travel by air · travel by land · travel requirements · tariff · payment info · bhutan visa
Bhutan is a unique country, with many travel rules and regulations designed to maintain and protect its historical and natural beauty. Bhutan Bird Quest will make your trip as convenient as possible by arranging all of your travel and in-country details. For reference, here are some of the basics of traveling to Bhutan.
Travel By Air
Bhutan has one national air carrier, Druk Air, which 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. Due to the mountainous nature of Bhutan, there currently is only one airport located in the western part of the country, Paro.
Druk Air operates two modern Airbus A-319 jets carrying passengers through one of the most spectacular flight paths in the world. Should you choose to fly into Bhutan from Kathmandu, you will experience intimate views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga, weather permitting.
At Bhutan Bird Quest, we would be happy to arrange your Druk Air tickets into Bhutan!
Current flight schedules for Druk Air- Druk Air flight schedules 2007-2008 (PDF) 108 KB
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.
If you wish to enter Bhutan from the Bhutanese/Indian border you will experience a mountain journey through endless turns, hairpin bends and daring stretches carved into the mountain rock. The travel time for the 175 km stretch can be more than 7 hours.
A combination of overland and air travel is also possible. All overland travel requires an Indian visa.
Travel Requirements
Tourists can book a package holiday to Bhutan through Bhutan Bird Quest or any international tour operators 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 (transportation, accommodation and guides).
Typically, those booking through international tour operators will incur higher package prices. The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for all packages to Bhutan and this must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.
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. Although recently a few luxury hotels have been established in Bhutan, visitors in general can expect a unique combination of traditional Bhutanese style together with modern services, but not international five-star luxury. The rates shall be based on the respective locations and the type of accommodation provided or requested.
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
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.
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 cancelled 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%
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.
