Visiting Bhutan

Visitors must book through tour operators abroad or contact Sacred Himalaya Travel directly. Entry into Bhutan will only be approved after the visa application is processed by tour operators in Bhutan. Your visa will then be stamped on arrival at Paro airport in Bhutan upon payment of visa fees. You will need to produce two passport size photos. Please note, unless you are given the approval of entry, Druk Air will not allow you to board the flight to Bhutan. For entry approval you will need to send us the detailed passport information and your occupation.

Entering Bhutan

Visitors can enter Bhutan overland or by air. You can fly into Paro airport by Bhutan's National carrier (Druk Air) from Kathmandu,Delhi, Calcutta, Dhaka and Bangkok. Please visit the website of Druk Air (www.drukair.com.bt) for latest schedule and information.The other alternative is, you can drive in overland via India (Bagdogra airport, Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri, Sikkim, Darjeeling & Kalimpong) to Phuntsholing - Bhutan.

Those who are flying into Paro will need to book their seats way in advance especially during peak season. Druk Air is always at the mercy of weather and operates from an airport that is daylight restricted, and totally dependent on weather. Flights can sometimes be delayed. It is recommended that passengers keep at least 24 hours transit time for connecting flights out of Paro.

Arrival

You will receive a baggage declaration and immigration form in the plane prior to landing. Please fill the form accurately as it appears on your passport. The main purpose of the declaration form is to ensure that you re-export anything you bring into country. List all expensive equipment that you are carrying, such as cameras,video cameras and portable computers etc. Customs officials usually want to see the items that you listed, and then they endorse the form and return it to you. Don't lose it. You must return the form,and may be asked to show the items listed when you leave the country.

Airport Tax

The airport tax or departure tax at the Paro airport is Nu 300 (Local Currency). Bhutanese currency is the Ngultrum (abbrev. Nu.) which,is divided into 100 Cheltrum. Bank notes come in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Ngultrum. One Ngultrum is equivalent to one Indian Rupees.

Free Baggage Allowance

Passengers are allowed to carry baggage not exceeding 20 Kgs (44 pounds) in Y class and 30 Kgs (66 pounds) in J class. Any excess will be charged, for excess baggage charge please visit www.drukair.com.bt.Hand carry baggage is allowed only one piece; the size is not exceeding 45+35+20cm (17.5+13.5+8 inches) and the weight not exceeding 5 kgs (11 pounds).

Accomodation

Bhutan is a remote, unique and a beautiful country, only recently emerging from isolation. There are no international standard luxury hotels. Accommodations outside Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Phuntsholing are basic, which is clean family run lodges with attached bath and hot water. Accommodation provided are the best available and approved by the Tourism Department of Bhutan.

Cancellation

Cancellation must be notified in writing, you can either email us or fax us your cancellation notice. Tour programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
a) Within 60 days prior to arrival free
b) Within 45 days 25% of the cost
c) Within 30 days 50% of the cost
d) After 29 days 100% of the cost
Please note that our cancellation policies apply in every instance. There will be NO EXCEPTION FOR ANY REASON. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you purchase INSURANCE.

Air

Airfare on Druk Air must be wired within two weeks from the date of booking. Failure to which the confirmed seats on Druk Air will be cancelled automatically.

Mode Of Payment

100% of tour payment must be deposited by wire transfer at least 60 days prior to arrival in Bhutan. Bank account number and address will be advised. Without the advance payment your entry into Bhutan will not be approved.

Health

To assure that you are in good health, contact your physician and have a fairly rigorous exam. Your doctor is the best source of information about immunizations and medicines; he knows your medical history and is in touch with local public health officials. Ask and follow his advice in medical matters regarding the trip. Vaccination requirements and recommendations do change frequently, so each traveler should check with the US Center of Disease Control and their physician or a traveler's clinic for the most up to date information. Recommended vaccinations: Typhoid Fever, Gamma Globulin, Tetanus-diphtheria, Polio, Measles and Malaria.

Equipment And Supplies

In addition to the medication supply you may want to bring with you: sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, a water flask, a flashlight with extra batteries, a folding pocket knife, a hat or headscarf in summer, cap and gloves in winter, disinfectant tablets for water, insect repellent (summer). Coffee - lovers may want to bring their own preferred brand. There is no good coffee available in Bhutan.

Medication

Bring all your customary medicines with you plus a laxative, an anti-diarrhea medicine (an oral rehydration solution is also very helpful in case of diarrhea), antihistamine tablets, anti-nausea tablets (in case of mountain sickness), eye lotion, lip salve.

Clothing

The wide range of temperatures does not make dressing easy. The best solution is to wear several layers, such as a cotton shirt, pullover, wool cardigan and jacket, which can be taken off or added as needed. Do not bring delicate clothes: conservative sportswear isthe appropriate style for a traveler in Bhutan. Even in summer you will need a sweater or a light jacket in the evening. An umbrella is a must in all seasons. It is more useful than a raincoat and acts as protection not only against the rain but also against the sun, which can be fierce at these altitudes. Comfortable sports shoes are strongly recommended; mountain boots are not necessary unless you plan to go trekking. From May to September, cotton clothes are sufficient, plus a woolen sweater or light jacket. From November to the end of April, on the other hand, you will need very warm cloths including long underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, and a warm jacket. Please dress respectfully when you visit a monastery or temple: clothes that are modest and clean and in the spirit of visiting a sacred place are appropriate. Women can wear either nice pants or a dress.

Climate

It is hard to generalize about Bhutan's weather since the mountain climate varies enormously from region to another. It varies with the altitude and can also reach extremes of heat and cold within the 24 hours at any given altitude. Southern Bhutan is tropical,with monsoon season. The East is warmer than the West. The central valleys of Punakha, Wangdi Phodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, whereas Haa,Paro, Thimphu, Trongsa, Bumthang and Phobjikha have a much harsher climate, including occasional snowfalls in winter. The north of the country is inhabited up to 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) in summer. The climate there is rough, with monsoon rains in summer and heavy snowfalls in winter. In those valleys, where most tourist activities are concentrated, the winters (mid-November to mid-March) are dry, with daytime temperatures of 16-18 degrees Celsius (60-65 degreess F) if the sun is shining. By contrast, the evenings and early mornings are cold, with nighttime temperatures falling below freezing. Snow covers the mountaintops but reaches the valleys only two or three times each year. Spring lasts from mid March to the beginning of June (27-19 degrees Celsius / 80-84 F) by day and 18 - 20 degrees Celsius / around 65 degrees F at night. Summer temperatures are 23-24 degrees Celsius / 73 - 75 F by day and 15- 16 degrees Celsius / 59-61 F at night. At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly arrives. All at once the sky clears, a brisk breeze picks up and temperatures start falling towards freezing at night although bright sunshine continues to keep the days warm.

Antiques

The export of antiques and wildlife products is prohibited. If you purchase a souvenir that looks old, have your guide clear it as a non-antique item with the Department of Antique Preservation. Customs authorities pay special attention to religious items.

Departure

Departure formalities are straightforward, but you must produce the form that you completed on arrival and show the items listed on it. A lost form means complication and delays. If you lose the form, let your guide know as soon as possible so that special arrangements can be made to avoid inconvenience.