Geographical location: Located in southern Asia, between China and India.

Capital: Thimpu

Best time to go: Spring or autumn, the months of February, March, April, September, October and November

Currency: Ngultrum

Weather/Seasons: Varies between tropical in the southern plains, central valleys that have cool winters and cool summers, and severe winters and cool summers in the Himalayas. The rainy season, from June to October, winter is from December to February.

Languages Spoken: The National language of Bhutan is Dzongkha; Sharchokpa – language spoken in the eastern Bhutan; Nepali – language spoken in the southern Bhutan; English

Sports/Recreation: Archery, Singing , Dancing

Cuisine: The Bhutanese diet is rich in meat, dairy, grain (particularly rice) and vegetables. Emadatse, made with green hot chilies and cheese stew, is considered the national dish with many interpretations to this recipe throughout the kingdom. Meat dishes, mainly pork, beef and yak, are lavishly spiced with chilies, and it is common to see bright red peppers drying on rooftops in the sun. Salted butter tea, or suja, is served on all social occasions. Several Tibetan-style dishes are common, including momos (dumplings), and thukpa (noodles). Chang, a local beer, and ara, a spirit distilled from rice, maize, wheat or barley, are also common and widely favored. Doma or betel nut is offered as a customary gesture of greeting.

Ethnicity: The “Sharchops”, who live in the east of the country and are believed to be the original inhabitants. The “Ngalongs”, who live mostly in western Bhutan and are the descendants of Tibetan immigrants. The “Lhotshampas”, settled in the south of Bhutan in the late 19th century. The Lhotshampa (meaning Southern Bhutanese) represent Nepali- speaking groups.

Population: 634,982 (as of 2005-2006)

Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism

Economy: 70 % of Bhutan’s people depend on agriculture, it is the backbone of the economy.

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Security: There is relatively little crime in Bhutan. Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching, is occasionally reported. Recent civil unrest has been due to refugee issues Bhutan is currently facing.

Transportation: Tourists can travel in Bhutan with medium-sized buses (20-22 seats), small buses (8-12 seats) or hired cars.

Visa Matters: Everybody needs to get a visa. Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan. Visitors are required to book travel through a registered tour operator in Bhutan. This may be done directly or through a travel agent abroad.

Bhutan Flag

Tourist Attractions

• Trashi Chhoe Dzong
• Memorial Chorten
• School of Arts and Crafts
• Weekend market
• Changlimithang Stadium
• National Institute of Traditional Medicine
• Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest)
• Rimpung Dzong
• Town of Paro

Accommodations

• Uma Paro
• Zhiwa Ling
• Jakar Village Lodge
• Amankora Paro
• Amankora Thimphu
• Gangtey Palace Hotel
• Taj Tashi
• Kichu Resort Wangduephodrang
• Dewachen Hotel

Flights

• Druk Air flights