Butan - Bhutan

The Kraljevina Butan (Dzongkha: འབྲུག་ ཡུལ་) je majhna država v Himalaje med Tibet in Indija. Poleg osupljive naravne pokrajine je trajna podoba države za večino obiskovalcev tudi močan občutek za kulturo in tradicijo, ki kraljestvo povezuje in ga jasno ločuje od večjih sosedov. Butan je edina budistična država Vajrayana na svetu, globoki nauki te tradicije pa ostajajo dobro ohranjeni in močno vplivajo na vse vidike življenja.

Regije

Butan lahko kulturno in geografsko razdelimo na tri regije, ki so nadalje razdeljene na 20 okrožij oz dzongkhag (ednina in množina):

Mesta

• 27.46666789.6416671 Thimphu (Dzongkha: ཐིམ་ ཕུ) - Glavno mesto
• 27.5590.7333332 Jakar (Dzongkha: བྱ་ ཀར) - upravno mesto na severu in rojstni kraj budizma v Butanu.
• 27.27591.243 Mongar (Dzongkha: མོང་ སྒར) - eno največjih mest v vzhodnem Butanu.
• 27.43333389.4166674 Paro (Dzongkha: སྤ་ རོ་) - Lokacija mednarodnega letališča in samostana Taktsang.
• 27.61666789.8666675 Punakha (Dzongkha: སྤུ་ ན་ ཁ་) - Nekdanja zimska prestolnica Butana, ki pozimi še vedno gosti monaško telo.
• 26.8589.3833336 Phuentsholing (Dzongkha: ཕུན་ ཚོགས་ གླིང་) - Mesto na indijski meji. Vstopna točka za potnike, ki prihajajo z avtobusom iz Kolkata.
• 26.91666791.6166677 Samdrup Jongkhar (Dzongkha: བསམ་ གྲུབ་ ལྗོངས་ མཁར་) - upravno mesto na jugovzhodu, blizu indijske meje.
• 27.33333391.5666678 Trashigang (Dzongkha: བཀྲ་ ཤིས་ སྒང་ །) - slikovito upravno mesto na vzhodu.
• 27.51666790.59 Trongsa (Dzongkha: ཀྲོང་ གསར) - majhno upravno mesto, znano po dzongu in stolpu Trongsa

Druge destinacije

Nacionalni parki

• 27.7589.5166671 Narodni park Jigme Dorji
• 27.28272890.38442 Narodni park Jigme Singye Wangchuck
• 26.89944490.7580563 Nacionalni park Royal Manas
• 27.28305690.9777784 Narodni park Phrumsengla (Dzongkha: ཕྲུམ་ སེང་ རྒྱལ་ ཡོང་ གླིང་ ག)
• 27.81194490.6577785 Narodni park Wangchuck Centennial

Zavetišča in naravni rezervati

• 27.79722291.4377786 Zavetišče za prosto živeče živali
• 27.7972222291.437777787 Zavetišče za divje živali Jomotsangkha
• 26.79805690.0447228 Zavetišče za divje živali Phibsoo
• 27.2891.959 Zavetišče za divje živali Sakteng
• 27.32944489.06333310 Strogi naravni rezervat Jigme Khesar

Uradna spletna stran narodnih parkov in zavarovanih območij v Butanu: [1]

Razumeti

Butan je edina budistična država Vajrayana na svetu v Himalaji. Poleg tega je kot pobuda četrtega kralja razvila filozofijo bruto narodne sreče, pri čemer se razvoj meri s holističnim pristopom blaginje, ki ne temelji le na bruto domačem proizvodu. V okviru te filozofije so vsi državljani deležni brezplačnega izobraževanja in zdravstvene oskrbe. Prodaja tobačnih izdelkov je prepovedana, kajenje na javnih površinah pa je kaznivo dejanje.

Glavni viri dohodka kraljestva so turizem, hidroelektrarne in kmetijstvo.

V kulturnem smislu je Butan pretežno budistični Dzongkha kot nacionalni jezik (čeprav obstajajo regionalne razlike - kot npr Sharchopkha, prevladujoči jezik v Vzhodni Butan) ter skupni kodeks oblačenja in arhitekturni slog. Butanci so predvsem Ngalopi in Šarčopi, imenovani Zahodni Butan in Vzhodni Butanec, ter Lhotshamphas (Južni Butanec), prebivalci Nepalskega izvora. Ngalope sestavljajo predvsem Butanci, ki živijo v zahodnem delu države. Njihova kultura je tesno povezana s kulturo njihove sosede na severu, Tibeta.

Bruto nacionalna sreča

Ideologija bruto narodne sreče je bila zamisel kralja Jigmeja Singyeja Wangchucka, ki je po pridobitvi sodobne izobrazbe v Indija in Združeno kraljestvo, spoznali, da se zgolj gospodarski uspeh ni nujno prelevil v zadovoljno in srečno družbo. Kmalu po kronanju leta 1974 je mladi kralj začel plavati z idejo, da razvije nov sklop smernic, s katerimi bo vodil državo. Počasi so se te ideje oblikovale in leta 1998 je bil vzpostavljen kazalnik GNH. GNH pomeni "bruto nacionalna sreča" in je opredeljen z naslednjimi štirimi cilji: povečanje gospodarske rasti in razvoja, ohranjanje in promocija kulturne dediščine, spodbujanje trajnostne rabe okolja in vzpostavitev dobrega upravljanja. Čeprav je koncept GNH deležen številnih mednarodnih pohval in je pomemben za turiste, je ideja šele v fazi inkubacije, v državi pa je zelo malo dokazov o GNH.

19. julija 2011 se je 68 držav pridružilo Kraljevini Butan pri sofinanciranju resolucije z naslovom »Sreča: Celovit pristop k razvoju«, ki jo je s soglasjem sprejela 193-članska Generalna skupščina OZN. V skladu z resolucijo je kraljevska vlada Butana 2. aprila 2012 na sedežu Združenih narodov v New Yorku sklicala srečanje na visoki ravni o sreči in dobrem počutju: opredelitev nove gospodarske paradigme. To srečanje je sprožilo naslednje korake k uresničitvi vizije nove gospodarske paradigme, ki temelji na blaginji in trajnosti, ki učinkovito vključuje gospodarske, socialne in okoljske cilje. Butan je še naprej prvak resolucije in koncept dejavno promovira na mednarodni ravni.

Zgodovina

Verjetno so prvi ljudje prispeli nekaj časa po ledeni dobi, o Butanovi prazgodovini pa je malo znanega. Zgodovinski zapisi so se začeli s prihodom budizma v 7. stoletju, ko je Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) obiskal Butan in ustanovil samostane.

Leta 1865 sta Britanija in Butan podpisali Sinchulu pogodbo, po kateri je Butan prejemal letno subvencijo v zameno za odstopanje nekaterih obmejnih zemljišč. Pod britanskim vplivom je bila leta 1907 ustanovljena monarhija; tri leta kasneje je bila podpisana pogodba, s katero so se Britanci dogovorili, da se ne bodo vmešavali v butanske notranje zadeve, Butan pa je dovolil Britaniji, da vodi zunanje zadeve. To vlogo je prevzela neodvisna Indija po letu 1947. Dve leti pozneje je formalni indo-butanski sporazum vrnil območja Butana, ki so jih priključili Britanci, formaliziral letne subvencije, ki jih je država prejemala, in opredelil odgovornosti Indije v obrambi in zunanjih odnosih.

