Bhutan's official language is Dzongkha. The current population is approximately 800,000. Given the geographic isolation of
many of Bhutan's highland villages, it is not suprising that a number of different dialects have survived. Bhutan has never had
a rigid class system. Social and educational opportunities are not affected by rank or by birth. Bhutanese women enjoy equal rights with men in every respect. To keep the traditional culture alive, Bhutanese people wear the traditional clothing that has been worn for centuries. Bhutanese men wear a gho, a long robe tied around the waist by a small belt called a kera. A woman's ankle length dress is called a kira, made from beautifully colored and finely woven fabrics with traditional patterns. Necklaces are fashioned
from corals, pearls, turqoise, and the precious agate eye stones which the Bhutanese call 'tears of the gods' or dzi beads.

LOCATION The Kingdom of Bhutan lies in the Central Himalayas, between Tibet to the north, the Indian territories of Assam
& West Bengal, to the south and east, and Sikkim to the west. The Kingdom has a total area of about 47,000 square kilometers,
about the size of Switzerland. Located in the heart of the high Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is a land-locked country surrounded by mountains. The sparsely populated Greater Himalayas, bounded to the north by the Tibetan plateau, reach
heights of over 7,300 meters (23,950ft) and extend southward losing height, to form the fertile valleys of the Lesser Himalayas divided by the Wang, Sunkosh, Trongsa and Manas Rivers. Monsoon influences promote dense forestation in this region
and alpine growth at higher altitudes. The cultivated central uplands and Himalayan foothills support the majority of
the population. In the south, the Duars (the gates) Plain drops sharply away from the Himalayas into the large
tracts of semi-tropical forest, savannah grassland and bamboo jungle.

RELIGION: Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism (Drukpa Kagyu)
as its official religion. The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the
land and its well being. Annual festivals (tshechus and dromchoes) are spiritual occasions in each district. They bring together
the population and are dedicated to the Guru Rinpoche or protective deities. Throughout Bhutan, chortens or stupas (receptacle
for offerings) line the roadside commemorating places where Guru Rinpoche or another high Lama may have stopped to
meditate. Prayer flags dot the hills, fluttering in the wind. They allow Bhutanese people to maintain constant
communication with the heavens.

CURRENCY Bhutanese currency is the ngultrum (nu). The approximate exchange rate is 45.00 nu for one US dollar
(this will vary 1 or 2 nu, plus or minus) The ngultrum is on par with the Indian Rupee (both the Nu and Indian Rupee
can be used in Bhutan). US Dollars and other world currencies as well as traveler's cheques can be exchanged at banks
in the larger towns (hours 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Mon to Fri) and at the larger hotels. In the capital town of Thimphu some
of the smaller bank branches are open Saturday and Sunday for currency exchange. Ngultrum or rupees will be what
you will need for your purchases while in the more rural towns and villages.

CLIMATE ranges from tropical in the south, to temperate in the center of the country, to cold in the north...and like much
of your adventure in the Himalayas it will be quite unpredictable. The weather can vary dramatically from place to place and
can vary equally dramatically from day to day or within the same day. In the Thimphu and Paro valleys, the winter day time temperature averages 60 degrees Fahrenheit during clear winter days but drops well below freezing during the night.
Mid December to early January can be a beautifully clear and dry time in Western Bhutan. Late December through
mid February is the period of heaviest snow fall in the higher elevations

FOOD Spicy chilies (ema) mixed with a cheese sauce called emadatse is the national dish of Bhutan. Chilies are treated
as a vegetable rather than a seasoning in the Bhutanese diet. A wide variety of fresh vegetables are a daily staple of the
Bhutanese diet. Red and or white rice is served at all meals. Meats, poultry and fish (usually in the form of stews) are also
found on many Bhutanese menus along with Tibetan momos and noodle dishes. Bhutan's professional chefs temper their
natural tendency to over spice dishes by preparing food more suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to
Chinese and Bhutanese to Tibetan and Indian.

