Visitors Information (Practicalities)
Bhutan offers natural beauty and heart-warming scenes of everyday life, cultural gems and colorful festivals. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive and personal vacation experience that caters to the desire to have fun, emotional, and physical needs of our clients. Bhutan has diverse attractions to offer to all walks of visitors. Be it culture or wildlife or gourmet or photography or mountains. By combining the knowledge and professional skills we posses, our clients will enjoy a totally memorable and awesome experience. Our goal entails building lasting and rewarding relationships with our clients through knowledge, fun, and superior services.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach to the development of tourism in the Kingdom in an effort to avoid the negative impact of tourism on the culture and the environment. In 2003, the number of tourists who visited Bhutan was under 6000. Foreign visitors to Bhutan must either be guests of the government or tourists. All tourists – Groups or Individuals – must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided package tour program. Independent travel is not permitted
Visa
All visitors to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the Kingdom. Those who have not had a visa approved will not be permitted to board flights to Bhutan. A Single Entry Visa costs US$40 and is stamped in your Passport at Paro Airport during the immigration process. Visas are approved and issued prior to entry, with the pre-payment of your Travel Itinerary. Therefore, visitors to Bhutan need to finalize their Travel Plans well in advance. Recommended minimum 120 days ahead for those coming during High Seasons.
Custom Authority
The Bhutanese Authorities strictly monitor the export of any religious antiques or antiques of any kind from the Kingdom (100 years or older). Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items. Customs Authorities will not allow items to be taken out of the country if they have not been ‘officially certified’ as non-antique. Personal Videos, Cameras, Computers, Portable Telephone Devices or any other electronic devices should be registered with the Customs Authorities on arrival at Paro and will be checked on departure. You will be issued a “Custom Form” to be filled out, with declarations, and returned to authorities before leaving the Kingdom. Import of plants, seeds, soils; live animals are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be declared on arrival.
Currency
Bhutanese currency is called Ngultrum (pronounced Nultrum). The current exchange rate is Nu.65.00 for one US Dollar. The exchange rate fluctuates from time to time. The Ngultrum is on par with Indian Rupee. Indian Rupee is accepted in Bhutan. US Dollars and other world currencies as well as Traveller’s Cheques can be exchanged at Banks in the larger towns and at the larger hotels. Visas, Master & Maestro Cards are accepted at the Banks, Shops and major Hotels.
Accommodation
All tourists visiting Bhutan through Licensed Tour Companies must be accommodated in 3 Star Hotels. All Hotels, Resorts, Guest Houses, Farm Houses where tourists are accommodated are approved by the Bhutan Tourism Council (TCB) to ensure minimum standards and comforts of the visiting guests. Each property is designed in the traditional Bhutanese style, yet each retains its own character and is set in unusual and dramatic locations to provide delightful surprises. Hotel rooms are all decorated in traditional Bhutanese style – many are quite reminiscent of mountain lodges. The rooms are cosy and well heated during the winter. Bathrooms are clean and western in style with running hot water at all times.
Restaurant
A restaurant serving traditional Bhutanese cuisine tempered to western tastes can be found in all of the hotels & resorts. Many restaurants have come up in major towns where all kinds of menus can be served. Meals are usually served in Buffet style.
Customs
Export of antiques, plants or animal products are strictly prohibited. Cameras, video cameras, computers and personal electronic equipment must be declared on arrival and will be checked upon departure.
Clothings
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold-layered clothing is better than a few thick ones, so choose your cloths accordingly. Cloths should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes.
Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, we would advise women to wear skirts or loose trousers, men should not wear sing lets. During visit of monasteries, Dzong and other religious institutions you should not wear shorts & hats.
Credit Cards
American Express and VISA credit cards are accepted in a few shops. Travellers cheques are also accepted.
Time Difference
Bhutan standard time is 6 hours ahead of GMT.
Cuisine
Tourist hotels have a choice of Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Continental food.
Photography
Carry plenty of films and batteries. Photo shops in Bhutan do not sell equipment or accessories.
Insurance
To protect against unforeseen accidents and mishaps, we advise you to have Travel insurance policy from your country. It should adequately cover helicopter evacuation and medical assistance. We regret the unavailability of such policies in Bhutan.
Safety
The crime rate in Bhutan is very low.
Shopping
Traditional handicrafts, textiles, jewellery, baskets, masks. Paintings and woodcarving make good buys.
Telephone & Communication
IID service is widely available and you can bring your GSM 900 mobile phone and get a local SIM card for the duration of your stay.Bhutan Telecom provides IID services, ISD, STD and B-Mobile which is the service provider and is now almost well connected through out the country. Email is available in mostly every town as there are local internet cafe, in the hotel and some of the hotels provide you with the wireless internet facilities, ISD, STD and fax services. The STD code for Bhutan is 00975.
Bhutan Post
Is the general post office and has offices in every town where you can send postcards. It is open from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday (Sat till 12 pm).Parcels can be sent and received from Bhutan Post and also has Western Money Union Transfer. DHL services are also available.There are post offices in every town where you can send postcards and DHL you will find in Thimphu.
Newspaper
The major newspapers in Bhutan are Kuensel in English / Dzongkha (Wed & Sat), Bhutan Times- English (Sunday) and Bhutan Observer in English (Friday).Magazine (Bhutan NOW) publication of Bhutan Times.
Radio
Bhutan Broadcasting Service has different programs in short wave transmission.
There is FM Radio stations known as Kuzoo FM 90 that broadcasts from morning 6am to 9 p.m. daily
Television
Bhutan Broadcasting Service transmits from 7:00 am. to 11a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Cable television is almost everywhere as of now where you can watch different programme like CNN, BBC, Star Movies, Star Sports, Zee TV, HBO etc.
Regarding diversity at the species level, inventories have indicated that there are more than 5,500 species of vascular plants, more than 770 species of avifauna and more than 165 species of mammals, with many species being endemic to Bhutan.
Bhutan Visa Application
All international passport holders have to obtain visa clearance prior to entering Bhutan.it is processed online by licensed tour operators in Bhutan. Bhutan Zangden is one of them.
To processes your visa, you are required to send the color photo-page or 1st page of your passport to us so that we can apply for your visa. You will also be asked to wire transfer the entire tour payment in advance into our company account. Once we receive entire payment from you we will process for the visa and the copy of it will be email or attached it into your email within 72 hours. Which you will have to print and present at the point of entry. The visa will then be stamped into your passport on arrival in Bhutan at Paro international airport.
Important Note
Please use your Full Name as exactly as it appears on your Passport. It is absolutely imperative that your Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines Tickets have the same name as your Passport & your Visa! The Airlines will not allow you to board even if your name has changed. We must use your complete Passport name to book your Tickets with Druk Air Or Bhutan Airlines. Sorry for this cautionary note.
1. Full Name in Capitals :
2. Permanent Address :
3. Place & Date of Birth:
4. Nationality :
5. Passport Number:
Date of Issue:
Date of Expiration:
6. Occupation :
7. Period for which Visa is required:
8. Reason for visiting Bhutan: “As Tourist”
9. Name of Tour Agent in Bhutan: Bhutan Zangden Tour and Treks, Thimphu, Bhutan.
We eagerly look forward to meeting you in Bhutan very soon and are at your service!!!
Daily Tariff& Payment method
MINIMUM DAILY PACKAGE
The minimum daily package covers the following services.
- A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium).
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea/Snacks and Dinner)
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay
- All internal transport (excluding internal flights)
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Mineral waters & Entrance fees to all monuments & museums
- It also includes:
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable tourism Royalty of $65. This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.
The minimum daily package for tourists travelling in a group of 3 persons or more is as follows:
USD $200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.
USD $250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.
These rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan.
On the day of departure, the local agents host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on usage basis.
The list of hotels and lodges approved to provide accommodations all listed on this website. If you accommodation is not listed on this website then it is not licensed cater for international tourists.
The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan. These must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.
CANCELLATIONS
Please click on the cancellation policy to view the details
DELAYED ARRIVALS
There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or road blocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required. It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to…
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SURCHARGES
These are as follows: Single individual – US$ 40 per night Group of 2 persons only – US$ 30 per person per night The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge. The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents o…
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DISCOUNTS
A) There shall be no charge for CHILDREN below the age of 5 years. However, those between the ages of 5-12 years accompanied by elders/ guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates. This Royalty is currently set at $65 per day. B) Full time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years, holding v… Read More
WIRE TRANSFER
You must wire the tour payment calculated by your tour operator as well as USD 40 (one time visa fee) to the Bhutan National Bank through one of their certified international partners with the Bhutanese tour operator specified as the ultimate beneficiary. Please em… Read More
See more at:http://www.tourism.gov.bt/plan/minimum-daily-package#sthash.Y84gW1wS.dpuf
Cancellation Policy
We regretfully have to keep our prospective clients informed that the Tour Programs once booked based on Final Itinerary agreed upon and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to Cancellation Charges as follows:
1. Within 45 days of start of Tour Program ~ No Charges
2. Within 30 days ~ 20% of the Daily Tariff
3. Within 25 days ~ 40% of the Daily Tariff
4. Within 10 days ~ 70% of the Daily Tariff
5. Within 9 days ~ 100% of the Daily Tariff
The above Cancellation Charges are inevitable as all the accommodations and other facilities have to be booked against Advance Payment based on the Final Itinerary.
Travel Tips
The people of Bhutan are friendly, amicable and kind people! It is polite to ask before you take an individual’s picture. Ask your guide before taking pictures in museums or public buildings. There are some places that are off limits to visitors for religious and safety reasons. Ask your guide so you can always be sure.
Please do not hand out candy or small trinkets to children. Bhutanese people are very proud of the fact that there are no beggars in Bhutan and wish not to encourage this behavior of expecting anything from our guests. Small gifts to people you stay with and a tip for your guide & driver are fine.
What You Should And What You Can Bring!
1. Good Walking Shoes
2. Sunglasses
3. Sunscreen (Highest Possible)
4. Headgear for Sunny Days
5. Cotton Clothing for Summer Days,
6. Light Woolen Clothes for Evenings.
7. Heavy Woolens/Warm Jackets for Winter
8. Shorts for Hiking & Walking Around Town are fine in summer.
9. Please Don`t Wear Shorts in Public Buildings or Monasteries.
10. Have a Pair of Long Pants or Longer Skirt for these locations.
11. Plugs/converters for electrical equipment (Standard Indian round pin socket suitable for Voltage and cycles 230v, 50cycles AC.
Weather in Bhutan during January – February:
Climate: Days are normally warm. Nights can be quite chilly. In winter, the temperature is below freezing point. Monsoon showers in summer with heavy rains in July and August. All hotels & resorts are well equipped with heating system.
Souvenir Shopping
Traditionally, Bhutanese are well skilled in Arts & Crafts. Visitors will be seeing a rich display of traditional handicrafts in Paro, Thimphu and other towns. A wide range of collections are on show at the Craft Bazaar in the heart of Thimphu and 13 Arts & Crafts Institute where students of the institute create intricate pieces of traditional Bhutanese handicrafts. Visitors will find perfect souvenirs at many places of their destinations. There are few well known Thanka painting galleries in Thimphu and Paro.
Tipping in Bhutan
Tipping tradition is evolving throughout the world as a general rule. Tips, as a sign of appreciation for the services rendered are expected in most countries. Tipping while travelling can be confusing as it differs by country. This information is being provided as a good way to avoid some very sticky situations.
Tipping in Bhutan is optional! However, Guides and Drivers expect to be tipped by the visiting foreign guests at the end of the program. Therefore, our Guests have the choice of tipping depending on the Personal Services of the Guides & Drivers during the tour in Bhutan. There are always considerations and dependencies in any country.
The Guests need not tip in restaurants in Bhutan as the hotel accommodations and meals are already included in the Packaged Daily Tariff, and Service Charges are already included to the Bhutan Golden Arrow tour and treks bills.