A River Runs Through It

In this articleGetting ThereVisaTourism PolicyWhen To GoSceneryReligionFoodMust-SeeWhere to stay Bhutan is just a two-hour flight from the Capital. Getting There Druk Air, the national Bhutanese airline, flies to Bhutan, Paro, twice a week from Delhi. It is just a two-hour flight from the Capital. A colourful airport gaily painted with flowers and Buddhist motifs will greet you at the end of the flight. VisaA visa is not required for Indian citizens. A passport is not required either, but some form of identification is essential. A drivers license or passport will suffice. Tourism Policy Bhutan does not have an open tourism policy. So determined are the Bhutanese to protect their traditional way of life and avoid the trappings of modernisation that Thimphu is the only capital city in the world which does not have a single traffic light. One was installed several years ago but residents complained and it was removed within days. Thimphu thus retains its charm and is awash with brightly painted, elaborately decorated facades, giving the town a medieval feel. This is perhaps why the king has imposed a restricted tourism policy. Not more than six thousand tourists visit Bhutan in a year and the king, worried about letting tourists loose on this profoundly traditional and religious society, insisted that all visitors employ a guide or join a tour. So if you want to visit Bhutan, you may need to pay a visit to the Bhutanese embassy or consulate. When To Go The climate is best in autumn, from late September to late November, when skies are clear and the high mountain peaks are visible. This is the ideal time for trekking and for travelling throughout the country. But a visit to the Bhutan in the Summer is great too, and is an ideal escape from the summer heat. Scenery If you enjoy mountain and river scenery and love being surrounded by greenery and cool, crisp and fresh air, Bhutan is the place to go. As you pass paddy fields with women planting rice, avoid walking by. Custom dictates that if a group of women is planting rice and a man passes by, they can catch hold of him and shower him with mud. Women are also known to strip off the shirts of these men before coating him with wet mud! All in the spirit of fun, of course. Religion Drukpa Kagyu Buddhism is the most followed Bhutanese religion. Bhutanese are an extremely religious people, and evidence of this is visible throughout the Kingdom. Temples and monasteries abound, and prayer flags dot the scenery. Prayers are written on these colourful flags, and it is believed that every time the flag blows in the wind, the prayer is being said! Every Bhutanese house has a temple and along with images of the Gods you will almost always find an image of the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who is worshipped by the people of Bhutan. Food Momos, wild mushroom, red rice, and huge green chillies are the staple diet in Bhutan. If you are a non-vegetarian, the pork momos will transport you to heaven, but if you are vegetarian, stick to the red rice and mushroom dishes. Must-See Dont miss the Saturday Tibetan market. You can pick up fascinating knickknacks and souvenirs from here like prayer wheels, knifes and of course, beaded jewellery. You could shop in the main street the rest of the week, which is lined with shops and houses stocking cheap Indian goods, but you wont find much unless Maggi noodles, Peppy crispies, kiras and plastic bowls and toys are what you were looking for! Bhutan isnt really the place to go to shop, so if youre looking for malls, head to Singapore. But if youre looking for nature in its element, and for great food, head to Bhutan! Where to stay The Druk Hotel

Getting There

Druk Air, the national Bhutanese airline, flies to Bhutan, Paro, twice a week from Delhi. It is just a two-hour flight from the Capital. A colourful airport gaily painted with flowers and Buddhist motifs will greet you at the end of the flight.

Visa

A visa is not required for Indian citizens. A passport is not required either, but some form of identification is essential. A driver's license or passport will suffice.

Tourism Policy

Bhutan does not have an open tourism policy. So determined are the Bhutanese to protect their traditional way of life and avoid the trappings of modernisation that Thimphu is the only capital city in the world which does not have a single traffic light. One was installed several years ago but residents complained and it was removed within days. Thimphu thus retains its charm and is awash with brightly painted, elaborately decorated facades, giving the town a medieval feel. This is perhaps why the king has imposed a restricted tourism policy. Not more than six thousand tourists visit Bhutan in a year and the king, worried about letting tourists loose on this profoundly traditional and religious society, insisted that all visitors employ a guide or join a tour. So if you want to visit Bhutan, you may need to pay a visit to the Bhutanese embassy or consulate.

When To Go

The climate is best in autumn, from late September to late November, when skies are clear and the high mountain peaks are visible. This is the ideal time for trekking and for travelling throughout the country. But a visit to the Bhutan in the Summer is great too, and is an ideal escape from the summer heat.

Scenery

If you enjoy mountain and river scenery and love being surrounded by greenery and cool, crisp and fresh air, Bhutan is the place to go. As you pass paddy fields with women planting rice, avoid walking by. Custom dictates that if a group of women is planting rice and a man passes by, they can catch hold of him and shower him with mud. Women are also known to strip off the shirts of these men before coating him with wet mud! All in the spirit of fun, of course.

Religion

Drukpa Kagyu Buddhism is the most followed Bhutanese religion. Bhutanese are an extremely religious people, and evidence of this is visible throughout the Kingdom. Temples and monasteries abound, and prayer flags dot the scenery. Prayers are written on these colourful flags, and it is believed that every time the flag blows in the wind, the prayer is being said! Every Bhutanese house has a temple and along with images of the Gods you will almost always find an image of the King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who is worshipped by the people of Bhutan.

Food

Momos, wild mushroom, red rice, and huge green chillies are the staple diet in Bhutan. If you are a non-vegetarian, the pork momos will transport you to heaven, but if you are vegetarian, stick to the red rice and mushroom dishes.

Must-See

Don't miss the Saturday Tibetan market. You can pick up fascinating knickknacks and souvenirs from here like prayer wheels, knifes and of course, beaded jewellery. You could shop in the main street the rest of the week, which is lined with shops and houses stocking cheap Indian goods, but you won't find much unless Maggi noodles, Peppy crispies, kiras and plastic bowls and toys are what you were looking for! Bhutan isn't really the place to go to shop, so if you're looking for malls, head to Singapore. But if you're looking for nature in its element, and for great food, head to Bhutan!