Archives: FAQ
Days What happens if the car breaks down during the tour?
As we only use good vehicles, they normally do not break down. In the last 15 years + of...
Days I understand that a small SUV is included in the tour for the whole period; the car is for only the two of us plus our driver/guide. Is this true?
Travel Information that answers questions regarding our transportation can be found on our website. https://www.windhorsetours.com/bhutan/travel_information_bhutan_travelinfo.php Toyota Hiace Van or Hyundai...
Days Are all expenses related to the car (gasoline/oil/mechanic) included in the cost of the tour? Is this true?
Yes, all the expenses related to the vehicle; driver, fuels, repairs are in included in Bhutan tour costs.
Days We wish to visit Bhutan in October. We know we will need an Agency such as yours to arrange for the Druk Air flight to Paro (PBH) from one of the Druk Air gateway airports such as Dhaka (DAC), Kolkata (CCU) or Kathmandu (KTM). We are about to purchase tickets from our home overseas to one of these gateway airports for the connection to Druk Air. The Druk Air schedule for October, 2014, shows two flights #KB401 departing KTM for PBH on Thursdays, one leaving KTM at 8:45am, and another leaving KTM at 1300 hours (1pm); is this correct? If we are scheduled to come from overseas and land at KTM at 6:15am, is there likely to be enough time to take the Druk Air flight scheduled to leave KTM at 8:45am (scheduled to land at PBH at 10:20am)? Will there likely be enough time to retrieve our luggage from the incoming flight, pass through any passport controls, customs, immigration, exit, and othe formalities, check in with our luggage at Druk Air, and pass through any security controls and board the 8:45am flight to PBH? We read that in October, KTM often has delays due to morning fog. What is the probability that the scheduled arrivals and departures on an October morning will be delayed due to fog or other weather concerns, and how should that affect visitor planning?
Hello M, Kenn: First of, there is only one flight by Druk Air for this October, which is planned...
Days How can I get to Bhutan? Can I travel overland from India?
You can get to Bhutan by Air from Kathmandu, Dacca, Bangkok, Singapore,Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra and Mumbai. All these...
Days Do I need to get a VISA for Bhutan?
All tourists (except Indian national with valid travel document) need visa to enter Bhutan. Tourists Visas are all processed...
Days Where do I start if I wish to go to Bhutan?
You can start a dialogue with us and we can walk through the steps. Or if you know the...
Days How can I get to Bhutan?
You can get to Bhutan by Air from Katmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Dacca, and Bangkok, Singapore, Guwahati, Bagdogra. All these...
Days Indian Travelers to Bhutan; we are Indian citizens and wish to travel to Bhutan. Do we need a visa and be a part of the organized tour. If it is possible to travel independently, any particular problems that people have faced in attempting such a thing in the past?
If you are an Indian National, either of valid Indian passport or Voter’s card will suffice, Visa is not...
Days Do I need passport size photos for Bhutan Visa?
As per the current policy, it is required to send a digital passport size photo of yours, along with...
Days I will be in Bhutan as part of an official mission, but want to stay some more days as a tourist. Is that possible? Do I have to pay the tourist tariff and pre-arrange? Thanks!
If you want to extend your official mission further on Tourist Visa. In that case, we can arrange all...
Days Transiting in Delhi without Indian visa
Whenever you are in transit in any airport, you don’t need a visa, so long as you are checked...
Days Does the payment can be done directly with Wind Horse Tours or it has to be done through the Bhutanese government?
In order to make process of payment easier, we have formulated a provision where you can send the payment...
Days Do you provide any student discount or have fixed tariff for children under certain age group?
Student discount is subjected to approval by Tourism council of Bhutan after submission of student ID copy and valid...
Days Why is there a fixed cost for travel to Bhutan? And why is it relatively more expensive than neighboring destinations?
The fixed cost that you pay is not just a fee for entry to Bhutan. This cost is a...
Days Can I travel as an individual with a private tour guide to Bhutan?
Yes, you can travel independently, as individual, so long as you have booked tour along with a guide.
Days Can I travel on my own without booking the trip with travel agent in advance?
All tourists to Bhutan must travel in a pre-booked tour package. It is not to censor your movement but...
Days Can I decide on what I see in Bhutan or do I have to go with a planned tour?
You can decide on what you want to see in Bhutan and how you want to see it. You...
Days How can I pay for my tour? What Currency do I have to pay in? Can I use my credit card?
We accept deposit in form of credit card, check, cash or any form. The balance payments for the trip...
Days How safe is the Bank Transfer Deposit? How can I be sure that my money is not lost in some distant account?
All payments for Bhutan are safe. Your payment is transferred to the account of Tourism Council of Bhutan and...
Days I understand that we will have to pay in advance for the whole tour (air and land in Bhutan).
Regarding our cancellation policy etc., let me direct to our website, where you can read through our booking terms...
Days Do I require permits to visit Dzong, monasteries and temples etc. in Bhutan? Who and how is the permit arranged?
While travelling in Bhutan, in addition to the visas, there are immigration permits to visit different regions or towns...
Days What if i had a friend in Bhutan???Am I allowed to stay in his house???Or do i need to stay in hotel
As long as you pay the tourist tariffs, there are no restrictions on where you stay and as long...
Days What are the regulations/fees concerning an American spouse married to a native of India with Indian passport
If you are holding passport other than Indian passport, the same tourist tariff and regulations apply. If you husband...
Days How difficult is to shorten the tour in Bhutan?
