From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Bhutan
Date: 12 Jan 1993 15:49:43 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Bhutan
============================================================
Bhutan - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy Location:  There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Bhutan. 
 Informal contact between Bhutan and the United States is maintained 
through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.  For assistance, U.S. 
citizens can contact the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, located on 
Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, 110021, or a U.S. Consulate in Bombay, 
Calcutta or Madras.  The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, located 
at the Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, can also 
provide assistance in certain instances.  The U.S. Embassy telephone 
number in New Delhi is (91-11) 600-651.  In Dhaka the U.S. Embassy 
telephone number is (880-2) 88-4700.

Country Description:  Bhutan is a small land-locked Himalayan 
nation with a monarchy.  It is a protectorate of India.  Facilities 
for tourism are limited.

Entry Requirements:  Tourists are admitted only in groups by 
prearrangement with Bhutan's Ministry of Tourism.  Entry must be via 
India or Bangladesh; the border with China is closed.  A passport 
and visa are required.  For entry information, the traveler can 
contact the Bhutan Travel Service, 120 East 56 Street, New York, 
N.Y., 10022, telephone (212) 838-6382, or the Consulate of the 
Kingdom of Bhutan in New York, telephone (212) 826-1919.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Bhutan are limited.  
Some medicine is in short supply.  Doctors and clinics often require 
immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance 
is not always valid outside the United States.  Supplemental medical 
insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical 
evacuation, has proved helpful.  Information on health matters can 
be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international 
travelers hotline, telephone (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  There is relatively little crime in Bhutan.  
However, some pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs.  Information 
on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal security while 
traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A 
Safe Trip Abroad. It is available from the Superintendent of 
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are strictly enforced.  Convicted offenders can expect 
jail sentences and fines.

Tips For Travelers: General information on travel in the area is 
provided in the Department of State brochure, "Tips for Travelers to 
South Asia."  It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, 
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in 
New Delhi, at one of the U.S. Consulates in India, or the U.S. 
Embassy in Dhaka, can obtain updated information on travel and 
security in Bhutan.

 No. 93-004

Newsgroups: rec.travel,rec.travel.air