Tariff & Travel Info

Bhutan Travel Tips

The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socioeconomic development particularly for developing countries like Bhutan.

The Tourism Policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan is based on a concept of “High Value & Low Impact”. Founded on the principle of sustainability, tourism must be environmentally friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and economically viable. Therefore, the royal government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach to the development of tourism in the kingdom in an effort to avoid its negative impacts on the culture and the environment. Visitors must either be guests of the government or travelers on an approved travel program. Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan.

Language:  Bhutanese speak a variety of languages but Dzongkha is the national language and one of the most widely spoken language. English is commonly spoken in the main towns and is the principal medium of instruction in schools throughout the kingdom.

Climate:  March, April, May- Spring June, July, August- Summer September, October, November – Autumn December, January, February, – Winter Average Temperatures In Degree Celsius (High/ Low)

Food and Drink: Restaurants serving traditional Bhutanese cuisine tempered to Western tastes can be found in all of the hotels. Many of the hotel chefs have been trained at hotel schools in Europe and know how to prepare food to please the Western palate. Meals are usually served in buffet style. Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chillies and cheese. It is advisable that visitors stick to the Chinese, Continental or Indian cuisine that is served in most restaurants. Visitors can also choose among the various vegetarian and non-veg food. You can also try out momos, the Tibetan dumplings and for those daring, you may try out the ema datshi dish served with cheese and chili and other typical Bhutanese dishes. All tourist hotels have good selection of international and Bhutanese beverages.

For trekking groups, our own trained cooks will prepare dishes suitable to western taste in the above range, and every effort will be made to accommodate the individual dietary preferences of our clients. Please give some advance notice of any special dietary requirements so that we can make appropriate arrangements when the catering team assembles provisions.

What to pack? Travelling Kits: Due to the wide range of temperature and climatic conditions it is advisable to dress in layers. So bring with you a couple of warm clothes and comfortable shoes to go with the weather, the terrain and the program. Others that you could consider bringing with you would be a pair of Sunglasses/spare glasses, knife, sun cream, sun burn relief cream, lip salve, soluble aspirin and a hat; antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream, anti-diarrhoea pills, altitude & car sickness medicine and any medication you take regularly, or might need to take for a periodically recurring condition, such as asthma; insect repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit & safety pins, torch or flash light (w/spare batteries), mirror, scissors, umbrella, camera, films and accessories (including spare camera batteries)etc.

Clothes and other Paraphernalia With great altitudinal variations, weather is quite mixed in Bhutan. So be prepared to face the unforeseen weather conditions. We expect visitors to dress modestly and respectfully especially if you are planning a visit to the monasteries, Dzongs and other religious institutions. Long pants and long sleeved tops should be worn when visiting such places.

As a mark of respect, be kind enough to remove your hats, caps etc. as you enter religious and administrative premises, institutions and in any other place that you come across with the national flag being raised.

Gratuities: Tipping is optional than mandatory. However, it is expected in our trade and has become a kind of tradition. Tipping is more of goodwill gesture or token of appreciation shown for the services rendered to guide and driver. Tour Guides We offer well trained, knowledgeable guides who are certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan to guide our visitors or tourist throughout the tour. Generally we provide English speaking guides, but the services of Japanese, Chinese, Thai, French & German speaking guides can be provided with sufficient prior information and on an additional cost.

Accommodation: As mandated by the Government, all accommodation for tourist use are three star and above, with the exceptions of farm houses , guest houses and home stays in certain areas. Although the best Standard Hotels in Bhutan cannot be compared with international hotels, all offer the necessary facilities and are properly maintained. Generally speaking, hotels in western Bhutan (Thimphu, Paro, Punakha) are better appointed, while accommodation establishments in the central and eastern part of the country are more modest, with fewer amenities. While on treks, we will choose the best available spot for the campsite. You will be accompanied by a guide and a dedicated support team to help setup camp, transport baggage & camping equipment and prepare fresh meals. Eternity Tours and Treks have close association with the best hotel properties throughout Bhutan, ensuring its guests a consistent style and comfort level throughout their stay.

HEALTH: INOCULATIONS: Before embarking on a trip to Bhutan, please seek advice from your doctor with regard to vaccinations and appropriate medication you should have prior to your travels. As a minimum you should have tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A inoculations. Precautions Bhutan is one of the safest countries in the world however you should still exercise caution when visiting. Please ensure that your belongings especially your passports, cameras, wallets and purses are properly secured. Please refrain from leaving such items within sight in locked vehicles while sightseeing. Avoid drinking tap water which has not been boiled or ice cubes in drinks at all times as most water sources in Bhutan are untreated. One can easily acquire affordable treated and bottled water. Also, Bhutan has a duty to protect its citizens from drugs and tobacco products. To do this we need your help and cooperation. Please co-operate if stopped and asked about your baggage. Please do not carry tobacco goods in excess of the set limit (200 cigarettes for their own use, on payment of import duty of 200%)

Travelling within Bhutan: The main mode of travel within Bhutan is through road. With the development, there is also domestic airline opened in Bumthang , Yonphula and Gelegphug apart from Paro International Airport, so one can fly into eastern Bhutan through Yonphula airport, southern Bhutan through Gelegphug airport, central Bhutan through Airport in Bumthang and of course western Bhutan through Paro International airport. There is no domestic train in Bhutan as of now. The places and districts are well connected by a good road network. The roads were built through mountains, passes which runs from west to east connecting all the major towns and villages. However the mountainous terrain and winding road restrict the average driving speed of vehicle to about 35 km per hour. Shopping Hand-woven textiles, carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade paper products, finely crafted metal objects, thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps are the items mostly purchased by travellers in Bhutan. In Bhutan, the buying and / or selling of antiques is strictly forbidden.

