FAQ
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- When is the best time to visit Bhutan?
- Where do I enter Bhutan?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Bhutan?
- What documents do I need to submit for a visa?
- What documents will you provide that I need to take with me to Bhutan?
- How much does it cost to visit Bhutan?
- What is included in the tour package?
- What is not included in the tour package?
- How do I make the payment and how secure is the payment?
- Are there any discounts available?
- Do you provide travel insurance?
- What If I need to cancel my trip?
- How can I purchase Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines tickets?
- What is the weight limit for luggage on Drukair?
- Can I have a private tour?
- Why do I need a guide? Can I just tour on my own?
- Can I have a customized itinerary?
- What kind of vehicles do you use?
- What’s the food like? I’m a vegetarian, is that a problem?
- Is it safe to travel to Bhutan?
- Do I have to worry about altitude sickness in Bhutan?
- How much money should I bring?
- What is the currency in Bhutan?
- What is the time zone in Bhutan?
- What type of hotels do you use?
- When should I book my trip?
1. When is the best time to visit Bhutan?
The ideal time to visit Bhutan are in the spring months of March, April and May and the fall months of September, October and November. The weather is warmer and the skies are clearer making the high mountains rise to a vivid blue sky. Most of the annual festivals take place during these months.
Winter is a good month to visit as well. The days are usually sunny, cool and pleasant but it’s quite cold once the sun sets in. You will need to pack warm clothing.
2. Where do I enter Bhutan?
By Air
The best way to enter Bhutan is by air to Paro International Airport. Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are the only national carrier of Bhutan. No other airlines fly into Bhutan.
By Road
There are two entry & exit points by road for foreign tourists.
The first entry/exit point is by a border town called Phuenstholing in Southwest Bhutan , from Siliguri town in West Bengal which is around 5 – 6 hours drive to Phuentsholing.
The second entry/exit point is by Samdrup Jongkhar in the eastern Bhutan. This town shares its border with the Indian State of Assam. It is 3 hour drive from Samdrup Jongkhar to the Indian airport of Guwahati.
3. Do I need a visa to travel to Bhutan?
With an exception of nationalities from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all visitors travelling to Bhutan are required to obtain a visa prior to your arrival in Bhutan. No Embassies abroad will issue Bhutan visa. Tourist visas are all processed through a local tour operator in Thimphu (Capital) such as our travel company. We would process your visa in 6 to 7 working days and send you the visa confirmation letter via mail. Your actual will be stamped on your passport on arrival to Bhutan.
Important : All visitors require a passport valid for at least 6 months or longer before their visit to Bhutan.
4. What documents do I need to submit for a visa?
- Your full name
- Occupation
- Nationality
- Passport No
- Date of issue
- Date of expiry
- Place of Issue
- Date of birth
- Permanent address
- A scanned copy of your passport (in jpeg format)
5. What documents will you provide that I need to take with me to Bhutan?
We will send you the visa confirmation letter, Drukair or Bhutan Airlines e-ticket and confirmation sheet of your travel. Please carry a copy of the itinerary as well.
6. How much does it cost to visit Bhutan?
The price of the tour is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is based on high value and low volume to control tourism and environment.
Daily Tour Rate during the High Season-March, April, May, September, October and November:
- For a group of 3 persons or above, the minimum tour cost is US$ 250 per night per person
- For a group of 2 persons, the minimum tour cost is US$ 280 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 250 +surcharge US $ 30)
- For a lone traveler, the tour cost is US $ 290 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 250 +surcharge US $ 40)
- For a group of 3 persons or above, the tour cost is US$ 200 per night per person.
- For a group of 2 persons, the tour cost is US$ 230 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 200 + surcharge US $ 30)
- For a single traveler, the tour rate is US$ 240 per night per person (daily tariff US $ 200 + surcharge US $ 40)
7. What is included in the tour package?
- Bhutan Government Royalty of US$65 per night per person
- Twin sharing hotel Rooms at 3 star hotels
- All Meals at 3 star hotels
- English speaking tour guides
- Refreshments (tea,coffee and snacks)
- All transfers and sightseeing/treks/tours within Bhutan
- Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
- Trekking equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- All entrance fees to museums and monuments
- All internal taxes and charges
- Mineral drinking water
8. What is not included in the tour package?
- Visa fee US $40 each (must be paid in advance with tour cost).
- Airfares
- Travel insurance (recommended but not available in Bhutan)
- Single Room supplements US$ 40 per room per night (optional)
- Other personal expenses, calls overseas, laundary, etc.
- Gratuities/Tips
9. How do I make the payment and how secure is the payment?
How can I trust Bhutan Tenpa Travel for the payment because everything is done online and how do I know it’s not a scam? We are in legitimate business and our company is registered with Tourism Council of Bhutan. Please check our company on Tourism Council of Bhutan’s website – www.tourism.gov.bt
Unfortunately the only mode of payment is through wire transfer. The local Bank ( Bhutan National Bank) here does not accept payment via Credit card or Pay Pal etc … The tour payment goes directly deposited into the account of Tourism Council of Bhutan so the payment is very secure.