Decembra 2006 je kralj Jigme Singye Wangchuck oblast prenesel na svojega najstarejšega sina, prestolonaslednika Jigmeja Khesarja Namgyela Wangchucka, in mu podelil naslov petega Druk Gyalpa. Kronanje je potekalo novembra 2008. Peti kralj se je izobraževal v Bostonu in Oxfordu in ga zelo cenijo po vsej državi.

Guru Rinpoče V Butanu ni mogoče potovati daleč, ne da bi videli podobe človeka v visokem, dodelanem klobuku in z odprtimi očmi, ki gledajo v vesolje. To je veliki modrec iz 8. stoletja vajrayana budizma, Padmasambhave ali Guruja Rinpočeja, kot ga je pogosto imenoval. Po legendi se je Padmasambhava kot osemletni otrok reinkarniral v cvet lotosa, od zelo majhnega pa je imel veliko modrosti in pronicljivosti. Poleg tega je obvladal elemente in tako kot lončar, ki je manipuliral z osnovno glino in jo spreminjal v čudovite lonce, je lahko škodljivo delovanje in snovi spremenil v nekaj pozitivnega in koristnega. Posebno druženje Guruja Rinpočeja z Butanom se je začelo, ko je odpotoval v mesto, danes znano kot Jakar na povabilo lokalnega kralja, da si podredi negativne sile. Misija je bila uspešna in s tega srečanja se je budizem razširil po deželi. Telesni odtis velikega modreca obstaja še danes v Kurjey Lhakhangu v Jakarju, povezan pa je tudi s številnimi drugimi svetimi kraji v Butanu, pri čemer je morda najbolj opazen na pečini samostan Taktshang v Paro.

Vreme

Vreme Butana se razlikuje od severa do juga in doline do doline, predvsem odvisno od nadmorske višine. Na severu Butana na mejah s Tibetom je trajno zasnežen. V zahodnem, osrednjem in vzhodnem Butanu (Ha, Paro, Thimphu, Wandue, Trongsa, Bumthang, Trashi Yangtse, Lhuntse) boste večinoma doživeli vreme, podobno evropskim. Zima tukaj traja od novembra do marca. Punakha je izjema, saj je v nižji dolini, kjer je poletje vroče in zima prijetna. Južni Butan, ki meji na Indijo, je vroč in vlažen s subtropskim podnebjem. Monsun sicer močno vpliva na severno Indijo, vendar v Butanu nima enakega vpliva. Poletni meseci so ponavadi bolj mokri z izoliranimi plohami pretežno samo zvečer. Zima je daleč najbolj suho obdobje, pomlad in jesen pa sta prijetna.

Obstajajo štiri različne sezone, ki so po svojih oddelkih podobne zahodnoevropskim. Temperature na skrajnem jugu se gibljejo od 15 ° C pozimi (od decembra do februarja) do 30 ° C poleti (od junija do avgusta). V Thimphuju je od -2,5 ° C januarja do 25 ° C avgusta in s padavinami 100 mm. V visokogorskih regijah je povprečna temperatura pozimi 0 ° C, poleti pa lahko doseže 10 ° C s povprečno dežjem 350 mm. Padavine se močno razlikujejo glede na višino in povprečne padavine se razlikujejo od regije do regije.

Kdaj na obisk

Najboljši čas za obisk Butana je spomladanska in zimska sezona. Spomladi (od marca do junija) lahko drevesa jacaranda in rododendron vidimo v polnem razcvetu. Pozimi (od oktobra do decembra) obiskovalci dobijo neoviran pogled na zasneženo himalajsko območje, ki omejuje Butan zaradi jasnega neba z malo do nič dežja.

Državni prazniki

Butanski prazniki izvirajo iz Drukpa Linea budizma Kagyu, Hiše Wangchuck in tibetanskega koledarja. Tudi posvetni prazniki pa imajo nekaj verskega prizvoka, saj verska koreografija in blagoslovi zaznamujejo te ugodne dni.

• 2. januarja - Zimski solsticij (praznovanje v zahodnem Butanu)
• Januar februar(1. dan 12. meseca v tibetanskem koledarju) - Tradicionalni dan daritve (dan ponudbe hrane lačnim bitjem - v vzhodnem Butanu praznujejo kot novo leto)
• 21. – 23 - obletnica rojstva HM petega kralja Jigmeja Khesarja Namgyala Wangchucka
• Februarja ali marca (1. dan prvega meseca v tibetanskem koledarju) - Butansko / tibetansko novo leto (losar)
• 2. maj - obletnica rojstva tretjega kralja Jigmeja Dorji Wangchucka
• Aprila ali maja (10. dan četrtega meseca v tibetanskem koledarju) - Shabdrung Kuchoe (spomin na smrt Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal leta 1651 CE)
• Maj ali junij (15. dan 4. meseca v tibetanskem koledarju) - Spomin na Parnirvano Gospoda Bude.
• Junija ali julija (10. dan 5. meseca v tibetanskem koledarju) - obletnica rojstva Guruja Rinpočeja
• Julij ali avgust (4. dan 7. meseca v tibetanskem koledarju) - prva pridiga Gospoda Bude (obračanje kolesa Dharme)
• 'September (ni popravljeno) - Thimphu Drubchen (samo Thimphu)
• September (ni določeno) - Blaženi deževni dan
• Septembra ali oktobra (1. dan 6. meseca (Ashvin) v hindujskem koledarju) - hindujska slovesnost Dashain
• Septembra ali oktobra (ni popravljeno) - Thimphu Tshechu (samo Thimphu)
• 1. november (ni določeno) - Dan kronanja njegovega veličanstva kralja
• 11. novembra - obletnica rojstva Jigmeja Singyeja Wangchucka, četrtega kralja Butana, na dan ustave
• November (22. dan 10. meseca v tibetanskem koledarju) - Dan pada Gospoda Bude
• 17. decembra - Dan državnosti, v spomin na kronanje prvega dednega kralja Butana Ugyena Wangchucka leta 1907

Poleg zgornjih državnih praznikov obstajajo tudi prazniki Čehu, ki se praznujejo regijsko.

Beri in glej

• Popotniki in čarovniki, Prvi mednarodno priznani celovečerni film v Butanu je bil posnet leta 2003 in prikazuje življenje v Butanu.
• Onkraj neba in zemlje (kupi) - Jamie Zeppa piše o svojih izkušnjah kot mladi kanadski učitelj v šolah v Butanu - zelo zabaven in poučen.
• Kronska krona (nakup) - Knjiga Michaela Arisa o izvoru budistične monarhije v Butanu.
• Krog Karme - odličen roman priznane lokalne avtorice Kunzang Choden - vpogled v življenje Butank.

Naslovi

Butan nima naslovov, čeprav so ulice v večjih mestih, kot je Thimphu, poimenovane pred pripono. lam, kar pomeni ulico ali cesto. Kot primer je glavna ulica v Thimphuju Norzin Lam. Samostane imenujejo njihova posebna imena, čemur sledi beseda za samostan ali tempelj v Dzongkha - Lhakhangu ali Goempi (Gompa). Kot primer je Khurjey Lhakhang znan samostan v Jakarju.

