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News & Upcoming Events

  • Thimphu Drubchen, Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu, 20th to 24th September
  • Wangdue Tshechu, Wangdi Dzong, Wangduephodrang, 23rd to 25th September
  • Gangtey Tshechu, Gangtey Gonpa, Phobjikha, 23rd to 25th September
  • Tamshing Phala Chhoepa, Tamshing Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang, 24th to 26th September
  • Thimphu Tshechu, Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu, 25th to 27th September
  • Gasa Tshechu, Gasa Dzong, Gasa, 25th to 27th September
  • Thangbi Mani, Tangbi Lhakhang, Choekor, Bumthang, 29th September to 01st October
  • Shingkhar Rabney, Ura, Bumthang, 20th to 24th October
  • Jakar Tshechu, Jakar Dzong, Choekhor, Bumthang, 22nd to 25th October
  • Jambay Lhakhang Drup, Jambay Lhakhang, Choekhor, Bumthang, 29th October to 02nd November
  • Prakhar Duchhoed, Prakar Lhakhang, Chummi, Bumthang,30th October to 1st November
  • Sumdrang Kangsol, Sumdrang Lhakhang, Ura, Bumthang, 11th to 13th November
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Basic Travel Tips

Basic Travel Tips

Leave your designer shoes and high heels behind and get into your travel gears as most travel programs in Bhutan consists of hikes. Our guests are advised to carry couple of warm clothes as the weather is highly unpredictable and most inbound road travels takes you through high passes. As one is prone to getting sun burns in the Himalayas we would also suggest you to bring sun screen lotion, a hat and a pair of sunglasses.

 

Tourism Policy

Tourism in Bhutan follows a high value low volume approach restricting the inflow of tourists. Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan. Visitors are required to book travel through a registered local tour operator like Pema Cholling Tours and Treks.

 

Tariff and Fee
The daily tariff covers the government royalties, accommodation, meals, professional tour guides, transportation, sightseeing, monument entrance fees, travel permits and visa processing.

 

Minimum tariff for tourist visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:

High season Tariff – US$ 250 per person per night halt (February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November and December).

 

Low Season Tariff – US$200 per person per night halt (January, June, July).
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
Single individual US$ 40 per night
Group of 2 persons US$ 30 per person per night
Note: Minimum package cost will be revised with effect from 1st January 2012. The rates will be hiked up to USD$ 250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November, and USD$200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.

 

Payment Procedure

All payments should be made prior to the arrival in Bhutan. The entire payment is directly deposited to the Tourism Council of Bhutan in the name of our tour agency.  The Council releases your funds only after your trip is completed, ensuring the financial safety of the money you deposited. Once you book your trip, we will direct you on the process of transfer of payments.

 

Cancellation Policy
Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:

  • 30 days prior to arrival in Bhutan = no charges
  • 21 days prior to arrival in Bhutan = 10% of rate
  • 14 days prior to arrival in Bhutan = 15% of rate
  • 7 days prior to arrival in Bhutan = 30% of rate
  • less than 7 days to arrival or without notice = 50% of rate
  • after arrival in Bhutan = 100%

 

Visa and Customs

 

Visa:

Apart from citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa.

 

Visa clearance from Thimphu must be obtained before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 10 days to process and air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without it. At your point of entry the visa will be stamped in your passport on payment of US$20, two passport photos will also be required. Visas are issued for a 15 day period; extensions can be obtained in Thimphu at a cost of Nu.510.

 

Kindly note that visas are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. Once you book the trip with us, we arrange and take care of all the visa formalities.

 

Customs:

Tourist are allowed to carry spirits in quantity of one bottle not larger than one liter and one carton or 200 pieces of cigarettes which is subject to 100 percent customs duty & 100 percent sales tax.

 

Any excess in quantity will be subject to confiscation.

 

A tourist shall be allowed to import temporarily free of Customs duty his/her personal effects and articles required for the visit, provided that the items imported are for personal use and that the items will be re-exported with them when they leave Bhutan.
You have to complete the passenger declaration form on your arrival before checking out. 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 of the following goods is strictly prohibited:
(a) Arms, ammunitions and explosives
(b) All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
(c) Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species
(d) 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.

 

Fooding & Lodging

 

Fooding:

Your experience in Bhutan is never complete without the taste of chilies.

 

Foreigners are usually advised to stick to continental, Chinese and Indian cuisines as no Bhutanese meal is complete without chili being a part of it. It is here that chili is considered a vegetable and not just a spice. The vegetable market’s top selling item is the wide range of chilies.

 

Chilies have been and will be an essential part of the Bhutanese culture. For most Bhutanese, it’s a thrill you can’t do without. Consuming chilies lets you experience extreme sensations and can be termed as adventurous dining. For a foreigner who can stand the fiery experience of chilies, one dish that sums it up is Ema Datshi. Ema Datshi translates as Chili cheese and is made up of Chilies and a lot of Cheese.

 

Besides the hallmark chilies, most non-vegetarian Bhutanese dishes consists of dried meat (beef, pork and fish) served with, again, slices of chilies.

 

Another must try item is the momos or the Tibetan Dumplings.

 

Lodging:
A sound sleep is a priority.

 

Our guests are housed in either 3 or 5 star hotels. All the hotels we take our guests to are approved as tourist hotels. The hotels showcase a beautiful and balanced mix of traditional architecture with modern amenities assuring you of the ambience and comfort. The hotels are well maintained and have all basic amenities such as geysers and shower rooms and are properly maintained. The 5 star hotels are mostly located in major towns like Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Gangtey in Wangduephodrang and Bumthang.

 

For our guests we also offer the choice of camping outside in the forests and open areas away from the towns. With our trained crew, the camping promises to be comfortable and enjoyable experience.

 

Communication:

 

Communication facilities are good with all the districts in Bhutan connected with telecommunication lines, fax and cellular phones.
Most districts have internet cafes, and hotels in the major towns offer in-house Wi-Fi facilities. We also arrange data cards for our guests upon request.

 

Apart from BBS, the state owned TV station; there are more than 50 cable TV service providers in the country. The cable TV provides several Indian and international channels.