BHUTAN
Buddhism in Bhutan

Fast Facts

Government Regulation

Visitors can travel to Bhutan through all inclusive package tours only for which tariff is set by the Royal Government. The Government’s fixed tariff includes services of accommodation, transport, guide and meals.

All tours must be booked through Tour Operator and entire land arrangements made by the same agent.

For all cultural Tours the booking must be complete at least 4 weeks in advance but for tours during festivals 8 weeks advance confirmation is required. Festivals held in autumn and spring are the peak time for the tourists and without early reservation it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.

For trekking groups, it is important to do booking atleast 08 weeks in advance as it requires plenty of planning.


Visa

Visa is required for travelling to Bhutan and it is processed and arranged by the respective travel agents.

All information as mentioned in visa form shall be forwarded to us at least three weeks prior to date of travel to process it with concerned authorities. Alternatively copy of visa form can be filled up by tourists and mail / fax to us to arrange visa.

Actual visa is stamped on arrival in Bhutan while it is cleared in advance and a visa clearance numbers issued.

Visa clearance number is also required while issuing air tickets. For travellers, entering into the country by surface through Phuentsoling (the border town in south of Bhutan) the visa is stamped on arrival and Clearance number is forwarded to Foreign Minstry's Office at Phuentsoling for reference.

Two copies of original passport size photographs are required on arrival.

Visa fee is US$ 20 per person for 14 days which can be further extended with additional fee of US$ 15.

For all FITs/ GITs travelling during festivals, visa particulars must be sent atleast 06 weeks in advance as festivals are peak time for tourists and all tour formalities are required to be completed well in advance.


Tourist Tariff

INTERNATIONAL TOURIST TARIFF is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is valid for all inclusive package. The daily tariff for Cultural Tours / Trekking for the tourists visiting in a group of 04 persons or more:

High Season Tariff
Month March, April, May, September, October, November
Tariff US$ 200 per pax per night halt.

Low Season Tariff
Month Jan, Feb, June, July, August, December
Tariff US$ 165 per pax per night halt.

For individual and small groups of less than four pax (04 pax), surcharge over and above the above the daily applicable rates are applicable as follows:

  • Single Pax (1 pax): US$ 40 per night halt.
  • Group of 2 persons: US$ 30 per pax per night halt.

The above rates are inclusive of the following :
  1. accommodation on the twin sharing basis with meals.
  2. transfers and sight seeing within Bhutan by a deluxe vehicle.
  3. The services of the guide/porters/ponies wherever required.
  4. Royalty & Taxes to the Govt.

Accessibility

The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier. Following stations are connected with Druk Air

INDIA :Delhi, Calcutta
NEPAL :Kathmandu
THAILAND :Bangkok

Druk Air is the only Airline operating in Bhutan.

Entry / Exit to / from Bhutan is also possible through Phuntsoling, the southern Bhutanese border town. Bagdogra, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport approximate 04 hour drive from this place. For travellers wishing to visit Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsholing serves as the convenient point.

Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup Jongkhar also. This frontier Bhutanese town is apporoximately 3 hours drive from Guwahati, the capital town of Indian north eastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar is the authorise exit point only and an important link for visiting further Indian north eastern states.

*AS PER GOVERNMENT RULE IT IS MANDATORY TO TRAVEL ATLEAST ONE WAY BY DRUK AIR, IT CAN BE EITHER ENTRY OR EXIT OR BOTH.


Accomodation

There are comfortable hotels and lodges at all tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in Central and Eastern part of the country, accommodation establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities. There is no star categorisation of hotels here and five star luxuries are not available.

Away from the towns and villages there are purpose-built huts on some of the principal trekking routes. Otherwise, there is nothing like camping out under the clearest night skies that you have ever seen. Wherever you spend the night, the warm Bhutanese hospitality will make you feel welcome.


Food and drinks

Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chillies and cheese.