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Facts for travelers


INSURANCE
In order to protect the unforeseen accidents and mishaps, we strongly recommend you to have Travel insurance policy from your country. The insurance policy should adequately cover helicopter evacuation and medical assistance. We regret to inform that such policies are unavailable in Bhutan.

MONEY
Bhutan's unit of currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.), with 100 Chetrum = 1Ngultrum. The Ngultrum is fixed to the value of Indian rupee. Tourists are advised to carry their money in form of travelers checks (preferably American Express) and cash (US Dollars / GBP / EURO), which might be needed for incidental expenses. A few places like handicraft shops accept VISA card but beyond that any card (ATM, VISA, MASTER) will not be accepted.

TOUR ESCORTS:
All Snow White tours are escorted by well versed and knowledgeable guides, trained and certified by Tourism Authority of Bhutan. 

CLOTHING
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold-layered clothing is better than a few thick ones, so choose your cloths accordingly. Cloths should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, we would advise women to wear skirts or loose trousers, men should not wear sing lets. During visit of monasteries, Dzong and other religious institutions you should not wear shorts & hats.

WHAT TO PACK
The following is fairly exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip:
1. Clothes as per season,
2. Sunglasses / spare glasses or contact lenses
3. Sun screen, preparation for relief of sunburn
4. Pair of casual shoes
5. Washing kit
6. Shaving kit
7. Towel
8. Hat
9. Umbrella
10. Camera, film and accessories
11. Antiseptic cream

PHOTOGRAPHY
Every Bhutan itinerary affords superb photographic opportunities. Most local people are willing to be photographed so long as you have gotten their agreement through gestures. Remember to bring extra photo supplies for your particular camera. Please follow carefully your guide’s instructions about photographing at religious sites.

HEALTH INFORMATION
No vaccinations are currently required for traveling to Bhutan. However if you are arriving from an area infected with yellow fever, have a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before arrival. If you are arriving from a cholera infected area, a cholera vaccination is strongly recommended. Anti-malarial medication is also recommended for all travelers who are visiting rural areas in the districts that border India.

SHOPPING
The country’s exquisite
postage stamps, lovely hand woven fabrics, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade papers, finely crafted metal objects and thangka paintings are the arts and crafts most sought after by visitors. Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in the Kingdom unless the item has been approved by the govt.
 

DUTY and CUSTOMS
The export of any and all antiquities (religious and none) is strictly prohibited. Some older items have been approved for export. Do remember to get receipts from shops where you make purchases and documentation of approval on any antique purchases.

Cameras, etc but must be listed on your arrival card and will be checked on departure.

Following with the recent ban of selling cigarettes and tobacco products in the country a tourist is allowed to carry the certain quantity of products in the kingdom for his or her own consumption by paying 100% tax.

Cigarettes:    1 carton containing 200 pieces of cigarettes

Pipe Tobacco:  3 tins of 50 grams each

Other Tobacco Products: 50 grams

GRATUITIES
Tipping is a personal matter and entirely up to you. Whether and how much to tip depends on how much a guide, driver or other service person has contributed to the enjoyment of your travel experience.

TIME:
Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and there is only one time zone throughout the country.

NOTE
Tourism has been strictly limited in Bhutan so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. The Bhutanese are highly religious people and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for local customs, way of life especially while visiting religious institutions.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. And for these reason the number of tourists visiting Bhutan are kept to an environmentally manageable level

.