 Getting to Bhutan
By air
Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline is the only airline service in the country. The airport is in Paro. During monsoons and winter, unpredictable weather can delay flights and travellers should consider allowing an extra day in their itinerary for this eventuality.
By road
The nearest Indian airport is in Bagdora, which can be reached by plane from Calcutta and Delhi. The road from Bagdora connects to Phuentsholing, a border town in Bhutan. It is a 3-4 hour drive from the airport. It takes approximately 6 hours from Phuentsholing to Thimphu (capital city) or Paro (airport).
Visas
Visas are obtained by your local Bhutanese tour operator and must be confirmed before departure for Bhutan. Tickets for Druk Air cannot be purchased without visa clearance, which is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu. The actual visa is stamped on arrival in Bhutan, while the visa is cleared in advance and a visa clearance number is issued. Visa extensions can be obtained in Thimphu.
It is important to note that visas cannot be obtained at Bhutanese embassies.
Tourist tariff
The international tourist tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is valid for all-inclusive packages. The tariffs for tourists visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
Peak season - US$200.00 per day:
Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/May/Jun/Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec
Low season - US$165.00 per day:
Jul/Aug
These rates are the same for cultural tours, treks or any other special interest tours.
Tourist entitlements
The above minimum daily tariff/package rates are inclusive of the following services:
1. Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis
2. All transfers and sightseeing within Bhutan
3. The services of an accompanying guide
4. All meals
5. 35% royalty and taxes payable to the Bhutanese government
6. Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
7. Access fees for temples and monuments in Bhutan
The rates given above are applicable per tourist, per night’s stay in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local agent’s obligations shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable as required.
The rates apply uniformly, irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. These accommodation establishments shall be approved by the Tourism Authority of Bhutan (TAB).
Tariff for individual and small groups (FIT)
Individual tourist and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge as follows:
Single individual: US$40.00 per night stay
Group of 2: US$ 30 per person, per night stay
These FIT surcharges are net payable. All tourists are required to pay an additional US$10.00 per visit as a Tourism development contribution.
Discounts on the tourist tariff
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Diplomats from foreign embassies / missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount on the daily rates.
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There shall be no charge for children up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the ages of 6-12 years, accompanied by parent or guardian shall be given a 40% discount on the daily rate.
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Full-time students below the age of 25 years, holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions shall be given a 25% discount on daily rates.
Excluded from the price of tours
- Druk Air airfare US$ for airport tax
- Tourism Development Fund (US$10.00 per visit)
- Visa Fees (US$20.00)
- Excess baggage and Airport Tax (US$10.00)
- Personal items – e.g. laundry and toiletries
- International air fare
- Medical, evacuation and Trip Cancellation Insurance
Cancellation
Trips can be cancelled at any time without obligation.
A cancellation fee for tours booked, paid for and later cancelled (plus additional wire-transfer fees) applies.
The penalty charges for the land cost are as follows:
- 45 days or more prior to the planned arrival date in Bhutan – no penalty
- 30-22 days prior to the planned arrival date in Bhutan – 20% penalty
- 15-21 days prior to the planned arrival date in Bhutan – 30% penalty
- 14-7 days prior to the planned arrival date in Bhutan – 50% penalty
- Less that 7 days prior to arrival or after arrival in Bhutan (or without notice) – no refund
- Druk Air tickets once confirmed and purchased are not refundable
- Passengers who fail to show up for a flight will not be eligible for a refund
- Lost tickets are non-refundable
Passengers who reschedule their flights will be subject to the following rebooking fees:
- 48 hours before departure: US$11.00
- 24 hours before departure: US$33.00
Due to the limited availability of Druk Air seating and the nature of travel to Bhutan, tour operators cannot vary from this standard cancellation policy on confirmed and issued Druk Air tickets, regardless of the guest’s situation. They strongly recommended the purchase of trip cancellation and trip-related insurance upon booking a tour programme.
Delayed arrival / departure
There shall be no fixed charge for the number of days of delay in arrival of visitors due to weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks, except for minimum charge on hotel cancellation, transport and guide.
There shall be no charges for the number of days of delay in departure of visitors due to the weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks. They will be charged only the actual expenses on accommodation, food transport and any other services required.
Single room supplements
The quoted package rates are valid for accommodation on a twin sharing basis and the following supplements will be applicable in case of single room accommodation:
Festival Season: US$50.00 per night
Other Season: US$25.00 per night
Remittance of tour payment
Tour payment must be settled one month prior to the date of arrival in Bhutan and VISA is cleared by the government subject to advance payment only. For high seasons (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec) it is advisable to remit payment for Druk Air flights 3 months in advance. This will help in getting your seats confirmed and secured. |