Bhutan
Bhutan, nestling in the heart of the great Himalaya, has for centuries remained
aloof from the rest of the world. Since its doors were cautiously opened in
1974, visitors have been mesmerized: the environment is pristine, the scenery
and architecture awesome and the people hospitable and charming.
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| Language |
Description |
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| Bhutanese |
Bhutanese speak
various Tibetan and Nepalese dialects. |
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| Currency : |
BTN (Ngultrum - Nu) |
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1
U.S. Dollar = 48 BTN ( Approx ) |
The process to obtain a visa is
relatively straightforward. We will be able to individualize
your itinerary to suit your interests. All visa applications must
be channeled through the Department of Tourism (DOT) from a selected tour
operator, even if you are entering the land border crossing with India at
Phuentsholing. With notification of approval and receipt of full payment, visas
are issued when you arrive in the country. It's actually an extremely efficient
system and you can set up a trip with as little as 10 days planning.
Higher parts of Bhutan have pleasant months either side of the rainy season,
which lasts from May to September. Days from March to April and October to
November are generally warm with less rain, decent sunshine and temperatures
between 25-30°C (77-86°F). Nights get a bit fresh between November and
March. Lower parts of the country experience heavier falls and warmer
temperatures during the day across this time.
Getting there and away | Overview
There are only two ways to get into Bhutan: fly to
Paro, 55km from Thimphu,
or by road at Phuentsholing on the southern border with India. The national
carrier, Druk Air, has several flights from Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata and
Kathmandu. Druk Air has no interline agreements with other carriers
and they are the only airline that flies into or out of Bhutan. The flight from Kathmandu to Paro provides the most dramatic
view of Himalayan scenery of any scheduled flight. Be sure to get a window seat
on the left side for some of the best views you will ever see from the air.
Getting around | Overview
Since Bhutan has no domestic air service, possesses no helicopters, and
does not include an inch of railway track, the only way to see the place is by
foot or by road. If you're on a normal tourist visa, your tour operator will
provide all your transportation.
Archaeological evidence suggests Bhutan was possibly inhabited as early as
2000 BC. Buddhism was probably introduced in the 2nd century although
traditionally its introduction is credited to the first visit of Guru Rinpoche
in the 8th century.
Guru Rinpoche is the most important figure in Bhutan's history, regarded as
the second Buddha. His miraculous powers included the ability to subdue demons
and evil spirits, and he preserved his teachings and wisdom by concealing them
in the form of (hidden treasures) to be found later by spiritual treasure
discoverers, known as Tertons. One of the best known of these tertons was Pema Lingpa;
the texts and artefacts he found, the religious dances he composed, and the art
he produced, are vital parts of Bhutan's living heritage.
Before the 16th century, numerous clans and noble families ruled in different
valleys throughout Bhutan, fighting amongst themselves and with Tibet. This
changed in 1616 with the arrival of Ngawang Namgyal, a monk of the Drukpa Kagyu
school of Buddhism from Tibet. He taught throughout the region and soon
established himself as the religious ruler of Bhutan with the title Shabdrung
Rinpoche. He repelled attacks from rival lamas and Tibetan forces and
transformed the southern valleys into a unified country called Druk Yul (Land of
the Dragon). While the political system he established lasted until the
beginning of the 20th century, the announcement of the Shabdrung's death in 1705
was followed by 200 years of internal conflict and political infighting.
Instability lasted until 1907, when Ugyen Wangchuck was elected, by a
unanimous vote of Bhutan's chiefs and principal lamas, as hereditary ruler of
Bhutan. Thus the first king was crowned and the Wangchuck dynasty began. Over
the following four decades, he and his heir, King Jigme Wangchuck, brought the
entire country under the monarchy's direct control. Upon independence in 1947,
India recognised Bhutan as a sovereign country.
The third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, is regarded as the father of modern
Bhutan because of the development plans he initiated. In 1958 he abolished
slavery. When China took control of Tibet, Bhutan's policy of total isolation
lost its appeal and the country was formally admitted to the United Nations in
1971. The present monarch, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, has continued the policy of
controlled development with particular focus on the preservation of the
environment and Bhutan's unique culture. Among his ideals is economic
self-reliance and what he nicknamed 'Gross National Happiness'.
His coronation on 2 June 1974 was the first time the international media were
allowed to enter the kingdom, and marked Bhutan's debut appearance on the world
stage. The first group of paying tourists arrived later that year.
Traditionally, (members of the Council of Ministers) were appointed by the
king for five-year terms. Lyonpos were usually reappointed and an unrivalled
political stability in the last two decades has enabled Bhutan to progress
steadily with its policy of controlled modernization. Lyonpo Dawa Tshering holds
a place in the as the world's longest serving foreign minister (1972-98).
In major political reform in June 1998, the king dissolved the Council of
Ministers and announced that ministers formerly appointed by him would need to
stand for open election. A rotating chairman fronts the resultant cabinet.
What has really shaken Bhutanese society, young and old, is King Jigme Singye
Wangchuck's announcement in 2005 of his intention to adbdicate the throne and
move towards a democratic constitutional monarchy by 2008. At the time of
research, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck was circulating a draft
constitution around the country seeking opinion and support. This constitution,
which is expected to be ratified by referendum, reinforces the King's idea of
having a democratic government committed to increasing gross national happiness
(GNH) and not just gross national product (GNP).
The other issue dominating Bhutanese civic life is the Nepali refugee
problem. In the early 20th century many Nepalis migrated to Bhutan and settled
in the south of the country. From the 1950s the Bhutanese government started
taking steps to integrate the ethnic Nepalis, with little or no conflict up
until the 1980s. In 1988 the government conducted a nationwide census aimed
partly at identifying illegal immigrants, defined as those who could not prove
family residence before 1958. Lack of proper documentation, a series of violent
acts and ensuing fear and insecurity led to an exodus of Nepali-speakers from
Bhutan.
How much this movement was voluntary remains a matter of fierce debate, but
tens of thousands of Nepali-speakers left Bhutan between 1988 and 1993. At the
end of 2005 there were 106,000 people in camps located in the Jhapa district of
south-eastern Nepal, 10% to 15% of whom were born there. Their status is
protected by the UNHCR, which uses donor support to provide the survival rations
and shelter.
To reach Dechenphu Lhakhang involves a short climb up a stone
staircase to an elevation of about 2660m (8725ft). The imposing tall,
red (chapel) is dedicated to the powerful deity Gyenyen and is said to
be able to supply weaponry for an endless number of soldiers. Many of
the paintings in the adjoining (Buddhist monastery) have been
restored. This is the most impressive (fort-monastery) in the kingdom, and can
be seen from a great distance in its strategic position high above the
Mangde Chhu. It is one of the most aesthetic and magnificent works of
traditional Bhutanese architecture, a rambling collection of buildings
trailing down the ridge. It has a succession of beautiful courtyards.
Taktshang is the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the
side of a cliff 900m (2952ft) above the floor of Paro valley, where
the only sounds are the murmurs of wind and water and the chanting of
monks. The name means 'tiger's nest'; Guru Rinpoche is said to have
flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a tigress.
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