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Bhutan Ngultrum
The landlocked Asian country of Bhutan uses the ngultrum as its official currency. The currency is identified on the international markets by the letters BTN.
Each ngultrum is then divided into 100 chhertum. Coins are issued in the form of chhertum 20, 25, 50 and 1 ngultrum. 5 and 10 chhertum coins are in circulation, but due to inflation, their use is minimal.
Notes are circulated in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 ngultrum.
The currency is linked to the Indian rupee in the sense that it is pegged at a par (of equal worth) to the Indian rupee.
History of the Ngultrum
The Bhutanese rupee had been the currency in use in Bhutan from 1789 until 1974. Then as the Bhutanese economy developed, it seemed logical to replace the currency with one that was slightly more 'separate' from the rupee and gave Bhutan more of an identity. Hence the reason for the introduction of the ngultrum.
The ngultrum is not traded on international currency markets, it is localised to Bhutan: but that being said, it is also interchangeable with the Indian rupee since it is worth the same as an Indian rupee. So it can be used in India as well.
Getting hold of ngultrums
Bhutan is not a developed country. It lies to the north of India and also borders with China. It is a very unique country in that it is the only Vajrayana Buddhist country in the world and for the Bhutanese people, economic outputs and growth are not the measures of how successful the country is. Instead the people view spiritual enlightenment and cultural growth as being as important as economic factors.
This means that the way of life in Bhutan is very different. For a start the government is keen to ration foreign visitors because it does not want to ruin the land on which it has built such a wonderful nation. There would also appear to be a sub-text, that the government do not wish to have an influx of the 'wrong type' of visitors, but want to have the right kind of visitors to such a beautiful country.
Indeed, so keen are the government to control tourism, that they will not permit independent travel within the country. If you wish to visit Bhutan, then you have to go on an official tour. This can either be independently (i.e. just you, your travelling companion if applicable and the tour guide/driver) or it can be travelling with a group of people. But you cannot simply turn up at the border and expect to be allowed in: you must book with a tour company, organised and regulated by the government. You cannot even hire a car independently. The government wants to ensure that it knows what tourists are doing and where they are!
It is possible to gain access by either a person of some standing who is a resident of Bhutan or from a voluntary organisation, but otherwise you will have to book on a tour: with a fixed fee. The fee is set by the government and cannot be haggled over, in fact do not even try, since this may cause offence. You will also find that you won't get a visa without being booked on a tour, so if you are trying to circumvent this process, forget it, the government have got it all sealed up!
The result is that if you want a holiday where you can flash your credit cards at every opportunity and get cash out of an ATM machine 24/7, then Bhutan is not the location for you. There are no ATM machines in Bhutan and the government does not seem keen to see them introduced.
You will also find that it is a cash based economy, with credit cards not being widely used. Mostly credit cards will only be accepted in shops where handicrafts and souvenirs are sold: they are not widely accepted.
Travellers are recommended to take cash, as well as travellers cheques that can then be transferred into ngultrums at the airport or bank. Most decent sized hotels will also cash traveller's cheques, but they may charge a little more. Indian rupees can easily be used in Bhutan, since they are of the same value. If you are taking travellers cheques, the preferred currencies are US dollars or euros but British sterling will be accepted as well.
Safeguarding your ngultrums
At the risk of over exaggerating, it is likely that you will be far safer in Bhutan than you will be at home (unless home is indeed Bhutan). It is an incredibly safe country and crime is exceptionally low, since it is against the 'Buddhist way of being'.
Bhutan is safe for everyone, including sole women travellers and it is a place that is even safe to hitchhike around in, even for women. However, if you do plan to hitchhike, then this will have to be arranged through your tour company i.e. you cannot just book on a tour and then go awol.
However, the only real risk to your ngultrums is losing them or misplacing them: theft is not really a problem.
There have been a few isolated incidents of civil unrest, during 2007 and 2008, due to the fact that efforts have been made to repatriate around 100,000 Bhutanese refuges (originally of Nepali origins) to the US. This has led to some groups in Bhutan objecting, on the grounds that they feel that they should be relocated to Bhutan. However, these incidents should be seen in the context of the relative safety of the country as a whole. Plus the fact that (most) visitors have to join a group or tour, means that the tour operators will not take you to anywhere that is particularly unsafe or where there is a real risk.
Using ngultrums
Most of the tours that are available to Bhutan include accommodation as well as food, so to a large extent most of the costs of the trip have been paid for before you arrive.
Handicrafts are the most likely souvenirs that you will buy. These tend to be colourful woven fabrics that can be used as wall hangings or the larger ones are designed for use as rugs. They are bright, colourful and despite being made by hand, still very good value for money.
Most of the food costs are covered in the cost of the tour and restaurants are not abundant. Those which do exist tend to be more focussed on local dishes, with most of the food chilli based and quite spicy. If you don't like spicy foods, then tell your hotel management, who will ensure that dishes are not too strong for you.
Nightlife is not abundant in Bhutan and it is not somewhere that you will find many nightclubs. They do exist but are quite few and far between and located only in the major towns and cities. In Thimpu there are a number of bars and clubs (nightclubs often operate on a Saturday night only). Some of the bars will charge a fee for entry, then this will be set against your bill, so you do get the money back.
Often hotels will lay on entertainment for guests, along the line of 'authentic' dancers and so on, but generally the nightlife is very low key. Some visitors joke that if you are planning a trip to Bhutan make sure that you take enough books with you to see you through. However, in some ways this fits in with the government's desire to attract the 'right kind' of tourists, as opposed to people who just want to go out clubbing every night and sleep all day. This is fine in many countries, but definitely not encouraged in Bhutan.
If you do visit a monastery or sacred site, it is regarded as acceptable behaviour to leave or at least offer some money. This is part of the Buddhist way and is said to promote an open and generous mind and it also denotes respect, so try to ensure that you do leave something or give some gift as a means of showing gratitude.
Travel tips for Bhutan
Bhutan is very keen to promote sustainable tourism. It doesn't want to be over run with tourists and it wants to retain the staggering natural beauty which is to be found almost everywhere in Bhutan.
Consequently, travellers should observe local customs. Smoking is not permissible in public places (it is illegal for Bhutanese people to smoke). Cigarettes are available, but cannot be sold to locals.
Dropping litter is seen as being disrespectful to the earth and is strongly frowned upon.
Being drunk is also seen as being disrespectful and is not tolerated very well.
It is also considered polite to bring or give some kind of gift to the tour guide who accompanies you. This does not need to be expensive, but it is a way of showing appreciation.
If you plan to go trekking or climbing in the mountains you should be aware that altitude sickness is a real threat, so be careful to ensure that you are not dehydrated (avoid alcohol, prior to trekking) and also keep fluid levels up through drinking plenty of water. Some medicines can be taken prior to travel to help prevent altitude sickness, but check with your pharmacist or physician, prior to travel.
Overview
Bhutan undoubtedly has to be a considered holiday destination and is not simply somewhere that you can 'end up' or travel to on the spur of the moment. But for the independent traveller or someone who just wants to immerse themselves in another culture and different way of being, Bhutan offers a real slice of unique culture and philosophy. Things that are prized by most westerners (including money and status symbols) are generally not viewed as being of interest to many of the Bhutanese people.
Yet, perhaps the Bhutanese have got the right idea: the publication Business Week (in 2006) declared Bhutanese people to be the happiest in Asia and the 8th happiest people in the world. So for a chance to see just what really can make people happy, perhaps Bhutan is the ideal location!
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