Bhutan receives majority of the tourists in the spring months of March, April and May and fall months of September, October and November as major festivals are celebrated in these period. Hence these months are considered peak travelling season and a minimum daily tariff of USD 250 per person per night is charged.
However if tourists are not particularly interested in the festivals and plan on just exploring Bhutan, we suggest you to plan your trip during the lean period. The minimum daily tariff during the lean season is only USD 200 per person per night.
Hello From Bhutan is a local operator in Bhutan. You save a good deal of money by booking your trip directly through us. The agents abroad are commission agents and you will have to pay commission on top of daily tariff so your cost escalates. Even if you book your trip through travel agents abroad, they ultimately need to deal with local operators in Bhutan because tourist visas can be arranged only by local operators.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan imposes minimum spending per traveler per day. Within this limit the following are included:
- Visas for Bhutan
- A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide
- An experienced driver
- A good vehicle (4WD for travelling couples or mini bus or bus for bigger groups)
- All meals inclusive
- Accommodation (3-star rated hotels minimum)
- Mineral water each day
- Taxes, surcharges, government contribution
The following are not included:
- Travel Insurance
- Meals at 5-star restaurants. Breakfast at 5-star restaurants is included if you have booked a night at the hotel
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Air ticketing cost, which fluctuates as per foreign exchange rates.
Hello From Bhutan can arrange your airline tickets on both Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. There is no commission fee for this service. However, you can also buy directly from their websites www.drukair.com.bt and www.bhutanairlines.bt using your credit cards.
All visitors are advised to get their insurance coverage from their own country.
With the exception of Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian, all tourists visiting Bhutan must apply for a tourist visa prior to their arrival to Bhutan. Tourist Visa can be processed through a local tour operator.
You will need to submit a duly filled Visa form, scanned copy of your passport (with at least a validity of 6 months). The Tourism Council of Bhutan approves your Visa upon the full payment for your trip.
Most currencies are exchanged by banks here. The most commonly accepted currencies are US dollars, Australian Dollars, Singapore dollars, Euro, Pounds, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollars and Indian Rupees. Most handicraft shops accept US dollar, Australian Dollar, Euro and Pounds. You can even exchange these currencies in some local shops. They give you a better exchange rate than the banks.
Bhutan uses a 240 v system. Electrical supply is generally good but can be less stable in the smaller towns outside the capital, Thimphu. If you are using laptops and other sensitive equipment, be prepared for fluctuations and power surges. Many rural areas are still without electricity although some farms have solar electrification.
For passengers heading to Bhutan, both the airlines will ensure that you get on the next available flight to Paro. For passengers who miss their flight due to late check-in, passengers can pay Druk Air an admin charge of US$50 to get on the next available flight.
For travellers returning from Bhutan, airline staff at Paro will assist you with all arrangements in case of a flight delay. They will also attempt to contact your connecting flight airline to inform them of a delay. Should you not be able to take your connecting flight on the same day, they will arrange for your accommodation in your transit port.
Any other fees and charges incurred will typically have to be borne by the travellers. You are advised to acquire your own travel insurance.
For a trip booked and subsequently cancelled, the following apply.
More than 60 days before start of travel program, USD 150 flat rate/per person.
Between 60 – 10 days: 45% of the package cost retained as cancellation charges
Within 10 days – 100% of the package cost retained as cancellation charges
75% refund permitted for tickets cancelled more than 30 days from the date of travel.
50% refund permitted for tickets cancelled between 30 – last 10 days from the date of travel.
25% refund permitted for tickets cancelled prior to 04 (four) days from the date of travel.
For Drukair tickets issued and subsequently rescheduled, the following applies.
USD 40 rescheduling fee or equivalent local currency for every flight reschedule less than 72 hours prior to date of travel. No charges for business class passengers.
Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (NU) and is equivalent to the Indian rupee which is widely accepted in Bhutan. You will not be able to purchase ngultrums outside Bhutan, but you can easily buy ngultrums at the Paro airport, at Bhutan National Bank and the Bank of Bhutan, and at major hotels in Thimphu and Paro, all of which accept traveler’s checks and/or dollars and various other currencies. It is advisable to carry ngultrums when visiting smaller towns as it may not be possible to exchange your currency there.
Tipping is not an ingrained culture. Hotel & waiting staff do not linger around expecting a tip. However, guides and drivers will expect a tip at the end of the tour.
The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. Chillies are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people would not enjoy a meal that is not spicy.
Rice forms staple Bhutanese diet. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are consumed most often. A wide selection of western and Indian food is also available in many of the restaurants around the country.