RELIGION: Bhutan is the only country in the world to retain the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism (Drukpa Kagyu)
as its official religion. The Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and its people. It permeates all strands of secular life, bringing with it a reverence for the
land and its well being. Annual festivals (tshechus and dromchoes) are spiritual occasions in each district. They bring
together the population and are dedicated to the Guru Rinpoche or protective deities. Throughout Bhutan, chortens
or stupas (receptacle for offerings) line the roadside commemorating places where Guru Rinpoche or another
high Lama may have stopped to meditate. Prayer flags dot the hills, fluttering in the wind. They allow the
Bhutanese people to maintain constant communication with the heavens

WHEN TO TRAVEL Bhutan has a season for everyone. The Kingdom stretches across all climatic zones;
from the sub-tropical jungles in the south, to the moderate heights of 2000 – 2500 metres in the centre and
up to the alpine world of the towering Himalayas and glaciers of the north.
In Winter the South beckons. Dry and pleasant conditions make this the best time of year for bird watching in the jungles,
village to village trekking in the lower altitudes or a bicycle trip along quiet mountain roads. The trekking routes in the high mountains are covered in deep snow and are impassable at this time of year. The impressive and endangered Black Necked
Crane spends the winter in the high valley of Bumdeling (in eastern Bhutan) and Phobjika (in central Bhutan).
In Spring the trekking season commences in moderate altitudes. Above 3000 metres spectacular rhododendron forests
bloom. It is also the perfect time for a rafting tour. In Paro, one of the largest monastic festivals - Paro tshechu – takes place.
Temperature is pleasantly mild even up to the Alp regions. Rain comesin May as the harbinger of the approaching monsoon.
The Summer brings with it the monsoon, but this should not deter the travellers. In the settled areas of the medium
ranges of Central and Western Bhutan pleasant summer temperatures without heat or humidity can be found. Rain falls
for short periods daily but is manageable with adequate planning and equipment. Treks in high mountain areas are
characterised by mild temperatures, verdant green meadows, and pastures of Blue Poppies and Edelweiss.
Nomads tending their yaks in the high Alps are a common sight.
Autumn is the traditional high season in Bhutan. September und October have the highest number of tshechus
(monastic festivals). Trekkers particularly enjoy the clear view of the mountains in October and the low rainfall.
Rice harvest means a picturesque landscape remarkable terraces and changing colour.
Temperatures and vegetation in the altitudes between 200 and 300 metres are comparable to the moderate climate of
middle Europe. The tree line lies just under 4000 metres. During winter there is little precipitation. Snow falls
rarely below 2500 metres.Average Temperature

FORMALITIES Visitors to Bhutan must either be guests of the government or tourists. All tourists must travel on a pre-
planned, prepaid, guided package tour. Independent travel is not permitted. For specific questions regarding tourism
policy not answered on this site you may contact the Department of Tourism in Thimphu (DOT) tab@druknet.bt

All visitors to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the kingdom. Those who have not had a visa approved
will not be permitted to board their Druk Air flight to Bhutan. A two-week visa costs US$20 and is stamped in your passport
at Paro Airport during the immigration process. Visas are approved and issued prior to entry, with the prepayment of your
travel itinerary. Therefore visitors to Bhutan need to finalize their travel plans well in advance. We recommend 90 days.

C'MORE can apply for an extension of tourist visas should a visitor wish to remain in the kingdom for longer than
two weeks. All visa applications must reach Bhutan (Travel Agent) at least 30 days prior to the intended arrival date,
earlier if traveling to the Kingdom in the peak months of September, October, November, March or April. Full passport
details must be faxed to C'MORE in order for the visa to be processed with the immigration authorities. We will advise
your their status before your intended departure date. Please remember to bring 2 original passport-size photographs
with you  to Bhutan as they will be required by the immigration authority at port of entry. The actual visas will be
issued in your passports at the entry points, either Paro airport or Phuentshiling (land entry)

Central Bhutan: The Black Mountains separate Western Bhutan from Central Bhutan.This region includes Trongsa and the
rich broad valleys of Bumthang including Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura valleys. The passes crossed are Yotang La
(3400m) Shertang La (3573m) and Thrumshing La (3800m). Central Bhutan is known for its buckwheat and apple
production, its sturdy stone houses, and its plethora of monasteries. Its the ideal place for walking due to its
broad valleys and sloping mountains. The beauty of the Bumthang valleys are legendary.

Eastern Bhutan: This region comprises Mongar, Lhuentse, Trashigang and Trashi Yangste. Sengor Valley separates
Central from Eastern Bhutan. After Thrumshing La, passes crossed are Kori La (2400m), Yongphu La (2190m) and Narphung
La (1698) at much lower altitudes than Western and Central. The forests dissipate and the altitude is lower. The warmer climate
is suitable for growing corn, rice, wheat, potatoes and surprisingly lemon grass. Eastern Bhutan is known for its stunning hand-loomed textiles and the weavers are all masters of the supplementary weft-weave technique. Eastern Bhutan is the
least travelled area of the country and is where many of the kingdom's most ancient spiritual sights are found