BhutanBike & Culture

:: GEOGRAPHY
Bhutan is a tiny independent country, about the same size and shape as Switzerland (i.e. roughly 200 miles east to west and 100 miles north to south), sandwiched between its mighty neighbours, China to the north and India to the south. The main Himalaya Chain runs west to east across Bhutan and the majority of the country lies between altitudes of 1500 and 5000 metres. The highest peaks lie towards the northern edge of the territory, and these include Gangkar Puensum (7540m) and Chomolhari (7313m). There is a strong monsoonal influence over the whole of Bhutan to the south of the main Himalaya Chain, lasting from June to the end of September, and the land area is densely forested as a result. This forest varies from a lush jungle of teak and tropical tree species, through poplar, ash, oak and conifer forest between 1500 and 3000 metres, to more predominantly coniferous woodland and then scrub above 4000 metres. Numerous deeply-cut river valleys run north to south across the landscape. Western Bhutan is made up of four valleys, namely Ha (average height 2700m), Paro (2200m), Thimpu (2300m) and Punakha/Wangdi Phodrang (1300m)
Western Bhutan is separated from Central Bhutan by The Black Mountains, which rise to elevations of 5000 metres and form an effective natural boundary. A single road crosses this range by way of the Pele La (3300m). Central Bhutan is divided into several regions. Its most southerly district, Khyeng, is famous for impenetrable jungle. North of Khyeng, lies Tongsa, home to one of Bhutan’s most impressive Dzongs, which sits in a strategic position, high above the Mangde River. Bumthang is the name given to a group of valleys lying to the north of Tongsa, which rise to an altitude of 4,000 metres. In these valleys, the mountainsides are cloaked with dark coniferous forests, and the houses are built of stone rather than wood

:: POPULATION
One and a half million people live in Bhutan, with all but 5 percent of the population pursuing a lifestyle which is dependent on subsistence agriculture. Well over half of the Bhutanese populace are Bhotias of Tibetan stock (Bhot - Tibet), and these people still adhere to their Buddhist beliefs. The remainder are mostly a mixture of Indian ethnic groups, who follow the Hindu religion. Northern Bhutan is the most spectacular for trekkers and mountain climbers. Lying largely above 3500 metres, the principal regions of Lingshi, Laya and Lunana, are inhabited by semi-nomadic Yak-herders who live on a diet of milk, butter, cheese and yak meat. The high altitude limits cultivable crops to barley and a hardy variety of potato. The people of this area spend most of the year tending their herds on the high valley pastures, living in black tents woven from yak hair. They have permanent homes in the villages lower down the valleys, and these are built of stone, in the traditional Bhutanese style, and are used to store grain which is brought up the valleys from the south. The valleys of Western and Central Bhutan offer rich reminders of its colourful history; monasteries, temples and fortresses abound
The country's permanent capital has been located in Thimpu since the early 1950’s. One of the strongest unifying features of this small nation is the almost universal love of the sport of archery. Throughout the land, Sundays are celebrated by holding day-long archery competitions. The earliest records of Bhutanese history suggest that the territory was divided into several principalities, which were not combined into a single state until the early seventeenth century. This unification of the territory was achieved by the rise to power of the country’s first ‘‘king’’ who was called Ngawang Namgyal. A hereditary monarchy was established in 1907, and the present, much loved and respected king is Jigme Singye Wangchuck

:: TIME ZONE
The time in Bhutan is GMT +6 hours.
London 12:00 is THIMPHU 18:00

:: CURRENCY
Bhutan’s unit of currency is the Ngultrum. It is tied to the Indian rupee and Indian rupees are an accepted currency throughout Bhutan. As of June 2008, the exchange rates are: €1 approximately 60 Ngultrum; $1 approximately 40 Ngultrum
It is not normally possible (and it is certainly not necessary) to purchase Ngultrums outside the country. We recommend you take you’re the majority of your travel money in the form of cash and use travellers cheques if you need extra cash for souvenirs or further travelling after your tour. THERE IS NO INTERNATIONAL ATM IN BHUTAN ! Euros and Dollars are readily exchanged. Credit cards (VISA, NO MASTERCARD !) can be used to purchase some goods in Thimpu and are particularly useful for more expensive items such as carpets and Thanka paintings

:: TELECOMMUNICATION
At the moment there are no roaming agreements with mobile operators, so you can not operate your personal mobile phone
Use a local prepaid-card or visit one of the many Internet cafes