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TREKS & CLIMB IN THE HIMALAYA • ADVENTURE TRAVEL ORGANIZER |
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Bhutan Informations
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Bhutan Informations
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 Inclusive Package tours:
Visitors can travel to Bhutan through all-inclusive package tours only for which tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. The Government fixed tariff includes services of accommodation, transport, guide, meals, entrance fees to monuments, cultural programme if traveling in a group of six persons and above.
For all the cultural tours, the booking must be completed 4 weeks advance but for tours during festivals, 8 weeks advance information is required. Festivals held in autumn and spring are peak time for the tourists and without early reservation it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.
For trekking groups, it is important to do booking at least 8 weeks in advance, as it requires plenty of planning.
Visa: Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it is processed and arranged by the tour operators. No foreign mission abroad grants Bhutan tourist visa.
All information as mentioned in visa form shall be forwarded to us at least three weeks prior to date of travel to process it with concerned authorities. Alternatively copy of visa form can be filled up by tourists and mail/fax or email to us to arrange visa.
The actual visa is stamped on arrival in Bhutan while it is cleared in advance and a visa clearance number is issued.
For all travelers, entering Bhutan by Druk Air, the visa clearance number is forwarded to concerned overseas Druk air stations and without clearance number passengers are not allowed to broad the flight. Visa clearance is also required while issuing Druk Air tickets.
For travelers, entering into the country by surface through Phuenthsholing (the boarder town in south of Bhutan) the visa is stamped on arrival and clearance number is forwarded to Foreign Ministry’s Office at Phuentsholing for reference.
Three copies of original passport size photographs are required on arrival.
Visa fee is US$ 20 per person for a 14 days visa which can be further extended with additional fee of US$15.
For all FITS/GITs traveling during festivals, visa particulars must sent at least 6 weeks in advance as festivals are peak time for tourists and all the tour formalities are required to be completed well in advance.
Tariff The International Tourist Tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is valid for all – inclusive package.
Tour Payment: Entire tour payment must be sent to us by Bank transfer in advance as time period specified.
Services are confirmed subject to advance payment only.
For high seasons (March, April, May, Sept, Oct and November), it is advisable to remit payment for Druk Air Flights 3 months in advance. It will help us to manage confirmed seats.
How to reach Bhutan
The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier. The following cities are connected to Bhutan with Druk air flights.
India – Calcutta to Paro airfare: US$ 230 J class, US$ 190 Y class, round rip is US$ 460 & US$ 380 respectively
India – Delhi to Paro airfare US$ 380 J class, US$ 315 Y class, round rip is US$ 760 & US$ 630 respectively
Nepal – Kathmandu to Paro airfare US$ 230 J class, US$ 200Y class, round rip is US$ 460 & US$ 380 respectively
Bangladesh – Dacca to Paro airfare US$ 230 ,J class, US$ 190 Y class, round rip is US$ 460 & US$ 380 respectively
Thailand – Bangkok to Paro airfare US$ 440 J class, US$ 360 Y class, round rip is US$ 880 & US$ 720 respectively
All above airfare are subject to change without prior notice. Druk air is the only airline operating in Bhutan. As Druk Air Flights can be delayed because of weather, it is adviseable to keep a 24 hour gap before any onward connection.
Entry/ Exit to / from Bhutan is also possible through Phuntsholing the southern Bhutanese boarder town. Bagdogra, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport, around 4 hours drive away or in Nepal Bhadrapur 5 hours drive away. For travelers wishing to visit Indian states of Sikkim, West of Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsholing serves as a convenient point.
Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup Jongkhar also. This Bhutanese town is approximately 3 hours drive from Guwahati, the capital town the Indian north-eastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar ia an exit point only.
As per government’s rule it is mandatory to travel at least one way by Druk air, it can be either entry or exit or both.
Accommodations: We use only best avaiable for your. There are comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses at tourists destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while central and eastern part of the country, accommodation establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities. There is no star categorization of hotels and five star luxuries are not available. We have selected the list of accommodation units with the best of location, service and ambience. Away from the towns and villages there are purpose built huts on the some of the principal trekking routes.
International Tourist Tariff
The tariff for tourists visiting in a group of 3 persons or more as follows:
1 person: US$ 240 per person per night
2 person: US$ 230 per person per night
3 person: US$ 220 per person per night
4 person and above US$ 200 per per person per night
Above tariff includes- FIT Surcharge for 1-3 person group size.
