|
Bhutan is a country of rolling hills and towering
crags. With small patches of cultivation and very little deforestation,
Bhutan proves to be paradise for the traveller who enjoys
untouched scenic beauty and fresh air. Often compared to the
Swiss Alps, Bhutan flaunts its beauty with green hills, houses
that look like chalets and pleasant snow peaks that cover
the basic terrain of the region.
A combined trip to Nepal and Bhutan spells out high adventure
on the mountains, partying during the festive season and relaxing
in serene surroundings.
Dress
Traveling light is the key to having fun in this area. Casual
clothes are most appropriate but if the trip is scheduled
around a festival season, you should carry at least one set
of dressy clothing. To kill the cold use a layering system;
start with thermal underwear and ad a shirt, pile jackets
and windbreakers. Don't forget to pack a folding umbrella
and also bring a water bottle and iodine. Avoid wearing revealing
clothes - women especially should not wear any short shorts,
halter neck or tank tops. To trek Mt Everest and beyond, you
will need expensive, expert mountain trekking gear. Do not
forget to carry a pair of sneakers or walking shoes.
Climate
A primary feature of this land is its mountain ranges which
are filled with wildlife and vegetation. The weather depends
largely on the time of the year that you visit and the altitude
of the place where you are visiting. In general, October and
November (autumn) has a dry and mild climate and the temperature
fluctuates between 70F (20C) to 90F (30C). December and January
are dry and it gets chilly in the morning and night, but the
temperature can reach up to 59F (15C) - 68F (20C). Late February,
March and early April is the springtime and the temperature
is similar to the autumn. May and June are the pre-monsoon
months with hot and humid temperature that is accompanied
by occasional evening thunderstorms. During July and early
September, the monsoon hits this region it rains almost everyday
and it is during this time that nasty downpours, humid air
and hot temperatures are to be expected. Though Nepal and
Bhutan can be visited all year round, it's best to visit during
summer and spring.
Visas
Visas are required for entry into Both Nepal and Bhutan by
all nationalities except India and transit passengers. Visas
are usually valid for up to six months from date of issue,
however, they may be extended in Nepal at the Department
of Immigration at Katmandu or the Immigration
Office in Pokhara. You can get tourist visas on
arrival at the airport, this requires two passport-size photos.
Business can also be conducted on a tourist visa for up to
30 days. Everyone will need a valid passport, except for Indian
nationals who can enter the country with just a valid proof
of identity.
For Bhutan, you can obtain the visa on arrival at Paro
Airport or at Phuentsholing if you are entering
by road. You must apply in advance through a tour operator
and receive approval before you travel to Bhutan. The Bhutanese
Embassy only issues visas for governmental project.
A tourist single-entry visa, which is valid for up to two
months from the date of arrival, costs $40. A multiple-entry
visa, which is valid for six months, will cost around $100.
For a business visa applications can be made on arrival, which
need to be approved by the Ministry of Industry.
Cash
The currency of Nepal is Nepalese Rupee. In Bhutan the Indian
Rupee is the currency. This very approximately converts to:
£1= 120 Nepalese Rupees, 80 Bhutan Rupees.
$1= 75 Nepalese Rupees, 50 Bhutan Rupees.
1 Euro = 80 Nepalese Rupees, 50 Bhutan Rupees.
For up to date currency information, check the Currency
Converter.
Both Nepal and Bhutan are fairly inexpensive countries to
travel in. If you are willing to stay in rock-bottom accommodation
and survive on a predominantly local diet, you could live
for less than $5 a day. The various village inns or teahouses
would offer these prices. Heading a little more up-market,
$10 to $20 per day would bring you three star class hotel
accommodation and popular tourist-oriented restaurant food.
Even the very best restaurants won't charge more than $30
to $40 for a meal. A five star hotel in Katmandu might charge
around $100 per day for accommodation.
