Bhutan: Land of Thunder Dragon - A Luxury Small Group Journey

Trip Introduction:
Enjoy the very best of this fascinating and intriguing country, from authentic cultural gems to natural wonders, on an exclusive journey. Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the eastern Himalayas to one of the last untouched bastions of ancient civilization, where mountain legends, emerald valleys and snow-capped vistas await at every turn. Step inside the monasteries and experience the wonders of Buddhist spirituality. Explore the rich culture of the local community, unchanged for centuries.
 

Passport and Visa Requirements
All foreigners require a visa for entry into Nepal (except Indian nationals). It is your responsibility to obtain an entry visa. You can get it from a Nepalese embassy overseas or on arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal. Most people will obtain their visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. You will need two passport photos and the following fees in US Dollar cash (this is payable in any major currency but NOT traveler's cheque) dependent upon the duration of the multiple entry visas:

1. Multiple entries 15 days US$ 30 or equivalent convertible currency
2. Multiple entries 30 days US$ 50 or equivalent convertible currency
3. Multiple entries 90 days US$ 125 or equivalent convertible currency

Travel Insurance: 
Travel Insurance is mandatory for booking any of Himalayas Nepal Vision’s Adventure packages. Trekking in the Himalayas is full of fun and adventure but you have to be prepared for risk management. While you are in High Altitude region, there are higher risks of difficulties. You may suffer from various health problems, injuries, and illnesses. Even High altitude sickness can tear up your perfect itinerary. And that’s where travel insurance can save you from distress or at least from some of the costs, depending on the policy you buy. For your adventure, Travel insurance is a safety net if things go wrong. At times, even a helicopter may be needed along with a rescue team, for ground evacuation, so, every traveler must have rescue insurance covered against personal accidents, medical expenses, emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue service accidents, and personal liability. Start your trip with all the necessary health & traveling insurance for your safety.

Having good travel insurance will not only guarantee you peace of mind while you travel with us but also provide you with complete cover for anything things that may go wrong.

Trip Meal Plan 
Eating is a big part of traveling. With Nepal Vision, you will experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available in the Mountains. Nepal Vision will provide Traveling Mountains meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) that crews require on the trail. On this trip, you can enjoy both traditional Nepalese three-time served as Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), as well as a variety of different food items, such as vegetables, noodles, potatoes cuisine served and soup along with some, Nepali versions of western food such as pizza, pasta, and French fries. Breakfast and dinner will be served from the teahouse or lodge menu where we will spend the night. Lunch will be eaten at one of the trailside restaurants. A welcome dinner, a farewell dinner, and breakfasts will be served during our stay in Kathmandu.

When an individual is allergic to some food products, requires a special diet, or has specific religious food needs, we will arrange it as per your requirements on request. Also, the crew will carry fresh, fruit supplies at a time along the trail. Our guides will carefully be checked for the quality and quantity of the food in every teahouse. Explicit cooking directions are indicated on each food for your convenience.

Trip Accommodation 
During this trip, we will spend four nights in Kathmandu at four-star standard hotels. We will spend the nights at standard mountain teahouses. A Tea House is a combination of a guesthouse, restaurant, and social hang-out. Private rooms are available in most tea houses. The lodges are fairly basic. The rooms are spare with twin beds and very little additional furniture. Blankets are generally provided. Most bathrooms are shared and toilets are the western version. Most of the Teahouses have running water facilities while some of them may also have hot water available for bathing at an additional cost. It is advisable to carry wet wipes as an alternative.

There is a large dining room more like the lounge, warmed by an iron cylinder, fitted with a chimney duct, in which a log fire is lit. Most teahouses now also have electricity for charging small appliances, mobile phones, and cameras. Some might charge a small amount for this.

