Journey into Bhutan

The policy of high value and low volume tourism will continue to protect and preserve our rich natural and cultural heritage even as it leads to an equitable socio-economic development. The policy resonates with the objectives of sustainable tourism and enhances the global respect for a small country that dares to be different, placing human contentment above material development. For the above reasons, all tourists are required to make their travel arrangements for both tours & treks through an authorized tour operator on a pre-planned, pre-paid and guided package. Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan! The tour operator is responsible for all land arrangements during your stay in Bhutan including in-country travel/road permits, temple permits and special permits.

Inclusive Standard Package

Visitors may experience Bhutan only on all-inclusive package for which a fixed minimum tariff of US$ 250/person/day is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This tariff covers the following land costs for a Standard Package:

1. Standard Hotel (2-3 star hotel) twin sharing accommodation; camping on treks
2. Full Board – All meals at local restaurants/standard hotels/on treks
3. Transport / Transfers
4. Ponies Assistants for treks
5. Licensed English Speaking Guide
6. Sightseeing
7. Entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites
8. 35% royalty to the government

• FIT Surcharge
  • Single Individual : US $ 40 per night per person
  • Groups of 2 persons : US $ 30 per night per person
• Bhutan Visa Fee: US $ 40 per person
• Tourism Development Fund: US $ 10 per person

Inclusive Luxury Package:

The Luxury package is based on 4 or 5 star hotel categories ( such as Aman, Uma, Taj Tashi and Zhiwaling )with extra services in addition to the Govt. fixed minimum tariff of US$250/person/day This tariff covers the following land costs for Luxury Package:

1. Luxury Hotel accommodation (4 & 5 star wherever available)
2. Full Board – All meals at luxury hotels & at local restaurants
3. 4 wheel drive SUV vehicle (seats 2) / Transfers
4. Licensed English Speaking Guide
5. Sightseeing
6. Entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites
7. 35% royalty to the government
8. 2 litres of bottled mineral water per person per day

• FIT Surcharge
  • Single Individual : US $ 40 per night per person
  • Groups of 2 persons : US $ 30 per night per person
• Bhutan Visa Fee: US $ 40 per person
• Tourism Development Fund: US $ 10 per person

VISA:

• Visas are required for travelling to Bhutan, and applications are processed through Tashi Tours & Travels in conjunction with tour booking.
• Please submit the required information by fax or email at least 4 weeks prior to date of travel. We do required passport scan copy of the photos for visa application or entry into Bhutan.  Beside that we do required scan Passports which should be valid for at least 6 months.

(IMPORTANT): Required Information for Visa Application: COPY OF PASSPORT

• Visa applications are cleared in advance; visa clearance number is issued and forwarded to overseas agents and clients. Actual visa is stamped on clients’ passports on arrival at the port of entry.
• For travellers entering Bhutan by Drukair, visa clearance is required for boarding; the actual visa is stamped on arrival. Travellers without a visa clearance document will not be permitted to board their flights.
• For travellers entering the country by land from India, through the southern border towns of Phuentsholing/Gelephu/Samdrup Jongkhar, the actual visa is stamped on arrival. Travellers without a visa clearance document will not be permitted to enter the country.

ACCESSIBILITY

AIR Most visitors arrive via Drukair/Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air), at the only airport in the country, in Paro. Drukair operates Airbus flights from:

• India (Kolkata, Delhi, Gaya Guwahati)
• Nepal (Kathmandu)
• Thailand (Bangkok)
• Bangladesh (Dhaka)

Because of limited seating, these flights fill up fast and must be reserved well ahead of anticipated departure dates. For latest flight schedules click here & for airfare contact us. CHARTER & PRIVATE JET: You can also charter flight, Drukair/Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air) or other aircrafts or bring Private Jet into Bhutan. Tashi Tours & Travels is one of the few travel agents in Bhutan who offer charter flight service to and from any destination that you choose to visit Bhutan. With this service you will not be bound with airline’s schedule. Charter flight service allows you flexibility, efficiency and of course privacy. You might require air charter services, anytime be it for official or personal reasons. Whatever your requirements, without air charter travel you wouldn’t have the freedom to organize trips built around your needs. We understand that time is more precious than money. For inquires contact us. Land Arrival/departure through the south-western border town of Phuentsholing, south- central border town of Gelephu and the south-eastern border town of Samdrup Jongkhar. The nearest airport to the south-western border town of Phuntsholing is at Bagdogra, West Bengal, about 4 hours’ drive away. Phuentsholing is a convenient entry/exit point for travellers wishing to visit the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal along with Bhutan.