Food
Even though vegetarian food is served in all parts of Nepal
and Bhutan, non-vegetarian dishes are more popular with the
locals. Food is easily available and as most hotels cater
to groups, they have developed the habit of providing meals
buffet-style. There is usually a continental dish and sometimes
Indian, Chinese or a local dish. There is almost always rice
in the food. Rice is either served plain white or the local
red variety along with a lentil soup called dal.
When in Nepal be sure to take a bite of the momos.
These are small pasta shells filled with meat and steamed
like dim sum. You also get vegetable ones, but it is the meat
ones that are more popular. Some other food items which can
be put on the 'to try' list, are the lamb kebab and the vegetable
samosas. Both of which can be spotted at the local street
shops.
In Bhutan, the restaurant food is not particularly special,
but beware of the local dishes with chillies. There is a wide
range of vegetarian food to choose from, but most of it is
prepared using chillies and the primary ingredient and not
as a seasoning, so ask the waiter what ingredients go in a
dish before you order it. Popular Bhutanese dishes include
ema daste, which comprises of large green chillies
dipped in cheese sauce and phak sha laphu, which
is basically stewed pork with radish.
After the meal be sure to try paan. It is a
local Indian mouth freshener, which is sold by the street
vendors at roadside shops. Paan is bittersweet tasting, mildly
intoxicating concoction and it stains the mouth bright red.
Language
Nepali is a language closely related to Hindi which
is easy to pick up. Although it is the national language of
Nepal, the linking language between all the country's ethnic
groups is Hindi and some people do speak English.
In the tourist areas of Kathmandu Valley and in Pokhara,
most people will speak some basic English. Along the main
trekking trails, particularly the Annapurna Circuit,
English is widely spoken. Many languages are spoken by Nepal's
numerous tribal groups.
Dzongkha, similar to Tibetan, is Bhutan's official
language, although fortunately English is widely spoken
amongst educated people and it is taught in schools. In the
south, Nepali is widely spoken and in the east Sharchop
is the main tongue. Numerous tribal languages are spoken as
well, like Khengkha, Kurtoep, Mangdip and Bumthap.
People
Historically, Nepal is the meeting point for the Indo-Aryan
people of India with the Tibeto-Burman of the Himalayas and
this is why, like the history and geography of Nepal, even
the population of Nepal is so diverse. While moving from south
to north, you can roughly divide the ethnic map into layers:
the Terai, the Midlands or Pahar zone and the Himalayas. Each
zone is dominated by a characteristic ethic group whose agriculture
and lifestyle are adapted to suit the physical constrains
of their environment. The main ethnic groups are Sherpas,
Thakalis, Tamanga, Tibetans, Rai and Limbu, Newars,
Gurungs, Magars, Bahuns and Chhetris and the Tharus.
Bhutan is very much a rural country with no major cities
and few big towns, where half the people live a day's walk
from the nearest road, although it's mainly young population
is growing at a rapid rate and it is thought to exceed one
million people. The main ethnic groups are the Sharchops
('people of the east' of Indo-Mongoloid descent), the Ngalong
(of Tibetan origin who live in the west) and the Lhotshampa
(Nepalis who live in the south).
Travel
It's easy to get around this region; hiring a motorbike will
cost you about 400 rupees or $7 US a day which is one of the
best ways to get around the Kathmandu valley. Hitching is
common and most private vehicles will charge you for a ride.
Another travelling tip is that if you're booked on an airplane,
always confirm it about 72 hours before to guarantee your
seat.
Health
Common vaccinations that will be required are against typhoid,
malaria and yellow fever. Apart from this, high altitude sickness
is a hazard for trekkers, so it is important to be in good
health before traveling and to take time to acclimatize. Advice
relating to dealing with altitude sickness can be sought from
the Himalayan Rescue Association near the Kathmandu
Guest House in Thamel. It is advisable, particularly
when in rural areas, to carry a medical kit containing items
such as re-hydration mixture for the treatment of severe diarrhea
and 'dry spray' for cuts and bruises.
A general check of hygiene of food and water might save you
from diseases. Avoid dairy products, which are likely to have
been made from un-boiled milk and eat well-cooked meat and
fish that is served hot. |
