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Tourism in Bhutan:
The Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly to a policy
of low impact/volume, high value tourism. Tourism policy
dictates that the industry must be environmentally and
ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable
and economically viable. The Government recognizes the
importance of tourism in achieving social-economic
development, promoting understanding among people and
building closer ties of friendship.
Bhutan Visa Information:
Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it is
processed in Thimphu through a local tour operator in
Kathmandu or Bhutan Agent. No foreign mission / embassies
abroad grants tourist visa.
All passport details should be forwarded to the agent at
least 1 month prior to date of travel for visa processing.
Actual visa is stamped only on arrival in Bhutan with the
support of Visa clearance, which will be sent to you in
advance.
For all travelers, entering Bhutan via Druk Air, Visa
clearance number is forwarded to the concerned overseas Druk
Air Stations and without this clearance number the
passengers are not allowed to board the flight.
For travelers entering the country by surface through
Phuentsholign ( The border town in the southern Bhutan) Visa
clearance number is forwarded to the Local authority and the
actual visa is stamped on arrival. Two copies of original
passport size photographs are required on arrival.
Visa fee is USD 20.00 per person should payable extra on
arrival in addition to the packages cost.
Passport:
A valid passport is required (attest 6 month) for all
nationalities except Indian
The minimum daily package rates shall be inclusive of the
following:
a) Royalty
b) Food and Beverage as per the “Minimu Meal Entitlements”
c) Service of Guides
d) Transport within Bhutan
e) Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night
halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the “local Agent”
host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any
extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis. The
rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and
the types of accommodation provided/asked for. List of
hotels and lodges approved for international tourist
accommodation updated from time to time shall be issued by
the Department of Tourism.
Air Fare:
US$ 195. + 20 Tax (One Way)
Surcharges:
Individual tourist and smaller groups of less than three
persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the
minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
Single Surcharge: USD 40.00 Per Person Per night
Group of 2 Person: USD 30.00 Per Person per night
Tour Payment:
All tour payment must be settled in advance. The tour
booking will be confirmed only after we receive 100% of the
tour payment. Please deposit/transfer the tour payment
through Bank.
Note: A copy of Bank transfer receipt should be faxed to us.
Cancellations:
Tour Programmers booked and subsequently cancelled shall be
subject to cancellation charge:
Photography:
The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense if
you wish to record the local people, their houses and shops
etc. You can always ask by gesture, if it’s ok to take
picture. Also while visiting Dzongs, monasteries and
religious institutions: please follow your guide’s
instruction carefully. Photography inside the Dzongs and
monuments are not allowed. Although films and batteries are
available locally, It is best to bring it yourself.
16mm film camera are prohibited in Bhutan. Also photography
in some of the monasteries & Dzong are not allowed.
Tour Escorts:
All our tours are escorted by well trained, knowledgeable
guides, certified by the Department of Tourism. All the
guides speak English but Japanese, French and German
speaking guides can be provided with prior information and
on additional cost.
Food:
Bhutanese Delicacies are limited with spicy chilies and
Cheese. However You will be served a buffet of continental
food with some local dishes too. On treks, our trained cooks
prepare dishes suitable to western tastes ranging from
continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian. Money:
Bhutanese unit of currency is the Ngultrum. 1Nu =100
Chetrum. The Ngultrum is at par with the Indian Rupee.
Approx. 1 USD=Nu/43.5.
Clothing:
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, It
is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. From May to Sep.
Cotton clothes are sufficient, plus a woolen sweater of
light jacket. From November to the end of April, you will
need very warm clothes including long underwear or woolen
tights to wear under trousers, and down jacket or coat.
During visit to the monasteries, Dzongs and other religious
institution, you should not wear short, hats and should be
properly dressed.