Best time to visit Nepal 
Nepal is for all seasons! But because of the huge range in altitude and landscape, the climate of Nepal differs significantly throughout the country. The most recommended seasons for trekking are autumn (Sept, Oct, Nov) and spring (March, April, and May). In these seasons you will be rewarded with good weather, sunny and warm with clear skies and outstanding views. During monsoons (June, July, Aug) although there will be no problem with trekking, the issue could be less visibility and rain. For the student of botanicals, a monsoon is a blessing as the higher valleys, mountains, and meadows blossom with flowers and abundant vegetation. You can also trek in winter (Dec, Jan, and Feb). Only, the issue will be cold weather with snowfall at higher elevations.

The trekking routes are filled with trekkers during spring and autumn but during monsoon and winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather the best of nature. However, because of the effects of global warming, the climate is changing worldwide and there could always be the possibility of exceptions in these weather patterns. There could be a hoax of bad weather and sometimes even in adverse months during the best seasons too. 

Leader(s) & Staff 
The Trek Leader of your group has a role to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. Our guides are intimately familiar with all local castes and customs along the trails and will share with you many cultural insights that are not covered in any guidebook. You will have a good chance to learn Nepali phrases, cultural things, and more on your trekking. Nepal Vision trained its guide/trekking staff on the following course:

• Intensive Wilderness First Aid
• Trekking Guide Training
• Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet
• English Language
• Conservation and Biodiversity
• Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, and Mountaineering (For expedition leaders)

Altitude Information
What is Altitude? 
Altitude is known as elevation, and it is often used to refer to the height above sea level. Altitude is related to air pressure. Trekkers and mountaineers can measure their altitude by measuring the air pressure around them. As the altitude rises, air pressure drops. In other words, if the indicated altitude is high, the air pressure becomes low. The human body reacts to high altitudes. Decreased air pressure means that less oxygen is available for breathing. One normal effect of altitude is shortness of breath since the lungs have to work harder to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream. It can take days and even weeks for a body to adjust to high altitude and low air pressure. To prevent severe altitude sickness, mountaineers bring supplemental (extra) supplies of oxygen and limit their time in the 'high elevation'.

Acclimatization 
We are experts at operating adventure trips at high-altitude destinations. Every trip we run has a realistic acclimatization program. Our treks are designed to allow gradual height gain, spread over several days. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from altitude but, for the vast majority of people, a slow ascent to height will produce minimal effects. Acclimatizing takes time and there are no safe shortcuts. All trips to altitudes over 3,000 meters carry medicines essential to the treatment of altitude illness, and our leaders are trained to administer them and to know the symptoms.

Symptoms & signs of Acute Mountain Sickness

• Headache (typically throbbing, often worse for bending over or lying down), Additionally one or more of the following symptoms might be seen:
• Tiredness, weakness
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of appetite, nausea (or vomiting)
• Insomnia, disturbed sleep
• Dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, heavy legs

Treatment 
The only cure for mountain sickness is either acclimatization or descent to a lower altitude as soon as possible. In the presence of these symptoms, medical attention must be sought immediately in conjunction with a descent to the lowest possible height.

• Rest (avoid even the slightest exertion if this is possible) at the same (or lower) altitude until the symptoms clear (up to 4 days)
• Drink enough to keep your urine pale and plentiful
• Use ibuprofen or paracetamol for headache
• Consider Diamox™ (125 to 250 mg 12-hourly) for 3 days, or for the rest of the time at altitude if symptoms return
• Consider Stemeti™l (or other anti-vomiting medication) for persistent nausea/vomiting
• If AMS symptoms are severe, give oxygen (1 to 2 L/min) OR use a pressure bag until symptoms clear
• Check the victim regularly for signs of HAPE and HACE, especially during the night
• Descend far enough to clear symptoms (at least 500m/1640ft) if symptoms of AMS do not improve or get worse

What do we do if we are affected by Altitude Sickness? 
Sometimes trekkers might suffer from ailments like altitude sickness, heart problems, dysentery, or fracture while trekking in the Himalayas. While there are clinics at some places for minor ailments, major hospitals are days away from most of the trekking trails. So, a client’s life could be at risk if he/she is not rescued immediately. If you find yourself ill or injured in the mountains, Nepal Vision Treks will arrange rescue and evacuation services for our clients.

