VISITING BHUTAN
All foreign nationals visiting Bhutan must travel through an all-inclusive package tour. The Royal Government of Bhutan has a set a fixed tariff. This tariff includes accommodation, transport, guides and meals.
VISAS
A visa is required for traveling to Bhutan. All foreign nationals intending to visit Bhutan with us should apply to Nature Trails with a completed visa form at least two weeks before the expected date of arrival. Once we have your detailed information, (you can send to us by fax or e-mail), we will process your details and obtain the visa.
*Your actual visa is stamped only on arrival in Bhutan with the approval of a Visa clearance, which will be sent to you in advance.
* A visa clearance number is also required when issuing Druk Air tickets.
* Two copies of original passport size photographs are required on arrival.
* Nature Trail Trekking and Expeditions has been an authorized Travel Agent for Bhutan for the past nine years.
MONEY
Bhutan unit of currency is the Ngultrum. 1Nu = 100 Chetrum. The Ngultrum is pegged to the value of Indian Rupee. Approx. 1 $ = Nu. 40
ACCESS (Getting there)
AIR: The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier. The following airports are connected with a Druk Air flight:
India : Delhi, & Calcutta
Nepal : Kathmandu
Thailand : Bangkok
Druk Air Schedules:
Paro to Delhi & Kathmandu ( Mon & Thu)
Paro to Calcutta & Bangkok (Tue, Thu, & Sat)
Kathamndu, Delhi to Paro ( Mon & Thu)
Bangkok/ Calcutta /Paro (Wed, Fri, & Sun)
Note: Above dates, air fares, and flight schedules may change without prior notice
Druk Air is the only Airline operating to Bhutan. For more information about the Airline, please check the web: www.drukair.com or you can E-mail us at: info@allbhutan.com
Road :
Entry / Exit to / from Bhutan is also possible through Phuntsoling, the southern Bhutanese border town. Bagdogra, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport Approx. 4 hours drive from the border. For travelers wishing to visit the India states of Sikkim, West Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsholing serves as the convenient point of entry.
Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup Jongkhar . This frontier Bhutanese town is approx. 3 hours drive from Guwahati, the capital town of Indian North Eastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar is the authorized exit point only and an important link for visiting further Indian North Eastern states.
GOVERNMENT RULES STATE. IT IS MANDATORY TO TRAVEL AT LEAST ONE WAY BY DRUK AIR, EITHER ENTRY OR EXIT OR BOTH. IN AN EXCEPTIONAL CASE, SPECIAL PERMISSION CAN BE OBTAINED FOR ENTRY AND EXIT OVERLAND.
Tour Escorts
Well-trained, knowledgeable guides, certified by Tourism Authority of Bhutan escort all our tours. Most of the guides are English speaking but Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian-speaking guides can also be provided with prior information and an additional cost.
Accommodation
There are comfortable hotels and lodges at all major tourist destinations.
Western Bhutan has better hotels in the Central and Eastern part of the country, accommodation is often simple. There is no star categorization of hotels here and five star luxuries are not available. We have carefully selected the accommodation units for their location, service and ambience.
Away from the towns and villages there are purpose-built huts on some of the principal trekking routes. Otherwise, there is nothing like camping out under the clear night skies.
Food
Bhutanese delicacies are limited. Continental food is available in the larger establishments with some local dishes too. On trek, cooks prepare a variety of dishes, ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.
Health
All major towns in Bhutan have fully-equipped hospitals with all medical facilities, including specialists and ambulance services for emergencies. Certificates of inoculation against cholera and smallpox are required for entry, although Bhutan is free from these diseases. For trekking, you are recommended to consult your doctor before booking the trip.
Climate/ Season:
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country. The central valley of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuntshi enjoys a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a temperate climate with monsoon rains in the summer (22- 28-degree Celsius approx.) with snow-fall in winter. Winter (below 0 – 8 Degree Celsius approx.) The best time to visit Bhutan is from mid-November until mid-March, at this time of year the climate is dry, with daytime temperatures of 16-19 degrees centigrade and normally sunshine and clear skies, nightime temperatures can fall to below zero. The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings. At the end of September, after the last of the heavy rains, autumn (warm days but nights are chilly; 17-27 D. Celsius approx.) and a magnificent season for trekking unfolds lasting until mid-November. Generally spring is warm (20 – 25 Degrees Celsius approx.).
Best season: March, April, May, September, October and November.
Monsoon: ....June, July and August.
Winter: .........December, January and February.
Clothing
Due to the wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing for protection against the cold; layered clothing is better with a down jacket. Cloths should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy tight fitting or exposing clothes although shorts (not too)are fine, we advise women to wear skirts or loose trousers during visits to monasteries.
What to Pack
We will provide you with a full list of items to consider bringing on receipt of your booking confirmation.
Reservations
All tours must be booked through us (Nature Trail Trekking and Expeditions)
For clients travelling in peak seasons and festival times, it is necessary to book 5 weeks in advance. Festivals held in autumn and spring are the peak time for tourists and without early reservation it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.
Terms of Contract
Nature Trail Trekking makes every effort to ensure the smooth running of your tour. However, all the Bhutan programs are conducted strictly by the rules governed by the Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Cost does not include any insurance against accident/ injury/sickness/evacuation (in case of need) or trip cancellation. Therefore, it is highly recommended you are appropriately insured to cover such incidents.. A separate form of contract has to be signed by clients accepting the above conditions at the time of booking |
