Notes on travel to Bhutan 6 (Other)

We will explain in detail the things you should be aware of when traveling to Bhutan (time difference, language, voltage / plug, clothes, etc.).

time difference

Bhutan's time zone is standardized in the country and is GMT + 6 hours. The time difference with Japan is minus 3 hours. When Japan is noon, Bhutan is 9am.
Bhutan time is India + 30 minutes, Thailand-1 hour, Nepal + 15 minutes.

word

Although Bhutan is a small country, about 20 languages ​​are spoken in the country. The official language is Zonga. Bhutanese are studying English at school, so if you speak English, you can have a comfortable Bhutan trip. The official language of Zonka is widely used, but Bhutanese are generally multilingual and can speak Zonka and Nepali (Ihotsamkha). Many children are friendly to travelers even in the countryside, waving hands and talking to “Hello” and “Good Morning”. Travelers are very pleased when they speak local language. These are two expressions that are useful to remember.
- Hello: Kuzuzanpo (La)
- Thanks: Kadin Choi (La)

Voltage / Plug

The voltage is 230-240V and the frequency is 50Hz. Since the voltage is unstable, overvoltage may occur. The main types of plugs are round 3-pin B3 and BF types.

Best season to travel to Bhutan

Bhutan is located in the tropical monsoon region, roughly divided into the rainy season from June to August and the dry season from September to May. You can enjoy alpine plants and flowering in the rainy season, but the dry season is suitable for travel if you want to avoid rain. Even during the dry season, spring (March to May) is a travel season due to the stable climate.
In Bhutan, the mountainous area occupies most of the country, so the difference in altitude is significant, and there is a difference in temperature depending on the altitude. You can think of the temperature as almost the same as Kanto in Japan. In general, the target town for sightseeing is about 2,000m above sea level, and you can feel the four seasons clearly from Japan.

Seasons
Bhutan always has four seasons. The kingdom spans all climatic zones, from the southern subtropical jungle to the mid-elevation of 2,000 to 2,500 meters in the middle, the towering Himalayan Mountains world and the eastern glaciers. Winter is also fun. During the day, the sun goes all day, but it gets cold in the evening. The sights of winter scenery are dignified mountains and vast valleys. Clouds are piled up on the top of the mountain, and it seems as if waiting for the breath of new life. Spring is a season when botanists are pleased, and wild flowers such as rhododendron azalea and edelweiss bloom like a carpet. Pears and apple flowers add color to the canyon, while white and pink flowers grow abundantly. Summer is the most fruitful season of the year. The flowers are in full bloom, the valley is covered with greenery, the weeping willows stretch slowly towards the riverbank, and the pinecones are lit by the sun. The raisins that have come to fruition are about to reach the ground. Autumn is a season that gives golden sparkle to a vast landscape, and is the most popular and crowded time for tourists. Rice fields ripen golden under the blue sky. Pretty pink and white cosmos can be seen in the countryside.

Clothes

Basically there is no problem with the same clothes as in Japan. The summer daytime is warm with 20 ℃ ~ 25 ℃ and strong sunlight. However, because the altitude is high, it will cool down in the morning and evening even in summer, so it is safer to prepare long-sleeved feather fabrics. In winter, it may get warm during the day, but it gets very cold in the morning and evening, so it is necessary to take measures against the cold. Please adjust it by wearing it well. Also, to avoid Buddhism's national character, refrain from exposing your skin, such as sleeveless or shorts.

toilet

Since there are few public toilets and toilet paper may not be placed, it is safer to travel with toilet paper or more pocket tissue. Also, even if the toilets in Bhutan are flushed, draining the paper may clog the paper, so please throw it away in the trash.

smoking

Bhutan is completely prohibited from selling and smoking tobacco. Travelers can bring up to one carton, but must pay a tax of 200%. Please note that smoking areas are limited.

vaccination

Basically, short-term travelers do not need vaccination.

health

The most common illnesses for travelers are diarrhea caused by various bacteria such as dysentery, and cautions include hepatitis A, malaria, and tetanus. To protect yourself from illness, wash your hands, gargle, etc., and take great care in managing your physical condition.