Tariff
All visitors to Bhutan are required to book travel through a registered tour operator in Bhutan. This can be done directly or through a travel agent abroad. The tour operator in Bhutan held visa application, tour programme, and all other ground arrangement for the visitors.
The minimum daily cost of stay in Bhutan is fixed by the royal government of Bhutan through the policy of regulated tourist tariff. Through the concept of “high value and low impact” it is Bhutan’s intention to minimize the negative impact of tourism and maintain the number of tourist at a manageable level at all times.
The minimum daily cost for Tourists visiting in group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
High Season Tariff: US $ 250 per Person per Night Halt for the months of March,April,May, September, October & November.
Lean Season: US $ 200 per Person per Night Halt for the months of January, February,June,July, August & December.
Visa Fee US $ 40(only one time)
Surcharges:
The Group of less than 3 persons shall be subjected to an additional charge over and above the minimum daily cost as follows;
Single individual traveler: US $ 40 per Night Halt.
Group of 2 persons: US $ 30 per Night halt.
Minimum Daily package Includes following service as follows:
*A minimum of 3 star Accommodation( 4 & 5 star may required an additional premium) on twin sharing basis.
* All the meals – International Standard.
* Services of a licensed English Speaking guide( language guide on demand at additional cost) for the extend of your stay
* Land transport within Bhutan.
* Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours(excluding sleeping bags).
* All the entrance fees.
* Bhutan Visa.
* A sustainable tourism Royalty of $65. This Royalty goes towards free education, free health-care, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.
Package cost does not include:
1. Airfare
2. Laundry
3. Privates call
4. Beverages or Drinks
5. Insurance for travel and other Contingencies
Single supplement charges US $25 per night halt per person will apply for any single room requirement.
On the day of departure the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on usage basis.
Visa Formalities
Other than Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldives nationals, all visitors to Bhutan require a Visa. The Visa clearance from Thimphu must be obtained before departing for Bhutan. Bhutan Visas are not issued by any Bhutanese Embassies abroad and NO Visa is entertained upon arrival. As long as Tour payments are transferred, Visa clearance will be issued within a week’s time. Air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without Visa clearance.
Bhutan Norwang Travel is Local licensed Tour Operator authorized to organize Bhutan Visa.
In order to help us to process your Visa on time, you are required to submit us the scanned copy of your passport in colour with 4 weeks of the anticipated date of arrival. After submitting your application and provide you with E-visa copy. It normally takes 2-3 working days to approve the visa.
At your point of entry at Paro international airport your visa will be stamped in your passport. Visa are issued for the period you have requested and extensions can be obtained in Thimphu at a cost of Nu. 510(at present about US$ 10)
Note: ( Your Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay)
Luxury resort: Bhutan has few international chain hotels/resort(s)such as Aman,Taj hotels, Dhensa boutique resorts, Uma along with two national 5stars resort, Zhiwaling and Nak-sel resorts and Spa. There will be extra charges over the minimum tourist tariff depending on nature of service.
What to Expect
Time
Bhutan Time is 6 hours ahead of GMT in winter and 5 hours in summer. 30 minutes ahead of Indian,1 hour behind Bangkok and 15 minutes behind Nepal Time.
Money
the unit of currencies is the ngultrum(Nu), which id equivalent to one Indian Rupee. The Indian rupee is also legal tender. Major convertible currencies and traveler’s cheques can be exchanged at banks in all major towns. Certain credit cards(Master card, Visa, American Express) are accepted at a few large hotels and shops.
Food
The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is it spiciness. The most popular dish,Ema Datsi, is comprised of chilies (used as a vegetables) in a cheese sauce. Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. Pork, Beef and chicken are the meats that are eaten most often. Vegetables are all organic grown by the local farmers. Hotels and restaurants generally serve Indian, Chinese, Thai, Continental and Bhutanese food.
Drink
Every household both in urban and rural area has safe drinking water supply but it is safer to drink mineral or boiled and filtered water. Many Bhutanese enjoy drinking traditional homemade alcoholic brews, locally known as Ara, made from maize, wheat, rice and millet. A reasonable variety of both hard and soft drinks are available in hotels,restaurants and shops in most of towns.
Language
Bhutan is linguistically rich with over nineteen dialects spoken in the country. The national language is Dzongkha, literally means the language spoken in the Dzongs, massive fortresses that serve as administrative centers and monasteries. English is widely spoken in major town and is a medium of education in schools. Other widely spoken languages are, Sharchop, Nepali, bumptap, Kurtoep and Hindi.
Shopping
The most tourist purchases are traditional Bhutanese arts and handicrafts. Made by skilled artisans, these are generally of a high quality, and include Buddhist paintings and Statues, textiles, jewelry and wooden products. Bhutan is not a consumers society, and the variety of everyday goods available is not particularly large.
Accommodation
A wide variety of accommodation are available ranging from 5-star hotels to cozy little hotels and can experience home stay in traditional Bhutanese home and settings. The standard of accommodation remains relatively basic, particularly away from the developed western region. Most places are simple but visitors can be assured of their warmth, clean and service is slow but friendly. Those visitors embarking on long treks will be provided with tents and whatever other camping equipment is deemed necessary.
Electricity
All towns in western Bhutan have a reliable power supply. Elsewhere, access is less consistent,and electricity is now available in most of the remote areas of the country. The voltage supply is 220/240, the same as India.
Accessibility
Travel by Air
The country has so far only one international airport that caters the need of visitors coming through flight. Druk Air, the royal Bhutan National Airline and Bhutan airlines Pvt. Ltd are the only airlines that operate in Bhutan.
Druk Air have fleet of Three Airbus A319-100 with a capacity to accommodate 118 passengers and one ATR 42-500 with a capacity of 48. Bhutan airlines have fleet of two Airbus A319-100 with a capacity to accommodate 122 passengers. The flight schedules vary according to seasons, Both Airlines operates additional flight during the peak travel seasons.
Druk air is connected to following cities:
Bangkok
Singapore
New Delhi
Mumbai
Kathmandu
Dhaka
Kolkatta
Bagodora
Guwahati
Bhutan airlines is connected to following cities:
Bangkok
Kolkatta
Kathmandu
New Delhi
How can I book & buy Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines Tickets?
Bhutan Norwang Travel is an authorized Agent to purchase tickets on behalf of our guests, we are happy to assist in purchase of Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines Tickets as service, a copy of E- ticket will be sent vai email on the receipt of payment.
Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines Reservation Policy
Reservation will be made on the name basis only. 30 days of Ticketing Time Limit (TTL) will be given from the date of booking for travel dates more than 45 days.
Important: Paro International Airport is hemmed in by mountains, and the climatic conditions can arise that make flying and landing impossible. Travelers should avoid tight flights connections and ideally should plan for a day between the flight out of Bhutan and their following flight.
A Guest Flying via India
All passengers flying to and from Bhutan via any Indian states must apply for an Indian Visa prior to their departure if they intend to stay overnight, if they remain in transit no Indian visa is required.
Travel by Land
Accessibility to Bhutan by land through three entry points:
Phuntsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.. Bagodora, is the nearest airport and it takes approximately 4 hours drive from Phuntsholing (174km). Entry and exit to Bhutan by road also provides an opportunity to tourists desiring to visit the neighbouring Indian states of Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong.