e scape your commute know before you go our bite visas All visitors are required a visa to size guide enter into Bhutan m oney The Bhutanese currency is the to bhutan Ngultrum (Nu), which is equivalent your print out and take home to the Indian Rupee guide speak The national language is Dzongkha, however English is widely spoken in major cities buy Coke: 20-100 Nu Beer: 50-150 Nu W ater: 15-50Nu when One of the great to go things about Bhutan is that you fantastic to visit all year round. Each season provide a unique experience dreams of the peaceful be one of the first in bhutan dragon Bhutan is a mysterious country that terrain not only offers great hiking will never cease to amaze or intrigue. trails, but the most breathtaking “the world has few And talk about being unique. Never scenery. The ancient monasteries have we come across a country that offer a spiritual insight into Bhutan's secrets left, but still adheres to a daily dress code, past. Every season paints a different Bhutan is one of worships the penis to ward off evil experience to each visit and the them” and holds Gross National Happiness Bhutanese people are always more important than Gross National welcoming you with open arms. So if - Hickman Product. you're looking for bragging rights, look no further than Bhutan. Having only been open to tourists since 1974 has meant that Bhutan is a country vastly unknown but begging to be explored. The mountainous To get under the skin of Bhutan email [email protected] or call 0207 426 9888 (UK) or +1-877 815 1497 (US) regions where to go Cradled in the Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is landlocked in between China, India and Nepal, making this Kingdom a melting pot of different cultures. And even though the same size as Switzerland, there’s so much diversity and to discover in Bhutan... western bhutan central bhutan eastern bhutan Paro, home to Bhutan’s only airport, For dramatic mountain scenery, Considered to be the most prepare for an incredible take the route over the Black unexplored region of the country; introduction to this magical Mountains from western to central Eastern Bhutan is home to isolated kingdom. The beautiful valley of Bhutan for an unforgettable villages where you can find Paro is overlooked by breathtaking experience. Home to large areas of immense weavers, crafty Mt. Jhomolhari and is a shrine to the virgin forest, this national park is a tradesmen and distinct dialects Buddhists’ most sacred site – the twitcher’s heaven, inhabited by an unknown by many in the W est. W ith Taktsang Monastery, or more incredible 500 species of bird. And a lower altitude, the temperature affectionately known as Tiger’s that’s not all. If you’re lucky you here turns from alpine cool to sub- Nest. Now one of Bhutan’s most might spot Himalayan black bears, tropical bliss. Villages are built up impressive landmarks, it clings to a tigers, leopards, golden langurs along hills rather than in valleys. So sheer cliff, 3000 feet above the and even red pandas. A road trip in for a completely different valley. If you want a truly paradise. experience get to Eastern Bhutan unforgettable experience, a trek up before the crowds rush in. to this mystical wonder is a must. To get under the skin of Bhutan email [email protected] or call 0207 426 9888 (UK) or +1-877 815 1497 (US) our pick of bhutan awaken your spirit rejuvenate your mind and soul in bhutan Bhutan; the closest you’ll get to total peace and quiet without packing it all in and becoming a Look forward to: monk. Our six day experience will whisk you far way from the daily grind as you breathe in fresh • Daily yoga mornings Himalayan air, enjoy incredible walks through lush followed with valleys, and relax with spa treatments to make you personally designed feel as good as new. And forget running out of the detox juices door with breakfast in hand, let alone staying awake until the wee hours of the morning. In Bhutan you’ll • Being blessed by Buddhist nuns begin each morning with yoga rituals and end each day with meditation sessions. Calm, tranquil and • Hiking through rejuvenating, you’ll be sure to leave a different Paro’s stunning person valley • Meditating under a starry night sky • Treks to Tiger’s Nest To get under the skin of Bhutan email [email protected] or call 0207 426 9888 (UK) or +1-877 815 1497 (US) fashion & t extile Strut your stuff in Bhutan Etiam eu ipsum. Donec ac arcu. revealing and echoed in the art of Dirglam namzha, the law of the