Travel Bhutan

Detail Informations

Money/Currency:
Currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum (Nu.). The Ngultrum is fixed to the value of Indian rupee and approximately Nu. 80 makes US$1. Tourists are advised to carry their money in form of travelers’ checks (preferably American Express) with cash (US Dollars) which might be needed for incidental expenses.

Credit Cards:

Credit Cards in Bhutan is not advisable, but few handicrafts and shopping malls accepts VISA & American Express Credit Cards.

Time:
Bhutan time is 6 hours ahead of GMT and 30 minutes ahead of Indian standard time. There is only one time zone throughout the country.

Language:
Dzongkha, is the National Language of Bhutan.
English is commonly spoken in few towns and also it is the medium of education in schools throughout the Kingdom.

Accommodation:
There are comfortable hotels, lodges and guesthouses at tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in central and eastern part of the country, accommodation establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities. Bhutan Exotic Travels has carefully selected a list of accommodation units with the best of location, services and ambiance. Away from the towns and villages there are purpose-built huts on some of the principal trekking routes. Otherwise, there is nothing like camping out under the clearest night skies that you have ever seen. Wherever you spend the night, the warm Bhutanese hospitality will make you feel welcome.

Tour Escorts:

All tours organized by Bhutan Exotic Travels are escorted by well trained, knowledgeable and English speaking guides, Certified by Department of Tourism(DOT) "Bhutan Believe" .

The services of a  guides could also be provided with prior information and on additional cost.

Food :
Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese. Bhutan Exotic Travels has a list of selected hotels and lodges which offers delicious Chinese, Continental, Bhutanese and Indian Cuisine. Even on treks, Bhutan Exotic Travels will provide you with well trained cooks who will prepare dishes suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.

Climate:
The central valleys of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhunsthi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon rains in the summer and heavy snow-fall in the winter, which often blocks the passes leading into the central valleys.

Winter in Bhutan is from mid-November until mid-March, and at this time of the year the climate is dry, with daytime temperatures sometimes falling below zero Celsius.
The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn suddenly arrives, and is a magnificent season for trekking until November.
The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country.

Clothing:

It can be regarded decent if you walk around in clothes made from natural materials , which allow the body to breathe better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, we would advise women to wear skirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlet.

During visit of Monasteries, Dzongs (Fortress) and other religious institutions we advise our visitor not to wear shorts & hats.

Other than clothing, we advise you to have carried with you a pair of sunglasses, spare contact lenses, a pair of casual shoes, extra camera films and other accessories.

Photography:
The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. You will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc. Always ask by gesture if it is OK to do so. Don’t take your destination as living museum.
While visiting Dzong, Monasteries, Religious institutions and Museums, please follow your guide’s instruction carefully and always ask your guide if it is OK to take pictures in those areas.
Slide film is more difficult to find. Bring enough batteries if you use lithium batteries.

Shopping:
Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in the Kingdom. You may buy country’s postage stamps for your own collection, hand woven fabrics, woven baskets, wood made products as bowls, status and etc, handmade paper, scroll paintings (Thangkas) and other available goods.

Gratuity:

In general, tipping is neither compulsory nor there is any fixed amount and the bottom line in determining whether and how much to tip is to ask yourself how much the individual did to make your travel more enjoyable.

Electricity:

In Bhutan, electricity runs 220/240 volts. If you do bring electrical appliances, take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs.

Visa Information

Visitors of all Nationality, other then Indian having a valid Indian Passport, have to avail visa before entering Bhutan. We advise all the tour planners to send us your visa application form filled, to Bhutan Exotic Travels before a month of your starting of your tour, so as to let us process it for you by the right time. You will be inform and you will get your visa on arrival at custom checking office at Druk Air (Air Port) and even we would fax you a copy of it.

Bhutan Exotic Travels will process your visa & application and provide you with the Visa clearance number. But you must submit your trip payment in full. A visa clearance will not be issued by the government of Bhutan until all tariff and Druk Air fees have been received.

Note : Your visa fee will not be included in your Druk Air Fare.

Minimum Daily Package

The minimum daily package covers the following services.

✅ A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium).

✅ All meals

✅ A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay

✅ All internal transport (excluding internal flights)

✅ Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours

The minimum daily package for tourists travelling in a group of 3 persons or more is as follows:

✅ USD $200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.

✅ USD $250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.

These rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan.

On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on usage basis.

The list of hotels and lodges approved to provide accommodations all listed on this website. If your accommodation is not listed on this website then it is not licensed cater for international tourists.

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 Tourism tariff in Bhutan is fixed by the Government, (Tourism Council of Bhutan) which is as follows :

Peak Season: (March, April, May & September, October, November)

  • Cultural Tours......US $ 250 per night per person.
  • Trekking...........….…US $ 250 per night per person.

Season: (January, February, June, July, August, December)

  • Cultural Tours.....US $ 200 per night per person.
  • Trekking......……US $ 200 per night per person.

We give you 10% discount on the above tariffs for both peak/on and lean/off season which is deductible at the source as an agent commission.

FIT PAX surcharge- in addition to the above costs.

  • Single................................US $ 40 per night.
  • Group of 2.........................US $ 30 per night/per person.
  • Group of 3 and above……No surcharge

The above package tariff includes excellent services within Bhutan for all land transport (luxury coach, cars), horses and yaks for trekking within Bhutan, the best available hotels, all three meals (catered to personal orders and tastes), sightseeing, experienced and friendly guides, religious festivals.

Rates for Children and students:

  • Free for children.....upto 3 years of age.
  • 40% discount.......for 4-7 years
  • 20% discount.......8-12 years and
  • normal rates for.....12 years and above.
  • 25% discount for Student (with valid certificate from concern school)

Discount for groups:

  • 50% discount..... On the 11th PAX (or one person)
  • 100% discount.....On the 16th PAX (or one person)

Not included in the package tariff are flight ticket costs, visa fees (US $ 40), airport tax (US $ 32), drinks, personal expenses, Tips and laundry.

Tourist Visa Fee Revision

As per the Department of Immigration’s Rules and Regulation 2012, Annexure III the revised Visa Fee will be as follows. Although the Rules and Regulation has come into force on 8th August 2012, the revised visa fee will only be implemented from January 2013. All are kindly requested to take note of the change in Visa fee and accordingly include in your package price, starting January 2013.

Visa Fee:

  • Single entry visa fee: US$ 40
  • Double entry visa fee: US$ 80
  • Triple entry visa fee: US$ 120
  • Multiple entry visa fee: US$ 200

Visa Renewal Fee:

  • Up-to three months: Nu. 1000
  • Up-to six months: Nu. 2000
  • Up-to one year: Nu. 4000

Festivals in Bhutan take place at different times of year, in different places. “Tshechu” known to the localities of Bhutan for festival, comes in a form of religious activities, and the time when people gather, with their best attires. Festivals are celebrated on 10th Day of particular month, so the name “Tshechu” was derived, (”Tshe” means Date and “Chu” means 10).

Tshechu festivals are celebrated for several days ranging from minimum of three days to five days, according to their location. One would be able to view and witness Bhutanese Folk Dances, religious dance, Mask Dances known as “Chaam”, and other religious dramas and epics of great known saint of Buddhism. These dances are performed by Monks, laymen and few dances by students of RAPA (Royal Academy of Performing Arts).

Atsara are clowns, with their expressive masks and postures, are an indispensable element in any religious festival. They confront the monks, toss out salacious jokes, and distract the crowd with their antiques when the religious dances begin to grow tedious. Believed to represent Acharyas (religious masters of India) they are the only people permitted to mock religion in a society where sacred matters are treated with the highest respect. For a few days these popular entertainers are allowed the freedom to express a formulaic challenge within an established framework that does not, however upset the social and religious order.

Some tshechus end with the displaying of a huge applique thangkha (scroll) called “Thongdroel”. The Thongdroel is unveiled at first light to bring enlightenment to all who view it. The faithful believe that by simply viewing this Thongdroel, they can be delivered from the cycle of reincarnation.

For the Bhutanese, religious festivals offer an opportunity to become immersed in the meaning of their religion and gain much merit. They are also occasions for seeing people, and for being seen, for social exchanges, and for flaunting success. People bring out their finest clothes, their most beautiful jewelries, and go for picnic with abundant alcohol and meat. Men and women joke and flirt. An atmosphere of convivial, slightly ribald good humor prevails.

Click here to Download Festival Dates Here for year 2023