Travel Requirements

All tourists (excluding Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian passport holders) who wish to travel to Bhutan require a visa and must book their holiday through a Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners. The tour operator will take care of visa arrangements for visitors.

In keeping with the Tourism Council of Bhutan’s policy of “High Value, Low Impact” tourism a Minimum Daily Package is required for tourists.

The minimum daily package covers the following services:

• A minimum of 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium).

• All meals.

• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay.

• All internal transport (excluding internal flights).

• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours.

It also includes:

• All internal taxes and charges.

• A sustainable tourism Royalty of $65. This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.

The minimum daily package for tourists traveling 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.

These rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan.

On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on a usage basis.

The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan. These must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.

DELAYED ARRIVALS

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

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel.

SURCHARGES

Tourists traveling 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:

A 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.

DISCOUNTS

A) There shall be no charge for CHILDREN below the age of 5 years. However, those between the ages of 5-12 years accompanied by elders/ guardians shall be given a 50% discount on daily rates. This Royalty is currently set at $65 per day.

B) Full-time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years, holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions, shall be given a 25% discount.

C) A discount of 50% on minimum daily package shall be given to one person in a group of 11 people. 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.

D) A 50% discount on Royalty shall be provided after the 8th night and 100% discount on Royalty shall be provided after the 14th night.

E) Visitors availing discounts under Sections A & B shall not be eligible for discount under D.

WIRE TRANSFER

Prior to your trip to Bhutan, you will be asked to wire the full payment for your holiday.