Booking the Tour

VISA

Passport

Druk Air Fares

Financial Security

Tour Escorts

Food

Money

Clothing

What to pack

Photography

Filming Regulations

Filming Royalty

Medical & Health

Travel Insurance

Single Room Supplement

Alteration of itineraries

Customs and Regulation

Accommodation

Distance & driving time between various places in Bhutan

Climate & Average Temperature of Major Towns

Booking the Tour

All Foreign National Tourists visiting Bhutan must travel through all-inclusive package Tours, for which there is a fixed tariff set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This Tariff includes the services of accommodation, Meals, Transportation within the country, Guide services, sightseeing and entrance fees for the museums and monuments.

1.       All Tours must be booked through a Local Tour Operator/Travel Agent such as Bhutan Vedic Tours and Treks and entire Land arrangements will be made by the same Agent.

2.       For Clients traveling in peak seasons and Festival time, it is necessary to book the Tour at least 2 ½ months in advance. Festivals held in autumn and spring are peak time fort tourists and without early reservation it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.

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VISA

• Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it is processed in Thimphu through a local tour operator such as Bhutan Vedic Tours ad Treks. No foreign missions/embassies abroad grants tourist visa.
• All passport details should be forwarded to the agent at least 1 month prior to date of travel for visa processing.
• Actual visa is stamped only on arrival in Bhutan with the support of visa clearance, which will be sent to you in advance.
• For all Travelers, entering Bhutan via Druk Air, Visa clearance number is forwarded to the concerned overseas Druk Air Stations and without this clearance number the passengers are not allowed to board the flight.
• For Travelers entering the country by surface through Phuentsholing (The border town in the southern Bhutan), Visa Clearance number is forwarded to the Local authority and the actual visa is stamped on arrival. Two copies of original passport size photographs are required on arrival.
• Visa fee is US $ 20 per person payable on arrival in addition to the package cost.

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The Tourists wishing to visit Bhutan should furnish us with the following details to process the visa:

Download Visa form

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PASSPORT

A valid passport is required for all nationals except Indians.

Druk Air Fares
Please contact us for the Druk Air schedule and Air Fares or visit  www.drukair.com.bt

Tour payment

All Tour Payments must be settled one month in advance of commencement of Tour to clear the Visa and other necessary documents. The Tour booking will be confirmed only after we receive 100% of the Tour payment.

Please deposit/Transfer the Tour payment to the account of BHUTAN NATIONAL BANK (BNB), Thimphu at:

Note: A copy of Bank Transfer Receipt should be faxed to us.

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Financial Security

A member of Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators, Bhutan Vedic Tours and Treks operates under the license issued by the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan. The Department of Tourism’s role is to regulate the Tourism industry, in particular to frame policy directives, which will ensure the Industry’s healthy growth. As a rule, all monetary transactions are approved by the Department for release only after the Tour is completed and the standards are met. As such, there is no risk involved while booking your Tours.

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Tour Escorts

All our Tours are escorted by well trained, knowledgeable guides, certified by the Department of Tourism.  All the guides speak English but Japanese, French and German speaking guides can be provided with prior information and on additional cost.

Food

Bhutanese Delicacies are limited with spicy Chillies and Cheese. However you will be served a Buffet of continental food with some local dishes too. On Treks, our trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western tastes ranging from continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.

Money

Bhutanese unit of currency is the Ngultrum. 1Nu. = 100 Chetrum. The Ngultrum is at par with the Indian Rupee. for more updated rate  http://www.rma.org.bt

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Clothing

Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. From May to Sep. cotton clothes are sufficient, plus a woolen sweater or light jacket. From November to the end of April, you will need very warm clothes including long underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, and down jacket or coat. During visit to the monasteries, Dzongs and other religious institution, you should not wear shorts, hats and should be properly dressed.

