…Bhutan

Sandwiched between the monoliths of India and China, The Land of The Thunder Dragon or the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan has inspired many around the world by placing the happiness and prosperity of each of its individuals ahead of economic wealth. This is the central idea behind Gross National Happiness (GNH), Bhutan’s development philosophy. As you step out of your flight, you take in the clear blue sky and breathe in the crisp air. Driving to Thimpu from Paro brings to your notice the absolute lack of known names like McDonald’s/Subway/Wrangler/Levi’s/Etc staring you in your face. Yes, there are no ‘brands’ here. Refreshing, in more ways than one!

With a population of ‘more than 7 lakhs but less than 1 million (in the words of our guide) the Bhutanese love their King, their country, and their culture. They are guileless people, a bit shy and fiercely proud of their tradition, a fact which is evident as you see them gracefully donning their national dress every day. Still untouched by modernization, every building is built with a strict emphasis on a traditional facade, adding to the uniqueness and beauty of the place.

This is also the very first country I visited where service people didn’t hover around with an expectant look on their faces waiting for tips.

How long should your trip be and which are the places you need to visit: 
Though personal preference is what makes one plan their holiday, Thimpu-Punakha-Paro is the popular trio. Bumthang is another spot fast gaining popularity(we missed it)
2 days in Thimpu, an overnight stay in Punakha (as opposed to the day trip which most people take) and 3-4 days in Paro (4 days if you plan to attempt the trek to Tiger’s Nest, as that takes up almost half of your day) should ensure a good relaxed holiday.

How should you book your trip:

You need to book a car along with a driver and guide to travel around Bhutan. There are also certain road permits to be arranged.
The popular option is book your trip through a reputed travel agency, who take care of everything.
The other option is to book your hotel, and ask them to arrange a car+driver+guide+permissions for you.
Both options work well, with the latter being slightly more economical.
P:S: When booking your Hotel do ask for special packages for Indian tourists (which include discounts on the rack rate, certain meals and day tours)

What you’ll need to carry with you: 
The only way to travel through Bhutan is by road. If you have car/motion/altitude sickness, do carry the appropriate medication.
A high SPF Sunblock is a must, as the sunlight here is very sharp. A good hat and pair of sunglasses help even further.
Carry a light jacket and/or stole/scarf with you even in the non-winter months, as temperatures dip without a warning.
Good, comfortable walking shoes.

When to visit:
Best time: Spring, or the months of March, April & May. Excellent weather, with nature in all its glory. A perfect time for touring & trekking.
2nd best time: Fall, or the months of September, October & November. Pleasant weather and festival time.
Most Economical time: Summer, or the months of June, July & August. When the crowds and the tariffs are both at an all-time low. Sudden rain showers could confine you indoors though.

How to get there:
Druk Air and Tashi Air fly you to Bhutan from India.
Druk Air, a government airline, is much preferred, as Tashi Air, a private airline, is known to cancel flights at the last minute if they don’t have enough passengers on board.
Druk Air flies from Kolkota, Delhi & Mumbai. The flight time from Kolkata to Paro was 1 hour.

Brace yourself for the most adventurous flight of your life, as due to the lack of an Automatic Landing System (ALS) at Paro Airport the pilot follows the course of the river, and veers between mountains to land safely.
If you sit on the left side of the aircraft while flying to Paro (and the right side while flying from Paro) on a clear day you could spot the summits of the Mighty Mountains, The Everest & The Kanchenjunga.

The Kanchenjunga Summit as viewed from the flight window.

Entry Permit:
Indian Nationals traveling to Bhutan do not need a visa.
An identity document, either a Passport or a Voters Card however is required for presentation at the immigration during entry. Keep some passport size photographs handy too.
An Affidavit from the Supreme Court is needed for those who don’t have any of the above documents.

Currency: The Ngultrum (BTN) is on par with the Indian Rupee (INR).
Indian currency is accepted everywhere, except the Rs 1000 note. Most places accept major credit cards. I did not spot an ATM anywhere.

Language: Dzongkha is the national language. English is widely spoken. Some locals tend to surprise you with a fair knowledge of Hindi.

What to eat and drink: The Bhutanese love their chilies, which are considered a vegetable, and not a spice. Spicy Chillies (Ema) cooked in a cheese sauce, Emadatse, is the National Dish, and you will find it everywhere. Red Rice and White Rice are a part of every meal, along with fresh, lightly cooked vegetables. Various Chutneys, as meal accompaniments, are a must-try too. Thukpa, is a very filling noodle soup. Suja, or butter tea, a savory tea. Ara, their local very potent rice wine. Beef & Pork are the preferred meats and Chicken and Fish are on the menu in various forms. For the non-adventurous palate, basic Indian and Chinese Cuisine is also on the menu of most hotels/restaurants.

What to shop, and where: Bhutanese Thangka paintings (Intricately hand painted with vegetable dyes, and mounted in silk) Local handwoven fabrics in cotton and silk. Yak Hair carpets/shawls/stoles/blankets. Souvenirs & Handicrafts. Exquisite wine containers. Masks. Faux/ Semi-Precious jewelry.
The Weekend Market’s are the best place to shop, as everything here is priced at at least 40% less than it is in the shops. If you visit Tiger’s Nest, you could pick up trinkets and souvenirs from the starting (and ending) point of the climb, at 1/4 the price you would pay in Paro for the same.