Bhutan - travel information

Visa for Bhutan
USD 20 Per Person
Visa is processed by the handling agent and since tourist visas are issued for the full period you have arranged to stay in Bhutan, it¹s unlikely that you would need a visa extension. You must bear a passport with validity of 6 months or more at the time of travel and make sure that there are enough blank pages for the entry and exit stamps.

Visa is applied at Department of Tourism at Thimpu and has to be approved by Foreign Ministry. The latter issues a clearance number which is required while checking in Druk Air flights. The Bhutan Department of Tourism has made it mandatory to produce the evidence of full pre-payment of your tour in order to apply visa for you.

Visa clearance letter is issued a few days ahead of your arrival in Bhutan. All Druk Air Stations, Paro immigration and other ports of entry are faxed a copy of the letter and we will also provide you a copy of the visa letter by fax or scanned copy by e-mail. Having the visa copy or reference number handy, helps in speedy checking in flight and clearing immigration, Your passport is stamped with actual visa upon arrival at Paro airport or Phuntsoling (if you are entering Bhutan overland). Visa fee is pre-paid by us. Photographs are not required any more.

Bhutan visa will be valid for the period of booked tour only. Its possible to extend visa but you have to buy the package tour paying the standard rate set by the government. With your trip application, you will have to supply us a copy of your passport, occupation and home address.

How to get Bhutan ?

Bhutan government has made it mandatory to use at least one way air travel

By Air
Druk Air is the only airlines connecting Bhutan with outside world. Paro is the only airport which is connected with Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkatta, Bangkok, Dhaka and Yangoon. Yangoon and Dhaka operations are seasonal.

For more information and schedules, please visit Druk Air

By Surface
Bhutan is bordered with India from three sides: East, South and West. While Phutsoling (Southern border) and Sandrupjongkhar (East) are two border towns that serve as ports for tourists to get in and out of Bhutan.

Phuntsoling: Phuntsoling, the southern Bhutan border town is 169km (106 miles) from Thimpu. The Indian side is called Jaigaon and connected by road with Siligurhi of West Bengal. Siligurhi has NJP train station and Bagdogra airport. NJP train station has connections with major Indian cities. Bagdogra airport connects Delhi, Kolkatta and Guwahati. From Siligurhi, Nepal border is one hour drive and another half an hour brings you to Bhadrapur airport from where you can fly to Kathmandu (1 hr).

If you are visiting Sikkim and Darjeeling before or after Bhutan, you will use Phuntsoling as the port of entry or exit. From Phuntsoling, Siligurhi is mere 6 hours drive and further one hour drive will bring you to Nepal border. Bhutan Transport operates regular bus service between Phuntsoling and Siligurhi. On request of our clients, we can arrange a private jeep transportation to Siligurhi (5 hrs), Kalimpong (6 hrs), Gangtok (8 hrs), Darjeeling (8 hrs) and Bhadrapur (9 hrs).

Samdrup Jongkhar: Samdrup Jongar served as the port in eastern Bhutan but following a Ulfa and Bodo Separatist acitivities, it has been temporarily closed.

Weather and climate
The most popular times to visit Bhutan tend to be the spring months of March, April, and May and the autumn months of September, October, and November because the weather is more mild and many of the largest festivals take place during these months. In the autumn the skies are clear and blue, affording views of the high Himalayas from passes and various other vantage points. Autumn is also the time of year when the black-necked cranes migrate to central and eastern Bhutan for the winter. The skies are less clear during the spring, but the flowers are in bloom. The downside of traveling during these peak months is that there are more tourists in general, and Druk Air reservations need to be made well in advance to ensure availability.

The summer months of June, July, August, and even early September are typically the monsoon months, so you may encounter rain. The winter months of December, January, and February can be cold, but the skies are clear and blue. Some treks are closed during these months due to the weather conditions. The upside of traveling during the off-peak months is that reservations are easier to secure, and there will be fewer tourists around. But truly, Bhutan is spectacular any time of the year, and your trip will be a great adventure no matter when you decide to visit!

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE

Places JAN Max-Min FEB Max-Min MAR Max-Min APR Max-Min MAY Max-Min JUN Max-Min   Paro 9.4-5.8 13.4-1.5 14.5-0.6 17.6-4.6 23.5-10.6 25.4-14.1   Thimphu 12.3-2.6 14.4-0.6 16.4-3.9 20.0-7.1 22.5-13.1 24.4-15.2   Punakha 16.1-4.2 19.6-5.3 21.2-9.9 24.4-11.9 27.2-14.8 31.2-19.5   Wangdi 17.0-4.3 19.0-7.8 22.8-10.4 26.2-12.9 29.1-17.7 29.2-20.0   Tongsa 13.0-0.2 13.9-0.4 16.7-4.4 20.1-6.6 21.0-11.6 22.2-13.6   Bumthang 10.8-5.1 10.0-1.4 16.2-3.5 18.7-3.9 21.3-9.5 22.5-13.5   Mongar 15.5-8.2 15.9-8.3 20.0-11.6 22.8-14.0 25.1-17.4 26.1-19.5   Tashigang 20.4-10.5 21.7-11.5 24.8-14.4 28.3-17.0 30.0-20.6 30.7-22.6

