In Bhutan every season has its own charm. But the most visited months are usually March, April and May as the spring just hits off and of course in the later months of the year like August, September, October and November. These are the peak seasons as the weather during these time of the years are pleasant and warm and not to forget the festival months. The winters are cold, but we have winter treks and festivals in the southern parts of Bhutan, which has warm weather throughout the year. A winter in Bhutan is characterized by clear blue skies.
Do I need a Visa for Bhutan? How can I obtain a Visa for Bhutan?All visitors traveling to Bhutan are required to obtain a visa prior to your arrival to Bhutan, except for Indian nationals holding a valid Indian passport. After your confirmation to visit Bhutan with us, you can just download and fill out the Visa Application form from our website and send it to us. We'll have the visa confirmation letter processed within seven working days and send it to you.
What documents will I require at the airport when I come to Bhutan?You will need your passport, your airline e-ticket and your visa confirmation letter which we will send you prior to your arrival in the country. And please carry a copy of your tour itinerary as well.
How much does it cost to visit Bhutan?Daily tariff to Bhutan is prescribed by the Government in order to maintain Bhutan's exclusivity. A visitor has to pay an all-inclusive minimum amount of USD 250 per day in spring and autumn (March, April, May, September, October, November) and USD.200 per day in winter and summer (December, January, February, June, July and August).
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons are required to pay 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 Visitors have to pay an additional USD 20 as one time Visa Fee. Tour operators are required to maintain the minimum standards and are not allowed to sell tour packages below the prescribed daily rates.
What is included in the minimum dairy tariff/price?The minimum price as prescribed by the government is inclusive of all your travel needs such as:
1. USD 65 as government levy (which goes directly as Government revenue that is used for free education and free health and most importantly poverty alleviation)We do not prioritize our holidays according to types. Going by numbers, most of our visitors are of the cultural type, followed by mountain biking tours and treks. Special interest groups such as marriage tours, textiles, home stays, fishing and bird watching tours are also popular. We are focusing on Community-based tours to enable more interaction between visitors and community residents and engage the local people to make income through our tourism services.
What happens if I have already made a booking with you and then I have to cancel the trip due to unavoidable circumstances?Tour programmes booked with us and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as prescribed by the government as follows.
1. Within 30 days of start of programme ~ no chargesWe make sure of your comfort to or fullest and therefore we use comfortable, clean, well-maintained vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles include Toyota Land Cruiser Prados, Toyota Hiace vans, Toyota Coaster buses, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson SUVs.
How far in advance do I have to sign up for the tours?If you can book your tour as early as possible, it will give us more time to plan your travel. However, given our company's purchasing power and experience, we can also hand last minute bookings without hassle. It is however advised to book your travel 6-8 weeks in advance if it is coinciding with popular festivals like Thimphu and ParoTsechu. Given that we only have one airline, tickets are notoriously overbooked during that period.
What will be the food like?You will have a variety of cuisines to choose from- Bhutanese, Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Thai to Continental. The main staple diet of Bhutanese is rice which is savored with the most favorite dish made out of chilies and cheese called "emadatsi". Meat is widely eaten in Bhutan as are vegetables. Our partner hotels and restaurants are always aware of your eating habits and serve according to your palate. Even if you want to try Bhutanese, we do not make it as spicy as we are used to.
What is the language of Bhutan?The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, though there are many other dialects that each region in the country has maintained. Since English is an official language, it is easy to communicate with most Bhutanese people.
What vaccinations do I need?We do not have any screening to come to Bhutan, but for your own safety in the region, please check the following website for the latest international requirements (Centre for disease control website www.cdc.gov).
What is the currency of Bhutan?The currency of Bhutan is Ngultrum. The Ngulturm is at par with the Indian Rupee. You cannot buy Ngultrum prior to your arrival to Bhutan. Once you arrive, you can easily exchange your currency to Ngultrum at the banks or even in your hotel. Please check the current exchange rates at www.bnb.bt.
Can I use credit cards in Bhutan?You can use your MasterCard and Visa cards to withdraw Ngultrums from local banks. Some handicrafts shops also accept these international credit cards.
What is the time zone of Bhutan?Bhutan has only one time zone. It is six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), 30 minutes ahead of India, 15 minutes ahead of Nepal and an hour behind Thailand. In USA during daylight saving time, Bhutan is 10 hours ahead of New York City and during standard time, Bhutan is 11 hours ahead of New Your City. The country telephone code for Bhutan is +975.
Is it safe to travel to Bhutan?Given the minimal crime record in the country, it is very safe to travel in Bhutan.
How do I pay for my tour?Your payment can be made through credit cards, and wire transfer. If you choose to pay with credit card, the banks will charge a processing fee of 4%.
What is the baggage allowance on flights to or from Bhutan?For the economy class, your check-in luggage cannot exceed more than 20 kg and for first class, and up to 30 kg for Business Class. You can carry some few extra kilos in your luggage but you will have to pay for it.
How high is the elevation in Bhutan?The elevations on our trips range between a few hundred feet and 12,000 feet. Altitude is definitely an important consideration for anyone planning to visit Bhutan as most people are not used to it. The average elevation is about 7000 feet. Most of our itineraries entail travel as high as about 12,000 feet, including a highest sleeping elevation of about 10,000 feet. We make sure to minimize the risks of altitude sickness and this is something we're happy to discuss with our travelers.