northeastern parts of Bhutan

EMBLEM

The national emblem, cemblem 300x297ontained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond-thunderbolt (dorje) placed above a lotus,surmounted by a jewel and framed by two dragons. The thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular and religious power. The lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel expresses sovereign power; and the two dragons, male and female, stand for the name of the country which they proclaim with their great voice, the thunder.” It is also known for its symbolic colors of the emblem with the gold, teal, red etc.

FLAG

flag 300x200

The national flag of Bhutan is one of the national symbols of Bhutan. The flag is based upon the tradition of the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and features Druk, the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology. The basic design of the flag by Mayum Choying Wangmo Dorji dates to 1947. A version was displayed in 1949 at the signing of the Indo-Bhutan Treaty. A second version was introduced in 1956 for the visit of Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to eastern Bhutan; it was based upon photos of its 1949 predecessor and featured a white Druk in place of the green original.

FLOWER- Blue Poppy

flower 300x225

The national flower of Bhutan is the Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis horridula). In Bhutan, it grows to a height of 1 meter on the rocky mountain terrain, above the tree line at altitudes of 3500m to 4500m. Bhutanese tradition links this flower with the yeti of lore

TREE- The Cypress

tree 300x225

The Himalayan cypress (Cupressus torolusa) is the national tree of Bhutan. They are associated with religion, and may often be found near the religious structures and in the temperate zone between altitudes of 1800m and 3500m.To the Bhutanese, its ability to survive on rugged terrain represents bravery and simplicity.

 GAME-Archery

game 300x201

Archery has been the official national sport of Bhutan since the kingdom’s accession to the United Nations in 1971. Other particularly Bhutanese sports of note include digor, resembling shot put, and khuru, a kind of outdoor dart game.These sports have their own tournaments and place in celebrations ranging from local tsechu festivals to Bhutanese public holidays. These traditional sports, especially archery, are imbued with communal, religious, material, and commercial significance. Increasingly, traditional sports have adopted modern innovations, from compound bows to corporate sponsorship

CURRENCY- Ngultrum ( Nu. 68 => 1 USD )

currency 300x133

In 1974, the ngultrum was introduced, replacing the rupee at par. The ngultrum is equal in value to the Indian rupee.India was key in assisting the Bhutanese government as it developed its economy in the early 1960s. When the ngultrum was introduced, it retained the peg to the Indian rupee which the Bhutanese rupee had maintained. The ngultrum does not exchange independently with other nations’ currencies but is interchangeable with the Indian rupee.

Little About Bhutan

Bhutan, the Land of Thunder Dragon is sandwiched between China in the North and India in the South.  The country remained isolated for so many years despite the development in the neighboring countries. Long before Bhutan was known by several names like Lhomon ( Southern Darkness ) or Monyul ( Dark Land of Monpa). The name Lhomon Tsendhenjong which means Mon country of sandalwoods. Further, Bhutan was also know by the name Boo-Tan meaning the HighLanders by the Bristish people.

Until the rise of a single man to the power of King, Bhutan was disturbed with so many feuds and turmoils. It was in the year 1907, that the country was unanimously united and Sir Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuk became the first ever King of Bhutan. Thus, the peace began to change the landscape of Bhutan.


gonsa
From thereon, Bhutan was ruled by successive Kings. The current King is the 5th King in line. The present King, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and HH Azhi Jetsun Pema Wangchuk has given birth to a young crown Prince who will rule in succession to his father.

Until 2008, Bhutan was ruled by Kings and the system of governance was Monarchy. In the year 2008, the King announced the birth of Democracy in Bhutan. Thus, Bhutan was ruled by the political parties viz  Druk Phuensum Tshogpa ( DPT) ruling the country in the very first 5 years term. However,  the second election in 2013 gave the change in the ruling party, where People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) ruled the country. The current Prime Minister of Bhutan is Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay.

Talking about the history, Bhutan had so many historic events like the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel from Tibet in the year 1616. Guru Rimpochoe ( The Great Treasurer ) visited Bhutan in 746 AD, thus punishing all the evils in the Country. Bhutan thereby became a Buddhist Country practicing religions while there are other form  of practices like Kagyupa, Nyingmapa and Hinduism.

People & Society

society 300x199

Bhutanese society is free of class or a caste system. Slavery was abolished by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the early 1950s through a royal edict. Though, a few organizations to empower women were established in the past Bhutanese society has always maintained relative gender equality. In general our nation is an open and a good-spirited society.

Living in Bhutanese society generally means understanding some accepted norms such as Driglam Namzha, the traditional code of etiquette. Driglam Namzha teaches people a code of conduct to adhere to as members of a respectful society. Examples of Driglam Namzha include wearing a traditional scarf (kabney) when visiting a Dzong or an office, letting the elders and the monks serve themselves first during meals, offering felicitation scarves during ceremonies such as marriages and promotions and politely greeting elders or seniors.

Normally, greetings are limited to saying “Kuzuzangpo” (hello) amongst equals. For seniors and elders, the Bhutanese bow their head a bit and say “kuzuzangpo la” (a more respectful greeting). Recently, shaking hands has become an accepted norm.

The Bhutanese are a fun-loving people fond of song and dance, friendly contests of archery, stone pitching, traditional darts, basketball and football. We are a social people that enjoy weddings, religious holidays and other events as the perfect opportunities to gather with friends and family.

The openness of Bhutanese society is exemplified in the way our people often visit their friends and relatives at any hour of the day without any advance notice or appointment and still receive a warm welcome and hospitality.