Bhutan is famous for its highly prized fabrics like Kira for women and Gho for men, traditional thankas (religious appliqués) and wooden craft products such as masks, statues etc. All products in Bhutan will seem expensive compared to neighboring countries. Since there are so few tourists, and so little export, most of the goods are made with very high quality standards for actual day-to-day use. Prices reflect this quality. Don’t try to haggle or get a better deal. Pay what you’re asked to pay and count yourself lucky! You’re supporting a rich and vibrant traditional culture.

Thimphu is the best place for shopping, with many local shops selling Bhutanese products. Generally prices are lower in the east, but the buying opportunities are more rare. If you will be visiting a producer of traditional wares, prices will be best there. Hotels have high priced items. Government handicraft stores have better quality items at fairer prices.

Enlist the help of your guide or driver in selecting good quality items to purchase. They know what is the best, but they are often too polite to say anything unless you ask. Be sure to ask subtly, as they may not wish to say anything negative in front of a shopkeeper.

Be cautious about anything old or antique that you may want to purchase in Bhutan. Customs will not allow anyone to export anything that is not certified as non-antique.

Be prepared to carry Bhutanese currency with you. There are no ATM machines in all of Bhutan and most small shops do not take credit cards.

Cultural Crossroads Tours of Bhutan at a Glance

• Back Roads of Bhutan
  

  Cultural Crossroads invites you to participate in a special trip to unexplored Bhutan. The country is landlocked between the Himalayas, India and Tibetan. There are few developed Bhutan has been culturally preserved and is unaltered by the modern global culture that most other nations have influencing them. It is one of the most unique places to visit. It is the only country where Buddhism is the state religion and the country does not measure its success by Gross Domestic Product, but by Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is a small country with very fragile environment, so the government is serious and giving first priority to preserve the natural environment. Bhutan is set to become first nation in the world where the citizens have a constitutional obligation to preserve the environment. Bhutan constitution emphasizes the need for every citizen of the country to protect the environment, conserve its rich biodiversity and prevent ecological degradation including noise, visual and physical pollution through the adoption of environment friendly practices and ethos. Bhutan is committed to keep minimum of 60% of its forest cover forever.

  Cultural Crossroads makes sure our travelers carry out what they carry in, and how they can help conserve water and electricity, and other items in their hotel rooms. Combined with a well preserved ancient culture, this country is truly a fascinating and unique place to visit.

  We will visit many villages, meet with local elders/leaders and farmers and learn about the challenges they face, their daily activities, and ways to improve their living conditions. Our travelers will experience the HAA district, not yet explored by other tour operators. Cultural Crossroads participants will enjoy a special permit to enter the Tigers’s Nest monastery (Taktsang). We will also meet and interact with lamas and monks from the various monasteries and temples and have opportunities to meet with local artisans and crafts people. Traditional handicraft makers and artisans form a big bulk of the Bhutanese population. The sale of their products is being encouraged to visitors helping the local people to benefit from the rich. Visitors can also contribute to locals eating their wonderful local food encouraging farmers to produce more agricultural products for the demanding market for better living. Animal husbandry is still a predominant activity amongst rural population. The purchase of fresh dairy products like cheese, butter, milk, and meat to feed the visitors during their travel to Bhutan is another economic net contributing to triple bottom line.

  The tour is for 8-16 travelers only, so you can enjoy the company of others, or fill the trip with your friends and/or family. Our small group size provides you with special opportunities and private access for unique cultural experiences.

  Cultural Crossroads donates the portion of our profits to sustainable community programs in the countries we travel to. In Bhutan we give to the Tarayana Foundation (http://www.tarayanafoundation.org/) a non-profit organization working to reduce poverty and enhance the lives of people in rural communities in Bhutan.