Travel tips

You should not travel internationally without travel insurance.

The Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan runs a travel and medical plan solely for visitors. Insurance can be arranged through us or through an international partner. The corporation's own site is at www.ricb.com.bt.

Foreign currency can be changed at the airport and at the banks. The Bhutanese currency is the ngultrum, tied to the Indian rupee, which is also widely accepted, though large-denomination Indian notes may not be.

The banks you are likely to meet are the Bank of Bhutan, the Bhutan National Bank, Druk PNB and Tashi Bank. ATMs are in all the main towns and take Visa and Mastercard. Point-of-sale terminals are widespread, so most hotels and handicraft shops will take a card.

All the main towns run on 220/240 volts, with round two-pin and three-pin sockets. Bring flat-to-round adaptors if your electronics need them, though most hotels have multi-plug sockets. Bhutan is carbon negative: the power is hydro.

Bhutan's climate varies enormously. Summers are warm, typically 20-25°C by day; winter is usually below 15°C. The north is a great deal colder than the subtropical south, so pack for where you are actually going. Trekkers need proper warm layers and hiking boots that are well broken in, preferably with ankle support and a waterproof.

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• An umbrella
• Camera and spare batteries
• Torch, with spare batteries
• Travel sickness tablets
• Antiseptic and anti-histamine cream
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets
• Altitude sickness medication if you are trekking above 3,000 m
• Insect repellent

You are free to photograph the landscape, the mountains, rural life, flora and fauna, the architecture, and the outside of dzongs and chortens.

Check with your guide before photographing or filming inside dzongs, temples, monasteries and religious institutions. In some of them it is not permitted.

We ask visitors to dress modestly, particularly for monasteries, dzongs and other religious institutions: long trousers and long sleeves. Remove hats and caps as you enter religious and administrative premises, and anywhere the national flag is flying.

Bhutan is known for its textiles and its cane and bamboo work. Shops and emporiums sell handwoven cloth, handicrafts, thangkas, jewellery, antiques and organic herbal products.

Be careful buying old or used items, especially anything of religious or cultural significance: such things cannot be exported without a clearance certificate.

These are exempt from duty: personal effects and articles for day-to-day use; one litre of spirits or wine; 200 cigarettes, on payment of 200% import duty; instruments and appliances for professional use; photographic and video equipment and other electronics for personal use.

You complete a passenger declaration form at your port of entry, and a departure form on the way out. Goods brought in for sale or as gifts may attract duty.

Strictly prohibited, in either direction: arms, ammunition and explosives; narcotics and drugs other than prescribed medication; wildlife products, especially of endangered species; antiques. Plants and soil are subject to quarantine and must be cleared on arrival.

Ask your doctor about vaccinations and medication before you travel. At a minimum you should have tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A.

Avoid tap water that has not been boiled, and ice in drinks: most water sources here are untreated. Treated bottled water is cheap and everywhere.

Bhutan is one of the safest countries in the world, but take the usual care. Keep passports, cameras, wallets and purses secured, and do not leave them visible in a locked vehicle while you are sightseeing.

Accommodation runs from five-star hotels to small guesthouses and homestays in traditional Bhutanese homes.

Bhutanese food is rich and spicy, with a great deal of cheese and chilli. Most restaurants also serve Chinese, Continental and Indian dishes, with vegetarian options throughout. Try momos, the Tibetan dumplings. And if you are brave, ema datshi, the chilli and cheese dish the country runs on.

Bhutan uses the metric system, and standard time is six hours ahead of GMT. Public holidays are observed nationally, but each dzongkhag also keeps its own regional holidays, particularly around the annual tshechus.

Virtually every town has good telecommunications. Mobile phones work in most of the country, SIM cards are sold at the airport and in most shops, and internet cafés are widespread.