1. How can I be sure that I have a reserved place on the tour to Bhutan?
Your tour with Bhutan Travelers is confirmed once the company receives your full payment. You will receive a confirmation via email.
2. When is the best time to travel to Bhutan?
You can visit Bhutan anytime of the year. Visitors tend to stay away during the monsoon months of June, July and August when the weather is sometimes a little wet for sightseeing.
3. Would we need travel insurance?
All visitors are advised to get their insurance cover from their own country.
4. Is tipping a standard practice? There are no strict rules on tipping in Bhutan. A standard service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants. But if you are happy with the service, you can offer a tip to service staff.
5. What kind of travel guides can we expect?
Licensed Bhutanese travel guides will introduce you to the many facets of this interesting country. The English-speaking guides undergo regular training and, where required, specialized guides will lead you on bird watching, botany or other special tours.
6. What is Bhutan’s electricity supply like? Can I use electrical appliances in the hotels?
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 computers and other sensitive equipment, be prepared for fluctuations and power surges. Many rural areas are still without electricity although some farms have solar electrification.
7. Are there any internet cafes in Bhutan?
Yes, all most all the towns have internet cafes.
8. What type of electrical plug is used in Bhutan? Bhutan uses the Indian round pin sockets. You can find adaptors in many of the hardware shops in the capital, Thimphu.
9. Are cigarettes available in Bhutan? There is a ban on the sale of cigarettes in Bhutan. Smoking is also prohibited in public places, hotels and offices.
10. Can we buy antiques in Bhutan? The export of antiques is prohibited by law. Tourists should buy only artifacts that have been certified for sale and for export. The government provides an official seal to certify that artifacts can be taken out of Bhutan.
11. Who is Bhutan Travelers?
Bhutan Travelers is a government registered tour operator based in Bhutan.
12. What is the difference between booking a trip directly through Bhutan Travelers and agents abroad?
Bhutan Travelers is a local operator in Bhutan, and you safe a good deal of money by booking your trip directly through us. The abroad agents are commission agents and you will have to pay commission on top of daily tariff, and hence the cost goes up. Even if you book your trip through any one of abroad agents, they ultimately need to deal with local operators in Bhutan, because tourist’s visas can only be arranged by the local operators.
13. Does Bhutan Travelers operate tours in any other regions or countries?
Yes, we operate in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Bengal Duars. Bengal Duars have lot more to explore, and it is relatively a new destination, which only Bhutan Travelers offers. Our next extensions will be Nepal and Tibet.
14. Are there any tips for taking pictures in Bhutan?
Bhutan is perhaps one of the most photogenic places in the world. The landscape, nature, architecture and the people make it a photographer’s paradise. People are generally happy to pose for pictures, but do ask before you do so if you are focusing on one person. Photography is not permitted inside Dzongs, monasteries and temples as they are considered living institutions.
15. Can I get films and other photographic needs in Bhutan? It is advisable to bring your own photographic equipment and needs. Films and camera batteries are available generally only in major towns. Slide film is generally not available so bring plenty of slide rolls if you’re shooting slides.
16. What does it cost to visit Bhutan?
The International Tourist Tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is valid for all inclusive packages. The tariff is divided into a high season and a low season rate.The rates are the same for cultural tours, treks or any other special interest tours.
For groups of three persons or more, the rates are as follows: High season tariff: US $180/- per person per night in March, April, May, Sept. October and November. Low Season Tariff: US$ 165 per person per night in January, February, June, July, August, December.
For a group of less than three persons, there is a surcharge to the daily tariff:
One person: US $40 per person per night.
Two persons: US $30 per person per night.
Three persons and more: No surcharge applicable.
17. When should I pay for my tour? It is best to pay for your tour at least four weeks before the date of arrival. This will give enough time for the Royal Government of Bhutan to clear your visa formalities (which is done only after the payment is received). For visits during the peak season in March, April, May, September, October, & November, it is advisable to make your payment 12 weeks in advance. This is to enable us to make a confirmed booking for you on the airline, since seats are in high demand during these months.
18. How should I pay for my tour? The best way to transfer money is through wire or bank transfer to the Bhutan National Bank in Thimphu. Bhutan Travelers will provide you with full instructions on how to transfer your payment once you confirm you tour.
19. Can I use credit cards in Bhutan?
Credit cards are accepted in very few hotels and shops in the capital and towns. All credit card transactions take extra time and are cumbersome to use. For convenience, it is preferable to have travelers cheques and cash.
20. Is there ATM facility in Bhutan?
No, there is no ATM facility in Bhutan.
21. What is Bhutan’s currency? Can I buy the currency before arriving in Bhutan?
Bhutan’s currency is the ngultrum and is equivalent to the Indian rupee which is widely accepted in Bhutan. You will not be able to purchase ngultrum outside Bhutan, but you can easily buy ngultrum 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 bring ngultrum with you when visiting smaller towns as it may not be possible to exchange your currency.
