| Bhutan Tourism Policy, Tariff and coverage
Travel into Bhutan is regulated by the Government in order to minimise the negative effects of tourism upon its fragile environment and culture.
All visitors must travel through an authorized Bhutanese agent or its overseas representatives on prepaid and pre-planned itinerary. The basic policy is that tourists other then Indian national pay $200 for each night in Bhutan and this covers accommodation, meals, transport, Guide and and administrative services to obtain visas, permits, flight booking hotels etc. As such there are no limitations (quota) on how many can visit each year but due to limited capacity of travel infrastructure such as hotel rooms and flights to absorb tourists, compounded by high rates, these automatically limits the the number of tourists that can visit at the same time.
Tourism opened its doors to the visitors in 1974, managed and run by state. The tourist industry was then cautiously privatized in 1991 and further liberalized in 1998. Last year, fewer then 8000 tourists visited Bhutan.
More about Tourism Policy, Tariff, Cost Includes, Payment Procedure etc.
Visa and Special Permits
Most countries issue visas from their embassies abroad and stamp it in your passport, but not Bhutan. Bhutanese embassies abroad cannot issue Visas for travel to Bhutan.
You must apply in advance through a tour operator such as Wind Horse Tours and receive approval before you travel to Bhutan. The actual visa is stamped upon arrival. You will need two passport-sized photographs and US$20 in cash.
More details about Visas, special or restricted area permits.
Download Bhutan Visa Application Form.
Getting to Bhutan, around & Away
There are only two entry points open to visitors. Most arrive by air at the Bhutan's only airport in Paro. The other alternative is to travel through Indian state of West Bengal and enter at Phuntsholing. Depending on the situation in Assam, it may be be possible to exit Bhutan by overland via Samdrup Jongkhar in the east, which borders Assam.
By Air - Druk Airlines
All tourists are required to travel at least one way by Air. Special request for exceptions may be possible depending on the season and special conditions. Bhutan's only airport at Paro is about 2 hours drive from the capital, Thimphu. Druk Air, Bhutan national airline is the only airline flying to and from Bhutan. It currently has two 72 seater BAE 146, which are up for sale and recently added two Airbus A319 to its fleet. Schedules vary between seasons, and some sporadic extra flights are planned during peak tourist periods. Normally there are 3 flights a week from New Delhi (via katmandu) and five flights a week from Bangkok (via Calutta or Dhaka)
Prices are fixed and payable in US Dollars (net non commission able to agent).
Schedule Fare & Flight Details.
By Land Across the Indian Border
The only land entry point for tourists is through Phuentsholing, on the southwestern border with State of West Bengal,India. With the special arrangements, it is possible to exit Bhutan via Samdrup Jongkhar in the eastern Bhutan, bordering the State of Assam. The nearest airport to Phuntsholing is Bagdogra, near Darejeeling. And the nearest airport in assam is at Guwahati, which is about 3-4 hours drive from Samdrup Jongkhar
Travel within Bhutan
Travel within Bhutan is only by motor vehicles or trek. There are no domestic air service, helicopters and does not have a railway track. The only way to see the country is either by foot or by road. Mountainous terrain and winding road restrict the average speed of vehicles to less than 25 miles -40 km per hour.
More information about road, distance, driving etc.
Bhutan Books, Audio, Video and More
To enhance your travel experience in Bhutan; to learn more, prepare better and enjoy the country better as a whole, you have to be well informed. At Wind horse we do provide you with tons of information, but even then, we could not tell you enough. Therefore we encourage visitors to Bhutan to read as many books as possible before the trip to get a realistic idea of the country.
Check for list of Bhutan Books, Videos, Audios.
Festivals and Holidays
Tsechus, the local festivals are popular among the tourists. These colourful events offer first hand glimpse of Bhutanese life. During the time of the festival, the flight become hopelessly overbooked and prices may go up. There are better chances of getting seats on the dates you want, if you schedule your trip around some less popular or remote festivals. Other celebration such as the Kings birthday, the national day, Bhutanese new year (losar) etc are celebrated throughout the country and it provides equal or more colourful experience.
We have updated list of Bhutan's Festival and Major events.
Bhutan's Sights and Place to Visit
This page provides descriptions of places, sights, day hikes and excursions that you are most likely to cover on the trip to Bhutan.
Read about the sights and place to see.
Seasons and Good time to Visit
The best time to visit Bhutan is in the spring and Autumn, when most of the festivals take place and the weather is at the best. This is the ideal time for trekking and for traveling throughout the country. You're likely to get wet no matter the season but avoid the monsoon, from June to August, when an average of 0.5m (1.5ft) of rain pours down in Thimphu and up to 1m (3ft) saturates the eastern hills.
