Travel Documents (Visa & Passport)
It is mandatory for all tourists (other than Indian, Bangladeshi & Maldivian nationalities) to obtain a Bhutan visa clearance before travelling to Bhutan. The Bhutan visa has to be processed via a government approved travel agency.
Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent or representative.
You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Passports must have a minimum validity of 6 months or more. Travellers are requested to travel using the same passport on which the Bhutan visa is stamped
Daily Tariff
The tourism tariff for tourists traveling to Bhutan is set by the Royal Government and the Tourism council of Bhutan and has been fixed as follows:
– For Peak Season (Mar/Apr/May/Sept/Oct & Nov: Land cost: US$ 250 per person per night (excluding FIT surcharges).
– For Off Season (Jan/Feb/Jun/Jul/Aug & Dec: Land cost: US$ 200 per person per night (excluding FIT surcharges).
Bhutan visa fee: US$ 40 Per person
Individual (FIT) Surcharge will be applicable for a group size of less than 3 person as follows:
– US$ 40 Per night for a single person group and
– US$ 30 per person per night for a 2 person group.
– The surcharge will not be applicable to a group size of 3 person or more.
Accommodation
A wide variety of accommodation is available ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to cozy little hotels and homestays in traditional Bhutanese homes and settings. Visitors can be assured of their warmth and comfort of the hotels. Similarly, the ambience and hospitality offered by the hotels are incredible.
The types of accommodations can be divided into: Hotels, Resorts, Farm-stays, and Home-stays.
Additionally visitors embarking on long treks will be provided with tents and whatever other camping equipment is deemed necessary. Regardless of where they stay, visitors can be assured of their comfort and traditional Bhutanese hospitality.
What’s Included In The Tour?
– Government Fees, Royalty & Taxes.
– Bhutan Visa.
– Tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
– Standard hotel room (Twin/double bed) for 5 Nights.
– All meals (Breakfast/Lunch & Dinner) at a local restaurant or hotel.
– SUV Car, Mini Van or Bus with driver throughout your stay.
– Experienced tour guide.
– Sights & entrance fees as per the itinerary.
– Bottled water.
What’s Not Included In The Tour?
– Travel insurance.
– Costs for extra activities
– Personal drinks & beverages
– Additional hotel facilities like laundry, personal calls etc.
– Airfare
– Single room supplement: US$ 20 per room per night.
Cancellations
– Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to charges as follows:
– before 30 days or more of start of program~ no charges.
– 50% cancellation charges will be applicable if a tour gets cancelled between 30 – 10 days of start of tour program.
– 100% cancellation charges will applicable if a tour gets cancelled within 10 days or less of start of tour program.
Tour Guides
In order to ensure that visitors receive high quality, professional service every guide must complete a training course. Guides are trained to specialize in either cultural or adventure tours. Many guides complete language courses in German, Japanese, Thai and other languages so that they can easily communicate with guests and all are proficient in English. We employ only registered and certified guides.
Tipping
For trekking you need to tip cooks and horsemen inclusive of the guide. Tip should also be given to the driver.
We recommend the below total tips for the cook, horsemen crew and guide for based on entire trip.
| Short trek 4 nights or less | total US$30 for the cook and total US$20 for the horsementotal US$50 for the guide |
| Longer trek 5 night or more | total US$40 for the cook and total US$30 for the horsementotal US$70 for the guide |
| 15 days or more | total US$50 for the cook and total US$40 for the horsementotal US$80 for the guide |
(if you are satisfied with the excellent services provided by the team you are always welcome to show your appreciation by rewarding them more)
Tipping for Others
Tipping is generally only for your guide & driver, hotel porters, and trekking crew, as for the rest tipping is generally discouraged. For accompanied children, please do not include them in the tipping formula.
Tipping is US$5 per person per day. This is only for your guide and driver.
Surcharges
Tourists travelling in a group of two (2) persons or less shall be subject to a surcharge, in addition to the minimum daily package rates.
These are as follows:
– Single individual – US$ 40 per night
– Group of 2 persons only – US$ 30 per person per night
NOTE: The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.
