Useful Information
INFORMATION ABOUT BHUTANESE VISA
Bhutan Visa Information
Entry visa with a valid password is essential except for Indiana and Bangladeshi Nationals. Permission is given to the travelers who are the members of a commercially organized tour group. Travel Agents are there to help organize a group or it can be done directly too.
NOTE: Visas cannot be obtained at Bhutanese Embassies.
On Arrival Visa:
- Three copies of the original passport size photograph are required.
- Visa fees are US$ 20 and US$ 10, which must be paid as Tourism development.
- Visa can be extended with an additional fee of US$ 15.
What are the types of Bhutanese visa we can get?
AS A TOURIST TRAVEL
- U.S. Passport must be valid 3 months beyond intended stay
- Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
- Visa required
- Vaccinations: International Certificates of Vaccination for Yellow Fever and Cholera are required if traveling from an infected area
AS A BUSINESS TRAVEL
- U.S. Passport must be Valid 3 months Beyond Intended Stay
- Tickets and Documents for Return or Onward Travel
- Visa is Required
- Vaccinations: International Certificates of Vaccination for Yellow Fever and Cholera are required if traveling from an infected area
AS AN EMPLOYMENT OR STUDY TRAVEL
- Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate
How to enter Bhutan?
Visitors must travel through an authorized local operator on a pre-paid pre-planned, guided package tour. Independent traveler is strictly prohibited. The Government stipulates an all-inclusive entry fee per day. Concerned travel agent’s operator is responsible for all your arrangement during the stay in Bhutan.
Airlines of Bhutan
The only airlines, Druk Air, the Royal Airlines carry you in and out of Bhutan. The airline operates every day and connects to the airport in Paro District in Bhutan with Kathmandu in Nepal.
More Information on Schedules, Airfares and other flights can be obtained from www.drukair.com.bt or you can also write to us your requests on necessary arrangements.
Arriving / Departure by Land
Tourist can enter through the land of Phuentsholing, on the southwestern border with India. It's the only entrance. In the condition of the prior arrangement, it will be possible to exit through the town of Samdpup Jongkhar in the southeast region, which makes the traveler easy to exit from northeastern India.
There are two ways to travel through Bhutan while going around the country, by foot or car, if trekking. There is a well-maintained network of a motorable road across the country. Tour vehicles are Buses, Vans and Cars.
What to know before traveling to Bhutan?
Visa
Other than Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa; all visas are issued from Thimphu. Visas are only issued to tourists booked with a locally licensed tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator. Visa clearance from Thimphu must be obtained before arriving in Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 10 days to process. Air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry, the visa will be stamped in your passport on payment of US$20, two passport photos will also be required. Visas are issued for a 15day period; extensions can be obtained in Thimphu at a cost of (Bhutanese ngultrum) Nu.510.
Delayed Arrivals
There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or roadblocks. The tourist must, however, bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.
Note: INR (Indian Rupees) denominations of 500 and 1000 are not accepted in Bhutan.
Rates
The Government of Bhutan sets minimum rates for all the travel packages to Bhutan which must be paid in US dollars before arrival. High Season Tariff is US$ 250 per person per night
Your pre-payment includes the following facilities:
- All internal taxes and charges (including the royalty)
- Basic Accommodation
- All Buffet Meals
- A licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
- All Internal Mass Transport
- Camping Equipment and shipping them
The rate given above is per tourist per night in Bhutan. The rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. List of hotels and lodges approved for international tourist accommodation updated from time to time shall be issued by TCB. On the day of departure, your host’s obligation shall be limited to breakfast only. Other than that, all other payments shall be made by the traveler.
Note: The existing Low season discount for the months of January, June and July will be discontinued to promote Bhutan as an “All-year-round” destination. Also, the royalty for children below the age of 12 years will be waived off. These changes will be effective from 1st July 2011.
Surcharges
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to a 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
Cancellations
Tour program booked and subsequently canceled will be subjected to the following charges:
• within 30 days of start of program ~ no charges
• within 21 days ~ 10% of the rate
• within 14 days ~ 15% of the rate
• within 7 days ~ 30% of the rate
• less than 7 days or without notice ~ 50% of the rate
• after arrival in Bhutan ~ 100%
Accommodation
There are many different types of accommodations available to visitors in Bhutan. There are hundreds of options available ranging from luxurious 5-star resorts to cozy little hotels and home-stays in traditional Bhutanese homes.
The types of accommodations can be divided into:
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Farm-stays
- Home-stays
Travel Tips and Checklist
Before coming to Bhutan, make sure that you attend to the following:
Travel/Medical Insurance:
The Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan has initiated a travel and a medial scheme solely for our visitors. Hence it is important that you get detailed information about the insurance scheme from your travel agents before you leave for Bhutan.
Money
Bhutan’s currency is called Ngultrum (Symbol: Nu, Code: BTN) pronounced as /(ə)ŋˈɡʊltrəm/ and subdivided into 100 Chhertum. It is however recommended that you carry travelers bank card or cash, preferably American Express and US dollar. The ATM facilities for foreign currency are limited to just a few towns including the capital city Thimphu. Visa and American Express credit cards are also widely accepted.
Banking
Financial institutions in Bhutan have been improved greatly. Some of the banks that you can get services and facilities from are the Bank of Bhutan Limited, the Bhutan National Bank, the Druk PNB and the Tashi Bank. Many of these banks provide you with SMS and internet banking facilities. There are also ATM facilities and ATMs are located in a number of places where you can withdraw your money especially in Thimphu and in the border town of Phuentsholing. Traveler’s cheque can be easily withdrawn and exchanged into local currency. However, as you travel into the interior, ATM and internet facilities are almost non-existent. So, it is suggested that you do your banking works while in Thimphu.
Electricity
All major towns are well connected with electricity that runs on 220/240 volts with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. All the energy in Bhutan is clean and green energy generated by hydropower.
Communications
The country has a good network of telecommunication facilities. Almost every town has an internet cafe and calling booths from where you can log on to and send messages home and to your loved ones. Also, most hotels in Thimphu and Paro have internet access. Mobile (cell) phone is also widely used with international roaming facilities.
Travelling Kits
Bhutan experiences a great variation in its climate. Summers are warm with average daily temperature ranging from 20 to 25 Celsius, while winters are cold. In winters temperatures are usually below 15 Celsius. So bring with you a couple of warm clothes and comfortable shoes to go with the weather, the terrain and the program. You might want to consider ‘what to wear’ for hikes, trekking, and sightseeing, as well as for dinners, appointments, and functions. Other than that you could consider bringing with you a pair of sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, and a hat; antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream, anti-diarrhea pills, altitude & car sickness medicine; insect repellent, flashlight, umbrella, camera, films and accessories (including spare camera batteries), etc.
Photography
Bhutan is an ideal place and a frequent haunt for photographers offering immense opportunities for photography, especially during our outdoor sightseeing trips. However, you may need to check with your guide for indoor photography as taking photographs inside Dzongs, temples, monasteries and religious institutions are restricted unless you have special permission from the Department of Culture. One can, however, capture images of the landscapes, the panoramic views of the mountain ranges, the rural folk life, the flora and fauna, the Bhutanese architecture and the Dzongs and Chortens in particular.