Vstopi

Butan ima enega izmed vizumske politike na svetu, potovanja v državo pa so močno urejena v okviru vladne sheme "Turizem z velikim vplivom in nizko vrednostjo". V skladu s tem za vstop v državo potrebujejo skoraj vse narodnosti, razen državljanov EU Indija, Bangladeš, in Maldivi.

Vizumi

Vsi turisti morajo potovanje rezervirati pri lokalnem pooblaščenem organizatorju potovanj (ali mednarodnem partnerju). Za vizume zaprosi vaš lokalni organizator potovanj in ni treba, da obiščete veleposlaništvo ali konzulat Butana. Počitnice morate v celoti plačati z bančnim nakazilom na naslov Turistični svet Butana pred izdajo turističnega vizuma. Po prejemu celotnega plačila potrditev vizuma traja največ 72 ur. Vizumnina znaša 40 ameriških dolarjev na vstop, ki ga morate kupiti s potovalnim paketom. Na vstopnem mestu bo vizum odtisnjen v potnem listu. Podaljšanje vizumske obveznosti lahko dobite pri lokalnem organizatorju potovanj po ceni 5110 Nulov (1 Ngultrum = 1 indijska rupija), za dodatne dni pa bo za turista veljala tudi dnevna tarifa.

Vizume se izdajo po prejemu celotnega plačila počitnic s strani Turistični svet Butana, fiksne cene pa znašajo približno 250 USD / osebo / dan, odvisno od letnega časa. Denar ostane pri Turističnem svetu, dokler potovanje v državo ni končano, preden lokalni organizator potovanja plača. Butan ne omejuje več turističnega števila in vodi politiko odprtih vrat.

Ker potovanje v Butan skoraj vedno zahteva vsaj eno spremembo leta v Bangladešu v Indiji, Nepal, Singapur ali Tajska, pred tranzitom zagotovite, da izpolnjujete vizumske zahteve teh držav. Nepal in Tajska ponujata vizume ob prihodu ali odpravo vizumov za številne narodnosti. Indija običajno zahteva, da se postopki za izdajo vizumov zaključijo pred prihodom, kar lahko traja do dva tedna.

Dovoljenje za vstop v Butan - za indijske turiste

Vizumi se izdajo ob vstopu samo državljanom Indije, Bangladeša in Maldivov. Potrebna sta fotografija in veljaven potni list (ali osebna izkaznica volivca samo za prebivalce Indije) (skupaj s fotokopijo obeh). Dokument izpolnite z namenom "Turizem". Na kopenskih mejnih prehodih boste dobili le 7 dni Paro in Thimphu. Za podaljšanje veljavnosti zaprosite v Thimphuju v uradu za priseljevanje na severnem koncu Norzin Lam. Za obisk drugih okrožij boste morali v isti pisarni zaprositi za cestna dovoljenja. Najbolje jih je uporabiti zjutraj, dokument pa boste prejeli popoldne. Če ste obrambni uradnik brez potnega lista ali študent brez zgoraj omenjenih treh sprejetih osebnih dokumentov, lahko od indijskega konzulata zahtevate nadaljnjo pot, da vam priskrbi osebni dokument z zaznamkom, vendar to zahteva čas.

Vsi regionalni turisti (državljani Bangladeša, Indije in Maldivov) morajo pred vstopom v Butan pridobiti dovoljenje za pot. Regionalni turisti potrebujejo dovoljenja za Butan, saj za vstop v Butan ne potrebujejo vize. Regionalni turist, ki v Butan vstopi po zraku, lahko dovoljenje za vstop dobi na mednarodnem letališču Paro.

Kaj je dovoljenje za vstop?

Regionalnega turista, ki vstopi v Butan po cesti, prosimo, da pridobi dovoljenje za vstop in ga predloži na vseh kontrolnih točkah v Butanu. Vstopna dovoljenja dobite pri uradu za priseljevanje v Phuntsholingu. Urad za priseljevanje je odprt od 8:00 do 16:00 med delavniki in zaprt ob sobotah, nedeljah in praznikih. Kosilo je od 13:00 do 14:00 BST. BST je 30 minut pred IST.

Vstopne točke

Obstajajo 3 točke za vstop v Butan po kopnem.

Phuntsholing (zahodni Butan) Gelephu (osrednji Butan) Samdrup jongkhar (vzhodni Butan)

Vse vstopne točke zahtevajo enak postopek za uporabo vstopnega dovoljenja.

Kateri dokumenti so potrebni za pridobitev dovoljenja za vstop?

• Kopija potnega lista / osebna izkaznica volivca 2 Fotografije (Prosimo, imejte pri sebi tudi originale za preverjanje). Za otroke, mlajše od 18 let, brez veljavnega potnega lista so za pridobitev dovoljenja za vstop potrebna rojstna lista in veljavna šolska izkaznica. (V primeru šolanja otroka sta potrebna oba).
• Vaučer za potrditev hotela. S tem želimo zagotoviti, da imajo vsi turisti, ki obiščejo Butan, ustrezen naslov. Zato rezervirajte hotel pred prihodom in pred vstopom v Butan naj vam hotel pošlje potrdilo.

Vstopno dovoljenje, ki ga podelijo priseljenski uradniki v Phuntsholingu, velja samo za potovanja v Thimphu in Paro. Ko prispete v Thimphu, morate zaprositi za dovoljenje za posebno območje, da obiščete kraje, ki niso Thimphu in Paro, kot je Punakha.

Ko prispete v Thimphu, odnesite fotokopijo dovoljenja za pot do urada za priseljevanje v Thimphuju in obdelajte dovoljenje za posebno območje. Izpolniti morate drug obrazec in priložiti dovoljenje za pot. Dovoljenja za podaljšanje lahko po isti uri prevzamete v isti pisarni. Če se vozite z lastnim vozilom, morate uporabiti dovoljenje za podaljšanje pri RSTA (organu za varnost v cestnem prometu) poleg parkirišča šole / avtobusa Lutenzampa.

Kartic Aadhar ni več dovoljeno zaprositi za dovoljenje za vstop v Butan. Če nimate pri sebi veljavne potne listine (potni list / ID volivca), se obrnite na indijsko konzularno pisarno v Phuentsholingu in zaprosite za "identifikacijski list" z ustreznim dokazilom o indijski državljanstvu. Če vozite svoje vozilo, morate uporabiti tudi dovoljenje za vozilo. Če želite izkoristiti to dovoljenje za vozilo, predložite vozniško dovoljenje.

Vnaprej spletno dovoljenje

Za vstop v Butan je na voljo spletno dovoljenje. Rezervirati morate hotel s najmanj 3 zvezdicami, ogled pa mora spremljati vodnik. Potovanje morate rezervirati pri lokalnem organizatorju potovanj v Butanu. Pred potovanjem naj vaš organizator potovanj za vas izkoristi spletno dovoljenje. Spletno dovoljenje tudi zahteva, da imate potni list z minimalno veljavnostjo 6 mesecev pred natančnim datumom potovanja. Volilne kartice / adhar kartice niso sprejete.

Postopek za pridobitev dovoljenja za vstop

Običajno traja približno 30 minut, da opravite vse formalnosti in dobite dovoljenje. Izpolniti morate obrazec, priložiti fotografije in oddati prvi števec. Vaše ime bo poklicano na naslednjem števcu. Ko je vaše ime poklicano na naslednjem števcu, morate tja doseči, da kliknete sliko in zagotovite prstne odtise. Dovoljenje za vstop lahko prevzamete pri tretjem števcu z žigom in podpisom. Ob ponedeljkih lahko traja dlje, saj je pisarna ob koncu tedna zaprta.

