How to Get There
Requirements for Traveling to Bhutan
All visitors to Bhutan require a visa
Indian, Bangladeshis, and Maldivian nationals can obtain a visa at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6-month validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).
All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent.
You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire-transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
At your point of entry, you will be required to show your visa clearance letter; the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Daily Minimum Charge (DMC)
The RGOB sets a minimum amount that Bhutanese Tour Operators can charge their clients.
These rates are applicable per tourist—per night spent in Bhutan. This charge covers your entire in-county trip (breakdown below) and must be paid in USD before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approves your visa (needed at check-in, before boarding any flights to Bhutan).
As such, the DMC is payable before agents are able to book your flights to and from Bhutan.
Note: The lead time needed to process the visa and secure a DrukAir reservation is 6 to 8 weeks.
The DMC for tourists travelling in a group of 3 persons or more is as follows:
- USD $200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.
- USD $250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.
Your DMC includes all taxes and surcharges and covers:
- Lodging: A minimum of 3 stars accommodation (4 and 5 stars may require an additional premium).
- Meals: Snacks, B, L, and D + Welcome and Farewell cocktail parties.
- Bhutanese Guide: In addition to your trip leader, who you may be arriving with, every group and individual tour to Bhutan requires a government-certified and licensed Bhutanese tour guide. They handle road permits and authorizations to visit restricted areas. The fee for your tour guide is included for the extent of your stay.
- Transportation: All of your internal ground transportation costs are covered. This includes pick-up and drop-off at Paro International Airport (2 hours from the capital, Thimphu) and transportation within Bhutan to all the sites that are on your itinerary. This also includes extra transportation when needed for medical emergencies, visits to local markets, and exclusive dinners. This part of your Daily Fee may not include internal flights.
- Royalty: Much like a writer collects royalties for the number of books s/he sells, so does the Bhutanese government collect on the number of tourists who visit. Unlike an author, you can choose where to direct your Sustainable Tourism Royalty (STR) of USD $65 per day, as set by the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB). These royalties directly fund RGOB services for Bhutanese subjects, including education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure.
Note: Please see our section on Discounts.
- There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the ages of 6-12 years accompanied by elders/guardians shall be given a 50% discount on daily rates and a 100% discount on royalty. This royalty is currently set at $65 per day.
- Full-time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years, holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions, shall also be given a 25% discount on the royalty.
- A discount of 50% on a minimum daily package shall be given to one person in a group of 11 people. A 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
- A 50% discount on royalty shall be provided after the 8th night and a 100% discount on royalty shall be provided after the 14th night.
- Visitors availing discounts under Sections A and B shall not be eligible for a discount under D.
See more at http://www.tourism.gov.bt/plan/discounts#sthash.vPp9Rdts.dpuf
Prior to your trip to Bhutan, you will be asked to wire the full payment for your holiday to the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
This money will remain with the Tourism Council of Bhutan until your trip is complete. Only after you have completed your holiday will the money be transferred to the local tour operator with which you booked your travel. This helps to ensure the high quality of service received throughout your trip.
See more at http://www.tourism.gov.bt/plan/wire-transfer#sthash.jLW3p76Y.dpuf
Tourists travelling in a group of two (2) persons or less shall be subject to a surcharge, in addition to the minimum daily package rates.
These are as follows:
- Single individual – US$ 40 per night
- Group of 2 persons only – US$ 30 per person per night
The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.
The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.
See more at http://www.tourism.gov.bt/about-bhutan/surcharges#sthash.2UHd9SoF.dpuf