TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Sustainable development fee
The Royal Government of Bhutan has set a sustainable development fee of USD 200 per person per day, which must be paid prior to issuing a visa. This fee goes towards the government fund to help develop Bhutan, preserve its rich natural and cultural heritage and also be able to provide free education and health care to all the Bhutanese citizens.
Exemption and Concessionary Levy
Subject to any conditions specified in the Rules, the Competent Authority may provide for an exemption or concessionary levy rate on the applicable Sustainable Development Fee:
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Day tourists who do not travel beyond the first designated point are exempt.
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Children aged 5 and under are exempt.
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Concessionary levy of 50% for children aged 6 to 12 years.
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Other exemptions or levy rates that may be deemed necessary.
Visa Fee & Required Documentation
A passport copy is required. The passport must be valid for six months from the intended date of departure from the Kingdom.
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Travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip.
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A recent passport size photograph.
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The visa fee is USD 40 per person and it is non-refundable. While the process to issue the visa is usually quick, the visa can take up to five working days to process.
Monument fees shall be applicable for the temples/Fortress/parks etc as per the policy of the government.
Area: 38,394 sq.km | State Religion: Mahayana Buddhism |
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Population: 7,91,131 (2017) | National Tree: Cypress |
Official Language: Dzongkha | National Flower: Blue Poppy |
Currency: Ngultrum (Nu) | National Bird: Raven |
Capital: Thimphu | National Animal: Takin |
Country Code: 975 | National Butterfly: Ludlow’s Bhutan Swallowtail |
Local Time: 6 hrs ahead of GMT | National Sport: Archery |
TRAVEL BY AIR
The country has only one international airport that caters to the needs of visitors. The international airport at Paro is located at a height of 7,300 ft above sea level and is surrounded by mountains and hills as high as 16,000 ft. There are flights to destinations that include Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai. The flight between Paro and Kathmandu is one of the most exciting ones as the aircraft passes over four of the five highest mountains in the world. In fine weather, as you soar higher up, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga at their best. And there are domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan.
Two carriers operate to Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines.