Time zone

UTC+6 hours

Capital

Thimpu

International flights

Bhutan is connected via Delhi, Kolkata, Nepal, and Bangkok. Most flights require an overnight connection before heading into Bhutan.

Currency

The local currency is the Ngultrum (Nu). Approximately 85 Nu, convert to one pound; 46 Ngultrum convert to one US Dollar. Pegged to the Indian Rupee is the same value as 1 Nu equals and is accepted almost like local currency throughout Bhutan.

We recommend carrying US Dollars/USD Travellers Cheques or Indian Rupees into Bhutan.  Pound Sterling is not is generally accepted. If traveling via Delhi or Kolkatta you have the option of converting sterling into Indian Rupees before heading into Bhutan.  

Hotels in big cities are happy to exchange foreign currency.  

Healthcare

Avoid drinking tap water and taking ice in drinks. Stick to bottled water (or boiled water available at the hotel) and ensure that the seal is opened by you/in your presence. Aerated waters (bottled soft drinks) are fine. Eat moderately for the first few days. Allow your system to get used to the changes. Yoghurt (locally called "curd") is advisable for weak constitutions or after spicy food.

Spicy chillies (ema) mixed with a cheese sauce called emadatse is the national dish of Bhutan. Chillies are treated as a vegetable rather than a seasoning in the Bhutanese diet! Bhutanese hotels tend to lay out set meals, with vegetarian and non vegetarian (pork is quite popular) dishes. Bhutan's professional chefs temper their natural tendency to over spice dishes by preparing food more suitable to the western palate. Our personal view is that you should not look forward to local food as a highlight of your trip.

Local hotels offer a limited choice of alcoholic beverages, including beer. The more expensive hotels do have a wider range of food and beverage, including wine.Please note; sale of tobacco is outlawed in Bhutan and smoking is banned in public places and even in your hotel. You cannot purchase cigarettes locally. If you are a regular smoker, you should either take adequate supply before entering the country and smoke in private, or use this visit as an opportunity to finally give up smoking!

We recommend you carry with you a small supply of basic health care medication such as travel sickness tablets, anti-diarrhoea tablets, insect repellent, sun creams and a general purpose antibiotic. These may not be readily available in Bhutan. We strongly recommend that all travellers are properly insured for the holiday. If you have taken your own travel insurance, please check that it includes repatriation costs.

Clothing

Bhutan's climate varies significantly with altitude and between specific locations. There are three broad climatic zones: subtropical in the south, temperate in the broad central regions and alpine in the north. In general, some warm clothing is recommended for all seasons.