Customer Reviews

Bhutan Map by ITMB (Travel Reference Map)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're looking at this review, and are interested in a map of Bhutan, you probably already know there just aren't many such maps available in the world. In fact, even this one is hard to find. It did the job for me on my recent trip there, and helped me identify the Himalayan peaks I saw from Dochu La, although the elevation listed on my copy for Jhomolari seems a bit high.

I have traveled extensively in the Far East, but have never before to Bhutan, until now (2007). I always like to read up on places before I visit them and since I generally travel as independently as reasonably possible, so I like to take a map.
Maps of such countries are never as detailed as one might expect in more industrialized countries, but of course, that's usually why one's going there in the first place.
This map is certainly as good as the rest, if not better, and a useful addition to the travel documentation a prepared traveler would like to have with them.

I am going to Bhutan and was anxious to see a map to really see where I was going. It was just adequate. I think a map for such a mountainous
region should be more topographical with elevations shown. It would be better with valleys and mountains more clearly delineated. I guess there is not much out there for maps of Bhutan, but it could be some much better. The back of the map is absolutely blank and could be filled with either information or photos of the highlights of the country with map coordinates so you would know where to find them.

The mapmakers drew the international borders on the map to include the Indian province of Sikkim (which borders directly on Bhutan) as part of China. I'm not sure if this is a careless mistake or reflects some sort of pro-Chinese orientation by the publisher, ITM. China had laid claim to Sikkim until quite recently, but de facto control and de jure sovereignty has been British and then Indian without interruption for at least a century. Furthermore, Chinese maps submitted recently to India include Sikkim within Indian borders, despite still laying claim to parts of India's Arunachal Pradesh state. If the mistake is one of carelessness, it's a pretty major one.

OK, Bhutan is one of the best trips you're ever going to go on in your life. If you're now thinking of getting this map, obviously you've already planned your trip.

And basically, you have to have this map for a general sense of the country. You paid $4,000+ for your trip. Drop another $10 on the ONLY map available (you're not giong to find another map in Bhutan... believe me).

But let's not pretend this map is accurate. Even though there are only a few roads in the country, they aren't accurately (or even near accurately) represented.

But isn't that the fun and charm of it!? Our guides looked at the map in disbelief many times. And I smiled. Even a few cities on the map have been re-arranged!

But if you're going to Bhutan, I'm going to guess you're not the typical, boring traveller that demands perfection at every turn!

In summary, don't hike by this map (because you'll probably end up arrested by Chinease boarder authorities for not having a Visa) but enjoy this map and get it framed and placed on your wall when you return!

While I have no particular fault to find, I found this map of limited use on my trip to Bhutan, esp compared to the handout maps we got from time to time from our tour guide etc. I dont think I would recommend it to any traveler on a tour group, but perhaps it would be of some use to persons making an off-road trek tour if their leaders were not furnishing their own maps. It's relative lack of relief features meant that it did not give much of an image of what the country would be like in passing through an area.

Very good map, gives excellent ideas for travel times and how to plan our itinerary.

I've travelled a bit in Bhutan and was pleasantly surprised at some of the detail shown on the map, and the general accuracy of that information. We've pinned the map up on the wall at home and use it when referring to stories about our time in Bhutan. As mentioned by one of the other reviewers there aren't many maps of Bhutan available outside of the country so this is an excellent reference to have.