Bhutan likely to remove all travel restrictions by fall

Assuming no serious variant emerges in the next few months, all indications are that Bhutan will fully reopen by September.

This means vaccinated visitors as well as Bhutanese returning home by air or by land will not have to undergo quarantine. As of now, all vaccinated arrivals have to undergo a five day quarantine and the southern border with India is still closed for non-essential travel.

Within the country, things are as good as back to pre-pandemic days. Schools and colleges are in session, sporting activities are in full swing, domestic travel is permitted and all businesses are open. The national COVID 19 case trends have been on a continuous decline and hospitalisations are in the single digits. With more than 90 percent of the population, above five years of age, fully vaccinated, Bhutan’s handling of the pandemic continues to remain exemplary. Since the pandemic began two years ago, only 21 people have died from the virus, which is among the lowest in the world.

Now the focus has moved to reviving the economy and reopening tourism, a key hard currency earner and employment generator, is high on the list. Inquiries are coming in everyday and tour operators have started to regroup, prepare and plan for the fall season. The airline, hotel and the surface transport operators, which were as good as dead for the past two years, are also gearing up for fall reopening.

September is a good time to be in Bhutan. By then, the rainy season gives way to blue skies and sunshine, ideal weather for trekking and discovering the country’s pristine natural environment.

A number of religious festivals also take place during fall including the annual three day Thimphu Tshechu. This year, it falls in the first week of October, when the terraced rice fields in the valley turn gold before harvest.

The Thimphu Tshechu, instituted in 1867, is one of the biggest attractions of the fall season and connects Bhutan to its rich traditions of the past. It takes place in a special cobbled stoned arena behind the 17^th century Tashichhodzong fortress that houses the central government.

The religious and social festival has a carnival like atmosphere with the mask dancers in colourful costumes, clowns engaging in outlandish acts and traditional song, music and dance performed by the royal academy of performing arts.

For the past two years the annual festival has been held without public attendance. This fall come to Bhutan and experience its ancient living traditions at the Thimphu Tshechu!