Veljavnost dovoljenja

Vstopno dovoljenje in dovoljenje za posebno območje veljata največ 7 dni in če želite preživeti več kot 7 dni, morate znova obiskati imigracijsko pisarno v Thimphuju in zaprositi za podaljšanje bivanja. Dokumenti, potrebni za podaljšanje: Kopija originalnega dovoljenja za vstop, 1 fotografija.

Čeprav v Paroju obstaja urad za priseljevanje, podaljšanja pa so na voljo le v uradu za priseljevanje Thimphu.

Urad za priseljevanje v Thimphuju za podaljšanje bivanja ali pridobitev dovoljenja za območja z omejitvami.

Kazni za nepridobitev dovoljenja za vstop.

Na vseh poteh obstajajo kontrolne točke za priseljevanje in vaša odgovornost je, da vstopne in podaljšane vstopnice žigosate med vstopom in povratkom. V primeru, da vam pogrešajo žig, vas čaka zajetna globa (vsakodnevno) in tudi verjetnost, da vam bodo organi zaplenili dovoljenja. Torej, prosimo, ne pozabite se ustaviti na vseh teh kontrolnih točkah na vstopu in izstopu.

Vaše posebno dovoljenje za območje bo preverjeno v Hongtshoju, preden prispete do prepustnice Dochula. Prosimo, poskrbite, da boste vnaprej dobili zahtevane razširitve, da se izognete neprijetnostim.

Pristojbina za pridobitev dovoljenja za vstop

Za pridobitev dovoljenj za vstop, posebnih dovoljenj za območje ali dovoljenj za vozila ni nobenih stroškov, razen če najamete lokalnega agenta, da se izognete težavam.

Dovoljenja imejte pri sebi ves čas potovanja.

Dovoljenje je pomemben dokument, ko ste v Butanu, in ga morate imeti vedno pri sebi. Med potovanjem med mesti se preverja na različnih priseljenskih točkah, prav tako pa tudi za vstop v vse ključne Dzong-ove in samostane, vključno s Paro, Punakha & Thimphu Dzongs in samostanom Tiger's Nest.

Odstranjevanje dovoljenja

Na koncu potovanja morate ob izstopu predložiti dovoljenja za vstop in podaljšanja na zadnji točki priseljevanja.

Turistična tarifa

The Turistični svet Butana uporablja dnevno tarifo za vse turiste, ki vstopajo v državo. Brez plačila te tarife ni mogoče vstopiti v Butan kot turist, razen če ste državljan Indije, Bangladeša in Maldivov.

Dnevna tarifa zajema:

• Najmanj nastanitev s 3 zvezdicami - za luksuzne hotele je treba doplačati
• Vsi obroki - zajtrk, kosilo, večerja
• Licenciran vodnik po Butanu za obseg bivanja
• Ves notranji prevoz - razen notranjih letov
• Oprema za kampiranje in prevoz za pohodniške ture
• Vsi notranji davki in dajatve
• Licenčnina v višini 65 USD (kar je vključeno v tarifno ceno)

Najnižja tarifa je (za skupino 3 ali več oseb):

• 250 USD na osebo na noč za mesece marec, april, maj, september, oktober in november.
• 200 ameriških dolarjev na osebo na noč za mesece januar, februar, junij, julij, avgust in december.

Cene veljajo na turista na osebo nočni postanek v Butanu. Skupine z dvema ali manj veljajo za doplačilo, ki presega najnižje veljavne dnevne cene, kot sledi:

• Posameznik, 40 USD na noč
• 2 osebi, 30 USD na osebo na noč.

Za otroke do 5. leta starosti ni treba plačati. Otroci, stari od 6 do 12 let, ki jih spremljajo starši ali skrbniki, prejmejo 50% popust na dnevne cene in 100% popust na licenčnine. Redni študentje, mlajši od 25 let, ki imajo veljavne osebne izkaznice svojih akademskih institucij, dobijo tudi 25% popust na dnevne cene. Popust v višini 50% na dnevne cene prejme ena oseba v skupini od 11 do 15 oseb. 100% popust dobi en član v skupini, ki presega 16 oseb.

Po osmi noči bo zagotovljen 50% popust na licenčnino, po 14. noči pa 100% popust na licenčnino.

To Kalkulator stroškov potovanja uporablja zgornje pogoje za izračun in vrnitev natančne tarife za potovanje v Butan.

Nezakonito je nižanje cen tarif in vsem organizatorjem potovanj, za katere se ugotovi, da nelojalno nižajo cene, bo odvzeta licenca.

Edine druge možnosti za obisk države so prejemanje povabila državljana Butana, kjer je treba ob prijavi ali prek nevladne organizacije predložiti dokazilo o razmerju.

Državljani Indije, Bangladeša in Maldivov so oproščeni minimalnih tarifnih zahtev. Prav tako ne bodo plačevali pristojbin za turistične honorarje, nekateri davki pa del dnevne tarife.

Z letalom

Mednarodno letališče Paro (PBH ^IATA) je edina vstopna točka v Butan po zraku, ki se nahaja na jugozahodu države blizu prestolnice Thimphu. Nosilec zastave Druk Air deluje z dvema zrakoplovoma, ki letijo do Bangkok v Tajska; Delhi, Mumbaj, Kolkata, Bodh Gaya/ Gaya, Bagdogra, Guwahati v Indija; Katmandu v Nepal; Daka v Bangladeš in Singapur. Bhutan Airlines ponuja dnevne lete v Bangkok. Za letalske navdušence je pristop do letališča Paro eden najtežjih na svetu, ker gre za letenje na majhni nadmorski višini po vijugasti gorski dolini.

Druga možnost je Letališče Bagdogra (IXB ^IATA), ki služi mestu Siliguri v sosednji indijski zvezni državi Zahodna Bengalija. Bagdogra je od obmejnega mesta Butan Phuentsholing oddaljena štiri ure vožnje. Bagdogra prejema pogoste lete iz večjih mest v Indiji, Druk Air pa leti iz Bangkoka vsaj tedensko.

Z avtom

Obstajajo trije kopenski mejni prehodi, ki ležijo le ob južni meji do Indije. Phuntsholing na zahodu, Gelephu v osrednji regiji in Samdrup Jongkhar na vzhodu. Ob severni kitajski meji niso odprti nobeni mejni prehodi. Potrebna so tudi cestna dovoljenja; vendar jih skupaj z vašim vizumom obdela vaš lokalni organizator potovanj.

Z avtobusom

• Od Kolkata: Kraljeva butanska vlada vodi službo za Phuentsholing. Ti avtobusi odhajajo iz Kolkate Esplanade avtobusna postaja ob 19:00 v torek, četrtek in soboto ter od ceste Phuentsholing Pošta Butana ob ponedeljkih, sredah in petkih ob 15.00. Potovanje traja približno 18 ur in stane ₹ / Nu.300. Avtobusi so sicer udobni, a ker je večina avtoceste do Kolkate podobna površju lune, na poti ne pretiravajte s spanjem.
• Od Siliguri: Avtobusi odhajajo vsak dan ob 07:30 in 13:30 od nasproti Golden Plaza na cesti Burdwan (za Air View More) do Phuentsholing. Vstopnice se prodajajo na okencih blizu avtobusa, pot pa traja približno štiri ure.
• Iz Phuentsholinga: Obstajajo zasebni avtobusi, ki odhajajo z avtobusne postaje vsake pol ure do 16:00. Taksiji v skupni rabi so na voljo tudi v bližini avtobusne postaje.