22. How secure is my advance payment for my trip? Your payment is secured as it goes directly to a government account. Tour operators receive their payments after the tour is completed.
23. What services are included in the cost of a tour?
hotel accommodation in government classified hotels
three meals a day and tea and snacks
the government royalty
in-country transport with airport drop and pick up
guide service
tours specified in the itinerary, cultural programmes where specified
entrance fees to museums and monuments
On treks it includes: tents for sleeping, dining and toilet, guide service, meals prepared by trained cooks, porters, pack horses and yaks, and a guide.
25. What do I need to do to apply for a visa? Bhutan Travelers will arrange your visas. We will send you a visa form where your personal particulars and passport details are required. Simply fill it in and return to Bhutan Travelers along with your payment for the tour you have booked.
26. What are the procedures for my visa application to be approved? After we receive your full payments for the tour, the government takes about 7-10 working days to clear the visa applications. This approval is sent automatically to the respective Druk Air stations where your flight is booked for travel into Bhutan. A copy of it will also be sent to you. Your Bhutan visa is stamped on your passport only arrival at Paro airport. All visitors should carry their visa application approval with them to be shown at the Druk Air check-in counter and for immigration on arrival.
27. Is there a visa fee for Bhutan? On arrival, visitors should pay US $20 visa fee to the immigration desk to get your Bhutan visa.
28. What is the best way of getting to Bhutan?
Bhutan can be reached via air travel or by road. If you plan to fly into Bhutan, the national airline flies to Bangkok, Kolkatta, Delhi and Kathmandu. The overland entry and exit points to and from Bhutan are from the two cities in the south of Bhutan -- Samdrup Jongkhar and Phuntsholing.
29. What is the schedule for the airline that flies into Bhutan? Bhutan’s national airline, Druk Air operates daily flights from several destinations. Click here for the Druk Air flight schedule.
31. What do the airport taxes cost?
The airport tax is US $13/-. This tax should be paid in advance along with your tour payment to avoid having to make the payment at the time of departure.
32. How do I book my flights into Bhutan?
Bhutan travelers can arrange your airline tickets on Druk Air flights into Bhutan. There is no commission fee for this service.
33. What is the baggage limit on Druk Air?
Druk Air provides the standard baggage allowance of 20 kg for economy class travelers and 30 kg in business class. The allowance for carry-on bags is 5 kg.
34. How will I receive my Druk Air tickets?
Bhutan Travelers will buy your tickets and send it to you through the express mail service prior to your scheduled visit. If there is inadequate time to send it to you, you can pick up your airline ticket at the check-in counter of the airport from where you will be boarding your Druk Air flight into Bhutan.
35. Is there any likelihood of delays in Druk Air?
Druk Air flights can be delayed in departure and arrival especially in the monsoon season. It is advisable for passengers with onward connections after leaving Bhutan to keep at least one day’s gap before the next flight.
36. Will I get a refund on my tour payment if I cancel my trip after confirmed booking?
Unlike other tour operators, Bhutan Travelers will refund your entire tour payment if you cancel your trip on a genuine ground.
37. What is Druk Air’s cancellation policy? You will get refund for the Druk Air tickets if you cancel 31 days before the commencement of the trip. Lost tickets and “no show” are non-refundable.
38. What kind of accommodation will we stay in?
Bhutan offers generally modest but clean hotels. There are none of the chain hotels in Bhutan although a couple of high end resorts have been opened in some districts. Bhutan Travelers puts you up in the best available hotels that are classified and approved by the Royal Government. Visitors are advised not to expect luxury or five star hotel services. Bhutan’s local hospitality is, however, an insight into a society where tourism may be a new venture, but where visitors are greeted with true warmth and friendship.
39. Are standards the same through out Bhutan?
Generally, tourist facilities and services are good in western Bhutan, but the quality of service and facilities decreases the further east we go. This is because tourism is less developed in the more remote east.
40. What kind of meals is available in Bhutan? A variety of meals are available in most hotels – the most popular being Indian, Chinese, and the more common continental food.
41. Are most dishes in Bhutan vegetarian?
Non vegetarian dishes are generally available in most parts of Bhutan - pork, beef, chicken, and fish. The best advise is to ask the hotel and restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season.
42. Are there any immunizations I should have before visiting Bhutan?
There are no vaccination requirements for entering the country. You may, however, wish to talk to your doctor about receiving immunizations against certain preventable diseases. The US Center for Disease Control has up-to-date travel information about which diseases you may want to immunize yourself against when traveling to Bhutan.
43. Is altitude sickness a common problem? The altitude in Bhutan is higher than many people are used to. Though most visitors will have no problem adjusting, altitude sickness may be a problem for certain people. Signs of altitude sickness include headache, nausea, loss of appetite and fatique. If you are in higher altitude than you are used to, descend immediately until you begin to feel better.
