Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small landlocked country located in the southern foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, sandwiched between the People's Republic of China in the north and the Republic of India in the south. It is surrounded by the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China to the north, and the Indian territories of Assam and West Bengal to the south, Arunachal Pradesh to the east and Sikkim to the west. The tiny landlocked kingdom has a total area of 46,500 km² and spreads between meridians 89°E and 93°E, and latitudes 27°N and 29°N. The climate is extremely varied, which can be attributed to two main factors-the vast differences in altitude present in the country and the influence of North Indian monsoons. Bhutanese people can be generally categorized into three main ethnic groups. The Tshanglas, Ngalops and the Lhotshampas. Bhutanese society is free of class or a caste system. Slavery was abolished by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the early 1950s through a royal edict. Though, a few organizations to empower women were established in the past, Bhutanese society has always maintained relative gender equality. Bhutan is listed as one among the top 10 biodiversity hot spots in the world. It has total forest coverage of over 70% of the country's total geographical area with the constitution requiring 60% of the country under forest coverage for all times to come. The array of flora and fauna available in Bhutan is unparalleled due to conservation and its wide altitudinal and climatic range. The national language is Dzongkha, the native language of the Ngalops of western Bhutan. Dzongkha literally means the language spoken in the Dzongs, massive fortresses that serve as the administrative centers and monasteries. Two other major languages are the Tshanglakha and the Lhotshamkha. The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables.The Bhutanese Tourism Industry was first opened in 1974. Since then it has grown to become, a major contributing factor to the Bhutanese economy creating countless employment opportunities and generating additional revenue for the government.

Nationals of India are eligible for Entry Permit at the port of entry while Nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives are eligible for visa on arrival.

Nationals of Thailand and Switzerland holding Diplomatic / Official passports are eligible for visa on arrival. Foreigners issued with a valid SAARC Visa Exemption Sticker do not require prior visa / entry permit clearance.

All other foreign nationals must obtain an e-visa prior to their entry into Bhuan.

Admission into the country will be determined by Immigration Officers at the port of entry.

Guidelines for Indians visiting Bhutan

Indian nationals visiting Bhutan do not require visa. However, they will be issued an entry permit. Entry Permit’ will be issued by the Department of Immigration in the Pedestrian Terminal at Phuentsholing on the basis of a valid Travel Document. Tourists / visitors from India are required to carry the following - 

• Recommendation letter from local host / counterpart.
• Original valid Passport or Voter Identity Card.
• Passport must have minimum validity of six months from the intended date of departure from Bhutan.
• For children below 18 years, Original birth certificate (in English language) or passport, and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
• 02 passport size photographs are required.
• Tourists should have travel insurance for the duration of the trip. There is also an option to purchase domestic travel insurance from Bhutanese insurance providers at the Pedestrian Terminal at Phuentsholing.
• A tour guide.
• Duly completed entry permit application form.
• The Department may ask for additional documents during assessment, if required.
• It is mandatory to stay in Department of Tourism certified accommodation for the whole duration of trip.
• Sustainable Development Fee: India tourists are required to pay Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of INR 1,200/- per person per night. Children aged 5 years and below are exempted of SDF and children between the age of 6 - 12 years are given 50 % concession on SDF.

Nestled deep within the Himalayas, Bhutan is a treasure trove of biological diversity with an unparalleled richness of flora and fauna due to the varied altitudinal and climatic conditions present in the country. This fragile ecosystem has remained unspoiled due to the conservation efforts of the Bhutanese people and government. Today 60% of the kingdom’s total area has been designated as protected nature preserves.

Bhutan is the perfect destination for enthusiastic horticulturalists as it contains more than 60% of the common plant species found in the Eastern Himalayas. It also boasts of approximately 46 species of Rhododendrons and over 300 types of medicinal plants. Junipers, Magnolias, Orchids, Blue Poppies (the national flower), Edelweiss, Gentian, various medicinal herbs, Daphne, Giant Rhubarb, Pine and Oak trees are among the plants commonly found. 

The kingdom is also home to a wide variety of animals. At higher altitudes you will come across snow leopards, blue sheep, red pandas, takin, marmots and musk deer. Leopards, gorals, gray langurs, Himalayan black bears, red pandas, sambars, wild pigs and barking deer are found in the temperate zones. The tropical forests in the south are a haven for clouded leopards, elephants, one horned Rhinoceros, water buffalos, golden langurs, gaurs, swamp deer, hog deer, horn bills and many other species. Bhutan is home to the highest altitude inhabiting Tigers in the world and they are commonly found throughout the country. 

Visitors can experience the magnificent flora and fauna of Bhutan through sightseeing tours or by embarking on treks and hikes through beautiful virgin forests, pristine Himalayan Mountains and across sparkling crystal clear rivers fed by ancient mountain glaciers. Roads in Bhutan pass through the rich forests so travellers can experience the majestic natural environments of Bhutan.