If you are going through an overseas agent, you can avoid many of the complications, but if you are working directly with a Bhutanese tour operator, you'll spend considerable time sending email and faxes, and may have to learn more than you want to about making international bank transfers. Therefore Wind Horse has conveniently office in USA as well in Bhutan
Direct transfer: The most straightforward and efficient procedure is to make a US dollar transfer to the account of the Bhutan National Bank with American Express Bank. Transfers into this account are monitored by Department of Tourism and credited to the agent in Bhutan.
Transfer should be made to American express Bank Ltd, 300 Bouleverd East, Weehawken NJ 07087-6702, in the account of Bhutan National Bank, P.O. Box 439, Thimphu, Bhutan, Account # 734061, Swift Code: AEIB US 33 and you have to mention the ultimate beneficiary as Wind Horse Tours, Treks & Expeditions, Thimphu, Bhutan. All wiring charges plus an intermediary bank charges deducted en-route are borne by you.
By check:
This method will save you the wiring fees. You
can send US $ check, demand drafts, certified
check, money order or traveler’s check
payable to Wind Horse Holidays, Inc at 6415
Vincent Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55423, USA
Credit Card: Neither Druk Air, nor Department of Tourism accepts credit cards. If you have to make payment by credit card, Wind Horse Holidays has to charge you additional fee of 3.5% to cover the processing fees. This is probably necessary for Druk air, whose tickets have to be purchased the same day of the booking and therefore requiring immediate payment
Last minute booking and special case payments: In cases of last-minute bookings or other exceptional circumstances it is possible to pay in travellers cheques (but not cash) upon arrival in Bhutan, but this entails a visit to the Department of Tourism office to sign a few documents.
Note In
the case of Bhutan tours, you are paying an
agency of the Bhutanese government, not the
tour operator directly; therefore you have more
protection against default on the part of the
tour company.
Bhutan
Tourism Policy Guidelines