Z vlakom

V Butanu ni železnic. Najbližje možnosti (obe v Indiji) so:

• Hasimara na glavni progi Kolkata / Siliguri do Assama je najbližja železniška postaja do 17 km oddaljenega Phuentsholinga. Tu se ustavijo vlaki št. 13149 in # 4084, ki jih upravlja Indian Rail. Od leta 2010 so nekateri odseki ceste od New Jalpaiguri / Siliguri do Phuentsholinga v zelo slabem stanju. Podaljšanje potovanja z vlakom do Hasimare bi prihranilo vašo svežino za Butan.
• Nova postaja Jalpaiguri (NJP) v Siliguri je priljubljena izbira za popotnike, ki se po kopnem odpravijo v Butan. Obstajajo neposredni skupni taksiji od NJP do Jaigaona ali pa obstajajo avtobusi od avtobusne postaje Siliguri. Taksi med postajo in avtobusno postajo stane do 80 JPY. Lahko pa se odpeljete tudi z lokalnim vlakom do mesta Hasimara, ki stane približno 40 JPY in traja približno 3 ure. Vlake iz NJP je treba rezervirati naprej, saj so med domačini priljubljene postaje. S te postaje ne zapušča vlakov s turistično kvoto.

Obiti

Za potovanje po Butanu so potrebna dovoljenja za pot, v večini okrožij vzhodno in severno od mesta pa so kontrolne točke Thimphu kjer morate za nadaljevanje predložiti te dokumente. Dovoljenja za pot obdeluje lokalni organizator potovanj ob prošnji za vizum. Ta dovoljenja izda urad za priseljevanje v Ljubljani Thimphu (Severni konec Norzin Lama).

Z letalom

Potovanje z letali je hitra in razmeroma varna alternativa reševanju vijugastih cest Butana, vendar so vozni redi redki, leti pa odpovedani s kapico. Druk Air in Bhutan Airways (alias Tashi Air) letita iz mesta Paro (Thimphu) na letališče Yongphula v bližini Trashigang in letališče Bathpalathang v Ljubljani Jakar, Bumthang regiji in do Gelephu blizu indijske meje, v južni osrednji regiji.

Z avtobusom ali avtom

Za ceste, ki prečkajo državo, so značilni njihovi ovinki, zavoji in strmi nakloni, vendar so kljub težki topografiji na splošno zelo dobro vzdrževani in varni. Lokalni in medkrajevni avtobusni prevozi niso tako udobni in se pogosto ustavljajo. Vaš lokalni organizator potovanja bo zagotovil vozilo in voznika za čas vašega bivanja. Ta strošek je vključen v dnevno tarifo. Lahko pa se organizira tudi potovanje z lokalnim ali medkrajevnim avtobusom ali taksijem. Priporočljivo je, da se v Butanu vozite le, če imate izkušnje z vožnjo v gorskih regijah. Kakovost površine ceste je spremenljiva z neskončnimi gorskimi ovinki. Priporočljivo je, da spakirate tablete za potovalno bolezen.

Avtostopiranje

Ker je javni prevoz med mesti v Butanu redek, pripenjanje je zelo pogost način za obhod. Vendar palec v zračnem simbolu ni prepoznan, zato boste morali zastaviti mimoidoče vozilo, da ga boste ustavili. Ker nekateri vozniki poberejo potnike kot dodatek za dohodek, je običajno, da ob izstopu iz vozila ponudijo plačilo (znesek je približno odvisen od razdalje, vendar bo primerljiv s stroški potovanja z avtobusom). Vendar večina voznikov ne potrebuje ničesar in so več kot veseli le, da imajo nekaj družbe in priložnost, da si pridobijo novega prijatelja. Če nameravate veliko vpeti (in na nekaterih podeželskih območjih ni mogoče drugače obiti), je dobro vzeti nekaj majhnih daril, ki jih voznikom ponudite kot izraz vaše zahvale.

Ceste

Zaradi gorskega terena so ceste pogosto blokirane skalni padci v poletni sezoni. Zato se je najbolje izogibati potovanju na velike razdalje od začetka junija do konca avgusta. Če pa morate potovati v tem času, imejte dovolj ustekleničene vode in prigrizke, kot da bi bili zemeljski plaz Če pride do čiščenja ceste, lahko traja nekaj časa.

Na nadmorski višini 3750 m je odsek ceste, ki poteka skozi Prelaz Thrumshingla povezovanje Bumthang in Mongar je najvišja v državi in ​​ponuja nekaj spektakularnih pokrajin. Zaradi strmih strani doline pa je še posebej dovzetna za kamnite padce, zato bodite pripravljeni predvsem na dolga čakanja v mokrih obdobjih.

Glej

Večina turistov opravlja "kulturne ture", kjer obišče pomembne destinacije. Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, in Jakar so priljubljene destinacije. Še dlje se je neraziskana regija Zhemgang (raj za ptice, odličen ogled divjih živali) in vzhodni Butan pravkar odprla za turizem. Če ste avanturist in želite raziskati neraziskano, je vzhod Butana pravi kraj za vas. Ta edinstven in še nedotaknjen del države ponuja vrhunsko izkušnjo.

Samostani

Samostan Taktsang (Tigrovo gnezdo), Paro. To je eno najpomembnejših budističnih krajev na svetu in Guru Rinpoche je tukaj obiskal v 8. stoletju ob svojem drugem obisku v Butanu. Je najbolj priznan in obiskan spomenik v Butanu. Verjame se, da je prispel na hrbtu krilate tigrice, od tod tudi ime Tigers Nest. Tempelj je zgrajen na 1.200 metrov visoki pečini in je bil zgrajen leta 1692.

Na stotinah samostanov stoji krajina na nekaterih najbolj neokrnjenih in oddaljenih območjih.

Kurje Lhakhang, Jakar. Tempelj, zgrajen okoli jame s telesnim potiskom Gurua Rinpočeja, vgrajenega v steno. Guru Rinpoche practiced meditation here on his first visit to Bhutan and as such it is the earliest Buddhist relic in the country.

Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in Thimphu. The statue houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Buddha Dordenma itself, are made of bronze and gilded in gold. The Buddha Dordenma is located among the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Desi Druk, overlooking the southern approach to Thimphu. At a height of 169 feet (51.5 m) it is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world.

Dzongs (fortresses)

The dzongs are ancient fortresses that now serve as the civil and monastic administration headquarters of each district. Apart from the architecture, which in itself makes a dzong worth visiting, they also hold many art treasures.

Dzongs dot the countryside and were built without the use of cement, nails or plans. Dzongs in Bhutan you can visit are:

• Punakha Dzong
• Trongsa Dzong
• Jakar Dzong
• Lhuentse Dzong
• Simtokha Dzong
• Gasa Dzong
• Rinpung Dzong
• Tashichho Dzong - Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of Thimpu; traditional seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government (synonymous with the king since 1907) and summer capital
• Kagyu-Dzong
• Lingzhi Yügyal Dzong
• Drukgyal Dzong
• Changchukha Dzong
• Tsechen Monastery and Dzong
• Shongar Dzong
• Singye Dzong

Trekking

Trekking is also extremely popular. The Druk path is the most commonly trekked from Paro, to the capital Thimphu. However, many other more impressive treks are available, see the complete list below. The Jomolhari, and Laya Gasa trek are also very popular and the Snowman Trek is reported to be one of the toughest treks in the world, taking an approximately 30 days. The recommended season for this trek is mid-June to mid-October.

Other treks include:

• Bumthang Cultural Trek. 
• Bumthang Owl Trek. 
• Chelela Trek
• Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek. 
• Dongla Trek
• Druk Path Trek. 
• Dur Hot Spring Trek. 
• Gangjula Trek
• Gangkar Puensum
• Gantey Trek. 
• Jomolhari Trek. 
• Laya Gasa Trek. 
• Lingmithang – Zhemgang Trek
• Merak-Sakteng
• Nabji Korphu Community Based Trek. 
• Nubtsona Pata Trek
• Punakha Winter Trek. 
• Rigsum Goenpa Trek
• Royal Heritage Trek
• Sagala Trek
• Samtengang Trek. 
• Sinchula Trek. 
• Gantey Trek. 
• Snowman Trek. 
• Wild East Rodungla Trek. 

Scenery

Bhutan's pristine environment offers ecosystem which are rich and diverse, due to its location and great geographical and climatic variations, Bhutan’s high, rugged mountains and valleys boast spectacular biodiversity, earning it a name as one of the world’s ten most important biodiversity hotspots.

Recognizing the importance of environment, conservation of its rich biodiversity is one of its development paradigms. The government has decreed that 60% of its forest resources will be maintained for all time by law. Today, 72% of the total land area is under forest cover and 26% is protected in four parks.

35% of Bhutan is made up of protected national parks. Namely, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (1,300 km²), TrumshingLa National Park (768 km²), Royal Manas National Park (9,938.54 km²), Jigme Dorji National Park (4,349 km²), Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (1,545 km²) and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary (650 km²).

Festivals

Festivals or Tshechu (“tenth day”) are another major draw card to Bhutan and are held every year in various temples monasteries and dzongs across the country. The Tshechu is mainly a religious event celebrated on tenth day of a month of lunar calendar corresponding to the birth day of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava). However the month of Tshechu depends place to place and temple to temple.

Tshechus are large social gatherings where people from various villages come together to witness the religious mask dances which are based on incidents from as long as 8th century from the life of Guru Padmasambhava and to receive blessings from lamas. The event also consists of colourful Bhutanese dances and other entertainments.

It is said that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to receive the blessings and wash away the sins. Every mask dances performed during Tshechu has a meaning or a story behind. In monasteries the mask dances are performed by monks and in remote villages they are performed jointly by monks and village men. Among many Tshechus in the country most popular are Paro and Thimphu Tshechus in terms of participation and audience. Besides the locals many tourists from around the world are attracted to this unique, colourful and exciting culture.

Traditionally, the Paro in Thimphu have been the most popular but tourists are fast realizing that the smaller more rural festivals are much more intimate.

Other festivals which happen throughout the year are:

• Black Necked Crane Festival. 
• Chorten Kora Festival. 
• Gomphu Kora Festival. 
• Haa Summer Festival. 
• Jampa Lhakhang festival. 
• Kurjey Festival. 
• Lhuentse Festival. 
• Merak Tshechu. 
• Mongar Festival. 
• Nimalung Festival. 
• Nomad Festival. 
• Paro Tsechu. 
• Pema Gatshel Festival. 
• Punakha Festival. 
• Sakten Tshechu. 
• Takin Festival. 
• Thimphu Festival. 
• Trashigang Festival. 
• Trongsa Festival. 
• Ura yakchoe. 
• Wangdue Phodrang Festival. 
• Bhutan Birds Festival 2019 : The second Bhutan Birds Festival (BBF) was held in Tingtibi, Zhemgang in November 2019. The BBF intends to encourage local community of Zhemgang to protect their rich forest and conserve high diversity of wildlife. Zhemgang is a popular birding destination.

Ali

• Trekking: Bhutan is a popular place for trekking, though the walks are generally quite tough as there are no places to stay or eat in the higher regions, and so all food and camping equipment must be carried in. Autumn and spring are the best seasons for undertaking a trek. In the summer, the paths are too muddy, while in winter they are snow-covered. However, despite the difficulties of the treks, all efforts and discomforts are more than compensated for by the stunning scenery and extremely friendly, gentle and hospitable people that are met along the way. See: Wilderness backpacking.
• Festivals: Tshechu is the largest religious festival in Bhutan and is celebrated in the late summer and autumn throughout the country (see city articles for local information), though Thimphu Tshechu is the most famous and attracts around 30,000 people. The highlight of the tshechu ceremonies is the masked dances by monks, which were developed according to precise instructions given by past Buddhist masters. According to Buddhist philosophy, all experiences leave an imprint in the mind stream that produces a corresponding result in the future, and so viewing these dances, which are imbued with sacred symbolism, is considered to be a very auspicious and sanctifying experience. While the event is not held in a solemn atmosphere and there is much merriment, visitors are reminded that it is still a religious festival that is of great importance to Bhutanese people, and so appropriate behavior is expected.
• Archery: This is the national sport of Bhutan and competitions are held throughout the country at most weekends. Visitors are very welcome to watch and also to add voice to the boisterous cheering that accompanies these events.
• Hot Stone Bath: The hot stone bath is a ritual in itself, riverside rocks are heated till red hot and gradually dropped into a wooden tub filled with water and scattered with Artemisia leaves. The burning rocks heat the water gradually and thus release minerals in to the water. Traditionally these bath are done near a river bed with plenty supplies of stones and water and preferably after dark in the open air.

Govori

Bhutan is a linguistically diverse country, with more than several languages spoken throughout the country.

Dzongkha, a member of the Tibetic language family, is the national language of the country and the mother tongue of most people residing in Western Bhutan.

In Eastern Bhutan, the major regional language is Sharchopkha (Tshangla), which derives much of its vocabulary from Classical Tibetan. The language is mostly used as a spoken language than a written language.

V Bumthang region, the major regional language is Bumthangkha. To a large extent, the language is not lexically similar to Dzonghka.

Nepali is understood by a vast majority of Bhutanese and it is the most widely spoken Indo-Aryan language in the country.

English is widely understood by the vast majority of Bhutanese, as it is used as the medium of instruction in Bhutanese schools.

Due to the influence of Bollywood (Hindi-language cinema) and close relations with India, some Bhutanese people are also able to understand Hindi, but it is not as widely spoken as Nepali.

Aspects of talking in Bhutan include:

• La. The suffix 'la' is an honorific, and many Bhutanese feel that their remarks sound too harsh if it is not used, and this carries over even into English. So, don't be surprised if you hear expressions such as "Yes-la" or "I'm not sure-la". It just implies respect.
• Reach. In Bhutan, the verb 'reach' means to 'take' or 'accompany' (a person). For example: "I'll reach you to the bus station" means "I'll take/accompany you to the bus station."
• Cousin-brother, Cousin-sister. Extended families living under one roof are common in Bhutan. As a result, the dividing line between siblings and cousins is blurred, and so it is not uncommon to be introduced to a "cousin-brother" or "cousin-sister". Although these people are just cousins, the English word implies a more distant relationship than is the fact in Bhutan.
• BST. The exact meaning of this phrase is 'Bhutan Standard Time', but as Bhutanese people are notorious for being late or just not turning up at all, it has taken on the meaning of 'Bhutan Stretchable Time'. Therefore, when someone arrives late, they will often excuse themselves by saying that they are running on BST.

