Bhutan – Land of the "Thunder Dragon" has become one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world today. This kingdom has often been referred as the last Shangri-la, land of wonderful people, extraordinary scenery and exciting culture .The unique and rare place in the world that only few have the opportunity to travel.
Bhutan is located between the world’s giants, India and the Tibetan region of China; Bhutan is today slowly opening up to the world through a sensitive approach to tourism.
You can now discover the cultural and natural wonders of this last remaining Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom of the Himalaya. Here is a kingdom that is just throwing off the veil of mystery, and opening its doors to travelers.
Bhutan has the immaculate environment, almost no pollution, and a living culture where festivals and cultural events are a part of daily life and not creations for tourism. Let us take care of your needs on your tour of this little known kingdom.
General Information on Bhutan
History
The Traditional Name of Bhutan is ‘Druk Yul’. It is a land-locked country. Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas bordered by India in the south, east and west and by the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China in the north. The total area of Bhutan is 46,500 Sq. Km. and Bhutan is located between latitudes 26 45 0 North and 28 10 0 North and between longitudes 88 45 0 east and 92 10 0 east. Bhutan shares about 1075 km of land boundaries with its neighbors - China 470 km, India 605 km. The origin of Bhutan and its earlier history is unknown. Guru Padma Sambhava, an Indian saint made his legendary trip from Tibet to Bhutan at the end of eighth century.
Bhutan’s history is shrouded in mystery, prior to the arrival of yet another Tibetan Lama (monk), Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal from Ralung Monastery of Tibet in 1616. After being threatened in Tibet, he escaped from Bhutan, in 1616.
Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal
Before Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal‘s arrival, Many clans ruled in different parts of Bhutan, having internecine war and quarrel among themselves and with Tibet. The arrival of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal is taken as the most important era in the history of Bhutan. Zhabdrung literally means, "At whose feet one submits". Over the next thirty years, he conquered and unified the country under his central leadership, which otherwise was fragmented into little principalities, ruled over by the tribal feudal chiefs.
Zhabdrung established himself as the country's supreme leader. He ruled over Bhutan for 35-years until his retirementIn 1651 A.D. During his ruling period of 35 years, he built dzongs (fortress), monasteries, and religious institutions. He established the Drukpa Kargyupa school of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism.
His period was marked by the introduction of the unique dual system of governance. This new system was characterized by the sharing of power and authority between the Deb Raja and the Desi who was the head of secular affairs and the Dharma Raja or the spiritual head, called as Je Khempo. He also codified laws for the country. The laws were based on medieval theocratic principles called the Tsa-Yig. The successive ‘Dharma Rajas’ were the incarnations of the Shabdrung, whereas the post of the Deb Raja was like that of the Prime Minister. In course of time, the Dharma Rajas preferring religious matters withdrew themselves into seclusion while the Deb Rajas consolidated their authority exercising sole responsibility over the secular affairs. The seventh and eighth Zhabdrung reincarnates (avtars) died in 1931 and 1953.
The dual form of governance continued until the birth of the Wangchuk dynasty and establishment of hereditary monarchy in 1907. Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907. The present King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the fourth hereditary king.
Geography
Bhutan is a landlocked country wedged between the autonomous region of Tibet, China, in the north and India in the south along the lofty mountains of the eastern Himalayas. It is located between 88°45'and 92°10' longitude east and between 26°40' and 28°15' latitude north. It covers 46,500 square kilometers and has population of more or less 650,000 with seventy five percent of the population living on cultivation and livestock rearing.
The country can be divided into three major geographic zones: The southern foothills and plains with hot and humid climate, the hills and valleys in the center with moderate rainfall and the highland of the north with high mountains covered with snow almost through out the year.
Bhutan is the land of complex gorges and valleys, soaring snow-peaked mountains and steep slopes, humid jungles and foothills, magnificent lakes and waterfalls, fast flowing rivers and streams and the richest biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Language in Bhutan
The national language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, which is widely spoken in western region. The eastern region of the country speak Sharchop, where as the people in the south speak Nepali.