Money: Bhutanese currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.). The ngultrum is on par with the Indian rupee (both the nu and Indian rupee can be used in Bhutan) but INR (Indian Rupees) denominations of 500 and 1000 are not accepted in Bhutan. ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. In addition, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at most hotels and handicrafts stores. Banking Financial institutions in Bhutan have been greatly enhanced and today we have a number of banks that caters to the needs of the people. Some of the banks that you can avail services and facilities while in Bhutan are the Bank of Bhutan Limited, the Bhutan National Bank, the Druk PNB and the Tashi Bank. Traveler’s cheque can be easily withdrawn and exchanged into local currency. Many of these banks provide internet banking facilities. ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. In addition, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at most hotels and handicrafts stores.

Electricity: All major towns are well connected with electricity that runs on 220/240 volts with round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets. In Thimphu, electrical appliance shops stock adapter plugs, but they are unlikely to be available elsewhere.

Customs and Immigration: Visitors are required to fill up the Custom Form and hand over to concerned authorities on arrival. Following articles are exempted from duty:- (a) Personal effects and articles for day to day use by the visitor (b) 1 litre of alcohol (spirits or wine) (c) 200 cigarettes, on payment of import duty of 200% (d) Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use (e) 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 and Export of following goods are strictly prohibited :- Arms, ammunitions, explosives and military stores 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.

Communications: Bhutan has a good network of telecommunication facilities. Most hotels and cafe’s offer Wi-Fi internet access. Bhutan has a comprehensive mobile (cell) phone network with global roaming also assessable.

Photography: Bhutan is an ideal place and a frequent haunt for photographers offering immense opportunities for photography especially during the outdoor sightseeing trips. There are certain places such as monasteries and temples, where photography is prohibited however there is no restriction on photographing Dzongs and Goembas from outside. If you are uncertain about whether or not photography is permitted, please check with your local guide. You should refrain from taking pictures of military installations. One can however, capture images of the landscapes, the panoramic views of the mountain ranges, the rural folk life, the flora and fauna, the Bhutanese architecture and the Dzongs and Chortens in particular. You will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc., always ask by a gesture if it is alright to do so.

Travel Insurance: The tour price does not include Travel Insurance, so it is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel. Please ensure your policy covers exactly the activities you will undertake on your journey.

Entering Bhutan

Travel by Air The country has so far only one international airport that caters to the needs of visitors coming in through flight. Bhutan has two carriers – Drukair and Bhutan Airline. As flights can be delayed due to weather or other operational requirements, we strongly advise visitors to Bhutan to factor in at least 3-6 hour transit time before connecting to or from Drukair/ Bhutan Airline’s flight.

The following stations are connected with Bhutan Flights: India (Kolkata, New Delhi, Bagdogra, Mumbai, Gaya, Guwahati) Nepal (Kathmandu) Thailand (Bangkok) Singapore (Singapore) Bangladesh (Dhaka) Travel by Land You can enter into Bhutan from any of the three entry points: Samdrup Jongkhar (southeast Bhutan), Gelephu (south Bhutan), and Phuntsholing (southwest Bhutan) Bagdogra airport, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport about 5 hours drive from Phuentsholing. Also Bagdogra (and its main town Siliguri) is the convenient point for visiting West Bengal region of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, state of Sikkim. The nearest airport to the south-central border town of Gelephu is at Bagdogra, West Bengal, about 6 hours’ drive away.

Gelephu can also be used as entry/exit point for travellers wishing to visit the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and the North Eastern Indian States along with Bhutan. Samdrup Jongkhar is the only entry point in eastern Bhutan. The nearest airport to the south-eastern border town of Samdrup Jongkhar is at Guwahati, capital of the Indian state of Assam, about 3 hours’ drive away. Samdrup Jongkhar is a convenient entry/exit point for travellers wishing to visit the Indian states of Assam and other North Eastern states of India along with Bhutan. Tourists entering Bhutan through Samdrup Jongkhar will take you to Trashigang, the largest District in the country, and from there over the lateral route to Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa, Wangde Phodrang and then finally into capital, Thimphu. The distance is about 700 kms and will take you a minimum of three days to reach Thimphu.

