.
LUGGAGE
Lightweight packing is the best policy. It will be more
convenient and you will be charged for luggage over the weight limit of 44
lbs/person at the airport for incountry travel.
FOOD
Meals are included as specified in your itinerary. Breakfasts
will be at the hotels, mostly American Buffet style with fruit, eggs, bacon,
juices, etc. Lunches and dinners will be at Bhutanese restaurants. While
Bhutanese food is spicy, you will be served food more geared to your taste buds.
Buffet style meals are typical and include a mixture of Bhutanese, European,
Chinese and Indian dishes. Typically fresh, well-prepared vegetables and rice.
You may want to bring a few snacks such as granola bars, nuts, dried fruits, or
your own decaffeinated coffee/tea.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The photo opportunities are immense. The natural scenery is
superb and you will wish to record the local people, their houses and shops,
etc. Please note that photography in shrine rooms (alter) of dzongs,
monasteries, temples and religious institutions is not permitted. When visiting
such places please check with your guide before taking photographs.
SHOPPING
Hand woven textiles, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls,
handmade paper products, finely crafted metal objects, thangka paintings and
Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps are the items mostly purchased by travelers to
Bhutan. Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden.
RELIGIONS
Buddhism is practiced throughout the country and the majority of
the Bhutanese are Buddhist. Hinduism is practiced particularly in Southern
Bhutan among the Bhutanese of Nepali origin
MAJOR HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
The largest festival Tshechu, is an event honoring Guru Rinpoche
with dances performed by the monks as well as by lay people. The dates and
duration of the Tshechu festivals vary among dzongkhags (Districts) but they
always fall on or around the 10th day of the month in the Bhutanese calendar.
There are many other festivals throughout the year.
LOCAL TIME
+ 11 hours for EST (subtract 1 hour for daylight savings)
ELECTRICITY
230 volts alternate @ 50 cycles
TRAVEL ADVISORY
Visit the US State Department website at
www.state.gov for the most
current travel advisory.
RECOMMENDED READING
We recommend titles from Longitude Books,
www.longitudebooks.com
