Tour Guides in Bhutan

Over a thousand certified and employed tour guides are employed nationwide.

Each guide must successfully finish a training program in order to guarantee that guests receive high caliber, professional assistance. Adventure or cultural trips are the two specialties available to tour guides. All tour guides are fluent in English, and many of them have taken language training in German, Japanese, Thai, and other languages to help them converse with visitors. Only licensed and registered guides may be employed by all tour providers.

We offer this useful advice to make the process of planning a trip to Bhutan and acquiring a tourist visa easier. This has been asper the Department of Tourism formerly known as Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Pic. Courtesy: Department of Tourism formerly known as Tourism Council of Bhutan.

The following details serve as a travel guide for Bhutan. Although not an exhaustive list, this practical advice should nonetheless be helpful to you as you plan your trip.

• Travel/Medical Insurance: An exclusive travel and medical insurance program has been started by the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan just for our guests. Your Bhutanese tour operator or international partner may offer travel insurance. For more information, you may also go to the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan website at https://www.ricb.bt/

• Money: The Ngultrum is the currency of Bhutan (Nu.) It is equivalent to the rupee, which is recognized as legal money throughout the nation. Please take note that Bhutan does not accept INR (Indian Rupee) values of 500 and 1000. The majority of hotels and gift shops accept credit cards, and POS (Point of Sale) facilities are accessible nationwide.

• Banking: Bhutan’s financial institutions have improved significantly, and there are now several banks here that can meet the needs of the populace. The Bhutan National Bank, the Druk PNB, the Tashi Bank, and the Bank of Bhutan Limited are a few of the banks you can use while visiting Bhutan. Traveler’s checks are simple to withdraw and exchange for local money. These banks all offer online banking services. Additionally, POS (Point of Sale) facilities are accessible everywhere, allowing customers to pay with a credit card at the majority of hotels and gift shops.

• Electricity: All significant towns have reliable access to 220/240-volt electricity with round hole two- and three-pin power outlets. Although the majority of hotels provide multiple plug connections, it is advised that you bring flat-to-round pin converters for your gadgets if necessary. Bhutan is a country with zero carbon emissions. Hydro power is the source of our energy, which is green and pure.

• Photography: Bhutan presents numerous options for photography, particularly when traveling outside and taking in the scenery. However, you should double-check with your guide before taking photos or making videos inside Dzongs, temples, monasteries, and other places of worship because in some places, doing so is prohibited. You are free to take pictures of the surroundings, including the exteriors of Dzongs and Chortens, as well as the scenery, expansive mountain views, rural life, flora and fauna, and distinctive Bhutanese architecture.

• Shopping: Bhutan presents numerous options for photography, particularly when traveling outside and taking in the scenery. Handmade paper products, wooden bowls known as Dapas, carved masks of various animals, woven baskets made of cane and bamboo, hand-woven fabrics made of raw silk or silk, and exquisitely wrought silver gods are just a few of the popular handicrafts that can be bought. The stunning Buddhist thangka paintings or Bhutan’s extensive collection of vibrant and inventive postal stamps are further items that you could find interesting. The numerous handicraft stores in and around Thimphu, as well as in other significant cities, carry these things. Please keep in mind that it is illegal in Bhutan to buy or sell antiques.

• Communications: The nation has a strong network of communications infrastructure. The majority of hotels and coffee shops have Wi-Fi. Bhutan has a robust mobile (cell) phone network with access to international roaming. Tourist sim cards are easily accessible through our two telecom operators, Bhutan Telecom and Tashi Cell.

• Clothes & Paraphernalia: Bhutan has a very varied climate due to its high altitudes. As a result, be ready for any unexpected weather. We urge tourists to dress modestly and with respect, especially if you intend to visit monasteries, Dzongs, or other places of worship. When visiting these locations, long pants and long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Please take off your hats, caps, and other headgear before entering places of worship, offices, institutions, and any other location where the national flag is being flown as a sign of respect.

• Gratuities: Tipping is entirely a personal decision. If you choose to tip your tour guides and drivers, it is entirely up to you. However, if you choose to do so, we advise you to put the gratuity in an envelope.

• Measures, Weight and Time: Bhutan uses the metric system, with the majority of weights measured in grams and kilograms (kg). GMT is six hours ahead of normal time.

• Health Inoculations: Please obtain medical advice from your doctor regarding any necessary vaccinations and medications before departing on a trip to Bhutan. You should at the very least be immunized against hepatitis A, tetanus, and typhoid.

• Precautions: Even though Bhutan is one of the safest places in the world, you should still use caution when traveling there. Please make sure to safeguard your belongings, particularly your passports, cameras, wallets, and handbags. Please don’t leave these things visible in closed cars while sightseeing. Since the majority of Bhutan’s water sources are untreated, it is always best to avoid consuming tap water that hasn’t been boiled or ice cubes in beverages. Affordable purified and bottled water is simple to find. Bhutan also has a responsibility to safeguard its inhabitants against narcotics and tobacco products. We need your support and collaboration to accomplish this. If you are stopped and asked about your luggage, kindly cooperate. Please don’t bring more tobacco products than the allowed amount.

• Public Holidays: Nationwide public holidays are being observed. However, each Dzongkhag has a list of regional holidays that are followed, particularly while holding annual tshechus (Religious festivals). Please get in touch with your service provider or travel agency for such a list.