You need to first decide on the approximate duration you wish to spend in Bhutan, then check with the Druk Air flight schedule to make your entry and departure dates. The duration of stay in Bhutan will determine your package costs. The duration is calculated by the number of nights you spend in the country and it is US $ 200 per person per night.

All nationalities except Indians holding a valid passport need a visa to enter Bhutan. [VISA]

You need not worry. We will get your visa for you. You simply need to fill our online visa form or print out the visa form and fill and fax it to us. Your visa will be ready in roughly 10 days. We will fax or e-mail you your visa number. On your arrival at Paro airport or at the border at Phuentsholing, your visa will be stamped on your passport. You will need "two" passport size photos a visa fee of US$ 20 when you arrive.

The fixed cost that you pay is not just a fee for entry to Bhutan. This cost is a package tour cost that covers all your hotel, meals, transfers to and from the airport or border, transport for sightseeing, one knowledgeable local guide, all inland permits and fees. Moreover, if you are trekking this covers all expenses for the treks such as horses/yaks, guide, all tenting/camping equipment, meals and transport. The government largely controls this fixed tariff and all tour companies must charge the established rate. Working directly with our agency will provide the greatest flexibility and the lowest cost possible. The government controls the cost in order manage tourism in a sustainable way, to grow sensibly without taxing on the environment and allowing for unchecked growth with all the negative aspects both to the environment and more importantly on the culture. The only way to visit Bhutan is by purchasing a tour with a reliable and licensed travel agency at these rates. With very low tourism in the last 20 years, the country has marvelously preserved its age old traditions, its beautiful monasteries and temples; the river is still clean and habitable for its creatures, there are no large cities, and slums, and one will not find people begging in the streets. For many visitors Bhutan is refreshing since they find here something that many other countries have lost years ago, and will probably not be able to retrieve it again. In short by keeping to the fixed tariff rates- set by the Royal Government- not seeking cheaper undercut rates, you will be encouraged and directly supporting this noble goal of sustainable tourism of low volume-high value that all visitors enjoy once they come to Bhutan.

Yes, you can possibly find other travel agents specially in India and Nepal selling Bhutan tours at cheaper rates, but you will be taking a serious risk, since the Tourism Authority of Bhutan has now started checking into those travel business that are trying to undermine the government's unique policy of sustainable tourism, by undercutting the fixed tariff rates. Both local and foreign travel agents have been warned to avoid this malpractice or face severe sanctions such as, loss of business license, disruption of tours, and even deportation of visiting clients who use these agents.

Individual travel is possible in Bhutan; costs for single only travel is USD 40 extra per day, and it includes (one guide with private car/transport).

You can decide on what you want to see in Bhutan; you do not have to follow a planned tour strictly unless you are part of a group tour with a fixed itinerary. We will give you a planned tour itinerary, but once you reach Bhutan you can have flexibility with your guide. What ever you want to see or do in Bhutan will be mainly determined by how much time you have at your disposal. We will do whatever we can to make your trip to Bhutan most comfortable and interesting. Just let us know what your wishes are. But, yes, you must buy a package tour that is an all inclusive of (hotel, full board, transfer & transport, guide and sightseeing). Having paid for a package tour, you can be flexible in the tour program, change the tour to see or do what most interests you. [what to see]

Payments for the tour can be Bank Transferred to the listed banks (see website). Payments mostly accepted in USD, DM, and Yen Currencies. Visa/MasterCard or any other 'plastic' cards are currently not used in Bhutan. We are currently trying to assist those travelers who wish to pay by credit cards. [currency]

If you feel unsafe bank transferring to a distant account you have two options:

Best Season to visit Bhutan is through out the year except June-July, due to the rains that may disrupt your flight schedule to get in or out of Bhutan.

Yes, there are discounts for several people traveling together. Depending on group size, per person costs may range from USD 170/DAY (groups of 4 or more) to USD 230/day (for single individual). Pleae visit the web site on tariffs and discounts.

English speaking guides only in Bhutan; but German, French, Italian or Japanese speaking guides are made available with an extra fee- usually for groups of four or more persons.

We use the best hotels available in each valley.
Paro: Druk, Samden Chholing and Olathang;
Thimphu: Hotel Yeedzin, Jumolhari, River view, Drukyul, Taktsang, Wangchuk, and Druk.
Punakha: Meri Phuensum and Zangtopelri.
Wangdue: Hotel Y:T, Hotel Dragon Nest, Hotel Orchard;
Trongsa: Trongsa lodge and Norling.
Bumthang: Wangdicholing lodge, Swiss guesthouse, Mountain lodge, Kaila Guest House, Udee.
Mongar: Shongar lodge; Trashigang: Kelling lodge;
Samdrup Jongkhar: Hotel Peljorling, Shambala

For individual travelers we use Toyota cars, 4WD Land cruisers and jeeps; for groups of 3-7 persons we have Toyota Hiace mini buses; for larger groups of 8-20 persons we have Toyota Coaster Buses

Druk Air Flight Tickets can be express mailed to your home address prior to your departure for Bhutan. You can receive the tickets within 2 weeks of mailing. This is a practical way to get the tickets since the airline being small is not well represented abroad. [druk air]

No, there is no requirement for Bhutan, however if entering via India, you are recommended to have such precaution.

Food is much like Chinese cuisine, or as in Kathmandu hotels, Tibetan, Nepalese, Indian and Continental dishes are served. Water on treks is boiled for drinking, or with tea, it is naturally boiled; in hotels, mineral water is available. [food & drinks]

Season-wise, a good guideline is to follow much as in Northern Europe-Germany/France; cold winters, cool-cold spring, warm-hot summers, and cold autumn. Warm jackets, woolen pullovers are recommended for winter; comfortable walking shoes; summers, light cotton is good. For trekking good strong hiking shoes with water protection for summer treks, light cottons or jeans are also good. Please do not forget to have at least one set of formal clothes for use in attending festivals, visiting the Dzongs, or meeting with government officials; a semi-formal dress is good for normal sightseeing and visiting temples and monasteries. [clothing]

Spring and fall are the best times to trek in Bhutan. See the trek information page for more info. [trekking]

P.O. Box 887
Thimphu, Bhutan
Tel. 975-2-326851
Fax. 975-2-325468

March 2003 issue of Action Asia magazine has a cover story about Bhutan.
Read the full story...