Nakup

Money

Exchange rates for Bhutanese ngultrum As of 04 January 2021: US$1 ≈ Nu.72.9 €1 ≈ Nu.89.3 UK£1 ≈ Nu.100 Indian ₹1 ≈ Nu.1 (fixed) Tečaji nihajo. Trenutne cene za te in druge valute so na voljo pri XE.com

Valuta države je Bhutanese ngultrum, denoted by the symbol "Nu." (ISO code: BTN). It is fixed to the Indian rupee at an exchange rate of 1:1, and small Indian rupee bills (₹200 or less) can be used interchangeably in Bhutan. (This is one-way only, since ngultrum are not accepted in India.)

• US dollar: US dollars are widely accepted. Bhutanese currency is only needed for expenses personal in nature and buying small souvenir items.
• Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and Visa Maestro are compatible with most ATMs in Bhutan, most of which are concentrated in Thimphu and Paro.
• Money exchange Banks and major hotels change major currencies.
• Bankomati: The main banks operate ATMs that accept international cards such as Visa MasterCard. However, as the service it is not overly reliable, it is best to have other funds on hand.
• Western Union Money Transfer: Thimphu Post Office. This facility can receive transfer of funds from overseas, but cannot make payments from customers' personal accounts.

Shopping

• Woven cloth. Bhutanese handwoven fabric is prized around the world, and is available stitched into clothing, wall hangings, table mats and rugs.
• Yathra. A brightly colored woven material made from wool and dyed with natural colors. It is sold in pieces or sewn into jackets, bags, rugs and wall hangings. Yathra is available in Thimphu and other cold areas, but is a specialty of the Jakar area.
• Dappa. Hand made wooden bowls. The halves of the bowl fit tightly together so they can be used to carry cooked food, which is their function in Bhutan. However, they also make excellent salad or cookie bowls. Dappa are a specialty of the Trashi Yangtse region, but can be purchased throughout the country.
• Bangchung. Small bamboo woven baskets with two tightly fitting halves. They are a specialty of the southern Bhutan, but available throughout the country.

Jej

See also: South Asian cuisine

Rice is a staple with every meal; traditionally red rice, but white rice is now common too. Vegetable or meat dishes cooked with chili and/or cheese comprise the accompanying cuisine.

Bhutanese food has one predominant flavour - chili. This small red condiment is not only added to every dish but is also often eaten raw. So, if you don't like spicy-hot food, make this abundantly clear before ordering a meal. Otherwise, you'll be spending the next hour dousing your mouth with cold yoghurt or milk.

Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chili and cheese. All the hotels, resorts and restaurants will offer delicious Bhutanese food, Chinese, Continental, and Indian cuisines.

Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are the meats that are eaten most often. Vegetables commonly eaten include Spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans. Grains such as rice, buckwheat and barley are also cultivated in various regions of the country depending on the local climate.

The following is a list of some of the most popular Bhutanese dishes:

• Ema Datshi: This is the National Dish of Bhutan. A spicy mix of chillis and the delicious local cheese known as Datshi. This dish is a staple of nearly every meal and can be found throughout the country. Variations on Ema Datshi include adding green beans, ferns, potatoes, mushrooms or swapping the regular cheese for yak cheese.
• Momos: These Tibetan-style dumplings are stuffed with pork, beef or cabbages and cheese. Traditionally eaten during special occasions, these tasty treats are a Bhutanese favourite.
• Phaksha Paa: Pork cooked with spicy red chillis. This dish can also include Radishes or Spinach. A popular variation uses sun-dried (known as Sicaam).
• Hoentoe: Aromatic buckwheat dumplings stuffed with turnip greens, datshi (cheese), spinach and other ingredients.
• Jasha Maru: Spicy minced chicken, tomatoes and other ingredients that is usually served with rice.
• Red Rice: This rice is similar to brown rice and is extremely nutritious and filling. When cooked it is pale pink, soft and slightly sticky.
• Goep (Tripe): Though the popularity of tripe has diminished in many countries it is still enjoyed in Bhutan. Like most other meat dishes, it is cooked with plenty of spicy chillis and chilli powder.

Vegetarian dishes

• Ema-datsi. Ema means chili and datsi is a kind of cottage cheese, so ema-datsi is similar to jalapeños with cream cheese.
• Kewa-datsi. A potato, cheese and chili dish.
• Shamu-datsi. A mushroom, cheese and chili dish.

Kewa-datsi and shamu-datsi tend to be less hot than ema-datsi; all three dishes are generally served with rice.

• Mutter paneer. Though not a Bhutanese dish, this Indian staple of curried peas and cheese is readily available throughout Bhutan and is therefore an additional choice for vegetarians.
• Cheese momo. A small steamed bun that traditionally contained cheese, cabbage and sometimes onion. However, these days other vegetables, including green papaya, may be substituted for cabbage.
• Khuli. Buckwheat pancakes - a specialty of Bumthang. They are often served with ema-datsi as an alternative to rice.
• Puta. A dish of buckwheat noodles usually served with curd - a specialty of Bumthang

Imtrat run canteens that sell excellent Indian dishes along with tea from 9:30AM–4:30PM. The quality of the food is very good, while the price is low. The canteens are located throughout the country, especially along main highways.

Pijte

• Ara. A local spirit brewed from rice or corn. It is popular in rural areas, and often served in restaurants, particularly at the start of meals, poured from a special vessel.
• Tea. Located next to the tea growing regions of Assam and Darjeeling, a steaming cuppa remains the popular drink in Bhutan, with both the butter variety (suja) and sweet milk kind (cha) readily available throughout the country. The butter tea is very traditional but has quite a strong flavor and is similar to Tibetan tea, while the sweet milk kind is very drinkable and is like Indian chai.
• Kava. The coffee culture that has swept most of the planet has taken root in the country, and there are a number of good cafes in Thimphu, Paro, in Jakar. However, outside these three towns, coffee means the instant variety and it is served simply white or black.
• Beer. The main local beers are from Bhutan Brewery (founded 2006), part of the Tashi Group conglomerate, and are sold in 650 ml bottles: Druk 11000 (8%) is cheapest and a lot of alcohol; slightly higher quality and lower alcohol are Druk Lager Premium (5%) and Druk Supreme (6%); none of these is particularly good. There is also sometimes Red Panda Weissbeer (wheat beer), which is rather good. Imported beers may not be available, as importing these is sometimes banned (to preserve foreign reserves).
• Whisky. There is some "Bhutanese whisky", though it is neither Bhutanese nor straight whisky. Rather, it is blended whisky, made of imported Scotch malt whisky blended with grain neutral spirits: it is blended and bottled in Bhutan, but not distilled locally. These are produced by the Army Welfare Project in Gelephu, and the main brand is Special Courier, which is surprisingly drinkable.

Spi

All towns connected by motorable roads have hotels, though the standard varies considerably. International standard hotels are mostly found in tourist areas or major towns, while five star accommodation is only available in Paro, Jakar, Punakha, Gangtey and Thimphu.

The hotel rates shown on the city articles are only relevant to people who have residency, visa exemption (generally this only applies to Indian nationals) or who are visiting the country as an invited guest. Other visitors can only enter the country as part of a tour, for which the daily rates are set by the Bhutanese authorities at around US$250 per person per night irrespective of the hotel rates (except for very expensive hotels where a surcharge is added).