What to pack

Clothes as per season, sunglasses/spare glasses or contact lenses, pair of casual shoes, washing kit, shaving kit, towel, hat, umbrella, camera, film and accessories, maps, insect repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit & safety pins, torch or flash light with spare batteries, mirror, sun screen cream, lip salve or soluble aspirin, antiseptic cream, preparation for the relief of sunburn. You may not be tuned to the Asian drugs so it is always better to bring own brand.

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Photography

The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. If you wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc. You can always ask by gesture, if it’s ok to take pictures. Also while visiting Dzongs, monasteries, and religious institutions; please follow your guide’s instruction carefully. Photography inside the Dzongs and monuments are not allowed. Although films and batteries are available locally, it is best to bring it yourself.

Filming Regulations

The rules and rates for filming in Bhutan differ from that of normal treks and tours. Tourists or professionals intent on filming in Bhutan must abide by the Bhutanese Filing Regulations, 1995, available with the implementing agency, the Department of Tourism. Applications for a filming permit must be submitted to the Department of Tourism.

1.       Synopsis of the film ~ theme/background/objective/purpose.

2.       Specific locations/objects/activities.

3.       Composition of the team and list of equipment, accessories/ consumables (members of the team will have to pay the full daily tourist tariff).

Letter of recommendation from sponsoring agency (application forms can be obtained from the DOT on payment of Nu/300.00)
at least 30 days in advance.

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Filming Royalty

1. First 30 Minutes or part thereof ~ US $10,000
2. Next 30 Minutes or part thereof ~ US $6,000
3. Every additional 30 Minutes or part there of US $3,000

In addition a security deposit of US $5,000 must be deposited with the DOT. This deposit will be refunded upon completion of the film to the satisfaction of the DOT.

Medical & Health

Anyone who enjoys out door life and is physically fit can participate on our treks and tours. How ever some treks maybe rigorous and difficult because of high altitude and therefore a good training of fitness for at least a month at home is required for treks going to an altitude in excess of 4000 mts/1500 ft. there are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Bhutan or within the continent. However it is recommended that you be protected against Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Malaria, especially if you are traveling out of Bhutan. If you have heart condition, please check with the doctor to ensure that it is ok to undertake high altitude treks.

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Travel Insurance

The costs that we offer do not cover your Travel Insurance. It is imperative that you have full comprehensive insurance cover to protect against unforeseen accidents and mishaps. Such policies are not available in Bhutan. It should adequately cover baggage and travel delays etc. and helicopter evacuation, transportation and medical assistance incase of treks.

Single Room Supplement

Rooms and Tent camp accommodations are provided on double occupancy basis. If you wish to reserve a single tent or Hotel room, an additional surcharge of US$ 20 is applicable per person per night.

Alteration of itineraries

Bhutan Vedic Tours and Treks reserves the right to modify or alter many trip itineraries due to circumstances beyond our control such as Flight cancellation, weather condition or restrictions etc.

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Customs & Regulations

The Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibit the export of any religious Antiquity or antiques of any type. All personal electronics, Cameras, Video Cameras, Computers and personal electronic equipment may be brought into the country but they must be listed on the customs form provided on arrival at Paro and will be checked on departure. Two liters of Alcohol  may be brought in to the country without duty. However 100% tax is levied on any Tobacco Products.

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Accommodation

There are comfortable hotel and lodges at all tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in central and eastern part of the country, accommodation establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities.

Distance & driving time between various places in Bhutan

All mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor vehicle as there is no domestic airline or trains. However, motor roads are well maintained and link all parts of the country. The mountainous terrain and winding roads restrict the average driving speed of vehicle to less than 35 kilometers per hour.

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Climate & Average Temperature of Major Towns

The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general, the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country. The central valley of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntse enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Trongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow fall in winter. Winter in Bhutan starts from mid-November till mid-March, and at this time of the year the climate is dry with day time temperature of 16-18° C and night time temperature falling below zero. The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings. Autumn starts from the end of September, after the last of the big rains, and it is a magnificent season for trekking-lasting till mid-November.