Travel Information

When to Visit?
The best time to visit is March, April, May, Sept, October, November and during major festivals. This is the ideal time for trekking and for traveling throughout the country. The monsoon season is June-August, with the average of 0.5m (1.5ft) of rainfall. From late September to late November, the skies are clear and the high mountain peaks are visible from dawn to dark.

Entry:
There are only two entry points to Bhutan, most travelers arrive by air at Paro, some arrive by overland through Phuentsholing in the southern border town with India, but one way has to be by Air, either in or out.

Visa & Passport:
All visitors to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the Kingdom. Visitors to Bhutan are required to book through a tour operator in Bhutan. Your travel agent in Bhutan handles visa applications, tour programme and all other ground arrangements for the visitor.
Visa clearance from Thimphu must be obtained before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least two weeks to process. Air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry the visa will be stamped in your passport on payment of US$20, two passport photos will also be required.
Individual tourist visas for a period of up to two weeks cost US$ 20, an extension is of all tourist visas should a visitor wish to remain in the Kingdom for longer than two weeks.
Full Passport details should be faxed or e-mail us in order for the visa to be processed with the immigration authorities.
If you feel you are ready to take any of our tour, please send us you VISA details through our online system, you information sent to us will be strictly used for your VISA process only. <<Click here>>

Flight:
Druk Air is the only airline that serves Paro; so all the visitors to Bhutan are initiated into the Kingdom in its care.
The flight into Paro is one of the most spectacular in the world. As the airplane rises towards the foothills of the Himalayas, the mountain rises to eye-level with the aircraft. On clear days from Kathmandu, the airplane flies past the summit of Everest. From Calcutta the Himalayan panoply invites visitors into its clutches. Delays do occur on account of the changeable Himalayan weather, so travellers are advised to build an extra day onto the end of their trips in case of hold ups.
Druk Air flies twice weekly to Delhi via Kathmandu and three times weekly to Bangkok via the Indian state of Calcutta.
Confirmation of travel during festival seasons (March, April, September and October) must be made at least three months in advance to ensure seats with the airline.

For further details on Flight and Schedule, please visit www.drukair.com.bt

RESERVATIONS :Some periods of the year are very busy while others are quiet. Festivals held in the spring and Autumn are the most popular times and unless reservations are made early. It can be difficult to secure flight bookings and hotels.
It is important to book early and make sure we get all the necessary information to fully prepare your trip. We will be happy to plan a trip that best suits the needs of individual visitors, however should you wish to arrange a special interest itinerary, we will be delighted to make the necessary arrangements.

GUIDES AND INTERPRETERS
All guides are certified by the Department of Tourism, Bhutan, and have undergone periodical trainings and examinations to upgrade their knowledge and services.
Our guides assure your stay with their best knowledge and can be a good friend during your stay in Bhutan
We also have language-speaking guides on special request like German, Japanese and French speaking guides.

CLIMATES
Bhutan’s climate ranges from tropical in the south to temperate in the centre to cold in the North. And like much of your adventure in the Himalayas, it will be quite unpredictable.
The weather can vary dramatically from day to day or within the same day. In the Thimphu and Paro valleys, the winter temperature averages 16 degrees during clear winter days but drops well below freezing point during the night. The fluctuations are not quite so great during the summer and the day temperature often rises to the mid- twenties Celsius.
Punakha and the central valleys are lower than their Western neighbours and tend to be always be a few degree warmer. The higher peaks will be snow covered all year.
The summer monsoon from Bay of Bengal affects Bhutan from late April to September. Views over the Himalayas from the higher passes are usually obscured from May to August. There are notable advantages to visiting Bhutan during the wet season including the spectacular rhododendron blossom in May and the deep green valley.

Clothing.
Bhutan's changing climate means to bring an assortment of clothes. The weather can vary dramatically from place to place, from day to day or within the same day. From may to September normal traveling cloths plus a light woolen sweater or a light jacket, including rain gear. Good walking shoes or hiking boots are essential even if you are not hiking. Because of the altitude, a hat or cap and a good pair of sunglasses are essential. From November to end march. You will need additional warm cloths, thick woolen tights to wear under trousers, thick socks and a down jacket. A good flashlight (torch), water bottle and walking stick will also come in handy.

Altitude.
Altitude problems seldom affect people below 10,000ft, but above can be problems associated with getting too high or too fast, if the body does not have a chance to acclimatize to the reduced oxygen label. Whilst we will be traversing several passes over 7,000-10,00 feet, all itineraries will be planned to get you acclimatized to altitudes over several days and with less strenuous walks. In all of our tours, we shall not be traveling fast, as we wished you to see the flora and fauna and appreciate the scenery. This will allow you for quite relaxed traveling at altitudes.

Hotels.
Hotels vary in style and quality from town to town. All Government approved Hotels are reasonably modern with running hot and cold water in Thimphu and paro but less often further east in the remote areas. All hotels are equipped with telephone; fax machines with international dialing facilities. Bhutan eco-tours will ensure the best available Hotels are arranged for you.

Food.
Bhutanese food is a blend of Himalayan flavors with the modern cuisine. Traditional Bhutanese foods are HOT and SPICY. The famous dish is the Chilly with Yak Cheese called the AYEMA DATSHI. Most of the Hotels provide a wide selection of Indian, Chinese, European and the Bhutanese food. Normally the meals are served buffet style for the groups

Transport
we use comfortable Toyota buses, Toyota mini buses for the group tours and Toyota cars and 4Wheel drives for the smaller groups and FITS.

Currency.
Bhutan's unit of currency is the NGULTRUM (NU), A Ngultrum has the same value as an Indian Rupee, approximately 48 Ngultrum exchanged for one US Dollar. Acceptable currencies US Dollars, Sterling, in cash or Travelers cheques.

Photography And Filming.
Photography is permitted nearly everywhere in Bhutan and the local population has no aversion to being photographed. Photography inside the Dzongs and Monasteries are not permitted. Any commercial Filming must pay a royalty to obtain the permit from the Royal Government of Bhutan. Request us for more details for any commercial filming.

Custom Regulation.
The Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibits the export of any Antiquity or antiques of any type 100 years or older. You are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items. Custom authorities will not allow items to be taken out of the country if they have not been officially certified as non-antique. Personal videos, cameras, personal computers, portable telephones or any other electronic device should be registered with the customs authorities on arrival at Paro and will be checked on departure. Upon arrival you will be issued a "customs form" this form must be filled out, with declarations, and returned to authorities on departure. Two liters of Alcohol, and reasonable quantity of cigarettes may be brought in to the country without duty.