Bhutan: been there?
 

We have an opportunity to visit the country of Bhutan while in India. If you have been there, do you recommend that we do this?

I think Bhutan is one of the most interesting and beautiful places I have been. I would definitely take advantage of any opportunity you have to go there. I believe you have to go as part of a guided tour, although their rules may have changed. Take a look at www.kingdomofbhutan.com or contact the Bhutan Mission to the U.N., 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (212/826-1919) or the Bhutan Travel Service, 120 E 56th Street, Suite 1130, New York, NY 10022 (1-800/950-9908 or 212/838-6382). You will need a visa, which I believe can only be obtained through a travel agent. (You also need a visa for India which you can apply for yourself, take a look at www.indianembassy.org.)

My only caveat would be time of year. I believe the best months in terms of weather and clear skies (so you can see the mountains) are September through November. I believe the summer months are quite wet. Not sure when your trip to India is scheduled, but if it is in the winter months (December - March when north India is best for visiting), this may not be the best time to see Bhutan. Perhaps others. have advice on this point

We were in Bhutan in late December and early January. Although very cold at night, the absolute clearest weather of the year! As in Nepal, winter is the best time to see the Himalayas in Bhutan. Also, there were very, very few tourists (we only saw about half a dozen during the week we were in Bhutan). We were admitted to many monasteries which are closed to tourists at other times of the year because there were hardly any tourists (I also think that traveling with children helped, because the monks were very accommodating to our children).

Thanks for your replies, Cicerone and Ben. Our window of opportunity will come in November, so it looks as if the weather will be in our favor.

I haven't yet been to Bhutan, but I did some research earlier this year. You do have to hire a guide, there is a list on the Bhutan website, www.kingdomofbhutan.com . There is also a fixed price per person per day of around $200. (There are only minor variations in price according to season and a few extras you can pay for). The Lonely Planet Gudiebook fro Bhutan is considered the most comprehensive.