More information and links about weather - climate conditions
Tour Escorts or Guide
All Wind Horse tours or treks are accompanied by trained, knowledgeable guides, certified by Department of Tourism. We distinguish ourselves from other companies in that because we choose the best guides: knowledgeable, flexible and the ones who are proud passionate about the job. Wind Horse can hire German, Japanese and French speaking guides at some additional cost. For more details, read the chapter about our team/bhutan.
Taxes
If you are departing by Air from Paro, the departure tax is Nu. 300 (approx. US$8). Druk Air tickets costs does not include airport taxes. If you are coming from Bangkok, expect to pay Bhat 500 (about $14), from Kathmandu Rs. 500 (about $7) from Delhi or Calutta, pay Rs. 150 (about $4) You can expect to pay no other taxes during your stay. Hotels and restaurant in Bhutan charge 10% sales tax and 10% service charge. Since you meals and accommodations are covered in the tour cost, this is absorbed as well. But taxes are applicable for the beverages such as juice, soda, alcohol etc, which are all borne by yourselves.
Travel Insurance
A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is always highly recommended. The cancellation rules for Bhutan are severe and inflexible. Trip cancellation insurance is almost essential. Wind Horse Holidays provides its North America customers with optional travel Insurance coverage in association with Insure America.
More information about our Travel Insurance
Women Travellers
Bhutan prides itself on its lack of a class system and an absence of sexual discrimination. Bhutanese women have the same rights as men, including rights to education, voting and holding positions in government.
Women, both foreign and Bhutanese, are not subject to harassment and do not need to take any special precautions. Bhutanese are more likely to help a woman in distress than a man. Young men have a reasonably liberated attitude towards their relations with women. There are several opportunities for misunderstanding if you don't make your intentions clear from the very outset.
Gay & Lesbian Travellers
Like most Asians, Bhutanese believe that what one does in private is strictly a personal matter, and they would prefer not to discuss such issues. Public displays of affection are not appreciated and everyone, regardless of orientation, should exercise discretion.
Disabled Travellers
A cultural tour in Bhutan is a challenge for a traveller with physical disabilities, but it can be made possible by Wind Horse Tours with planning. The Bhutanese are eager to help, and Wind Horse Tours can arrange a strong companion to assist with moving about and getting in and out of vehicles. The roads are rough and sidewalks, where they exist, often have holes and sometimes steps. Hotels and public buildings do not have wheelchair access, and there are no toilets designed to accommodate wheel chairs.
Senior Travellers
Because of the high cost of Bhutanese travel many visitors are actually seniors travelling in organized groups. Hotels, guides and tour operators are all familiar with the needs of seniors and treat them with the traditional respect that the Bhutanese have for their elders. The primary precaution one should take is to have an ample supply of any special medicines, since these probably will not be available in Bhutan. There is no advantage to carrying any sort of senior identification in Bhutan.
Travel with Children
As there are discounts for children travelling in Bhutan, it needn't break the bank if you bring kids along. They may become bored, however, with long, monotonous drives, few hotels with TV and little other 'entertainment' available. On the other hand, they will be immediately accepted by local kids and their families, and they could make many new friends. Wind Horse can make nanny and other baby sitting arrangements at a reasonable cost.
Altitude
The maximum elevation that you can reach on a Bhutanese road (3140m in the west and 3750m in the east) and is lower than that which causes altitude problems for most people. Besides, these are mountain passes that you cross to get to the next valley and you are only there for brief moment.
Most of the towns and villages where you spend the night are between 2000 – 2900m and it is rare to have individuals who can suffer from altitude problems at these elevations.
If you are trekking, it is different matter because not only that you go to extremely high elevations on most treks but combined with physical exertions, it is makes it more difficult. Follow the advice about acclimatization in the our trekking chapter.
Hotels and Food
There is a variety of hotels in Bhutan but generally speaking tourist are accommodated in tourist standard hotels, approved by Department of tourism. Although there is some difference between them in property, price and services, most of these hotels are not significantly different from one another. Wind Horse uses the best available ones among these hotels and our Guide and driver will assist you in getting the best room with views etc.
Recently some luxury resorts are being built by Aman Group, Uma and Oberoi and some are already operational. Wind Horse is pleased to offer this these hotels for our clients needing luxury arrangements but because the prices are significantly higher then the tourists standard hotels, we will charge the difference between the regular tourist standard hotels. This will depend on the number of nights and packages offered.
More information about Hotels in Bhutan |
