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Tour Operator
All tourists visiting Bhutan are required to travel through
an authorized tour operator on a pre-planned, pre-paid, guided
package tour. Independent travel is not permitted. The government
stipulates a high minimum all-inclusive entry fee per day.
The tour operator is responsible for all logistical arrangements
during your stay in Bhutan.
Visas
All visas must be processed prior to entering the country.
The necessary formalities are taken care of by your tour operator.
It is advisable to make an application between 3 and 6 weeks
prior to the intended arrival date, depending on the season.
Visas are now granted for the applied period (be it for three
weeks or more) and not just the two weeks as previously. The
stated period will be stamped into the passport and no extention
will be necessary after two weeks. If the clients wish to
extend their stay in Bhutan, once they are in country-then
we will apply for the extention and once approved US$ 20 will
be collected. Upon arrival, you will need three passport-sized
photographs and US$20 in cash.
You
may download a visa application form here.
visaform.pdf (65 k)
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You
may click here to download Acrobat Reader for free.
Arriving/Departing by Air
Most tourists arrive and depart Bhutan by air. Unless you
are an Indian national, you are required to either enter or
exit through the country's only airport at Paro. The only
airline flying to Bhutan is
Druk Air, the national flag carrier. They operate a fleet
of two 72 seat BAe 146-100 aircraft, running a regular service
from Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkota, Dhaka and Katmandu. Schedules
vary between seasons, and there may also be extra flights
during peak tourist periods. Prices are fixed and payable
in US$. It is advisable to arrange your bookings through your
tour operator. For Druk Air Flight Schedule Click
Here.
Arriving/Departing by Land
The only land entry point for tourists is through Phuentsholing,
on the southwestern border with India. If special arrangements
are made it may be possible to exit via Samdrup Jongkhar in
the east.
Customs
Customs officials are very courteous and rarely open a tourist's
baggage. On arrival you complete a customs declaration form.
The main purpose is to ensure that anything brought into the
country is re-exported. It is important that this form is
produced on departure. The export of antiques and wildlife
products is strictly prohibited.
Taxes & Permits
The airport tax on departure from Paro is Nu. 300 (approx.
US$8). You can expect to pay no other taxes during your stay.
All areas outside Thimphu and Paro valleys require travel
permits. It is your tour operator's responsibility to make
the necessary arrangements. Tourist entrance to most dzong
courtyards is allowed however the inner temples are generally
closed to tourists.
Getting Around the Country
The only ways to travel within Bhutan are by road or by foot.
There is a basic road network that loosely connects the country.
Because of the mountainous terrain, these roads are single-lane
and very winding, and travel speeds are relatively slow. Your
tour operator is responsible for arranging all necessary vehicles.
Most of the country can only be accessed on foot. There is
a widespread system of trails, most of which are well used
and maintained. The walking in Bhutan's mountainous landscape
is generally quite strenuous, particularly when crossing the
numerous passes that divide the country from east to west.
Driving
Distances, Times, Temperatures, and Seasons
For
an overview of driving distances and times, temperatures,
and seasons in Bhutan, click here. (Adobe
Acrobat .pdf
- 52k)
Please
contact us for more detailed information.
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