What to Pack:
Clothes as per season, sunglasses/ spare glasses or contact
lenses, pair of casual shoes, washing kit, shaving kit,
towel, hat, umbrella, camera, film and accessories, maps,
insect repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit & safety
pins, torch or flash light with spare batteries, mirror, sun
screen cream, lip salve or soluble aspirin, antiseptic
cream, preparation for the relief of sunburn. You may not be
tuned to the Asian drugs so it is always advise to bring own
brand. Medical and Health:
Anyone who enjoys out door life and is physically fit can
participate on our treks and tours. However some treks may
be rigorous and difficult because of high altitude and
therefore a good training of fitness for at least a month at
home is required for treks going to an altitude in excess of
4000mts. There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to
Bhutan or within the continent. However it is recommended
that you be protected against Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid,
Cholera, Hepatitis A, Malaria, especially if you are
traveling out of Bhutan. If you have heart condition, Please
check with the doctor to ensure that it is ok to undertake
high altitude treks.
Travels Insurance:
The costs that we offer do not cover your Travel Insurance.
It is imperative that you have full comprehensive insurance
cover to protect against unforeseen accidents and mishaps.
Such policies are not available in Bhutan. It should
adequately cover baggage and travel delays etc. and
helicopter evacuation, transportation and medical assistance
incase of treks.
Single Room Supplement:
Rooms and Tent camp accommodations are provided on double
occupancy basis. If you wish to reserve a single tent or
Hotel room, an additional surcharge of USD 25 is applicable
per person per night
Alteration of Itineraries:
We Holiday Nepal and Bhutan Agent reserves the right to
modify or alter many trip itineraries due to circumstances
beyond our control such as flight cancellation, Weather
condition, Political strikes or restrictions etc.
Customs & Regulations:
The Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibit the export of
any religious Antiquity or antiques of any types. All
personal electronics, camera, video cameras, computers,
Laptops and personal electronic equipment may be brought
into the country but they must be listed on the customs from
provided on arrival at Paro and will be checked on
departure. Two liters of Alcohol and reasonable quantity of
cigarettes may be brought in to the country without duty.
Accommodation:
There are comfortable hotel and lodges at all tourist
destinations, Western Bhutan has better hotels while in
central and eastern part of the country, and accommodation
establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities.
Driving Distance:
All mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor vehicle as
there is no domestic airlines or trains. However, motor
roads are well maintained and link all parts of the country.
The mountainous terrain and winding roads restrict the
average driving speed of vehicle to less than 35 km per
hour. All transport vehicles are well maintained and tourist
coaches are imported from Japan, which make it very reliable
and comfortable.
Getting There:
Druk air flies 3 days a week i.e Monday, Thursday and Sunday
between Kathmandu and Paro. Cost for one way trip is US$
195+20 Tax. Per person & round trip just double. The
national airline of Bhutan/Druk Air operate with connection
from Kolkatta, Delhi, Dhaka, Bangkok. It is possible to
enter & exit Bhutan by overland transportation, stopping
en-route at Sikkim and Darjeeling (India)
Travel Tips:
October-March warm clothing.
April-September light cotton clothing, However, a warm
sweater and jacket are always advised.
Climate: Best seasons:
March-April-May, Sep- Oct- & Nov. / /Monsoon- June-July &
August / Winter-Dec-Jan & Feb
Travel insurance Daily Tariff:
The minimum tariff for tourist visiting in a group of 3
persons or more are as follows:
High Season Tariff: USD 250.00 Per Person per night halt
(March/April/May/September/October and November)
Low Season tariff: USD 200.00 Per Person per night halt
(January, February, June, July, August and December)
Tour Package Includes:
Twin sharing accommodation in the best available hotel
or tourist lodge/cottage / Full board meals package / All
transfer facilities as per above itinerary with sightseeing
/ English speaking tour or trek Guide / Entrance fees and
Permit.
Cost excludes:
Air Fare & airport tax / Personal Expenses bar bills,
laundry, tips etc / Bhutan Visa Fee & Tourism taxes US$ 20 +
10 payable / at airport at the time upon arrival / Nepal
re-entry visa fee / Travel insurance
IMPORTANT: All Foreign National Tourists visiting
Bhutan must travel through all inclusive package Tours, for
which there is a fixed tariff set by the Royal government of
Bhutan. This Tariff includes the Services of accommodation,
All meals, Transportation within the country, Guide
services, sightseeing and entrance fees for the museums and
monuments. |