10. Are there any discounts available?
- 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 50% discount on daily rates.
- 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 daily rates.
- A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to one person in a group of 11 to 15 people.
- A 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
11. Do you provide travel insurance?
No, we do not provide travel insurance.
12. What If I need to cancel my trip?
An administration fee of $120 would be applicable for all cancelled tours
Tour Programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
- Within 45 days of the start of the tour program is free
- less than 30 days and more than 15 days – 30 % of the rate
- less than 15 days- 50% of the rate
- After arrival in Bhutan : 100% (no refund)
13. How can I purchase Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines tickets?
There are two ways to purchase Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines tickets. You can purchase it online from Druk Air website www.drukair.com.bt or Bhutan Airlines website www.bhutanairlines.bt . Or we can purchase your airfare for you. All tickets will be e-tickets and will be sent to you via mail.
14. What is the weight limit for luggage on Drukair?
The limit is 20kg for economy class and 30kg for business class. It’s possible to pay for excess baggage, but there is a chance that the luggage will have to be sent on the next flight. Also, there is not a great deal of cabin space, so carry-on luggage should be kept to a minimum.
15. Can I have a private tour?
Yes, we offer private tours based on the interests of the clients. You can travel alone or brings your friends and family. You will be accompanied by a private guide, vehicle and driver throughout your tour.
16. Why do I need a guide? Can I just tour on my own?
Tourism in Bhutan is highly regulated by the government. If you want to visit Bhutan, you must do so through a licensed Bhutanese tour company. You cannot tour the country on your own. And you cannot rent a car on your own. You are obligated to have a guide and a driver. This policy ensures that when you come to Bhutan, you will be immersed in a culture and environment that have been carefully preserved.
17. Can I have a customized itinerary?
Our expert will customize an itinerary based on your interest and duration of the stay. If there are any local festivals or any other occasions during your date of travel, we will add that too!
18. What kind of vehicles do you use?
We use luxurious, clean and well maintained vehicles like Toyota and Hyundai and Prado. Our drivers are all seasoned drivers and carefully chosen to escort our guests.
- SUV – for groups of one or two people.
- Hiace bus (Vans) – for groups of three to seven
- Toyota Coaster bus for larger group with luggage van if necessary.
19. What’s the food like? I’m a vegetarian, is that a problem?
The food is one of the greatest experiences when you travel to a different destination. You will have a variety of cuisines to choose from, including Bhutanese, Indian, Tibetan, Continental, and Chinese. The main staples of the Bhutanese diet are rice (red or white) and chilies. One dish favored by most Bhutanese is called “Emadatsi,” which is chilies and cheese. Meat is widely eaten in Bhutan, as are vegetables. Bhutanese food tends to be spicy, since many dishes are made with chilies, but the spiciness can be reduced to your liking.
20.Is it safe to travel to Bhutan?
The crime rate is very less in Bhutan. Security and safety are a high priority to every guest who travel to Bhutan and it is safe for women and solo travelers.
21. Do I have to worry about altitude sickness in Bhutan?
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. 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
22. How much money should I bring?
This will depend on the duration of your stay and the money you spend on local handicrafts. Some visitors like to carry hefty sums because they want to buy souvenirs and gifts for their family and friends back home. Some bring very little cash because food, accommodation, vehicle, guide etc… is covered in the tour price and they don’t want to do shopping.
We highly recommend you to bring USD dollars for shopping in Bhutan because it’s widely accepted in handicraft stores and other stores. There are few ATMs in Thimphu where you can withdraw money with your credit card but we would advise to you carry cash in USD for convenience.
23. What is the currency in Bhutan?
The currency in Bhutan is called the Ngultrum. It is linked and equal in value to the Indian rupee, which is also accepted in Bhutan. You cannot purchase ngultrum prior to arriving in 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. When visiting smaller towns, however, you should bring ngultrum for your purchases, as it may not be possible to exchange your currency.
24. What is the time zone in Bhutan?
Bhutan has only one time zone. It is six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), 30 minutes ahead of India, 15 minutes ahead of Nepal, and one hour behind Thailand. In the USA, during daylight saving time (April through October) Bhutan is 10 hours ahead of New York City. During standard time (November through March), Bhutan is 11 hours ahead of New York City.
25. What type of hotels do you use?
We use hotels that are all approved by Tourism Council of Bhutan. The hotels are all 3 star hotel and above except for few hotels if you are traveling to Eastern Bhutan. The hotels are basic however they are clean, comfortable and they provide good service. We keep our guests in the best hotels possible.
26. When should I book my trip?
There are only two airlines Druk Air And Bhutan Airlines in Bhutan and the hotels are limited, we recommend 6 months in advance during peak season and 3 months in advance during low season early to avoid disappointment. Festivals held in Autumn and Spring are peak season for tourists and it can be difficult to secure bookings of hotels and Druk Air And Bhutan Airlines seats without advance notice. We will of course make every effort to accommodate last minute bookings.
If you do not find your answers to your questions, contact us for more info