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1. Why come to Bhutan?
2. Bhutan's Tourism Policy
3. Visa
4. Tour Reservation
5. Tariff
6. Entry to Bhutan
7. Time
8. Language
9. Communication Facilities
10. Shopping
11. Voltage
12. Photography
13. Weather
Why come to Bhutan?
Bhutan's beautiful unspoiled and pristine landscape, ancient Buddhist
culture, and people will enchant you. Trekkers will find an alternative
to the overcrowded trails of Nepal. You will be impressed with the country's
traditional architecture and abundant wildlife. (Herds of yaks graze
in its high-country valleys, blue sheep and Black-necked cranes can
sometimes be spotted in its farthest reaches.) Others can find pleasure
in the elaborate Tsechus (religious festivals) that are held throughout
the year at various Dzongs (fortress monasteries). The air and the environment
are not polluted and there are no crowds. Nearly everyone who visits
Bhutan will be awed by the unsurpassed majesty of the Himalayas.
TopBhutan's Tourism Policy
The tourism industry in Bhutan is based on the principle of sustainability, indicating that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. There is no restriction imposed on the number of tourists to Bhutan. Tourists can travel to Bhutan only through all-inclusive package tours. A daily tariff fixed by the Department of Tourism covers all your sightseeing, accommodation, meals, transfers to and from the airport or border, transport for sightseeing, one knowledgeable local guide, all inland permits and fees. And if you are trekking this covers all expenses for the treks such as horses/yaks, guide, all tenting/camping equipment, meals and transport. This fixed tariff is largely controlled by the government and all tour companies must charge the established rate.
TopVisa
Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan. Following information shall be emailed or faxed to us at least 6 weeks prior to date of arrival in Bhutan, to process visa with the concerned authorities :-
Full Name, Permanent Address, Nationality, Date & Place of Birth, Profession, Passport Number, Date of Issue, Place of Issue, Date of Expiry.
Once we get this information we apply visa on your behalf. Visa clearance numbers are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must be obtained before coming to Bhutan. It takes 7 days for processing. A visa clearance number is then faxed or emailed to you - this confirms your visa for your arrival to Bhutan. At the point of entry your actual visa will be stamped on your passport. Please have 2 passport size photos to be used upon arrival, and visa fees of USD 20 is to be paid directly.
TopTour Reservation
*To ensure trip availability, we recommend that you make reservations at least 6-8 weeks prior to departure (as follows):
Booking Tours
The booking for all cultural tours must be completed 4-6 weeks in advance. For tours during festivals 8 weeks advance information is required. This is because the major festivals held in spring and autumn are peak time for tourists and it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels without early reservations.
Booking Treks
For trekking groups, it is advised to book at least 8 weeks in advance, as this requires more detailed planning logistics.
TopTariff
(The fixed cost that you pay is not just a fee for entry to Bhutan. On the brighter side, your trip is free of the hassles associated with travel in other countries in this region, as the tariff covers lodging, food, tours and comfortable transportation in well-maintained buses, or cars. The fee also includes a guide with whom you can plan your itinerary. About USD 70 of the daily cost contributes towards education and health)
The minimum international tourists tariff (set by the government) for visiting in a group of 3 or more are as follows.
Peak Season Tariff
US $200.00 per person per night halt (March, April, May, September, October & November)
Low Season Tariff
US $ 165 per person per night halt (January, February, June, July, August & December)
Note:
*The rates are same for cultural tours, treks or any other special interest tours
*The rates do not include for the new luxurious hotels of Amankora Resorts and Uma hotel. Staying in such accommodations requires additional fees per night at much higher rates.
Surcharges:
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than 3 persons are subjected to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
Single Individual - US$ 40 per night
Group of 2 persons -US$ 30 per person per night.
Discount on Tourist Tariff
-As per international norms, 10% of the gross tour payment shall be payable to the principal agents abroad as commission and shall be deducted by these agents at source. * If you do not use a travel agent and book directly through us we offer a 10% discount on the above rates.
-A discount of 50% on daily rates is available for one person in a group of 11 to 15 persons and 100% discount to one person for every 15 full paying persons.
-DIPLOMATS from foreign embassies / missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount on the daily rates.
-Full time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their institutions shall also be given a 25% discount on daily rates.
-There shall be no charge for children up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the ages of 6 to 12 years accompanied by elders shall be given 50% discount on the daily rates.
Tour Payment
All tour payments shall be made in US dollars and shall be made in advance, especially to obtain confirmed seats on the requested Druk Air flights. We'll take care of everything for you and confirm your reservation with a deposit. (..more payment details on our FAQ)
TopEntry to Bhutan
Entry to Bhutan is by Druk Air (the country's national carrier), or by road through the southern border town of Phuentsholing.
Customs & Immigration
All visitors are required to complete the customs form upon arrival at Paro. Cameras, video cameras, personal electronic equipment must be declared on arrival and will be checked upon departure.
Following articles are exempted from duty :-
a). Personal affects and articles for day to day use by the visitor
b). 2 litres of alcohol, 400 cigarettes, 150 gms of pipe tobacco
c). Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use
d). Photographic equipment, video cameras and other electronic goods for personal use .
The articles mentioned under c). & d). must be declared in Custom Form. If such items disposed off in Bhutan by sale of gift, they are liable for custom duty.
Import and Export of following goods are strictly prohibited :-
a). Arms, ammunitions, explosives and military stores
b). All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
c). Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species
d). Antiques
Also visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items. Custom authorities will not allow any old / used items to be taken out of the country if they have not been certified as non-antiques. Imports of plants, soils etc. are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be cleared on arrival.
TopTime
Bhutan standard time [BST] is 6 Hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
TopLanguage
Originally spoken only in western Bhutan, Dzongkha is now the national language. English is widely spoken in main towns and it is the medium of education in all schools. Local people are also familiar with Nepali and Hindi.
TopCommunication Facilities
Reliable telephone and fax services are available in all towns in Bhutan. International connections are excellent. Internet cafes are few in number and available only in few places - especially in central and eastern Bhutan.
TopShopping
A great variety of artifacts like wood carving, scroll paintings (Thankas), textiles, wooden bowls, Bhutanese stamps and handmade paper products are available in Thimphu and other major tourist destination of Bhutan.
TopVoltage
Standard voltage in Bhutan is 220 and wall plugs vary from town to town. We suggest you bring along your own adapters and converters for your electrical appliances.
TopPhotography
Bhutan is a wonderfully colorful country to photograph. The only restrictions are that you may not photograph military facilities and certain cultural sites such as monasteries where photography is prohibited however there is no restriction on photographing Dzongs, temples and Goembas from outside. If you are uncertain about whether or not photography is permitted, please check with your local guide. Bring plenty of film and extra batteries.
TopWeather
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Bhutan. The temperatures are moderate and rainfall is scarce throughout Bhutan. Spring in the higher valleys (mid-March to May) has warm days and cool nights. June marks the beginning of summer when day temperatures warm up to 27 - 29 °C. By end of June, the rainy season starts and continue till mid-September. The autumn months of October to November are ideal for trekking with clear skies and mild weather. In December temperatures fall, but the days are warm and the clear, azure winter skies serve a striking background to the snow-capped peaks. The nights, however, are cold with temperatures falling below freezing.
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