Our cultural tours do not reach altitudes higher than 3,500 meters. All of our treks reach at least 3,500 meters, and some of our treks go as high as 5,000 meters. You can obtain more information on altitude sickness and prevention from the US Centers for Disease Control and from the International Society for Mountain Medicine.
44. What about crime? How safe is it to travel in Bhutan? There is very little crime in Bhutan, and it is safe for women travelers and solo travelers to tour the country. For in-depth and up-to-date information on travel to Bhutan, you can refer to the US State Department's Consular Information Sheet on Bhutan. You may want to consider purchasing travel insurance to cover emergency assistance, baggage loss, or injury of any kind.
45. What kind of vehicles will we travel through Bhutan in?
Bhutan Travelers provides comfortable passenger coaster buses for groups of seven visitors or more. You will also be traveling comfortably throughout the country in six seater Japanese hi-ace buses.Smaller groups of one to two passengers will discover the country in cars. Bhutan Travelers prides itself on providing clean and well-maintained Japanese cars and buses for inland travel.
46. What is the dress code in Bhutan?
Visitors are advised to dress comfortably as Bhutan is generally a formal place. Shorts, skirts and revealing tight clothing are to be avoided.
47. Is there recommended attire for visiting temples and institutions?
The Bhutanese people wear their full traditional dress and formal wear to Dzongs and to temples. Visitors should wear long pants (even if jeans), shirts with full sleeves, and more formal skirts below the knees to these places. Slippers and sandals are discouraged. Sun caps are also not permitted inside Dzongs and temples.
48. What is the best way to greet people, and what are some basic etiquette that I should be awareof?
Bhutanese people have a distinct manner of greeting people, sometimes with a slight nodding of the head or bowing slightly if we meet older, senior people. Guests are encouraged to observe the local etiquette and not to talk too loudly when meeting Bhutanese. A nod of the head is also appreciated when meeting people, particularly in villagers and towns outside Thimphu. Intimacy in public is generally not appreciated.
Greetings
Here are some useful words and greetings in the national language, Dzongkha.
When addressing elders or anyone older than you, we use the term "Au" which is a respectful form of saying older brother, sister, or uncle…
Hello
How are you?
Thank you
Good luck
Yes
No
Tosaa
What’s your name?
What’s your name?
My name is
Chabsa gatey mo la
Nga to kechei la
Ngul khang gatey mo la?
Dhrem khang gatey mo la?
Kuzu Zangpo la
Chhoe gadebe yue?
Kadrinche la
Tashi Delek
iee, yue
Me
Friend
Choe ming gachi mo?
ngi ming…(name) iee
Where is the toilet?
I am hungry
Where is the bank?
Where is the post office?
49. Is it safe for women to travel alone in Bhutan?
There is no sexual harassment as Bhutanese women generally enjoy a good standing in society. Since all tourists have a travel guide, there is little chance of coming across unpleasant occurrences. Women are however, advised to take the same universal precautions when in crowded entertainment places at night, particularly when in discos or bars, or if walking to hotel late in the evening. Sometimes, the stray dogs could pose a problem on the streets at night.
50. Does Bhutan welcome gays and lesbians? People’s sexual preferences are considered personal matters and do not bother most Bhutanese. The Bhutanese people are, however, not used to open intimate behavior. Sometimes, you come across people of the same gender holding hands but they are not necessarily gay or lesbian.
51. When is the best season for trekking? In Spring and Autumn. Hence, the months of March, April, May and Sept, October, November
53. Is there a limit to the baggage I can bring along if I am trekking in Bhutan?
Trekking horses carry 30 kgs each and one horse serves two people. So trekkers are asked to keep their baggage to a maximum of 15 kg each – which is a lot as it will contain only your personal belongings. All food and tents are provided by Bhutan Travelers.
54. Where can I leave my belongings that are not required on trek?
After you have packed for your trek, you can leave the rest of your belongings with the travel company.
55. Will I be carrying the entire luggage myself?
You will carry only your basic things in your back pack. While heavier items will go into duffel bags which will be carried by horses.
56. Who else will be there on trek?
Your trekking entourage will consist of a guide, camp chef, assistant, one or two horseman and horses.
57. Do I get sleeping bag for hire in Bhutan?
No, you will have to bring in from your place.
58. What types of meals do I get on trek?
For breakfast:
Canned juice with choice of orange, mango, pineapple, apple etc. porridge / cornflakes / cereals, fresh fruits, sausages/bacon, toast, butter and Jam, eggs cooked to order and tea/coffee.
For pack lunch:
Vegetable cutlet/sandwich/boiled potato, chicken roast/beef roast, boiled eggs, choice of fresh fruits, canned juice (orange, pineapple, pepsi /coke).
For evening tea:
Tea/coffee, cookies/sandwich and biscuits.
For dinner:
Soup, salad, rice, noodles, 2 non-vegetable items, 2 vegetable items, desert and tea/coffee.