Minimum Day basis Charges

Daily Tariff - Tourist tariff is set by Tourism Council of Bhutan, Royal Government of Bhutan and it is valid for all inclusive packages. The government fixed minimum tariff for tourists visiting in a group of 03 persons or more are as follows:-

High Season Tariff – USD$ 250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.
Low Season Tariff – USD$200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.

FIT Surcharge - Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows: If travelling as a single person- US$ 40 per night. If travelling in a group of 2 persons- US$ 30 per person per night. Incase the number of persons traveling together is 03 or more then there is no surcharge. Inclusive in the minimum tariff package Not included in the minimum tariff package Standard Hotel (3 star hotel) twin sharing accommodation; camping on treks Full Board – All meals at local restaurants/standard hotels/on treks –Buffet system All Internal Transport / Transfers in luxury vehicle Airport Transfers Camping Equipment , Ponies & Assistants for treks Services of Licensed English Speaking Guide Sightseeing Entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites Evening tea/ coffee with snacks Mineral water in car while traveling as complementary All internal taxes and charges Government royalty (US$ 65 per night per person) There will be an additional cost for: Single room supplement : US$ 50 per night per single room during festival season and US $ 30 per night per single room during other season Luxury star hotels and resorts available at an additional cost Luxury camping/trekking can be arranged at an additional cost Specialized guides (Foreign Language, Photography, Bird Watching, Buddhism, Flora and Fauna) available at an additional cost

Agency Commission - 10% of the gross tour payment shall be payable to the principal agents abroad as commission as per international norms, and shall be deducted by these agents at source. Further, this commission shall be calculated from the net amount after deducting the discounts wherever applicable. Also there is no commission on FIT Surcharges, applicable incase of 01 and 02 pax. – Discounts There shall be no charge other than visa fee of USD 40 for children below the age of 5 years. Children between the ages of 5-12 years shall be given 50% discount on minimum daily package rate. Full time students below the age of 25 years, holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions, shall be given 25% discount on minimum daily package rate. This discount is subject to approval from Tourism Council of Bhutan, Royal Government of Bhutan. A discount of 50% on daily rates is available for one person in a group of 11 to 15 persons and 100% discount to one person in a group exceeding 16 full paying persons. A 50% DURATION DISCOUNT on ROYALTY shall be provided after the 8th night and 100% discount on ROYALTY shall be provided after 14th night. 100% ROYALTY FREE ZONE DISCOUNT shall be provided on ROYALTY on first and/or last night for groups with night halt in Phuntsholing, Sarpang and Samdrup Jongkhar on arrival and/or departure. Note : Only one discount can be availed at one time. Children and Student can share the bed with elders but they will not be given different room or extra bed. For extra bed, they have to pay US$ 20 in off season and US$ 25 in peak season

Visa formalities - Other than Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa. All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by licensed Bhutanese tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. No foreign missions/embassies abroad grant Bhutan tourist visas. You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to us and then we will apply for your visa. The visa will be processed once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in our bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 7 days. At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months. The sample is given below.

Cancellation Policy - Every effort will be made to adhere to the planned itinerary. However, due to weather conditions and reasons beyond our control, changes to the itinerary might occur, for which the company accepts no responsibility. Tour Programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows: 100% refund for cancellation made before 60 days of travel date 50% refund for cancellation made before 30 days of travel date No refund for cancellation made less than 30 days of travel date Note that if using Luxury Hotels then separate cancellation charges apply as per the policy of the individual hotels – Please ask for details if applicable.

Flight Cancellation Policy: (Documentation charge US$ 50) 70% refund for cancellation made before 30 days of travel date (Documentation charge applicable) 40% refund for cancellation made before 20 days of travel date (Documentation charge applicable) NO refund for cancellation made less than 20 days and after travel date -Delayed Arrival/ Departure There is no charge for the number of days of delays in arrival and departure of visitors because of weather conditions, Bhutan airline problems or road blocks. The tourist must however bear the actual expenses on accommodation, food, transport and any other services required.

Tour/ Trek Reservation Cultural Tours - booking arrangements must be completed at least one month in advance for regular season and for peak season, booking arrangements must be completed at least one and half month in advance. The spring and autumn festivals are our peak times for tourism, and without early reservations it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.

Trekking - As trekking requires detailed arrangements and planning, booking arrangements should be completed at least 8 weeks in advance.

-Tour Payment Entire tour payment must be settled at least 6 weeks prior to date of arrival in Bhutan and VISA is cleared by Government subject to advance payment only. It is advisable to remit payment for Druk Air/Bhutan Airline flights 3 months in advance or at the time of booking. This will help us to obtain confirmed seats on the requested flights. Unlike other countries, credit card and online payment facilities is not available in Bhutan for tour payment. So the only way to make your tour payment to Bhutan is via bank transfer, limited to only one bank in Bhutan, i.e BHUTAN NATIONAL BANK. We will provide full information on remittance of tour payment when you are ready to make the payment. If you are unfamiliar with wire transfers, please visit your bank in person with the transfer details and they will be able to assist in making the payment. Do send us the money remittance copy once the payment is transferred. Our services are confirmed subject to advance payment only.