2.5 months before traveling to Bhutan, you must send a request to enter the country to the Department of Tourism of Bhutan. The request is transmitted only through an accredited travel agency. Consideration of the request takes about 10 days. After 10 days, you need to obtain a visa permit from the travel agency, in the presence of which Bhutan Airlines (the only carrier in the country) will issue you tickets. In addition, the agency must agree on the dates of the trip, complete all documents for booking a hotel and a travel plan for Bhutan, and also pay in advance all expenses at the rate of at least 200 US dollars per day for the periods March-May and September-November or 165 US dollars per day for the periods June-August and December-February. Members of tourist groups of less than four people pay an additional tax. A tourist visa will be put in your passport upon arrival at Paro airport or in the border town of Puentsholing if you crossed the border by land. Its validity period is 15 days, however, it is possible to extend the visa on the spot at the Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan in Thimphu or at the office of the Bhutan Tourism Corporation. To obtain a visa, you must have 2 passport-sized photographs, a visa permit, a valid passport, round-trip air tickets, all documents confirming travel to third countries, and pay a visa fee of 20 US dollars. It is worth remembering that traveling around the country is possible only accompanied by representatives of the only official travel agency in the country.
The import of national currency is prohibited. All imported foreign currency must be declared upon arrival in the country. The import of drugs, weapons, ammunition, explosives and military equipment, antiques, as well as all types of plants and animals and goods from their skins, bones and armor is prohibited.
You can import duty-free up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, up to 400 cigarettes or up to 150 grams of tobacco, personal items, tools or equipment for professional activities, as well as photo, video cameras and other electronic equipment for personal use. All photo, video and electronic equipment imported into the country is subject to a declaration.
The export of the national currency is prohibited. Export of foreign currency is possible in the amount not exceeding the amount specified in the entry declaration. The export of any antiques, which include things over 100 years old, is prohibited.
Embassy in Bhutan
Bhutan, embassy in Moscow
Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Russia have not been established.
Bhutan, Russian Embassy in the country:
Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Russia have not been established.
The nearest Russian embassies are located in Nepal and Bangladesh.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nepal:
Kathmandu, Baluwatar, POBox 123.
Tel.: (9771) 41-2155, 41-1063.
Fax: (9771) 41-6571.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bangladesh:
Dhaka, Gulshan-2, Road 79, building NE (J) 9.
Tel.: (8802) 882-8147, 882-8142.
Fax: (8802) 882-3735.
Communication in Bhutan
You can call abroad in Bhutan from specialized payphones located in banks and large stores in large cities, from a hotel or from a call center.
In order to call from Bhutan to Russia, you need to dial 00 – 7 (Russian code) – area code – subscriber number.
In order to call from Russia to Bhutan, you need to dial 8 – 10 – 975 (Bhutan code) – area code – subscriber number. Thimphu code – 2.
Emergency Phones in in Bhutan
Thimphu Ambulance – 112 Thimphu
Police – 113 Thimphu
Fire Department – 110
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
May 2 – Birthday of the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
July 2 – Coronation Day of the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck
July 21 – Death Day of the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
August 8 – Independence Day
October 27 – Coronation Day of the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
November 11-13 – Birthday of the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck
December 17 – National Day of Bhutan
There are many religious festivals celebrated throughout the year in Bhutan. The dates of Buddhist holidays vary from year to year. The most popular are the Tibetan New Year Losar, Parinirvana (Buddha Nirvana Day), the day of the first visit of the Buddha and the birthday of Guru Rinpoche (the founder of Tibetan Buddhism). All sorts of Bhutanese festivals are very interesting. The most colorful festivals with dance performances and theatrical performances are held in Bhutanese monasteries. Local guides warn foreign tourists about the time and place of the festivals in advance.
USEFUL THINGS
A tour to Bhutan must be booked through an accredited travel agency: documents for booking a hotel are prepared in advance, a travel plan for the country is agreed and all travel expenses are paid at the rate of at least 200 US dollars per day for the periods March-May and September-November or $165 per day for the periods June-August and December-February. Members of tourist groups of less than four people pay an additional tax.
Foreign tourists can only travel around the country accompanied by local guides.
In summer, during the rainy season, one should refrain from traveling in mountainous areas due to the possibility of landslides and mudflows.
For local residents in Bhutan introduced a ban on smoking. Tourists are allowed to smoke, but only in strictly designated areas.
SHOPS
According to lawschoolsinusa, shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 20:00.
Tipping Tipping
is not customary in Bhutan, but there are no strict rules. Most often, tourists reward guides and drivers of sightseeing buses.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Bhutanese are shy and modest, but at the same time very hospitable.
ELECTRICITY
230V, 50Hz;
HEALTH CARE
International health insurance is highly recommended before traveling to Bhutan. The country is at risk of contracting polio, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, B and E, rabies and meningitis. In the southern regions, there is a risk of infection with Japanese encephalitis. The risk of contracting malaria is quite high in such southern regions of Bhutan as Chukha, Sarpang, Samtse, Sandrup-Jonkar and Zhemgang). The causative agent of malaria is most often P. falciparum, which is quite resistant to traditional drugs such as chloroquine or sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine.
Bottled or boiled water is recommended for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice. Milk is not pasteurized and is not recommended for consumption. Meat and fish should be consumed only after preliminary heat treatment, vegetables – thoroughly washed, and fruits – peeled.
When hiking in mountainous areas, gradual acclimatization is recommended.
In hot weather it is necessary to use sunscreen, dress in light cotton clothing, wear a hat and sunglasses.