Once the tour has begun, there is no refund but in special cases, we will do as humanely as...
Days How difficult is to extend the length of stay in Bhutan (i.e. if we love it so much, want to extend for 3-5 more days)?
It is easy to extend your trip in Bhutan and stay as long as you want, so long as...
Days I have a friend who is native Bhutanese, and I’d like him to be my host and guide. What is the procedure in this instance?
If your friend is willing to be your Guide and is licensed by Department of Tourism to be a...
Days What is the Cancellation policy?
Our cancellations policy: 91 days prior departure, forfeiture of booking deposit ($200 per person) 61-90 days prior to the departure $400...
Days Time difference: Bhutan Standard Time
Bhutan time is six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. It is half-hour ahead of India time and fifteen...
Days Are the first days of December a good time to visit Bhutan?
Yes, first week of December is certainly good time to visit. It is generally marked with clear blue sky...
Days Which time of the year is considered as low season and high season? Is there any cost difference.
In terms of season, Travels from December till February and June till August are considered as low and rest...
Days How do you dress in Bhutan and what kind of dress code is expected of visitors?
One of the unique identities of Bhutan is the national dress that men and women wear. Men wear a...
Days Is February a suitable month to travel to Bhutan? What will be the weather like?
February is fine for travelling. It is great if you don’t mind little cold. The skies much clearer, affording...
Days Where do I exchange my monies in Bhutan after arrival? Is there different rates to exchanging at a Bank and with local Exchanger or in the market? Is there a different value for different denominations?
You can exchange monies upon arrival at the airport and in the banks in Bhutan. You can also exchange...
Days Is Indian currency accepted in Bhutan? What is the exchange rate ?
Although Bhutanese currency Ngultrum is pegged to Indian Rupees, in recent times, the value may not necessarily be the...
Days All of us have credit cards but they are the US style with a magnetic strip – not the European kind with a chip. Where possible, we will use the card(s). We do understand that many small vendors will not accept a card. There will also be small incidental expenses. Thus, can you suggest an amount of cash we should bring and change in to Bhutanese currency when we arrive? Perhaps suggest a range from ____ to ____ (low to high) from your experience with previous clients
For larger purchases like expensive carpets, or Bhutanese traditional dress, some legal artefacts, thangkhas etc. you can use credit...
Days Where do I exchange my monies in Bhutan after arrival? Are there different rates to exchanging at a Bank or local exchanger or in market? Is there a different value for different denominations?
You can change the monies upon arrival at the airport and in the banks in Bhutan. You can also...
Days What is the currency exchange policy in term of currency denomination of US Dollar?
US dollar of denomination of 100 bill/note fetches slightly higher rate than 50 dollar and below denomination. For instance,...
Days How much money do I need to bring after I have paid for my trip? Do I have to carry cash, Travelers’ check or can I use my credit card for shopping in Bhutan? If yes, which credit cards are accepted? What currencies are used? Is India Rupees ok? How and where can I change monies? What denominations?
Bhutanese currency called Ngultrum (Nu), is pegged with Indian rupees (Rs) and is therefore same is value and used...
Days Can we get Bhutanese money once we arrive at the airport? Since the only things we will have to pay are the drinks and the souvenirs, how much money should we take? If we take too much, can we change it back into Indian rupees before leaving Bhutan?
Yes, you can change to local Bhutanese currency at the airport upon arrival in Paro, or at your hotel,...
Days Can I use Indian Rupees in Bhutan?
Yes you can use Indian Rupees notes but avoid Rs.500 notes as they are not accepted by Banks in...
Days When taking Indian currency to Bhutan what denomination of notes we can carry?
You can take all notes like 10’s, 20’s, 50’s and 100’s.Please note that INR 500 notes are not generally...
Days What is the experience of your guides and their English skills?
These are probably the most important questions, since we understand that you will be spending every day with a...
Days I am looking for Bhutanese (Dzongkha) language tape, book; that will allow me to learn a few useful phrases and listen to the language before I travel. Do you know?
Yes there is a Dzongkha course, but it is a full length (3CDs and a book), quite expensive course....
Days Medications, vaccinations, food Safety, precaution medicine, hospitals in Bhutan. What are recommended shots for travel to Bhutan? What are health dos and don’ts? What medications should I bring? If I were to fall sick in Bhutan, where should I go?
Following information is provided in good faith as a guide. You must check with your health care provider, visit...
Days Is there a description of the do’s and don’ts relating to the culture and customs of Bhutan that would be important for us to know. We want to be good guests. All of us have been doing some reading but is there a site or other source you would recommend? I’m sure our guide will coach us on this too.
It’s not viable to write down all the dos and don’ts that generally associate with tradition and culture of...
Days When in Bhutan, can I call home and what is the best way to do so? Are there mobile phone services in Bhutan? What cell phone equipment do I need? Internet facilities in Bhutan.
You can call home using a landline and the best way to do so is to go to a...
Days We want to be seen by the guide and other staff as gracious clients. What would you suggest that each of us should budget for appropriate tips to all staffs?
Depending upon the number of days of trek and the participants, in your case, for above the cloud trek,...
Days What is the education scenario in Bhutan?
The development of comprehensive education system in Bhutan was initiated in 1961. Prior to that there were no modern...
Days Is it OK to bring gift to the local children? What gifts can we take for the local children? What would you recommend?
Undoubtedly, it’s a nice gesture on your part to bring gift for the local children. And it does make...