English has been used as the medium of instructions in schools and institutes. The country’s national newspaper Kuensel is written in English, Dzongkha and Nepali.
Climate and weather in Bhutan
Bhutan has a wide range of climates, from the hot and humid jungles of the south to frosty snowcapped peaks in the north, which rise to 7,700 meters.
Basically, Climate of Bhutan can be divided into four seasons: Spring, summer, autumn and Winter.
Spring begins from the end of February and ends till the end of May. Summer starts from the end of May and ends in the end of August. There is one more season that may be identified in between somewhere here. The rainy season starts by June and lasts in the middle or end of September. The rainy season more or less coincides with the summer season. The rainy season is very important for farmers to grow their crops like maize and rice. Autumn starts by October and lasts at the end of November. Winter occurs from December to February. In most places in Bhutan, it snows in winter except in Southern Bhutan. Even in the south, it is quite chilly in the morning and evening in winter.
Summer is quite hot everywhere. But in the south, it gets almost terribly hot. Spring is a good season. Rainy season is not much loved by the city dwellers of course.
Religion in Bhutan
In terms of religion and faith, Bhutanese people practice Lamaist Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Animism. The Lamaist Buddhism is divided into two groups- Drukpa Kargyupa sect to which the King and other high government officials belong to and Nyingmapa Buddhism. The Sharchhop communities in the east practise Nyingmapa Buddhism.
| Religion | % of Population |
| Hindu | 45.10 % |
| Nyngmapa Buddhism | 34,48 % |
| Drukpa Krgyupa Buddhism | 16.21 % |
| Christians | 02.30 % |
| Animist | 01.02 % |
| Tibetan Buddhism | 00.89 % |
| Total | 100 % |
Bhutan visa Procedure
All the visitors traveling to Bhutan are required to obtain a visa and it is processed and arranged by outfitter Nepal. No foreign mission grants Bhutan tourist visa.
Outfitter Nepal will handle the visa procedures for you. The Govt. will sanction the VISA only after the receipt of full payment in advance. The cost of the visa itself is US $20, which can be further extended with an additional fee of US $15. Visa fee should be paid along with the tour payment and actual Bhutan VISA will be stamped in your passport on arrival on Paro airport.
For all travelers, entering into the country by road through Phuntsholing (border town in the south of Bhutan), the visa is stamped on arrival and Visa Clearance Number is forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu.
If you have received a fax copy of your visa authorization, it is useful to bring a copy with you in case of confusion at the Druk Air check-in counter or at the visa counter at Paro airport. The authorization letter has a reference number that can help the authorities find their copy of the authorization letter. Your passport is stamped with actual visa at the port/boarder of entrance to Bhutan against the payment of cash US 20 with 2-passport size photographs. Extra copies of photos will be an advantage.
Getting into Bhutan
The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air. The following cities are connected to Bhutan with Druk Air flights.
- India: Delhi (DEL) and Calcutta (CCU)
- Nepal: Kathmandu (KTM)
- Bangladesh: Dhaka (DAC)
- Thailand: Bangkok (BKK)
- Burma: Rangoon (RGN)
Druk Air is the only one airline operating flights to Bhutan. As Druk Air flight can be delayed because of weather, it is advisable to keep a 24-hour gap before any onward international connections.
There are two overland entry/exit points. One is from the Indian state of West Bengal into Phuntsholing in southwest Bhutan. Four hours drive from Phuntsholing will take you to Bagdogra in the state of West Bengal (India) which is the nearest airport from from Phuntsholings. Phuntsholing serves as a convenient point for the travelers wishing to visit the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal along with Bhutan. The drive from Phuntsholing to Thimphu takes six hours.
The other point is Samdrup Jongkhar in the southeast, 110 km from Guwahati, India. An Inner Line Permit to enter Assam will also be required to enter/exit through Guwahati. Tashigang is six hours' drive from Samdrup Jongkhar.