The golden rule is pack less and light, be minimalist on cultural tours but if you are trekking, we recommend you below listed items considering the number of days on the trek.
Technical Clothing:
1. Down parka
2. Warm fleece jacket
3. Comfortable trekking boot (we like lowa)
4. Lightweight shoes
5. Rain gears
6. 4 pair trekking socks
7. 2 long sleeve capilene shirts
8. 2 capilene bottoms (mid & heavy weight)
9. 2 trekking shirts (non-cotton is best!)
10. Trekking pants (zip off shorts are nice)
11. 1 pair shorts
12. 1 bandana
13. Warm gloves
14. Flip flop (or similar camp shoes)
15. Warm hat Sun hat 2 pair sunglasses
Equipment:
Small daypack
Waterproof duffel for gear
Warm sleeping bag (negative 8-10 degree celcius)
Trekking poles
Mud guard
Headlamp and a normal torch
Camera and extra batteries
Earplugs 2-liter water bottle (if camelback, bring also a nalgene)
Insulated drinking mug
Small towel
Rain gears
Various size plastic bags to keep gear dry and separate
Others:
1. Anti bacterial hand gel for disinfecting hands
2. Medical kit
3. Lightweight toilet articles (shampoo, soap-travel size)
4. Sunscreen, lip screen and insect repellent
5. Water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine)
6. High calorie snacks and energy bars
7. Prescription medications
8. Some books to read at camp
The following equipment will be provided by us:
1. Sleeping tent
2. Dinning tent
3. Kitchen tent
4. Toilet tent
5. Inflatable air mats or mattresses
6. Carpets
7. Hot water bags
8. Table and chairs
9. Sleeping bag liners and blankets
10. Pillows
12. Duffle bags
13. Gamow bag or PAC
As a traveler in Bhutan, it’s important to be respectful of local customs, traditions, and laws while you travel in Bhutan. Of course your guide will brief and remind you if you forget.
Do’s:
1. Respect Religious Sites and Customs:
– Remove hats, caps, footwear and sunglasses when entering temples, monasteries, and dzongs (fortresses)
2. Dress Modestly:
– Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, especially when visiting religious sites. This applies to both men and women.
– Traditional attire like the gho (for men) and kira (for women) are appreciated but not mandatory for tourists.
3. Ask Permission Before Photographing People:
– Always ask for permission before taking photos of Bhutanese people, particularly monks and during religious ceremonies.
– Respect areas where photography is restricted, especially inside religious buildings.
4. Respect for Nature and Environment:
– Bhutan places a strong emphasis on environmental conservation. Respect the natural surroundings by not littering and staying on designated paths, especially during treks.
5. Learn About and Appreciate Bhutanese Culture:
– Take the time to learn about Bhutanese customs, traditions, and festivals. Engage respectfully with locals and be open to experiencing their way of life.
6. Use of Plastic Bags and Bottles:
– Bhutan has banned the use of plastic bags and imposes a fee on plastic bottles. Use reusable bags and bottles to minimize waste and respect local environmental initiatives.
7. Respect Local Traditions and Social Etiquette:
– Be mindful of local customs such as greetings (often with a slight bow or a “Kuzu Zangpo La”), always circumambulating temples and monasteries clockwise.
8. Support Local Economy:
– Purchase souvenirs and goods from local artisans and businesses to support the local economy and cultural heritage.
Don’ts:
1. Disrespect Religious Objects and Symbols:
– Do not touch religious artifacts or disturb offerings of objects placed in temples or monasteries.
– Avoid pointing your feet towards religious statues or people while sitting.
– Avoid pointing fingers at people or religious objects
2. Smoke in Public Places:
– Bhutan is a non-smoking nation in public places since smoking in public is prohibited by law. Smoking is allowed in private spaces.
3. Engage in Political Discussions:
– Avoid discussing sensitive political topics, as this can be considered a sensitive subject and disrespectful.
4. Remove or Disturb Natural Resources:
– Do not disturb or remove natural resources such as plants, rocks, or flowers from their environment.
5. Feed or Disturb Wildlife:
– Do not feed or disturb wildlife, especially in protected areas or national parks.
6. Avoid:
– Yelling/shouting in public space, honking of the car if you are self-driving, abusing drugs, soliciting in prostitution.
By observing these do’s and don’ts, you’ll contribute to a positive and respectful experience in Bhutan.