textiles. The yarn used can vary land, requires the Bhutanese to from yak hair and silk, to cotton wear their national dress during and sheep’s wool. daylight hours. The men wear a gho, a long -r osobdea tlieesd. tightly at The dyes used to colour each the waist with a kera, forming a thread have all been derived large pouch, perfect to carry a bowl or stash of betel nuts to chew on. a story to tell The women wear the kira, The Bhutanese have crafted the designed to enhance their grace most sophisticated and intricate and beauty. W orn over a wonju, hand weaving culture of all that’s a blouse in laymans terms, civilization. More than just an art, the kira is a floor-length gown but an act of religious and completed with a cropped spiritual expression, their weave jacket, the toego. tells a story and provides us the key for unlocking Bhutanese culture and its people. from the natural surroundings. Pinks and blues from flowers, Evolving through generations, the oranges and browns from leaves art form has passed from mother and darks reds from resin. It’s no to daughter, across village to surprise that the time taken to village. The ‘thump, thump’ of the complete the most elaborate of weaver’s hand loom is a familiar fabrics can take up to a year. So sound, and there’s an intricate you might want to get your orders rhythm to each and every weave. in quick. organic textiles fashion The Bhutanese relationship with their natural surroundings is To get under the skin of Bhutan email [email protected] or call 0207 426 9888 (UK) or +1-877 815 1497 (US) our pick of bhutan thunder dragon capture the spirit of bhutan Look forward to: There’s no better way to flaunt your travels than with jaw-dropping photographs and endless stories to go • Getting that perfect with them. On this experience, see Bhutan in a different national geographic light as you go behind the scenes. Your guide will take shot of Bhutan’s you to spots off the beaten path to set you up with the landscapes. perfect composition, so all you need to do is point and shoot. Don’t know your aperture from your exposure? • Capturing the smiles Panic not. Your guide, a professional photographer, will of children you meet show you the ropes, making sure you get that national in Bhutan’s isolated geographic-worthy shot. villages. • Coming to Bhutan as a stranger and leaving having made good friends To get under the skin of Bhutan email [email protected] or call 0207 426 9888 (UK) or +1-877 815 1497 (US) custom s & t raditions feel at home in bhutan Etiam eu ipsum. Donec ac arcu. religious festivals m i casa es su casa In Bhutan it’s pretty much festival The Bhutanese are a warm and time throughout the year and, as a friendly bunch (no surprise traveler, this is something you coming from a country that values simply can’t miss out on. Festivals, Gross Nationa-l sHoadpapleisn.e ss over otherwise known as Tsechu, are not Gross National Product). So when so much a fiesta but a religious it comes to hospitality, they’ll event held on grounds that have welcome you with open arms. been purified and consecrated by You’ll be offered exquisite treats take aim ranging from betel nuts to ara (a sort of rice wine). They love their Believe it or not, even the most cheese and can’t get enough of private and culture driven societies chilies. Meat eaters, panic not, love their sport. And for the even though Bhutan is a Buddhist Bhutanese, archery is their country, meat is still widely no.1 obsession. In fact, not only is it available. Yak meat is the staple a competitive sport but it’s quite for non-vegetarians and most the formal affair. Archers must wear commonly prepared in a curry. their formal dress, the gho, while And to wash it down? Butter tea of taking aim at a 30cm target at a distance of 120 metres. lamas. W hilst every festival has its It’s a colourful and exciting game, own theme and special flavour, the and there’s a great deal of central focus of each and every one superstition surrounding it. Players is the monks’ dance. Technically it often consult an astrologer for isn’t a dance, but a form of some pre-game advice, sometimes meditation where the monks undergoing day-long rituals to rid personify a deity and bless the them of any omens. audience – so don’t disturb. Locals turn up to watch in their best dress, and so should you. Elaborate course. Not your ordinary brew masks, vibrant costumes and admittedly, this tea is made with unique rituals, the Bhutanese milk, yak butter and salt.