Hotel Sinchula Phuntsholing

... and identity of the people. Realizing these problems and the fact that the resources on which tourism is based are limited, the government recognizes the need to develop the Bhutanese tourism industry based on the principle of sustainability (i.e. it must be environmentally friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and economically viable).
Tourism Pricing Policy
Rather than limiting the number of visas issued, tourist ...

Phuntsholing is the entry point to Bhutan. We arrived quite late at night and well beyond the time when the Bhutanese immigration could accept us. I had not many problems because I have an Indian passport and in actuality I do not even require a passport. Stayed the night at a hotel after our guide and the driver from Sakten Tours and Travels had come to pick us up.

... driver. My last day in Bhutan was the best: we spent the morning hiking to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger Leaping Gorge; the welcome photo I have used). It was a 3 hour hike uphill all the way, at 2000m, so there was quite a bit of huffing and puffing involved, but completely worth the sweat. It is not quite as precarious as the photos make it out to be, but we ...

... Bangkok pothole trail). I actually got a lump on the top of my head from hitting the roof of the minibus so often. Bhutan: I like the people here already. They are so relaxed and cheerful in comparison to the Indians I have been meeting. I feel relaxed and safer too. Can't say I've seen anything of the country yet because it's pitch black, but I'll try to update again if possible. My ...

Our incredible adventure continues, with so many treasures along the way. So many Dzongs to mention. All so distinctive and unique unto themselves. We feel like we are the only tourists as we barely see any. Off in just a few to start our trek up into the Himalayas; with Guide, chef, pack horses and a Dining tent and Outhouse to boot! I have to see this! Hope to post again from Paro - our last stop in 5 days @ the Gentry Palace.

... meet at 13700 feet. At the height of Indo-China war in 1960s, Sella was a local maiden who had fallen in love with Jaswant Singh , an Indian soldier . She died a martyr and the pass was named after her and was marked as a boundary between India and China. Jaswant Garh,a memorial for the soldier is also close by. We had none for company except for a ...

... village watching. Then we went through a huge thunderstorm which soaked our packs which were on the top of the bus. We finally arrived just after dark to be met by our guide Phub and our driver Tcheko, who had been worried about us. They were a welcome sight in their Gho's, the national costume of Bhutan. After helping us through customs we checked into a nice hotel. We didn't quite feel we were in Bhutan yet as Phuentsholing being a border town had more of an Indian feel.

... the King, and some Bhutanese dancers. Then we went to the local school fete - a strangely familiar experience including hoopla, bingo and splat the rat. After lunch we went up into the hills a little way to a temple which had a fantastic view over the Indian plains and where you could see the Himalayas suddenly rise up out of the ground. We sat on the hillside next to the ...

... just as it was getting dark. We went out for supper with "the Phubs" (guide and driver) at Plum's Cafe and then went to bed and watched TV!! Hotel room has bath and hot water too - total luxury! Next morning we went around Thimphu, to the bank and the post office and bought a few little things in the handicraft shop (yes - more weavings). Then we went to a textile museum (more weavings) and to a folk heritage museum. A quick trip to visit ...

... each precinct. Druk Yul, as the country is known to its inhabitants, has a sense of peace and orderliness under the protective tutelage of the current monarch, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, an enlightened leader by all accounts. He has continued the modernization programme started by his father while steadfastly maintaining the policy of environmental conservation and the preservation of ...