Places JUL Max-Min AUG Max-Min SEPT Max-Min OCT Max-Min NOV Max-Min DEC Max-Min   Paro 26.8-14.9 25.3-14.7 23.4-11.7 18.7-7.4 13.9-1.4 11.2-1.7   Thimphu 18.9-13.4 25.0-15.8 23.1-15.0 21.9-10.4 17.9-5.0 14.5-1.1   Punakha 32.0-21.6 31.4-19.8 29.9-20.0 27.8-18.9 22.3-13.0 15.0-7.9   Wangdi 18.4-16.2 29.1-20.0 27.5-19.1 26.1-14.7 22.6-9.6 19.1-6.3   Tongsa 25.3-15.3 23.8-15.0 22.6-14.2 21.8-11.7 18.8-6.4 18.2-2.5   Bumthang 14.1-10.9 23.0-13.7 21.6-12.1 19.5-5.9 16.1-0.5 12.3-2.3   Mongar 16.1-15.8 25.4-19.6 24.7-19.4 22.7-15.8 19.9-11.2 15.7-9.5   Tashigang 31.5-23.1 30.2-22.7 30.0-23.9 29.1-17.7 26.1-13.6 23.0-11.6

PAYMENT
ATMS
At the time of research, the few Bhutan National Bank ATMs could only be used by local customers. The bank does have plans, however, for extending the network and providing credit-card facilities.

CASH
If you plan to make a major purchase, for example textiles or art, consider bringing US dollars in cash. Most shops will accept this, and it can save you the hassle of exchanging a large quantity of money in advance and then attempting to change it back if you don¹t find the exact piece you were looking for.

CREDIT CARDS
You should not count on using a credit card in Bhutan. Credit cards are accepted at the government-run Handicrafts Emporium, a few other handicraft shops and some of the larger hotels in Thimphu, but these transactions do take time. The credit-card companies charge high fees and the verification office is only open from 9am to 5pm. This precludes paying your hotel bill at night or when you check out early in the morning. The Bhutan National Bank has plans for rolling out point of sale credit-card facilities, so check with your tour agent for the latest news.

TRAVELERS CHEQUES
You can cash travelers cheques at any bank, most hotels and the foreign-exchange counter at the airport. There are bank charges of 1% for cheque encashment. You should carry only well-known brands such as American Express, Visa, Thomas Cook, Citibank or Barclays. There is no replacement facility for travellers cheques in Bhutan.

Fixed Tariff for Bhutan trip
Bhutan tour tariff is set fixed by the government and applies on per person per day basis.
During Season (September, October, November, December, January, February, June March, April and May)
Party of 03 pax or more: USD 200 per person per day.
Party of 02 persons:  USD 230 per person per day. (Inclusive of small group surcharge)
Single Traveler:  USD 240 per person per day (Inclusive of small group surcharge)
During Off-season ( Jul and Aug)
Party of 03 pax or more: USD165 per person per day.
Party of 02 persons: USD 195 per person per day. (Inclusive of small group surcharge)
Single Traveler: USD 205 per person per day (Inclusive of small group surcharge)

Single Room Supplement: Person willing to take a single room will additionally pay USD 25 per night.

The tariff is valid for hotel tours as well as camping.

During festive season, some A class hotels have some surcharges.
All rates and discounts are set by the government of Bhutan as follows:
There are discounts for visits in duration of more than 10 days. The discount is 10% per day per person for visits of 11 to 20 days. The discount is not applied to the first 10 days but is applied to days 11 through 20. The discount is 20% per day per person for visits of more than 20 days. The discount is applied to day 21 and onward.

There will be no charge for children aged 5 and younger.
Children between the ages of 6 and 12 will be given a 50% discount when accompanied by an adult/guardian.

Full-time students under the age of 25 will be given a 25% discount if they have a valid identity card from their academic institution.

The cost includes

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis
• 3 meals a day
• English speaking Tour Guide
• All transfers and sightseeing by a private vehicle
• Necessary entrance fees and permits.
• Government Royalties

The Cost does not include

• International and internal airfares
• Airport taxes
• Drinks, tip and other expenses of personal nature
• Travel Insurance
• Extra expenses due to nature and unforeseen events

Unless you are employed in Bhutan or you are a close relative of a person employed in Bhutan or you are a Royal invitee, all foreigners except Indians must process their Bhutan visa through a Tour Operator. Book a trip with us and supply us your passport information, occupation and home address details and leave the rest to our expert hands. Bhutan visa arrangement is a part of the tour.

You must bear a valid passport. Expiration date should not be less than 6 months on the date of travel and make sure that there are enough blank pages for the entry and exit stamps. Visa is applied at Department of Tourism at Thimpu and has to be approved by Foreign Ministry. The latter issues a clearance number which is required while checking in Druk Air flights. The Bhutan Department of Tourism has made it mandatory to produce the voucher of wire transfer of your trip payment along with the visa application