Tour Guide, Thimphu, Bhutan
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The Kingdom of Bhutan remained largely cut off from the rest of the world up until the early 1960s. Entering the country was difficult as it was only accessible by foot from two main entry points, one in the North and another from the South. The Northern route was through Tibet, crossing high mountain passes that were inaccessible throughout the winters. The second entry route from the South came through the plains of Assam and West Bengal. The high frozen passes in the North and the dense jungles in the South made it extremely difficult to enter the country.
However, carefully planned economic development has made the country much more accessible, and there is now a network of roads entering and traversing the country, as well as one international and multiple domestic airports.
Today, the main roads entering the country are through Phuentsholing in the south, linking Bhutan with the Indian plains of West Bengal through the border towns of Gelephu in the central region and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east, which link Bhutan with the Indian state of Assam.
Travel By Land
Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are the only land border areas open to tourists.
The town of Phuentsholing in the south-west is located approximately 170 km east of the Indian National Airport at Bagdogra. After crossing Phuentsholing, you begin your journey to Thimphu, the capital city, with a travel time of about six hours for the 170 km stretch.
Gelephu, in south-central Bhutan, is another entry point to Bhutan. It is approximately 250 km from Thimphu, and the journey will take you through the sub-tropical areas of Bhutan before entering the alpine zone and then finally into Thimphu. One will have to traverse across three districts, and the travel time will be about ten hours.
The district of Samdrup Jongkhar in southeast Bhutan borders the Indian district of Darranga, Assam and is approximately 150 km away from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. The journey from Guwahati is about three hours. Tourists entering Bhutan through Samdrup Jongkhar will take you to Trashigang and, from there, over the lateral route to Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa, Wangdue Phodrang and then finally into the capital, Thimphu. The distance is about 700 kms and it will take you a minimum of three days to reach Thimphu.
Travel By Air
There are flights to destinations that include Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai.
Paro is situated at a height of 2,225 m (7300 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by mountains as high as 4,876 m (16,000 ft). At present, two carriers operate to Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. There are also domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan.
Flying into Bhutan’s Paro International Airport is typically an exciting experience as the descent into Paro Valley brings you closer to the mountain tops than most other flights in the world. The flight between Paro and Kathmandu is one of the most exciting ones, as the aircraft passes over four of the five highest mountains in the world. In fine weather, as you soar higher up, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga at their best.
Visa/Entry permits
With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa.
Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months' 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 directly through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator 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.
Online Regional Permit System
In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB-certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan, similar to international tourists.
Daily Package and SDF
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.
The minimum daily package applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan for tourists travelling in a group of 3 people or more is as follows:
• USD $100 per person per night SDF
• INR 1200 per person per night SDF
• Tour Package cost depends on the tour you choose.
The package covers the following services:
• A minimum of 3-star accommodation (4 & 5-star may require a premium payment).
• All meals
• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay
• All internal ground transport
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
(The list of hotels and lodges approved to provide accommodations are all listed on this website. If your accommodation is not listed on this website, then it is not licensed to cater for international tourists)
Discounts
i. There shall be no charge other than a visa fee of USD 40 for children below the age of 5 years.
ii. Children between the ages of 5-12 years shall be given a 50% discount on SDF Fees.
iii. Full-time students below the age of 25 years, holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions, shall be given a 25% discount on SDF Fees.
iv. A group size discount of 50% on the 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 of more than 16 people.
v. A 50% duration discount on SDF shall be provided after the 8th night, and a 100% discount on SDF shall be provided after the 14th night.
vi. A 100% discount shall be provided on SDF on the first and/or last night for groups with night halt in Phuntsholing, Sarpang and Samdrup Jongkhar on arrival and/or departure.
Note: Children below 5 years will not be eligible for discounts (iv), (v), (vi).
All Children and Students will not be eligible for a discount (v).
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.
Cancellations
Individual tour operators have their own cancellation policy. Please discuss this with your own service provider (tour operator) on the cancellation policy.
This special package is offered to visitors to promote tourist visitation to the six eastern Districts of Bhutan so that tourists can experience and enjoy the various exciting places and activities that are largely unexplored in the Eastern part of the country. So, no SDF will be applicable for the tourists visiting the six eastern districts (Mongar, Samdrup Jongkhar, Lhuntse, Tashi Yangtse, Tashigang and Pemagatshel) with effect from 16th November 2017. Our local tour operators are aware of this, and they will arrange everything accordingly to make your visit to the Eastern part of Bhutan a memorable one.
Wire Transfer
Prior to your trip to Bhutan, you will be asked to wire the full payment for your holiday to the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
You must wire the tour payment calculated by your tour operator as well as USD 40 (one-time visa fee) to the Bhutan National Bank through one of their certified international partners, with the Bhutanese tour operator specified as the ultimate beneficiary.
Please email the bank wire receipt copy to the local Bhutanese tour operator.