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Checklist

Checklist for Trip to Bhutan

Customs : Please kindly complete the customs from and keep your copy in a safe place as you will be required to present it to the customs official as you exit the Kingdom. Be sure to declare watches, cameras, extra lenses, tape recorders and jewelry. Only small quantities of modest jewelry (if any) are recommended for travel to these areas.

Gifts : Though you will find Bhutan to be rich in spirit and culture, in an economic sense it is quite otherwise. We do not encourage the indiscreet or excessive handing out of gifts as this form of GIVING can be very detrimental to the recipients. For example, candy contributes to tooth decay in areas that saw virtually no cavities decade ago, and which have no dentists even today. Responding to child’s playful request creates a BEGGING psychology where none existed before. This is regretted by the local adults and perpetuates a shallow and stereotypical relationship between local people and foreign visitors.

You will find that your best interaction with the locals comes when you visit with them in ways that come naturally to you - as when visiting another part of your own country. Be creative. Some past travellers have made origami birds for children as a way of starting a conversation. Others have used hand puppets or soap bubbles to "break the ice". Sharing a picture book of your family or the area you live in is always of interest to the people that you visit.

You should try to provide the local people that you encounter with alternative ways of viewing you. Unfortunately, many times "tourists" come through an area bestowing gifts of candy or money, snapping pictures of the curious natives and then disappear back into the bus. This reinforcing of the stereotypical image of westerners as fabulously wealthy and somehow "superior" (in clothing or material possessions), only makes the cultural gap greater. No one wants to be treated as poor creatures deserving your pity or to be looked down upon because their standard of living is different than your own. Try to communicate to people on one on one, equal to equal basis when possible and you will find that your trip will take on an entirely new dimension.

Some times small gifts are appropriate, such as a box of crayons to a local grade-school or a postcard of your city to someone that you have spent some time talking with. Some other suggestions are: postcards or picture books of your city or unique areas of your state, classic and contemporary American paperbacks, small pins commemorating special events or places, felt tip or ballpoint pens, perfume samples, scarves, handkerchiefs. Also, for children: small coloring books, crayons and specially children’s books.

Again, do not give gifts indiscriminately and NEVER give out candies or money to children.

Upon your return, if you feel you would like to make further contributions or sponsor some projects in Bhutan, Shangri-La Bhutan Tours & Treks will be glad to assist you.

Tipping : You may often like to reward good service with a small "tip" for the guide and drivers. One of the best things to give are items of clothing that you may want to leave in Bhutan since it is at the end of your trip. Therefore, sweaters, down vests, jackets etc. that you no longer need and don’t mind parting with are the best gifts as these allow the local guides to use them in the better completion of their jobs (often they wear T-shirts or shirts under their national dress - the GHO).

Time : Bhutan is 14 hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time and 6 hours ahead of G.M.T.

Electricity : Current is 220 Volts A/C 50 hertz. Wall plugs are normally round, two pronged European type. It is important to bring adapter plugs.

Films : Film is quite expensive (when available) in Bhutan, so bring too much rather too little. You are permitted to bring in as many rolls of film as you wish duty free.

Money Matters : You may exchange currency at Paro Airport, hotels or banks. Either notes or travellers’ checks are accepted but we recommend you that you take the majority of your funds in the form of traveller’s checks for safety’s sake. U.S. Dollars can be used for purchases occasionally - of-course, if cash is lost, you have no recourse for refund as with travellers’ checks. Credit cards are seldom accepted. Please make sure you carry your travellers’ checks of major varieties like (American Express, MasterCard and Visa). One important thing to keep in mind is that money exchange is not an easily accomplished task in Bhutan. Therefore, if you have the chance to exchange, do it! You may not have chance to do later. Once you leave Thimphu, it is almost impossible.

On departure, you are entitled to change back into foreign currency remaining Bhutanese currency, but remember that you must show your stamped exchange certificates to do this.

The exchange rate varies weekly and is roughly 47.15 Bhutanese Ngultrums to 1 US dollar as of 30th Nov, 2001. The units of Bhutanese currency are Ngultrums and Chetrums, with 100 Chetrums equaling 1 Ngultrum. The Ngultrum is tied to the value of the Indian rupee and although there has been a concerted effort on the governments behalf to discourage the use of Indian rupees, they are still acceptable currency in most areas of Bhutan.

Credit Card. At this time only American Express cards are accepted at very limited number of hotels and stores which cater to foreigners.

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