Helicopter rescue services will rarely come to your aid without you either making a cash deposit or a promise in Kathmandu. While you are traveling with us, we can become the guarantor for the helicopter operators, make the initial payments, and send a helicopter for your rescue. We claim the amount later from you or your insurance. Please make sure you have travel insurance that covers emergency helicopter services for rescue to avail of this service.

Our expert and trained guides are very experienced in dealing with the effects of higher altitudes. They are equipped with necessary first-aid medical supplies and will assist with basic first-aid treatment. The safety of our clients is taken very seriously and conducted the operation swiftly and didn’t panic for a second to come up with a proper operation.  

Vaccination: 
Vaccination is the most important thing to consider while traveling to prevent possible diseases. For traveling to Nepal, we recommend you take vaccines against Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, etc. However, it is not a must to have but it is recommended. You should check up with your doctor before the departure of your trip. Your doctor will have access to the most up-to-date information on the required vaccinations for the country you will be visiting.

Extra Expenses Information
You are responsible for your expenses, a cold beverage, mineral water, extra meals, and drinks (more than 3 meals a day), and other services which are not mentioned in our service Includes column. So you should be planning to bring at least US$20 to US$30 per day for these expenses. It is not necessary to obtain local money before departure. Nepal has modern banking facilities so you can use ATMS in Kathmandu where you can easily use your credit card, Debit card, Master card, Visa card, etc. to withdraw local currency.

COVID Precautions
Fully vaccinated travelers don't require a pre-departure PCR test for COVID-19 to enter Nepal. You must bring the vaccination certificate completed at least 14 days prior to arrival at the Airport. In case you are not fully vaccinated or have not completed a full dose of vaccination at least 14 days prior to your arrival in Nepal, you have to bring a COVID-19 test report which can be either RT-PCR, Gene Experr, True NAAT, or WHO accredited test that shows the negative result done within the last 72 hours of boarding from the first airport. In case you are entering through the land border, you will need to do the test within 72 hours before entry. The provision will not be accepted for children below 5 years.

Things to Consider
There are a few important things you need to know before traveling to Nepal so that you can have a smooth journey to Nepal.

• Be prepared for major emergencies. Nepal experiences natural calamities like Earthquakes, Landslides, floods, and several others. Carrying an emergency kit with necessary first aid supplies and bottled water will be a great help. 
• Take care while you photograph as it's illegal to photograph army barracks, checkpoints, many temples, and many other areas. 
• Don't use any illegal drugs. The government of Nepal might take this as a severe charge and also might ask for a sum of penalties for drug offenses.
• Check with your intended tour provider despite Nepal issuing trekking and mountaineering permits. 
• Exchange foreign currencies for NPR which will be available at banks or any exchange bureaus. Those can be found in major centers. Most hotels and restaurants accept credit cards but it's better to carry some fleece cash. Make sure you carry enough cash to cover your needs because not all areas have ATMs. 
• Use the registered taxis. Some taxi drivers may take ask for higher amounts by fooling novice travelers, so make sure you consider checking for prices. 

#@#Which is the best place to visit Nepal or Bhutan?

#@#Nepal may be a more affordable option compared to both. Nepal has cheap hotels, simple and inexpensive travel costs, low-cost food and stunning Himalayan treks compared to Bhutan.

#@#How much does a trip to Bhutan costs?

#@#Depending on the type of hotel you stay in and the duration of the tour, the costs to Bhutan range from 35000 to 125000. The 5-night stay in Bhutan is the best trip for an affordable price.

#@#What is the best time to visit Bhutan and Nepal?

#@#The best time to visit both countries is from March to May. The time is the best as it's the spring season where there are beautiful scenery and greenery everywhere.

#@#Which language is most spoken in Nepal and Bhutan?

#@#The most spoken language in Nepal is Nepali language and the most spoken language in Bhutan is Dzongkha. The best and most common language is Hindi and English in both nations.

#@#What is the currency in Bhutan and Nepal?

#@#The currency in Bhutan is the Indian rupee and The currency in Nepal is Nepali currency. Both countries accept Indian Currency.