India Faqs

As Sikkim and Darjeeling Border with Nepal, China Bhutan and close-by to Bangladesh. How safe is it?

Sikkim is the safest state  in India.As there had been no record of political turmoil, anti social or anti national activities  even though it shares border with Nepal, China & Bhutan. On other hand, Darjeeling had seen some internal
political turmoil in past, but tourists were never bothered on these grounds. Now, things are much better from tourism perspective and back to normal even after Covid lockdown.

Foreigners can’t visit Nathula pass, they can only visit upto Tsongo lake which is just 12 km before the pass. Similarly, foreigners are not allowed to visit the Gurudongmar lake area, although permits for trek to Green lake in the same area can be arranged

Foreign diplomats, United Nations officials and members of International organisations needs to obtain their permit from the Ministry of External Affairs at New Delhi. They cannot apply directly to any of above offices who have no authorization to grant them Inner line Permit in any cases.

Is it mandatory to hire local English speaking guide if I book one of your tour for Indian Tourists? Do the drivers speak Hindi in Darjeeling and Sikkim?

No, hiring guide on tour for Domestic Indian Tourist is totally on their own preference. As your driver will be communicating with you in Hindi, he can easily provide you all the information which you want to know.However we recommend to have a guide for they are well trained in their trade, linguists and indept local knowledge.

You can provide any of the following documents:

1.Pass Port 2- Ration Card 3 – Voter Card 4 Adhar Cards and 4 pass port size photos is required. For Children Birth Certificate and 4 pass port size photo is required.

No, to get restricted area permit you can’t use PAN card as it has no address of yours shown on it.

For restricted area permit you need 4 pictures each for Nathula/Tsangu lake trip and North Sikkim trip. You also need photocopy of Photo Identity card with your address mention on it.

No, Indian nationals don’t need permit to visit Sikkim however few places in Sikkim are restricted to them which includes entire North Sikkim ,Tsangu lake and Nathula pass. For which they have to apply for restricted area permit which is arranged by registered travel agent in Sikkim only.

Yes, night view is allowed between 20:30 to 00:30 hour only and the duration of visit is 30 minutes. The maximum no. of people allowed are 400, divided in 8 batches of 50 people each.

If you need to cancel or postpone your Bhutan trip, the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is refundable in accordance with Bhutan government regulations.

Flights into Bhutan can be changed or cancelled subject to the fare rules and conditions set by Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines. If changes are made 30 days or more before departure, postponements are generally possible with a modest airline change fee (typically starting from around USD 50, depending on the ticket type).

For all other land arrangements, Wind Horse Tours follows its standard booking and cancellation policy, which is outlined clearly in our booking terms and conditions on our website.

We always aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible and will assist you through the process should your plans change.

Wind Horse owns a dedicated fleet in Bhutan, ranging from private cars and luxury SUVs to vans and small coaches. Because we own our vehicles, we can guarantee high maintenance standards and availability, even during peak seasons when rentals are scarce.

Hotels: While we previously owned hotels, we moved away from hotel management post-COVID. This allows us to be 100% objective—we are no longer limited to our own properties and can hand-pick the finest based solely on your preferences and budget.

1. B0oking & Payment Schedule

• Deposit: A USD 200 per person, non-refundable deposit is required to initiate reservations.
• Final Balance: The remaining balance is due 70 days prior to departure.
• Last-Minute Bookings: For trips booked close to departure, full payment is required once availability is confirmed.

Please note that certain hotels, chartered flights, or flights during peak or special periods may carry separate booking and cancellation conditions. Any such exceptions will be clearly communicated at the time of booking.

2. Flexible Cancellation & Refund Policy

We understand that plans can change. Wind Horse offers one of the most traveler-friendly cancellation policies in the region:

• 91+ days before travel: Only the USD 200 deposit is forfeited. In most cases, this deposit may be transferred to a future trip.
• 61–90 days before travel: Cancellation fee of USD 400 per person or 25% of the total trip cost, whichever is higher.
• 31–60 days before travel: 50% of the total trip cost applies.
• Within 30 days of departure: No refunds are available for the land portion, as payments have already been committed to hotels and local partners.

3. The Wind Horse “SDF Guarantee”

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a government levy (currently USD 100 per night). Unlike most operators, Wind Horse works directly with the Bhutanese Department of Immigration to secure refunds for any unused SDF nights if you must cancel or shorten your trip.

4. Airline Refund Policy

If flights (International or domestic flights) are booked through Wind Horse, airline cancellation rules and penalties apply. We will handle all coordination with the airline and process any eligible refunds promptly.

5. Payment Methods
We offer several secure payment options:

• Wire Transfer: The most common method. Funds can be wired to our US office or directly to our banks in Bhutan, India, or Nepal.
• Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted for deposits with no processing fee. Final balance payments by card incur a 4% fee for US cards and 5% for non-US cards.
• Checks & Domestic Payments: North American clients may pay by personal check (US banks only), Zelle, or other approved methods through our Minneapolis office without any fees.

