1. You need visa to enter Bhutan
The first and foremost thing that you should know while visiting Bhutan is to obtain a Bhutanese visa. Every tourist must obtain a Bhutanese visa to enter and exit Bhutan, unless if you are from a visa-free country to Bhutan. Moreover, to obtain a Bhutanese visa, it costs around $40 and should be paid in advance through your travel agency. You just have to give your passport photocopy to your tour company along with the total tour payments and they will do all the necessary things and confirm your visa.
2. You must plan your tour with a Bhutanese tour company
If you want to visit Bhutan, you must hire a Bhutanese tour company/travel agency to get your visa to Bhutan approved, unless, if you are from a visa-free country to Bhutan. Besides, you also need to have a guide which will be provided by your tour company and cannot visit different cities/places independently without that guide because the officials at different checkpoints between different cities will check the company’s documents (the company that you hired). Therefore, you must hire a tour company and can just relax and enjoy your stay in Bhutan as other things will be taken care of by the tour company.
3. Don’t be surprised to see the Phallus
Lama DRUKPA KUENLEY was also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on the walls and as flying wooden phallus on the housetops at four corners of the eves. These phalluses are used to drive away from the evil spirits, eyes, and malicious gossip. This is also used to bring blessing for fertility. You will see a lot on the wall paintings as you walk through the Bhutanese house.
4. Challenge the Bhutanese food
When you visit Bhutan, you must try the most famous curry of Bhutan that is the EMA DATSHI (chilies with cheese) with red rice. It is extremely delicious and hot and can even make you warm if you try this curry at cold places. Moreover, there is also another unique Bhutanese cuisine like JASHA MARU (spicy chicken), PHAKSHA PAA (pork with red chilies), KEWA DATSHI (potato with cheese) and many more. Furthermore, you can even try the local alcohol called ARA, which is a fermented drink made from rice, maize, millet, or wheat and it is extremely strong and many tourists have tried and enjoyed it.
If you are a person, who is very particular about your diet, then you must inform your tour company or your guide in advance as they can make arrangements as per your choice.
5. Dress up well when you visit DZONGS and MONASTERIES
DZONGS and monasteries are some of the truly famous architecture of the Bhutanese. Most of the tourists visit Bhutan to witness the very aesthetic architecture of the DZONGS and monasteries. As DZONGS and monasteries serve as a workplace for high officials, study place for monks, and to perform annual festivals and other Buddhist rituals, anyone who wants to visit these places must wear the national dress of Bhutan (GHO and KIRA). Tourists don’t need to wear the Bhutanese traditional dress while visiting DZONGS and monasteries, but you are only allowed to wear long-sleeved clothing. Shorts and hats are not allowed inside the DZONGS and monasteries.
6. ATMs and cash in Bhutan
In Bhutan, there is the availability of ATMs in every town and it accepts visa cards as well as master cards. Bhutanese currency is Ngultrum and even accepts the Indian currency. Moreover, there is no need to worry about the currency because you can always exchange the foreign currency for Bhutanese currency with the bank as per the exchange rates of the banks in Bhutan. Furthermore, a foreigner can bring only up to a maximum of USD 10,000.
7. Your tour will be guided tour only
Once you reach Bhutan, your tour will be a guided tour only. You cannot travel on your own in a taxi or cab to visit places and you will be guided by a tourist guide throughout your tour. You will be guided by your guide while going for sightseeing and visiting other places like museum, DZONGS, and monasteries and even while going for trekking and hiking. Furthermore, your meals will also be ordered by your guide as per your choice or your diet.
8. There are luxury tours in Bhutan.
Apart from the common tours, Bhutan also provides luxury tours to foreigners/tourists. It is similar to the common tour, but a luxury tour involves living in a luxury environment like living in a 4-star hotel and above. In addition, the luxury tours in Bhutan include staying in, UMA PARO, AMANKORA, Bhutan Helicopter AdventureSIX SENSES, and many more.
During these tours, you can discover and experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the environment, have fun with Bhutanese friends, grasp or understand about the Bhutanese philosophy that is guided by the principles of GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS, opportunity to see the magnificent DZONGS, MONSTRIES and ANCIENT TEMPLES and even have a practical understanding about the Bhutanese culture that is rich in tradition, religion and benevolence monarchy.
9. Is it safe for solo travelers/ solo woman
Bhutan is safe for solo travelers/ solo women and is one of the safest destinations in the world. You just have to book your tour package with one of the tour companies in Bhutan and you will be provided with a driver and a guide which makes it more secure. Unfortunately, regarding the daily tariff cost, it will be higher than traveling in groups as you have to pay the FIT Surcharges of USD 40 night for the single traveler and USD 30 per person per night for the 2 people traveling together