Mountains & Monasteries of Bhutan

Vast, diverse, deeply spiritual and utterly unforgettable, India is unlike anywhere else on earth – a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, a treasure trove of history and culture, and a curious mixture of chaos and serenity. Stretching across more than three million square kilometres, it encompasses a staggering array of landscapes, vistas and environs, and offers unparalleled travel experiences – from the beautiful beaches of Goa, to the compelling craziness of Kolkata, the sacred Ganges river banks of Varanasi, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Kashmir and the ancient, exquisitely crafted temples dotted across the entire country. Not to mention the vibrant, friendly people, and the incredible cuisine.

Currency 

Local currency: Indian Rupee 
Symbol: ₹ 
ISO code: INR 
Subunit: Paisa 
Banknotes: ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500, ₹2000 
Coins: ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: Limited acceptance 
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM 
Weekends: Limited hours or closed 
Public Holidays: Yes (Varies, typically reduced hours) 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 
Main airlines: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara 
International Airports: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), and others 
Domestic Airports: Numerous 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Limited 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 
Railway system: Extensive 
Subway System: Limited (in select cities) 

Water: 
Ferries: Limited 
Water taxis: Limited 
Leisure cruises: Limited 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Wash thoroughly or peel 
Ice: Use commercially produced ice 
Meat: Ensure it's well-cooked 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: Indian cuisine is diverse and varies greatly by region. Highlights include dishes like biryani, curry, dosa, chaat, and tandoori specialties. Vegetarian options are plentiful. 

Drinks: Chai, lassi, sugarcane juice, and various regional beverages like coconut water. Alcoholic beverages are available, with beer and whiskey being popular choices. 

Tipping: Generally 5-10% in restaurants; tipping for other services is discretionary. 

Annual rainfall: Varies greatly by region 
Average temperature: Varies greatly by region 

Summer: 
Average highs: 25-45°C 
Average lows: 20-30°C 

Winter: 
Average highs: 10-25°C 
Average lows: 5-15°C 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit India depends on the region and your preferences. Generally, the winter months from October to March offer milder temperatures and are ideal for exploring most parts of the country. 

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Limited 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: Yes 
Public parks: Limited 
Libraries: Limited 

Plug Type: Type C, Type D, Type M 
Voltage (V): 230 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Consistently voted the happiest country in the world, the little nation of Bhutan is set at the far eastern end of the Himalayas, between India and China. Bhutan only began to open its doors to outsiders in the 1970s and still has a strict sustainability policy regarding tourism. As a result, it has retained a deep cultural authenticity and has preserved its environment admirably, making it one of Asia’s most beguiling and unforgettable destinations. Highlights include incredible forts and temples perched on sheer mountain cliffs, a rich (predominantly Buddhist) culture, and spectacular scenery – ranging from temperate sub-tropical plains and valleys cloaked with dense forest to lofty sub-Alpine mountains capped with snow.

Currency 

Local currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum 
Symbol: Nu. 
ISO code: BTN 
Subunit: Chhertum 
Banknotes: Nu.1, Nu.5, Nu.10, Nu.20, Nu.50, Nu.100, Nu.500, Nu.1000 
Coins: Ch.5, Ch.10, Nu.25, Nu.50 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Limited 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Limited acceptance 
Visa: Limited acceptance 
American Express: Limited acceptance 
Diner’s club: Limited acceptance 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 
Weekends: Limited 
Public Holidays: Limited 
Foreign exchange services: Limited 

Air: 
Main airlines: Druk Air, Bhutan Airlines 
International Airports: Paro International Airport (PBH) 
Domestic Airports: None 

Road: 
Driving on the: Left 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: Limited 
Valid International Driver's License needed: No 
Car hire available: Limited 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: No 

Bus: 
Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Limited 

Rail: 
Railway system: No 
Subway System: No 

Water: 
Ferries: No 
Water taxis: No 
Leisure cruises: No 

Food and water safety: 
Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Use bottled or purified water 
Meat: Yes, but prefer well-cooked 
Street food: Exercise caution 

Local cuisine: Bhutanese cuisine is characterized by spicy flavors and typically includes dishes like Ema Datshi (chili and cheese stew), Phaksha Paa (pork cooked with chilies), and Momos (dumplings). Butter tea (suja) is a popular local drink. 

Drinks: Butter tea (suja), Ara (locally brewed rice wine) 
Tipping: Tipping is not expected but appreciated. 

Annual rainfall: Varies by region

Average temperature: 10°C to 25°C

Summer:

Average highs: 24°C to 28°C

Average lows: 15°C to 18°C

Winter:

Average highs: 12°C to 16°C

Average lows: -1°C to 5°C

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Bhutan is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is mild, and the skies are clear, offering ideal conditions for trekking and sightseeing.

Spring and Summer 
Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: Yes 

Winter and Autumn 
Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: Yes 

General 
Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: Yes 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes (for hot springs) 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: Yes 

Internet cafes: Limited 
Accommodation options: Yes 
Restaurants: Yes 
Cafes: Yes 
Shopping malls: No 
Public parks: Yes 
Libraries: Limited 

Plug Type: Type D, Type F 
Voltage (V): 230 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.