The best time to visit Bhutan largely depends on your preferences for weather, festivals, activities and your travel time. However, the best time to visit for most travelers is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) due to the favorable weather conditions, festivals, and opportunities for trekking and sightseeing.
You may want to avoid the summer season (June-Aug) but winter months can be welcoming if you are avoiding heat. This is the time when you will see clear skies, snowy mountains, and less tourists offering you with a unique experiences.
Tipping in Bhutan is not a traditional practice, but it has become more common in recent years, especially in the tourism sector where visitors from cultures that practice tipping may wish to show appreciation for good service.
When tipping in Bhutan, it’s important to remember that amounts are modest compared to Western standards, reflecting the lower cost of living. Additionally, tipping is voluntary and based on your satisfaction with the service received from your service providers.
Bhutan believes in a sustainable approach towards tourism, in line with the philosophy of Gross National Happiness and therefore the Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly to a policy of ‘High Value, Low Impact’ tourism.
Visitors need to pay a minimum SDF (sustainable Development fee) of US$100 per person per day. This does not include the cost of actual travel like accommodation, transport, meals, guide fees, entrance fees, etc.
The Process of Booking A Trip with Wanderlust Bhutan
After you fill up the ‘book a trip‘ form, we will get back to you with an acknowledgement email and ask you for more information based on requirements. On receiving your email, we will customize an itinerary as per the information received through the booking form. The first draft itinerary with it’s package cost will be emailed to you within 48 hours.
We will further customize and revise the itinerary until you are satisfied with the itinerary. To confirm the trip you will have to deposit 50% of the package cost. The balance payment must be deposited two months before your arrival date.
If you are booking your trip within two months before your arrival date, 100% of the package cost needs to be deposited. The Royal Government of Bhutan will not process your visa until the full payment is deposited in our tour operators account.
On confirming the trip, we will purchase your air tickets and confirm with the accommodation and other logistics arrangements.
Your travel visa for Bhutan will be processed after you deposit the full package cost and all travel documents will then be emailed to you. In order to book air tickets, a copy of your passport has to be emailed to us. To process your visa, the only document required is your passport copy.
Your holiday in Bhutan will be planned as per the itinerary we have customized with you while corresponding but it will also be kept flexible once on ground. You can always let your guide or our office know if you need any changes with activities and we will do our best to suit your needs and desires.
Trip Cancellation Policy
1. More than 60 days before start of travel program, US$200 per person.
2. Between 10 – 60 days: 40% of the package cost retained as cancellation charges
3. Within 10 days of travel – 100% of the package cost retained as cancellation charges
For air tickets issued and subsequently cancelled, the following apply:
1. 75% refund permitted for tickets cancelled more than 30 days from the date of travel.
2. 50% refund permitted for tickets cancelled between 30 – last 10 days from the date of travel.
3. 25% refund permitted for tickets cancelled prior to 04 (four) days from the date of travel.
4. No refund for tickets cancelled within 4 days of travel date.
For air tickets issued and subsequently rescheduled, the following applies.
USD 40 rescheduling fee or equivalent local currency for every flight reschedule less than 72 hours prior to date of travel. No charges for business class passengers.
Yes, Bhutan is a kid-friendly destination with safe and peaceful environment and can learn learn about Bhutanese culture, Buddhism, and traditional arts through visits to monasteries, dzongs (fortresses), and museums.
The family can also enjoy friendly outdoor activities such as short hikes, nature walks, and picnics in scenic spots like valleys and riversides. Kids can enjoy spotting wildlife such as takins, deer and birds.
Depending on the timing of your visit, the family can also attend local festivals (tsechus) with fascinating cultural experience for children with colorful masked dances and traditional performances. Staying in homestays can provide children with a firsthand experience of Bhutanese hospitality and daily life, which can be enriching and educational. Introducing children to Bhutanese cuisine, which includes dishes like momo (dumplings, noodles, pancakes and ema datshi (chili and cheese stew), can be a culinary adventure.
Plan Ahead so we can reserve accommodations and activities suitable for families. We will be flexible with the itinerary to accommodate breaks and downtime for children, especially during long drive. We will also allocate an additional guide if there are two kids and above to keep it easy for the parents, ensuring you have a good holiday in Bhutan.
Do you plan Holidays outside Bhutan?
Yes we do and for our Bhutan Travelers, we will offer a discounted rate if you want to book trips through us to Nepal, India, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mongolia and Bangkok.