Asia, Bhutan

Overview

Bhutan, nestling in the heart of the great Himalaya, has for centuries remained aloof from the rest of the world. Since its doors were cautiously opened in 1974, visitors have been mesmerised: the environment is pristine, the scenery and architecture awesome and the people hospitable and charming.

When to go

The ideal time for trekking late-September to late-November when skies are generally clear and the high mountain peaks rise to a vivid blue sky. March-May is recognised as the second-best time to visit Bhutan for touring and trekking. Though there are more clouds and rain, the magnificent wildflowers are in bloom and birdlife is abundant. You're likely to get wet no matter what the season, but avoid the monsoon, June-August, when an average of 0.5m 1.5ft of rain buckets down in Thimphu and up to 1m 3ft saturates the eastern hills.Winter is a good time for touring in western Bhutan, bird watching in the subtropical jungles in the south, and white water rafting. The days are sunny and cool but it's quite cold once the sun sets. From December to February the road from Thimphu to Bumthang and the east may be closed because of snow for several days at a time. It would be best not to plan to visit these regions at this time.In recent years overcrowding has become an issue during the major

Visas

Despite popular mythology, you don't need special 'pull' to get a visa, neither is there a limit on the number of tourists allowed to visit. However, to minimise the perceived threat to Bhutan's unique culture, the government has established a stringent set of rules, which means you must travel on a pre-arranged itinerary and pay around 165.00-200.00, depending on the time of year, a night for the privilege, all costs included. Apart from that, the process is relatively straightforward and a good tour operator will be able to individualise your itinerary to suit your interests. All visa applications must be channelled through the Department of Tourism DOT from a selected tour operator, even if you are entering the land border crossing with India at Phuentsholing. With notification of approval and receipt of full payment, visas are issued when you arrive in the country. It's actually an extremely efficient system and you can set up a trip with as little as 10 days planning.

Weather

Higher parts of Bhutan have pleasant months either side of the rainy season, which lasts from May to September. Days from March to April and October to November are generally warm with less rain, decent sunshine and temperatures between 25-30°C 77-86°F. Nights can get a bit fresh between November and March. Lower parts of the country experience heavier falls and warmer temperatures during the day across this time.

Getting There and Away

There are only two ways to get into Bhutan: fly to Paro, 55km from Thimphu, or by road at Phuentsholing on the southern border with India. The national carrier, Druk Air, has several flights from Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu each week. Druk Air has no interline agreements with other carriers and they are the only airline that flies into or out of Bhutan. You will need to book your ticket through a tour operator, who will also arrange your visa, see www.tourism.gov.bt. The flight from Kathmandu to Paro provides the most dramatic view of Himalayan scenery of any scheduled flight. Be sure to get a window seat on the left side for some of the best views you will ever see from a plane.

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