For the best experience, we recommend booking 9 months to a year in advance if you plan to travel during the peak seasons: Spring (March–May) or Autumn (September–November). This is especially critical if your dates coincide with or fall near a major festival.

Why such a long lead time?
Bhutan has a very limited tourism infrastructure compared to other destinations, and the best options sell out quickly.

Limited Flight Capacity: Bhutan is served by only two airlines (Drukair and Bhutan Airlines), each operating a small fleet of international aircraft.
Internal flights are even more restricted, often operated by a single ATR aircraft with fewer than 40–50 seats. During peak months, these seats are often the first to disappear.

Hotels: Many of the most highly-regarded hotels are small, in some cases with fewer than 20 rooms. If you have your heart set on good hotels, you must book early to secure your spot.

The Advantage of Booking Early
If you are sure you want to visit, there is every reason to book as soon as possible. Even if your plans aren’t 100% finalized, booking early provides a safety net:

Risk-Free Booking: You can “lock in” your flights and preferred hotels now and still have the flexibility to cancel up to 3 months before your trip. In most cases, there are hardly any cancellation charges (check with us on the minimal cancellation fees imposed by the airline and the hotels)

Off-Peak  Season: For travel during non-peak periods, booking 3–4 months in advance is usually sufficient. and we have have even managed to arrange successful “last-minute” trips in as little as 10 days.  Do not hesitate to contact us and we will try our best make your visit successful

The Bottom Line: If you want the best rooms and the most convenient flight times for 2026 or 2027, the earlier you book, the better. Whichever country you may be travelling to  (Bhutan, Nepal, India or Tibet), the same logic apply.

Travel insurance is not mandatory for trips operated by Wind Horse Tours to Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, or India. However, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance—especially if your itinerary includes trekking or travel to remote areas.

Your policy should include coverage for medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip interruption, and unforeseen delays, as these can be costly without insurance.

Absolutely! Solo travelers are always welcome at Wind Horse. We offer two flexible ways for you to join a group, share costs, and meet like-minded travelers.

1. Fixed Departure Small Group Journeys
   We offer a curated selection of “Fixed Departure Small Group” dates for our most popular treks and cultural tours. These are pre-scheduled dates designed specifically for solo travelers and couples who want to join a larger team. To ensure a personal experience and minimize our footprint on local communities, we cap these groups at just 9 participants (unless otherwise specified). These trips are led by our most senior guides and offer a structured, social way to explore Bhutan.
2. “Join-In” Groups (Private Open Groups)
   If our Fixed Departure dates don’t align with your specific schedule, we can create a “Join-In” Group just for you. You choose your own travel dates and itinerary. Once your plan is set, we post your trip on our website as an “Open Group” for others to join.
   Even if no one else joins, we guarantee your trip will run as a private tour. You won’t have to worry about a cancellation just because you are solo. If other travelers do join in, you get to share the experience and reduce the overall cost of your trip.

Plan Early for Join-Ins: If you want others to join your custom dates, we recommend setting your itinerary 6–9 months in advance. This gives us the best window to find the perfect travel companions for you!

Choosing a tour operator in the Himalayas is about reliability, accountability, and local expertise—not just price or a good website.

Wind Horse Tours has been trusted by travelers since 1998, making us one of the longest-established, locally founded operators in the region. Founded by local guides, we have successfully guided thousands of travelers through decades of policy changes, logistical challenges, and evolving travel regulations.

Why travelers choose Wind Horse:

• Over 25 Years of Proven Experience: We have firsthand experience navigating everything from changing visa rules to weather disruptions and complex logistics.
• Direct Local Presence: We operate with our own offices and staff in Bhutan (Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing) and across the Himalayas—your trip is never outsourced to unknown third parties.
• Travelers Designing Trips for Travelers: As experienced world travelers ourselves, we bring a genuine understanding of travel—its challenges, comforts, and small details that make a journey smooth and rewarding.
• 24/7 Support Across Time Zones: From planning at home to travel on the ground, someone from the Wind Horse team is always available.
• Financial Transparency & Refund Support: If plans change or trips are shortened, we assist directly with authorities, hotels or airlines to secure eligible refunds whenever possible.
• Senior Guides & Safe Drivers: We work only with highly experienced guides and drivers known for their safety, cultural depth, and genuine care.
• Personalized Service: You work with dedicated advisors who treat your trip as if it were their own—not a booking number.
• Verified Track Record: Our unedited reviews consistently highlight peace of mind, organization, and trust.

In short: we combine local ownership, decades of experience, and the perspective of seasoned travelers to ensure your journey is safe, smooth, and deeply rewarding.