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:

• Day tourists who do not travel beyond the first designated point are exempt.

• Children aged 5 and under are exempt.

• Concessionary levy of 50% for children aged 6 to 12 years.

• 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.

• Travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip.

• A recent passport size photograph.

• 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.

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.

TRAVEL BY LAND

Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are the only land border areas open to tourists. The town of Phuentsholing in south-west is located approximately 170 km east of the Indian airport at Bagdogra. After crossing Phuentsholing, you begin your journey to Thimphu, the capital city with a travel time of about six hours for the 170 km stretch. Gelephu in south-central Bhutan is another entry point to Bhutan. It is approximately 250 kms from Thimphu and the journey will take you through the sub-tropical areas of Bhutan before entering the alpine zone and then finally into Thimphu.

One will have to traverse across three districts and the travel time will be about ten hours. The district of Samdrup Jongkhar in south-east Bhutan borders the Indian district of Darranga, Assam and is approximately 150 kms away from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. The journey from Guwahati is about three hours.

Tourists entering Bhutan through Samdrup Jongkhar will take you to Trashigang and from there over the lateral route to Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa, Wangdue Phodrang and then finally into capital, Thimphu. The distance is about 700 kms and will take you a minimum of three days to reach Thimphu.

SEASONS

Bhutan has a season for everyone. The kingdom stretches across three climate zones – from the sub-tropical jungles in the south, to the moderate heights of 2000–2500 meters in the centre, and up to the alpine world of the towering Himalayas. Temperatures in the central valleys do not normally exceed 30°C in the summer and in the winter around 15°C during the day.

Spring is a botanist’s delight as rhododendrons, wild azaleas, and masses of wildflowers, including the edelweiss, cover the meadows like a carpet. Pear and apple blossoms add a dainty touch to the valleys as their pink and white blooms add a sense of new wonder to the land.

Summer is an abundant time of the year as flowers are in bloom and valleys are covered in green. Weeping willows sweep the banks of many of the rivers and the pine cones glisten in the sun, so full with resin they are ready to plummet to the ground.

Autumn casts a bright golden glow on the vast landscape. The rice fields ripen to a golden brown under crisp blue skies. The merry pink and white of cosmos flowers dot the countryside.

Winter has also its moments. The days are full of sunshine while evenings can turn chilly. Soft turfs of clouds drape lazily over mountain tops as if waiting for new life to blow it across the landscape.

LANGUAGE

You will get by comfortably if you speak English, as the language is taught in schools in Bhutan. The national language, Dzongkha, is widely used and Bhutanese are generally multi-lingual, speaking Dzongkha, Hindi and Nepali. Many children, even in the rural areas, tend to walk up to visitors, wave and say “hello” or “good morning”.

The Bhutanese are always thrilled when they meet visitors who try to speak their language. Though all licensed guides speak English, visitors can also request services of licensed language guides like German, Japanese, Spanish, etc.

TREKKING AND ADVENTURE

Trekking in Bhutan is a unique experience. The variety of treks range from a simple 3-day trek from the district of Thimphu to Paro (and vice versa), to the legendary 25-day Snowman’s Trek that takes veteran trekkers through some of the most exquisite spots in the country. The Snowman’s Trek is also labeled the world’s toughest trek as it goes over 12 mountain passes, all of them over 4,500m.

Almost all the treks offer a combination of natural discovery and an insight into the country’s delicate and unique daily life. Many of the trails take walkers past remote and ancient monasteries, through deep forests, and close to villages. The trails pass grasslands and pastures for livestock, and meadows of wild flowers, butterflies, and grazing animals. Trekkers often get to see blue sheep, takin, and a variety of bird life including wild pheasants.

Bhutan’s treks are also famous for the majestic views of the Himalayan peaks that provide a sense of awe and wonder and a point of contemplation for trekkers along the way.

TRAVEL TIPS

Visa

With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors to Bhutan need a visa. Visas are issued only after a confirmed booking through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator has been made.

Currency

The Ngultrum (Nu) is at par with the Indian Rupee and 1 US dollar is approximately Nu. 82. Foreign currencies can be changed at the airport and from the banks. ATM and banks accept Visa International and MasterCard. Currently, most business outlets in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa, Bumthang, Monggar, Trashigang and Phuentsholing have point-of-sale terminals.

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 the warmth and comfort of the hotels. Similarly, the ambience and hospitality offered by the hotels are incredible.

Dining out

Most of the restaurants serve Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines in addition to other international cuisines. Bhutanese dishes are available in all the restaurants and Ema Datshi – a cheese and chilly dish is popular among Bhutanese and visitors. All Bhutanese dishes use an abundance of chilli so do order according to your palette strength! Besides the locally produced beer and whisky, the local brew, Ara that is distilled from rice, barley or wheat is also popular.

Shopping

Bhutan is popular for its textiles, cane and bamboo products. There are a lot of shops and emporiums that sell handwoven Bhutanese textiles, handicrafts, thankas, jewellery, antiques, organic herbal products which the Bhutanese use for a variety of purposes.

Telecommunications

Bhutan is well connected and virtually every town has good telecommunication services. Internet cafes are available almost everywhere. Cell phones can also be used in most places around the country. Sim cards are available at the airport and in most shops.