FAQs

Visitors must book through a tour operator abroad or contact Sacred Himalaya Travel directly. Tour to Bhutan is pre-planned, prepaid and an escorted tour. Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) sets a minimum selling standard price for Bhutan and this must be paid in $USD. It is required to pay prior to arrival in Bhutan

Entering Bhutan

By Air: You can fly into Paro International airport by > Druk Air: www.drukair.com.bt or Bhutan Airlines: www.bhutanairlines.bt.The current operation sector are Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Baghdogra.

By Land: The entry point by land is from Phuntsholing, the southern border of Bhutan to West Bengal, India. The nearest International Airport is Bagdogra. To the South Gelephug and to East Samdrup Jongkhar, border to the Indian state of Assam. Nearest International Airport is Guwahati.

Visa information

All tourists except Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator. You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.

At your point of entry, you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.

Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a visa at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6-month validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)). Now your travel agent can make permit prior to your arrival also.

Cancellation policies

Cancellation must be notified in writing, you can either email us your cancellation notice. Tour programs booked and subsequently canceled shall be subject to cancellation charges.

• 4 Weeks prior to arrival: free of cost.
• 3 weeks prior to arrival: $500 (advance deposit) of the total cost.
• 2 weeks prior to arrival: 50% of original tour cost.
• Within 1 week: 100 % of the cost.
• In addition to the above, USD 200 will be deducted as administrative charges for cancellation of any confirmed tours.

Please note that our cancellation policies apply in every instance. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you purchase Travel INSURANCE.

Currency

Bhutanese currency is called Ngultrum (abbrev. Nu.) which is divided into 100 Cheltrum. Banknotes come in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 Ngultrum. One Ngultrum is equivalent to one Indian Rupee. Exchange to $ 1 is Nu 65 to Nu 66 Approx.

Please Note: Not all Master Card / Visa can be used to withdraw money from local ATMs.

Mode of payment

Tour payment must be deposited by wire transfer at least 60 days prior to arrival in Bhutan. Bank account number and address will be advised. Without the advance payment, your visa for Bhutan will not be approved by the authority.

Accomodation

Bhutan is a remote, unique and a beautiful country, only recently emerging from isolation. With the package cost, we provide 3-star Hotel which is our standard. With an additional cost, you can be upgraded to international standard luxury hotels. Farmhouse stay is arranged on request.

Climate

For specific information log on to: http://www.weatherforecastmap.com/bhutan/

It is hard to generalize about Bhutan’s weather since the mountain climate varies enormously from one region to another. It varies with the altitude and can also reach heat and cold within the 24 hours at any given altitude. Southern Bhutan is tropical, with the monsoon season. The East is warmer than the West. The central valleys of Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi-tropical climate with very cool winters, whereas Haa, Paro, Thimphu, Trongsa, Bumthang, and Phobjikha have a much harsher climate, including occasional snowfalls in winter. The north of the country is inhabited up to 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) in summer.

• Nov to Mid March 16 – 18 C 60 – 65 F Day
• -5 – 8 C -29 – 35 F Night
• March to June 27 – 18 C 80 – 85 F Day
• 15 – 16 C 59 – 61 F Night

Health and Medication

To assure that you are in good health, contact your physician and have a check up. Your doctor is the best source of information about immunizations and medicines.

If any medical support is required while in Bhutan, there is free health care in the country for the people and visitors.

Equipment and Supplies

In addition to the medication supply you may want to bring with you: sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, a flashlight with extra batteries, a folding pocket knife, a hat or headscarf in summer, cap and gloves in winter, rain gear, insect repellent (summer). Coffee lovers may want to bring their own preferred brand.

Clothing

The wide range of temperatures does not make dressing easy. The best solution is to wear several layers, such as a cotton shirt, pullover, wool cardigan and jacket, which can be taken off or added as needed. Do not bring delicate clothes: conservative sportswear is the appropriate style for a traveler in Bhutan. Comfortable sports shoes are strongly recommended; mountain boots are not necessary unless you plan to go trekking.

From May to September: 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 a warm jacket.

Please dress respectfully when you visit a Dzong, Monastery or Temple.

Electricity

Bhutan is connected with electricity at all the major town and villages. 220 – 240Volts. Round hole two-pin and three-pin power outlets are used in Bhutan/Nepal /India. The energy is totally from hydropower.

Tobacco import rules

Selling/buying of tobacco and tobacco products are banned in Bhutan. However, following provision allows import of tobacco and tobacco products into Bhutan for personal consumption:

Permissible quantity for import

A person may import tobacco or tobacco product for personal consumption, as per the following maximum quantity per month, at a time:

• a) 200 sticks of cigarette/bidi; or
• b) 30 pieces of cigar or
• c) 150 grams of other tobacco and tobacco product.

A person shall be allowed to import only one tobacco or tobacco product at a time as stated above.

A proof or receipt of tax payment shall be valid only for one month from the date of payment of tax.

Payment of taxes for personal consumption for import from India

A person importing tobacco and tobacco products from India for personal consumption shall pay 100% Sales Tax and at such rate as may be revised by the Board from time to time.

Payment of taxes for personal consumption for import from countries other than India

A person importing tobacco and tobacco product from countries other than India for personal consumption shall pay 100 percent sales tax and 100 percent customs duty and at such rate as may be revised by the Board from time to time.

Note: While in Bhutan, visitors must retain the tax receipt to present to, if you encounter any checking by Tobacco Control Inspector.

Insurance

We strongly advise you to purchase Travel INSURANCE, in-case of emergency evacuation while on cultural Tour or trekking in the country.

For Indian visitors

Indian nationals intending to visit Bhutan are required to carry any of the two valid ‘Travel Documents‘ (1) valid Indian passport valid of minimum six months or (2) voter identity card, issued by the Election Commission of India.

Indian coming by road is required to obtain an entry permit from the immigration of royal Bhutan government at the entry point of your Journey.

Indian traveler entering by flight gets the entry permit at the airport. The entry permit allowed Indian to visit Paro and Thimphu only. to visit other places beyond these two places need to make a special road permit from Thimphu immigration Office at working days ( Monday to Friday ).