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Tourism
Tourism in Bhutan is gaining international attention due to its Buddhist culture, its majestic mountains, pristine environment, biodiversity and traditional festivals. In addition, in 2008, Bhutan will celebrate 100 years of Monarchy and will see the Coronation of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo.Tourism has seen enormous jumps in visitor numbers since 1974 when the country first opened its doors to tourism. Bhutan hosted 17,344 tourists in 2006 and hopes to see significant increases in 2008 due to the Centennial Celebrations. In 2007, 21,000 tourists visited the Himalayan Kingdom. A majority of tourists traveling to the Kingdom currently seek cultural tours.
As a result of the vast elevation variations, the varied weather conditions in Bhutan are conducive to traveling a majority of the year round. During the winter months, Southern and Eastern Bhutan offers pleasant temperatures and some of the most spectacular festivals are held during January and February. July and August is typically considered the rainy season.
The opportunities are bounteous as you interweave with the local people and their culture into every aspect of a trip. If you are seeking a trip to Bhutan, please contact DragonQuest Adventures by using our Contact Us Form.
Traveling to Bhutan
Bhutan is a unique country, with many travel rules and regulations designed to maintain and protect its historical and natural beauty. Bhutan is a very easy country to travel to once you have chosen your Bhutanese travel agent – all other arrangements will be made by your travel agent in Bhutan.
Travel By Air
With one national air carrier, flights into Bhutan are limited. Druk Air, operates several flights per week from Bangkok, Delhi, Calcutta and Katmandu. Druk Air is the only airline operating in or out of Bhutan, although private jets can make arrangements to land at the airport in Paro. All flights arrive or depart in Bhutan early in the morning to avoid the high winds of the Himalayan Kingdom.
At DragonQuest, we would be happy to arrange your Druk Air tickets into Bhutan!
Travel By Land
The town of Phuentsholing in south-western Bhutan is currently one of the two land border access open for international tourists - Samdrup Jongkhar in the East being the other entry point. Phuentsholing lies approximately 170 km east of the Indian national airport at Bagdogra, near historic Darjeeling.
A combination of overland and air travel is also possible. All overland travel requires an Indian visa – this can take a few days to process. Please check with your local Indian Embassy.
Travel Requirements
Tourists can book a package holiday to Bhutan through any Bhutanese tour operators or any international tour company with experience in arranging tours to Bhutan. However, if you book with an international tour operator, the standing government rules require that they tie-up with a local Bhutanese operator to take on the responsibility for arranging in-country logistics.
Be careful not to choose a company whom prides itself on undercutting the government set tariffs. The tour will be sub-standard.
Government Daily Tourist Tariff
The minimum tariff for tourists visiting in a group of 3 or more persons is as follows:
High Season Tariff - US$ 200 per person per night (January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November and December).
Low Season Tariff - US$ 165 per person per night (July, August)
Minimum price includes:
All internal taxes and charges (including the royalty)
Accommodation (basic accommodation)
All meals
Services of a licensed tour guide
All Internal Transport
Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
The Royal Government of Bhutan stipulates the following:
The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night stay in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local agent’s obligation shall be limited to only breakfast and any extra requirements shall be payable on an actual cost basis.
If the guests request higher end accommodation, additional rates will apply. Hotels and tourist lodges in Bhutan are comfortable but not luxurious.
Surcharges:
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to following surcharge, over and above the minimum US $200 daily rates applicable.
Single supplement US$ 40 per night
Group of 2 supplement US$ 30 per person per night
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Bhutan Visa
All visitors to Bhutan require a pre-authorized visa and all visas are issued from Thimphu only. Visas are only issued to tourists booked directly through a local licensed tour operator or through a foreign travel operator or agent. The Bhutanese tour operator submits all visa applications for tourists. Visa clearance letter from Thimphu must be obtained before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 10 days to process. At your point of entry, the visa will be stamped in your passport upon payment of US$20 along with two passport photos.Make sure you have been sent your visa issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior from your departure from home. Without your official visitor visa, you will not be permit to board your Druk Air flight.
Download Visa Application Form:
Visa Application Form (PDF Format) 634 KB
Visa Application Form (DOC Format) 348 KB
Government Stipulated Cancellation Rates
Tour Programmes booked and subsequently canceled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:within 30 days of start of programme ~ no charges:
within 21 days ~ 10% of tour cost
within 14 days ~ 15% of tour cost
within 7 days ~ 30% of tour cost
less than 7 days or without notice ~ 50% of tour cost
after arrival in Bhutan ~ 100%
Delayed Arrivals
There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or roadblocks. The tourist must however bare the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.
Mother Nature
We are not responsible or liable for any acts of Mother Nature. Every effort will be made to exceed your trip expectations. However we can not be made responsible for any changes in format or cancellation due to weather and unforeseeable circumstances out of our control.
Risks
DragonQuest Adventures’ trips entail risks. We will put the safety of our guests first; it is our commitment not to jeopardize the health and safety of our guests. A partnership is required to mitigate the risks (us, our guides, driver and our guests).
Trip Cancellation
DragonQuest Adventures reserves the right to cancel any tour for which there are insufficient reservations 60 days prior to the departure date. Therefore please ensure that you have insured your plane tickets in case of a cancellation. Due to this notification, we are not responsible or liable for any inconveniences or financial setbacks caused.
Insurance
Before traveling to Bhutan, all our guests must have personal insurance and health insurance. We strongly recommend it is the appropriate coverage to cover you, your family and dependents, in the unlikely event that anything occur while traveling in Bhutan. This insurance should cover loss of property and/or accident, injury or death and evacuation insurance.
What Is Included
In Bhutan, only a handful of hotels meet international standards - 4 star or 5 star hotel ratings. Our trips will incorporate luxury accommodation, upon your request and supplement charges will apply.
All our tour prices include breakfast, lunch and dinner, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, tour materials, transportation, accommodation and the services of the guides and drivers.
The following items are not included in our prices: gratuities, massage, laundry and internet are not included in the tour cost. The tour price does not include Druk Air ticket costs into Paro, Bhutan. Every guest is responsible for their own travel insurance, passport costs, visas, immunizations, excess baggage charges, telephone charges, room service and anything of a purely personal nature.
Packing List
DragonQuest Adventures’ packing list is intended to be used as a basic guideline to assist packing for a trip to Bhutan. Out of respect, guests are requested to pack at least one set of formal clothing for situations where they may be required to enter temples or are invited to a social event. For every day wear, pack casual pants, long shorts and long skirts. No revealing clothing, please!
The Essentials:
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera and film
• Sunglasses/Sunscreen
• Biodegradable Soap
• Day Pack (to carry a jacket, camera and water bottle)
• Socks
• Base layer top/bottoms
• Mid-weight top/bottoms
• Down or synthetic insulated top
• Long-sleeved shirt (for sun protection)
• Underwear
• Rainwear or outer shell top
• Short-sleeved shirt
• Insulating hat (colder months)
• Pants (x3)
• Shorts *must be long/to the top of the knees*
• Gloves or mitts (colder months)
• Sun hat
Tented Camping Gear:
• Sleeping bag (rating dependant on trip)
• Sleeping pad (Thermarest or equivalent)
• Duffle Bag (for all belongings)
• Garbage bags – unavailable in Bhutan (water proof belongings)
Urban Gear / Restaurant Outing:
• Smart Casual Pant or Long Skirt (shin to ankle length)
• Button Shirt or Blouse
• Casual Shoes |
