Bhutan Tourism has been strategically limited so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. The people of Bhutan are highly religious people and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for local traditions and way of life, especially while visiting sacred places of religion.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on strong principles such as conservation of our environment and preservation of our culture, and to follow such principles tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and also economically viable. Tourism is cautiously monitored and the number of tourists is kept to an environmentally controllable level.
Tourists may experience Bhutan only on full package tours for which a fixed tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. Tariff is inclusive of the following services: accommodation & all meals, transportation, guide, entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites, and additionally a cultural program for visitors traveling in a group of three or above.
Tour Reservation
Visa
Required information can be sent by fax or email. Bhutan visa application data form is included at the end of this section. Additional photos or visa forms are not required in advance.
Visa Formalities
Passport details must be given to process visa in time. Details are required 14 days in advance. Visa can be processed in 4 days time only in emergencies, but it is always advisable to process one’s visa in advance. Visa is then issued on entering Bhutan at entry point. Visa fee of US$ 40 each is collected well in advance.
Visa Application is made very convenient for our tourists upon submission of the following information: –
NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, ADDRESS, OCCUPATION, NATIONALITY, PASSPORT NUMBER, DATE OF ISSUE, DATE OF EXPIRY
Please note that air tickets are purchased 30 days after booking to secure the flight.
Tariff
Royal Government of Bhutan has strict Tourism policy and any visitors other then Indian national are required to pay the fixed cost; otherwise entry visa for Tourist is not approved.
All year round the rates for group of 3 pax and above is US$ 250 per night per person.
Group Discount:
Total 11 pax= 1 pax, Pay 50% on land cost only
Total 16 pax=1 pax free on land cost only
FIT surcharges:
For group under 3 pax surcharge is applicable. This amount goes directly to the Government of Bhutan.
1 person Group US$ 40 per night stay in Bhutan.
The above cost is inclusive of twin sharing Hotel Rooms, Meals, Car/Coaches, sightseeing, English speaking Guide, Transfer etc.
Extras:
Visa fees US$ 40 each must be paid in advance with tour cost
Airport Tax US$ 13 each must be paid in advance with airfare
Single Room supplements US$ 40 per room per night
Personal expenses, bar soft drink, mineral water is extra
Please kindly provide us the Names as in passport for securing the flight
Above payment is not inclusive of personal expenses, calls overseas and above listed (miscellaneous & taxes) if not applied.
Please contact Bhutan Nomad Adventures for specific costing for your requirements.
Cancellation policy
On land cost: – within 5 weeks 50%. Within 4 weeks no refund.
Flight Frequency & Airfare
Our national airline flies several times a week between most of its destinations, but flight timings and frequency vary according to season. DrukAir’s website www.drukair.com.bt includes details of current flight schedules and airfares. Please check the website or contact Bhutan Nomad Adventures for any query.
Tour Payment
Advance payment in full for the entire tour must be sent to Bhutan Nomad Adventures by Bank transfer, within the specified time frame. Services are confirmed subject to advance payment only. We will provide full information on remittance of tour payment when we outlay your requirements.
It is advisable to remit payment for DrukAir flights 2 months in advance. This will help us to obtain confirmed seats on the requested flights.
Customs
Visitors are required to complete a passenger declaration form for checking by concerned officers on arrival. The following articles are exempt from duty: –
The articles mentioned under (d) & (e) must be declared on the declaration form. If any such items are disposed of in Bhutan by sale or gift, they are liable for customs duty. On departure, visitors are required to surrender their forms to the Customs authorities.
Import/Export Restrictions
Import/export of the following goods is strictly prohibited
Imports of plants, soils etc. are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be cleared on arrival. Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items, especially of religious or cultural significance, as such items may not be exported without a clearance certificate. Bhutan Nomad Adventures should be consulted before making such purchases.
Hotels
No Hotels give confirmation in advance and we can only provide Hotel Names and details 21 days before arrival.
Accessibility
The most convenient way of entering Bhutan is by Druk Air, the country’s national (and so far only) carrier. As flights can be delayed due to weather conditions (particularly during the summer months), it is advisable to allow 24 hours before any onward connection.
DrukAir flies regularly between Bhutan and the following countries:
Bangladesh (Dhaka); Burma (Yangon); India (Kolkata, Delhi, Bagdogra); Nepal (Kathmandu); Thailand (Bangkok)
Arrival/departure by land is also possible, through the southern border town of Phuentsholing. The nearest airport is at Bagdogra, West Bengal, about 4 hours drive away. Phuentsholing is a convenient entry/exit point for travelers wishing to visit the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal along with Bhutan.
It is sometimes possible to arrange land exit from Bhutan through the southeastern border town of Samdrup Jongkhar, which is approximately 3 hours drive from Guwahati, capital of the Indian state of Assam. Please check with Bhutan Nomad Adventures if it can be arranged.