Nauči se

Buddhism

• It is possible to receive instruction on Buddhist practice at any monastery, though for discussions on Buddhist philosophy it is better to consult with the khenpos ali loppons (teachers) at Buddhist colleges (shedra), such as, for example, Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery in Jakar, Tango Monastery near Thimphu or Chokyi Gyatso Institute in Deothang.
• Deer Park Thimphu holds various Dharma related events in the capital, including weekly meditation sessions.

Weaving - Bhutanese woven cloth is prized throughout the world for its unique designs and high quality, and there is a weaving centre in Khaling v Trashigang.

Work

There are a few NGOs based in Bhutan, so it is possible to arrange volunteer work. However, Bhutan is very selective about who it engages in this field. In addition, it is highly unlikely that a position can be found while visiting Bhutan, so those interested in undertaking volunteer work here should first seek employment with NGOs overseas and then express a preference to be located in Bhutan.

Ostani varen

• While drug abuse is not uncommon in urban areas it will not affect tourists, and Bhutan remains one of the safest places in the world for travellers.
• Police in Thimphu are quite active, they keep doing rounds around the city late nights to ensure safety.
• Bears are a threat in remote mountainous regions.
• The sale of products containing tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc.) is banned throughout Bhutan, though a certain amount of these products can be brought into the country for personal use (receipts should be kept in case requested to produce evidence of purchase).

Ostani zdrav

• Hospitals and clinics are located throughout the country, even in the remotest areas. However, travellers should not expect hi-tech facilities, and at many of the Basic Health Units the resident doctor is often away.
• Indigenous medical facilities are located in all district capitals, with the largest being in Thimphu, so it is also possible to have ailments diagnosed and treated using natural herbal compounds while in Bhutan.
• Waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, giardia and even typhoid are not uncommon in Bhutan, especially during the summer monsoon season. Tap water is not safe to drink. Therefore, ensure that all water has been thoroughly boiled or otherwise purified before consuming.
• In case of emergency, it is advisable to carry first aid material, which might include a few antibiotics and acetaminophen (paracetamol).
• Altitude sickness can strike at altitudes as low as 2,500m. Be aware of this before embarking on expeditions in the mountains. If you suffer palpitations, shortness of breath or severe headaches, inform your guide and head to a lower altitude immediately. Take altitude sickness seriously. It can and does kill.
• The hygiene standard is acceptable in tourist areas. However, it is probably wise to prepare medicine for stomach upsets.
• The Street dog population is very high in Thimphu (and to a lesser extent in many of the towns). Most of the animals are extremely docile and there are very few cases of tourists ever being bitten. Still, it is best to err on the side of safety and not to disturb the animals. Moreover, if bitten, immediately receive a rabies vaccination. Although incidences of the disease are uncommon, it inevitably proves fatal if left untreated.
• Malaria in dengue fever are not common problems in Bhutan, though there are outbreaks in the Indian border regions during the summer monsoon season.

Respect

• The Bhutanese royal family is venerated in Bhutanese society. It is wise to bear this in mind when conversing with local people.
• Sacred objects. Always pass mani stones, stupas and other religious objects with your right side nearest to the object, and turn prayer wheels in a clockwise direction. Never sit on mani stones or stupas.
• Clothing. When visiting temples, remove shoes and headgear and wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site. You will need to wear trousers and long shirts.
• Donations. At monasteries, it is custom to make a small donation to the monks as a sign of respect; and also to the Buddhist statues as a means of developing a generous and spacious mind. There are many places in each temple where you can donate, and it is expected that you donate to each place. Remember to have small notes for this gesture. However, this is not mandatory.
• Smoking. It is illegal to smoke at monasteries and in public places.
• Proselytizing is illegal in Bhutan, and has been punished by prison sentences of up to 3 years. Respect should be afforded to the state religion of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Spopadite se

Embassies and consulates

Bhutan has a number of embassies and consulates, including those listed below [2].

• Indija: Royal Bhutanese Embassy - Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021. Tel: 609217/ 609218, Fax:6876710
• U.S.: Consulate General of Bhutan - 2 UN Plaza, 27th Floor, New York NY 10017. Tel:(212) 826–1919, Fax:(212) 826–2998.
• Kanada: Honorary Consul of Bhutan - 146 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1C2. Tel: (416) 960-3552 Email: [email protected]
• Hong Kong: Honorary Consul of Bhutan - 32/F, New World Tower, 16-18 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 28443117, 2844–3111, Fax: (852) 25247652 Email: [email protected]
• Thailand: The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok - Jewelry Trade Centre Building, Rm. 1907, 19th Floor, 919/1 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500. Tel:2671722, 630119 - Fax:6301193.
• Kuwait: Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Adailiya-Block 3- Essa Abdul Rahman Al-Assoussi Street, Jaddah No. 32- Villa No. 7, Kuwait. Phone: 9652516640/50, Fax: 9652516550
• Bangladesh: Royal Bhutanese Embassy, House No.12 CEN, Road No.107, Gulshan, Dhaka-1212. Phone: 880-2-8826863/8827160, Fax: 880-2-8823939

Povežite se

• The international dialing code for Bhutan is 975
• WiFi is readily available in the majority of hotels throughout the country, and most population centres have internet cafes, although they are relatively expensive.
• Most of Bhutan has mobile phone coverage, which is smart phone capable. B-Mobile has agreements with North American, some Asian and European countries on mobile roaming. Tashi Cell is another mobile company based in country.
• Tourists can now quickly and easily register for a B-Mobile SIM that is valid for 1 month. Simply take your passport to a B-Mobile office. The SIM card costs 50Nu, and comes with 50Nu credit. Ask them to activate 3G and data access while you are there, and test it works before leaving. There are no data plans per se, but the rate is affordable by international standards (0.0003Nu/KB). The only available SIM card size is the standard size, but some offices have sim cutters for the iPhone 4 & 5 (if you're worried, bring your own SIM cutter). B-Mobile recharge cards can be purchased in most general stores.
• The official tourism board in Bhutan is the Tourism Council of Bhutan, for more information on the destination you can find it on their website.

Media

• Kuensel. A partially government-owned newspaper with a forty-year history. Kuensel is published daily.
• BBS. The official TV broadcasting station.
• Radio Valley. Bhutan's first private FM radio station. A program called "With Love From Home" can be listened online.
• Kuzoo FM An English language radio channel - mixture of youth orientated music and discussion programs - FM 105.
• Centennial Radio An English and Dzongkha (national language) program.

Pojdi naprej

• Kolkata - Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) flies between Paro and Kolkata. In addition, the Bhutan Government operates an overnight bus service from Phuentsholing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The buses depart from Bhutan Post office at 15:00, and the journey takes around 18 hours and costs ₹/Nu.300 New Delhi - Druk Air flies between Paro and Delhi. It also operates flights between other Indian cities of Guwahati, Gaya and Siliguri (Bagdogra Airport).
• Nepal - many travellers to Bhutan combine the visit with a trip to this other Himalayan country and Druk Airways operate flights from Paro to Katmandu.
• Thailand - Druk Air operates daily flights from Paro to Bangkok.
• Dhaka - Druk Air operates 3 flights a week from Paro to Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh. It is one of the major cities of South Asia.