TOUR/TREK RESERVATION

• For Cultural Tours, booking arrangements must be completed at least 4 weeks in advance for regular season and at least 6 weeks in advance for peak/festival season. The spring and autumn festivals are our peak times for tourism, and without early reservations it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.
• For Trekking, booking arrangements should be completed at least 8 weeks in advance, as this activity requires detailed forward planning.

WORLD WIDE TICKETING SERVICES

Tashi Tours & Travels provides Experienced / Personalised Services which includes Worldwide Ticketing, Free & Easy Packages, Hotel Bookings, Inbound and Outbound Travel Services, Group or Individual Travel Arrangement.

PAYMENT

• Advance payment in full for the entire tour package must be sent to Tashi Tours & Travels at least 4 weeks prior to arrival.
• It is advisable to remit payment for Drukair flights 3 months in advance or at the time of booking. This will help us to obtain confirmed seats on the requested flights.
• Payment is done through wire transfers; we do not have credit card facility in Bhutan for tour payments.

CANCELLATION POLICIES: TOURS/TREKS

1. No charge for cancellation if:

• Tour is cancelled 30 days or more prior to arrival date during regular season (Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec)
• Tour is cancelled 45 days or more prior to arrival date during peak season (Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov) prior to arrival date

2. 50% of tour cost charged if:

• Tour is cancelled less than 30 days & before 7 days to arrival date during regular season (Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec)
• Tour is cancelled less than 45 days & before 7 days to arrival date during peak season (Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov)

3. 100% of tour cost is charged if tour is cancelled 7 days or less prior to arrival date Regardless of the season

4. No refund for No Shows or Early Departures

ACCOMODATION

Most hotels in Bhutan are Standard Hotels in the 2-3 star categories. Although the best Standard Hotels cannot be compared with international hotels, all offer the necessary facilities and are properly maintained. There are a few Deluxe Hotels available in Thimphu and Paro and a few Luxury 5 star resorts available in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang. Generally speaking, hotels in western Bhutan (Thimphu, Paro, Punakha) are better appointed, while accommodation establishments in the central and eastern part of the country are more modest, with fewer amenities. While on treks, we will choose the best available spot for the campsite. Our camping equipments are of high quality and well maintained. You will be accompanied by a guide and a dedicated support team to help setup camp, transport baggage & camping equipment and prepare fresh meals. When you travel with Tashi Tours & Travels, you can be sure that your accommodation in lodges, guest houses, smaller hotels and tented camps will be up to the best available. All accommodations used by Tashi Tours & Travels are certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

TRANSPORTATION

Our fleet of transportation comprises of coaches seating 18-20 people and smaller vans seating 2 to 5 people. We also use Korean and Japanese SUVs for one or two travellers. All our vehicles are well maintained, comfortable, safe and are designated no-smoking. Our drivers are competent professionals with over 10 years of driving experience on the small winding roads of Bhutan.

INSURANCE

There is no personal insurance of any kind included in the tour price, so Travel insurance should be obtained from your place of residence in advance of your trip. Travel agents in Bhutan will not hold any liability for illness, injury or death sustained during your trip.

GUIDES

All our tours are escorted by well trained and knowledgeable English speaking guides, certified and licensed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Services of guides speaking other languages (German, French, and Japanese) may also be provided with sufficient prior notice and at an additional cost. When travelling with Tashi Tours & Travels, you can be confident that your guide is totally focused on making your Bhutan experience a culturally rich and spiritually rewarding odyssey.

DELAYED ARRIVALS

There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or road blocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.

BILLS/TIPS

Bar bills, Laundry bills, Tips for the Guides and drivers are not included.