There will be speical offer as a lower season price to all our agents for the month of January, February, June, July, August, December, please requst with us.
The rates are same for cultural tours, treks or any other special interest tours.
Cost includes:
1) accommodation on twin sharing basis
2) all transfers and sightseeing within Bhutan.
3) Services of accompanied guides.
4) All meals.
5) Royalty and taxes to the government.
6) Riding ponies and pack animals on treks .
7) Fees to temples and monuments.
C. The rates given above are applicable per night halt in Bhutan .On the day of departure, local agent’s obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.
Tourism development fee : All tourists are required to pay US$10 per visit as Tourism Development fee.
D. The above rates apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation establishments shall be approved by DOT.
Discount on tourist tarrif
a) DIPLOMATS from foreign embassies/ missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount on the daily rates.
b) There shall be no charge for the children up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the age of 6 to 12 years accompanied by elders / guardians shall be given a 40% discount on daily rates.
c) Full time students below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions shall also be given a 25%discount on daily rates.
d) A discount of 50%on daily rates shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
e) A 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
f) A discount of 10% on the daily rates shall be provided for halts between 11 to 20 nights and 20% discount on halts beyond 21 nights.
Visitors availing discounts under sections a.b.c. shall not be eligible for discount under e.
Cancellation
Tour programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:-
a. Within 30 days of the start of the tour program :- free
b. Within 21 days :- 10% of the rate
c. Within 14 days :- 15%of the rate
d. Within 7 days :- 30 % of the rate
e. Less than 7 days or cancellation without notice :- 50% of the rate
f. After arrival in Bhutan: - 100%
Delayed arrival/ departure
a. There shall be no fixed charge for the number of days of delay in arrival of visitors due to weather conditions , Druk air problems or roads blocks except for minimum charge on hotel cancellation , transport,& guide.
b. There shall be no charge for the number of days of delay in departure of visitors due to weather conditions ,Druk air problems or road blocks. They will be charged only the actual expenses on accommodation , food, transport, and other services required.
Single room supplements
The quoted package rates are valid for the accommodation on twin sharing basis and following supplements will be applicable incase of single room accommodation:-
For festival season : US$ 50 /per single room per night.
For other season: US$ 25 / per single room per night.
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Bhutan is sacred land with deeply spiritual people. Buddhism and Hinduism are both practiced although the majority of people are Buddhist.
There are more than 10,000 stupas or chortens and more than 2,000 monasteries in the kingdom, many built cnturies ago in honour of the teachings of Buddhism. Some are national treasures like the Taktshang, The Tiger's Nest built on a sheer craggy cliff face as if grounded on the deep faith of its people.
The hermitage that are built high above some of these sacred sites are a marvel to see; many of them are huts in traditional architecture providing shelter to meditation practiotioners amids deep nature.
Spritual seekers will find numerous spiritual sites throughout Bhutan. Some are within easy reach or a few hours walk, and other require a bit of a trek or climb but is is always satisfying to reach the tops of the numerous monasteries that mark Bhutan's landscape and to take a moment to contemplate top of the world.
The tsechus, local community festivals and the sacred architecture represented by the various stupas and mani walls, are a contant reminder that in Bhutan , spirituality is still away of life despite a fast changing world.
Festivals in the land of the Thunder Dragon are rich and happy expressions of its ancient Buddhist culture. These festivals are held in all districts in honour of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century. Tsechus are held on asupicious days and months in the Butanese calendar, and last up to four days in which a series of highly stylised masked dance rituals are performed.
People's deep faith and devotion make these festivals a special occasion. At the same time, it is also an opportunity to join hundreds, even thousands, of Bhutanese in taking part in an important religious and social occasion thhat often exudes a carnival atmosphere.
The Paro Tsechu is a popular tsechu in Paro district held usually in Spring.
Onf of the largest festival is the Thimphu Tsechu in the capital where thousands of people turn up for the four days of dances and pryer. But for visitors who prefer a more intimate experience, there are many tsechus in the smaller districts whare are less crowed and where the local atmosphere is more relaxed and enjoyable. Small village festivals are the best way to get acquinted with the spirit of Bhutan.
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