Getting to Bhutan
Visa Except for citizens of India, Bangladesh, and Maldives, all other nationalities are required to obtain visa clearance before entering Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by a registered Bhutanese tour operator, either directly or through a foreign travel agent. Required documents include a scanned color copy of your passport, a passport photo taken within the last six months, proof of travel insurance for the intended duration, and a visa fee of US $40.
We handle the visa process on your behalf. The processing time typically ranges from 3 to 5 official working days. As long as all the requirements are met, visas for Bhutan are guaranteed. If you are traveling in a group, applications must be processed at the same time and visas will be granted together. The actual visa will be stamped into your passport upon presenting your visa clearance letter at the point of entry.
Sustainable Development Fees (SDF) Bhutan levies a mandatory SDF on all foreign nationals entering the country. As of the last update in August 2023, the fees are USD 100 per night. These fees contribute to a pool of resources that help Bhutan fund its development projects.
Note: The SDF is waived for citizens of three countries – India, Bangladesh, and Maldives, who are only required to pay USD 15 per day.
International Flights Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are the two main airlines operating in Bhutan. Flights to Bhutan connect from various cities, including Kathmandu, Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra, and Bodhgaya. While Druk Air offers regular flights, Bhutan Airlines operates only a few days a week. Due to the limited availability of flights, it is advisable to book in advance. If you need assistance with flight booking, please let us know, and we can make the arrangements for you.
Insurance It is mandatory to have travel insurance before flying to Bhutan. In fact, you are required to submit a copy of your travel insurance covering the trip duration when applying for your visa.
Logistics
Accommodation As the default selection, our itinerary features government-endorsed 3-star hotels. These are clean and hygienic hotels with charming architecture, offering a very comfortable stay accompanied by warm hospitality. Prices for hotels are on a double or twin-sharing basis, which means there will be two people to a room. For families with kids, room allocation depends on your preference and availability. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge.
Accommodation options in Bhutan span a wide range, from traditional farmhouses to luxurious five-star hotels. Options become limited and more basic as we go into the Eastern regions and remote areas. If you wish to book a specific hotel or upgrade to luxury lodging, let us know and we will make the necessary arrangements.
Vehicle We provide comfortable reserved vehicles to drive you around for sightseeing and pick-ups/drop-offs as per the itinerary. The vehicle type (Creta, SUVs, Toyota Hiace, Coaster, etc.) will be allocated depending on the number of people and terrain.
Food Given the nature of travel in Bhutan, all meals are included in the prices. We will have a buffet with a selection of food on most parts of our trip. You will also get to enjoy a variety of local Bhutanese cuisine. Locals love spicy food, but we will tone down the level of spice for you. Feel free to bring along light snacks and energy bars for the days when we go hiking.
For vegetarians and vegans, or if you have any other dietary requirements, please let us at the time of booking so we can make arrangements.
Here’s some insight into the local food. The national dish is Ema Datshi (a spicy mix of chilies, veggies and cheese). Other delicacies to try are red rice served with meat or vegetables, buckwheat pancakes, momos (tibetean-style dumplings with pork or veggies), phak sha laphu (stewed pork with radishes), nor sha huentse (stewed beef dish with spinach), phak sha phin tshoem (pork with rice noodles), etc.
Water Carrying your own water bottle/hydration pack is recommended. It is always best to have a bottle (1.5-2 liters). You can refill your bottle with filtered or bottled drinking water.
Cellular Network For cell service, you can consider purchasing an international calling plan from your home country. If you want to get a local SIM card, it can be brought at the Airport or in the town. Bhutan Telecom is a good option. Please bear in mind that mobile connectivity is good in all major cities, but can be limited in valleys, small towns and remote terrains.
Internet Hotels, shopping malls, as well as cafes and restaurants in larger cities have free wifi. If you have a local sim card or roaming service, you can buy an internet data pack. Both cellular network and internet may be limited in the remote areas.
Toilets While you will find western-style toilets in hotels and some tourist areas, squat toilets are commonly used in most places, especially the countryside and rural areas.
Crew
Guide One lead tour guide and assistant guides (depending on the group size) will accompany you on the trip, all the way from your arrival in Bhutan to departure. All our tour guides speak fluent English, and are highly experienced with an in-depth knowledge of local culture. They are licensed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
Driver As the tour involves a lot of driving, you will be accompanied by a driver most of the time. The vehicle and driver may vary from day to day.
Money
Extra Costs to Expect Most of your expenses are covered when you book the trip. Possible expenses could be extra food and drinks, tipping, laundry and shopping. Make sure you check the price inclusions carefully and plan accordingly.
Currency Bhutan’s currency is called Ngultrum (Nu). Besides, Indian Rupees and US dollars are also widely used in the cities. You can cash travelers cheques at any bank and the foreign exchange counter at the airport. You are advised to exchange currency in advance and carry cash. You can use Ngultrum for small payments and US dollars for big purchases.
ATMS and Credit cards You will find ATMs in large cities, but they do not accept foreign cards. In most areas outside the cities, cash is the only payment option. While city hotels and major stores do offer the choice to pay by credit card, you should note that a substantial fee (3-5%) will be applied on top.
Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills.
For the crew, you are welcome to give some gratuities if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 15 per day for the guides and USD 10 per day for the drivers. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service. Generally, you chip in money as a group and tip the crew on the last day of your trek over dinner.
Emergency Fund Our trips are planned to the last detail. However, there might be unforeseen circumstances arising from factors beyond our control (like political unrest, strikes, bad weather, natural calamities, bad road conditions, airport closures, flight cancellations, etc). For this reason, please set aside USD 500 as reserve fund.
Cancellations and Refund Visa fees, once processed, are non-refundable. Cancellations and refunds will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Any additional costs resulting from flight cancellations/delays, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation, and food, will be the traveler’s responsibility.
Health & Safety
Altitude Sickness The risk of altitude sickness during this tour is very low since all the overnight accommodations are below 3000m/9842ft. Nonetheless, we will take precautions by staying hydrated and ascending gradually. If you experience dizziness or a headache, please contact our guide immediately.
Trail Safety While Bhutan is generally very safe, there is still a possibility of pickpocketing in touristy areas. Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewellery etc or a large sum of cash while travelling for security reasons. Mind your own safety when you are travelling without a guide.
If you have any pre-existing health conditions, kindly let us know when booking.
Drinking Water Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases. Drinking tap water is not advised and we recommend drinking boiled/ filtered or bottled water only.
Immunization The immunizations recommended before for Bhutan are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid fever, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies. There’s no specific checking but it is for your own safety.
Emergency Contacts If you have any issues or emergencies during the trip, please contact the lead guide or anyone from the team. They will help you contact the nearby hospitals, transport, ambulance, police office, army checkpoints, embassy, and even facilitate rescue operations. We will also send you a list of relevant emergency contacts before the trip.
