| Dear travel partner, |
|
| Kuzu zang pola. |
|
| Bhutan has been a
choice of destination for many Indian travelers over the years. The
Secretariat of the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) has increased the
focus on the Indian market and has initiated a series of marketing
initiatives to promote Bhutan as an up-market international leisure
destination neighboring India. |
|
| Our 2013
marketing activities began with particpation at several industry events
that included SATTE, Travel Outbound Workshop and the popular OTM
Mumbai. During these events our Bhutanese private sector hoteliers and
DMC's interacted with many Indian trade members with the objective of
enhancing the quality of the experience for their customers. |
|
| In order to
support our Indian trade partners, we have initiated a monthly
newsletter that will help you provide more information on the
destination that would be desirable to your discerning Indian travelers.
For this month's newsletter, we have focused on the upcoming events of
'Paro Tshechu' and 'Chortan Kora' festivals. We have also included entry
points in Bhutan along with some recommended tour inclusions that is
sure to entice more of your customers. |
|
| Going forward,
the monthly newsletters will highlight our cuisine, art and culture,
events, festivals and other interesting facts on Bhutan. |
|
| We trust you
will enjoy reading our monthly newsletter which will serve as a definite
guide to enhancing your itineraries. We look forward to your queries
and feedback on exec.office@charsonadvisory.com. |
|
| Kadrin Chey (Thank you) for supporting Bhutan. |
|
| Sincerely, |
|
| Tourism Council of Bhutan |
| India Representative Office |
|
| GETTING TO BHUTAN |
 |
Visitors can visit Bhutan either by air or by land. The main points of entry are through |
Phuentsholing in the south that links Bhutan with the
Indian plains of West Bengal; through Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar that
links with the Indian state of Assam and through Paro, where the entry
is through Drukair, the National airline of Bhutan.
Travel by Air
| India |
: |
Calcutta, New Delhi, Bodghaya, Bagdogra, Mumbai (Proposed) and Guwahati |
| Nepal |
: |
Kathmandu |
| Thailand |
: |
Bangkok |
| Bangladesh |
: |
Dhaka |
| Singapore |
: |
Singapore |
Bhutan’s only international airport at Paro
caters to the needs of visitors coming in through flight. In fine
weather, as you soar higher up, you can enjoy the spectacular display of
Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga at their best. |
|
| MUST DO ACTIVITIES |
| Hot Stone Bath: This is a popular form of medication practiced in Bhutan since time immemorial. Red hot stones heated over |
 |
|
|
logs of wood are immersed from one end and as the water gets heated a
person slowly enters the trough and sits immersed neck down in water.
This is said to have lots of medicinal benefits and are usually done
when having knee, join and back pains. |
|
 |
Taktsang: The
Tigers Nest is the most popular tourist site in the country and a must
visit place due to its location and the relaxing hike to the monastery.
Perched on a high steep cliff, a spectacular view from afar awes and
takes away your breath at the first sight. Just before |
|
| reaching to the actual location of the monastery, you can have a
panoramic view of the entire place, which could be a little scary due to
the cliff but the beautiful view will beat the fear inside you. |
|
| Food tasting at Folk Heritage Museum: This is one of the places in Bhutan, where you can get all the Bhutanese food without having to travel to the remote |
 |
|
| places. The meal starts with Aara (local alcohol) and Suja (butter tea)
and then the food is served in traditional wooden plates and bowls. |
|
| UPCOMING EVENTS IN BHUTAN |
Gomphu Kora Festival - 20th – 22nd March, 2013
Gomphu means "Meditation Cave" and Kora means "Circumambulation". |
 |
|
| The
name is derived from a cave formed out of a rock-face next to a temple
that has been built as a tribute to this sacred site. During this
festival, people from all over eastern Bhutan descend upon the narrow
valley, dressed in their finery, to partake in the festivity, to worship
and to reunite themselves with their illustrious past. For some,
traditionally, the festival is also an occasion to have a date for the
people of Eastern Bhutan that leads to many marriages. Do not miss to
join this amazing festival to experience like no other! |
|
| TOUR INCLUSION IDEAS - BHUTAN |
Shopping in Bhutan
- Shopping in Bhutan is a pleasurable and diversified experience
offering a variety of goods that revolve mainly round textiles. One may
shop for items like hand-woven textiles, carved masks of animals, woven
baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, finely crafted
gods of silver.
| Kayaking and Rafting: The
natural setting and the sheer variety of the rivers' courses makes up
for a unique opportunity to explore
Bhutan's beautiful |
 |
|
|
| wilderness.
