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

  • All tours must be booked through a recognized Bhutanese Tour Operator such as Bhutan Nomad Adventures, with entire arrangements provided by the tour operator.
  • For Cultural Tours, booking must be completed 30 days in advance, but for Cultural Tours during festivals, arrangements must be completed 45 days in advance. For the spring and autumn festivals an early reservations are a must to confirm flights and accommodation.
  • For Trekking groups, bookings should be completed at least 60 days in advance, as this activity requires prior detailed planning. Bhutan Nomad Adventures can offer your clients a choice of the finest and best organized trekking experiences in the entire Himalaya.

Visa

  • Visas are required for traveling to Bhutan, and applications are processed through Bhutan Nomad Adventures in at the time of tour booking. The visa fee is US$40 paid on arrival for unlimited duration of stay. Bhutan does not grant any tourist visas for foreign mission abroad.
  • All information as on the visa application form must be forwarded to your tour operator for processing with the concerned authorities at least 21 days prior to your date of travel, and also note that for all FITS / GITs traveling during festivals, details must be sent at least 45 days prior to date of travel.

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.

  • When entering Bhutan by land or by air, every tourist should bring two passport size photos with name/passport number printed clearly on the back, and US$40 (in cash) visa fee to be paid on arrival. Visa applications are cleared in advance, and visa clearance numbers issued, and tourist passports are stamped on embarkation at the port of entry.
  • Travelers entering Bhutan by flight, visa clearance is required for the issuing of flight tickets. The visa clearance number is forwarded to the Druk Air station at which the flight originates. Travelers without a visa clearance number on record, is not to be permitted to board their flights.
  • Travelers entering Bhutan by land from India, from our southern border town of Phuentsholing, the visa is stamped on arrival, as per visa clearance number. Travelers without a visa clearance number on record, is not to be permitted to enter Bhutan.

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: –

  • Personal effects and articles for day to day use by the visitor
  • 2 liters of alcohol (spirits or wine)
  • 400 cigarettes, 150 gms of pipe tobacco, 2 boxes of cigars (or 50 pieces)
  • Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use
  • Photographic equipment, video cameras and other electronic goods for personal use.

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

  • Arms, ammunitions and explosives
  • All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
  • Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species
  • Antiques.

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.



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