It is more than a teaser and an invitation to anyone interested in
adventure travels. The best time for rafting and kayaking is from March
to April and November to December. |
|
|
| UNDERSTANDING BHUTAN |
| Bhutan commonly referred to as the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon' is one of the most sought after travel destinations today. |
 |
| Bhutan is a trekker's paradise and an environmentalist's dream. With 72
percent of the country under forest cover, Bhutan's pristine ecology is
home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. Bhutan has been described
as a unique, deeply spiritual and mystical experience. |
|
| Eastern Bhutan
welcomes travellers into a world of unexplored trekking, historical and
cultural escapades, great scenery, textiles highlights and natural
wonders. The districts of Mongar, Lhuntse, Tashi Yangtse, Tashigang and
Samdrup Jongkhar constitute the eastern circuits. |
|
 |
Western Bhutan
comprises of the six western Districts in the country that includes Thimphu, Paro, Haa, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha and Gasa. |
|
| In this circuit one may attend the annual Haa Summer Festival in July and delve into the wonders of a living culture. |
|
| Central Bhutan
comprises of the two central Districts of Trongsa and Bumthang. It
boasts unique attractions and is home to many sacred monuments in the
country. One can witness numerous festivals including the annual
tshechu of Trongsa and Bumthang, the Jampa Lhakhang tshechu, or witness
the Ura tshechu that is unique. |
|
| Southern Bhutan is the ecological hub of the country comprising of seven southern districts of Bhutan, namely, Samtse, Chukha, Dagana, |
 |
|
| Tsirang, Sarpang, Zhemgang and Pemagatshel. Zhemgang. |
|
| FEATURED ATTRACTION |
 |
The Royal Manas National Park
Manas National Park, a lush region hosts a wealth of animal and plant species which makes it one of the |
|
| world’s
most biodiversity rich sites. A visitor to this Park can take a plunge
into the river or take an elephant ride through the jungles and remote
villages where one can encounter colourful hornbills and golden languor
swinging in the trees. |
|
Getting there
Paro is the first port of call if you're flying in. Transfer to Thimphu,
the nation's capital and then drive south to Gelephu, a subtropical |
 |
|
|
border town, before continuing on to the Assamese town of Kokrajhar,
and then to Panbang. Or you can also drive from Paro to Thimphu to
Trongsa to Zhemgang and Gelephu (a minimum four days by car). |
|
Best time to visit
Although the park is open the year round the best
time to visit is winter from November to January. Log cabins have been
built to provide a comfortable stay for visitors to the park. Basic
amenities such as running water and electricity are also available. |
|
 |
Things to see and do
Take a safari on elephant back through the jungles
Meet tribal Khengpa people and stay in their traditional bamboo homes (with tastings of the local home-brewed chaang!)
Raft down the broad sweep of the Manas river, neighboring |
|
the Indian state of Assam and home to exotic Golden
Langurs, Gangetic Dolphins and the Asian One-horned Rhinoceros.
Take a refreshing plunge in the river. Look for frolicking pods of rivers dolphins. Encounter colorful hornbills taking wing, rhinoceroses munching in the grass or golden langurs swinging in the trees. |
|
|
| DID YOU KNOW? |
|
National Flag
The upper yellow half signifies the secular power and authority of the
King while the lower saffron-orange symbolizes the practice of religion
and power of Buddhism, manifested in the tradition of Drukpa Kagyu. The
dragon signifies the name and the purity of the country while the jewels
in its claws stand for the wealth and perfection of the country. |
 |
|
|
 |
National Dress
Men wear a heavy knee length robe tied with a belt, called a gho, folded
in such a way to form a pocket in front of the stomach. Women wear
colorful blouses over which they fold and clasp a large rectangular
cloth called a kira. A short silk jacket may be worn over the kira.
Economy
Bhutan's economy is mainly based on select sectors
such as agriculture, forestry, hydroelectricity, manufacturing and
tourism. The country's hydropower potential and its attraction for
tourists are key resources. |
|
|
|
Language
Bhutan is linguistically rich with over eighteen
dialects being spoken in the country. The national language is Dzongkha,
which is the native language of the Ngalops of Western Bhutan. The
other major languages are the Tshanglakha and the Lhotshamkha. |
|
Currency
Bhutan's currency is Ngultrum (Nu) and it is par
with the Indian Rupee. Indian Rupees of smaller denominations are widely
accepted in Bhutan. |
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment