Visitor can enter Bhutan through Paro, the only international airport. Visitors can also enter Bhutan from Phuentsholing via West Bengal, India and Samdrup Jongkhar via Assam, India.

1. Getting around Bhutan

Once the visitor has entered Bhutan, getting around is possible only by road. The cost of transportation is included in the price of your trip if you are travelling on a tourist visa.

Drive from Paro to Thimphu takes less than 1 hour, passing through some of the most spectacular ridges and towering hills along Wangchu river.

A road winds up below Simtokha Dzong in Thimphu into verdant pine forest opening up to the view grand view of Himalayan Ranges at Dochula Pass at 10, 500 feet.

Driving Distances

2. How to Apply for VISA

Except Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a visa at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 month validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)). All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. 

You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to us and then we will 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.

3. Our Flight

GETTING TO BHUTAN: BY AIR

Flights to Bhutan

Drukair flight schedule for Bhutan (International flights)

Drukair, the national airline of Bhutan, offers flights from/to Bangkok, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Delhi, Bagdogra, Bodhgaya,Guwahati and Dhaka.

Bhutan Airlines schedule (International flights)

BHUTAN AIRLINES - Tashi Air Pvt. Ltd, Bhutan’s first Private Airline offers flights from/to Bangkok, Kathmandu and Kolkata.

As all bookings and reservations must be handled by a licensed Bhutanese travel agents, we at "Ngyami" will handle all of the necessary flight arrangements for the Bhutan portion of your trip. Flight information and timings are available below and online at www.drukair.com.bt or www.bhutanairlines.bt.

NOTES
1) Airport codes: BKK – Bangkok ; CCU – Kolkata; DAC – Dhaka; DEL – Delhi; KTM – Katmandu; PBH – Paro; GAY- Gaya; GAU - Guwahati ; BOM- Bombay ; IXB - Bagdogra
2) All times are local
3) All schedules are subject to change without notice.

Please contact us for confirmation of specific schedules and availability. No responsibility can be assumed for delay, cancellation, or unavailability of flight or missed connections. Timings and dates may be subject to change as flight clearances from different Aeronautical Authorities are pending.

4. Tour Cost

Daily Tariff and Payment Policy for Bhutan Travel

Even though the potential for Tourism development is enormous, Bhutan has chosen to ignore the global pace, placing happiness of the people before outright material gain. A policy epitomized by "high value low volume" tourism, which is sustainable and sensitive to preservation of its heritage in a rapidly changing world. In trying to strike a balance between the past and the present, authenticity and sensitivity govern the development of all tourism products.

Minimum Tariff

The policy of value tourism is best supported by a system of a daily minimum high season price of US $ 250 per person per night for visits to Bhutan. The price also in a way limits the volume of visitors allowing exclusivity and care. 
The daily minimum price is most often misinterpreted to be extremely high. The fee in fact covers a package that include all internal taxes and charges including royalty, accommodation, all meals, services of licensed guides, internal transport and camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours.

The royalty portion goes to the government exchequer, which in turn mainly support free medical care, free education and other welfare schemes. All visitors in way therefore make valuable contribution to the welfare system of the country.
The International Tourist Tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is valid for all-inclusive package. The tariffs for tourists visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follow:

High Season Tariff

For ( March, April, May, September, October and November) US$ 250 per person per night

Low Season Tariff

For (June, July, August, December, January and February) US$ 200 per person per night

Both the above rates are applicable for cultural tours, treks or any other special interest tours.

Surcharge

Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:

Single individual US$ 40 per night
Group of 2 persons US$ 30 per person per night

Single Room supplementary US$ 40 per night.
Single Tent supplementary US$ 25 per night.

The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by Tourism Council of Bhutan

Payment Procedure

Tour payment must be sent four weeks prior to date of arrival in Bhutan and visa is cleared by the Royal Government of Bhutan subject to advance payment only. For high seasons, it is advisable to remit payment for Druk Air flights 8 months in advance or earlier the better. It will help us to manage confirmed seat. Once the trip is confirmed we will send you the instructions for making payment.

Price Includes:

         Tours specified in the itinerary.

         Accommodation in Govt. approved Hotels on twin sharing basis.

         Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

         Tea and Snacks.

         Mineral water.

         Comfortable transportation with driver within Bhutan.

         Trekking equipment like best sleeping tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents, mattresses, and sheets.

         Services of fluent English speaking guides.

         Trekking cooks and trek assistant.

         Supply of pack animals for Trek.

         Museum and monument fees.

Price does not include:

         Travel insurance.

         Rescue operations by helicopter.

         Airfare.

         Transfer and services outside Bhutan.

         Visa fee of US $ 40 per person.

         Wire transfer fee for transferring tour payment from your bank to Bhutan.

         Excess baggage charges.

         Drinks and Tipping.

         Hotels laundry

The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.

The rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. List of hotels and lodges approved for international tourist accommodation updated from time to time shall be issued by TCB (Tourism Council of Bhutan).

Cancellation policy

Delayed Arrivals

There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or road blocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.

Tour Payment Method

The Tour payment can be remitted by Telegraphic/Electronic transfer to the account of Bhutan National Bank through the corresponding banks from aborad. We would give you the proper Bank Details for wiring your tour payments to Bhutan if your Bhutan Travel is certain. 


A copy of the remittance of the transfer must be email to us.

How to get to Bhutan?
*You can fly in Bhutan by Druk air from Bangkok (Thailand); Delhi, Calcutta, Gauhati, and Gaya (India); Katmandu (Nepal); Dacca (Bangladesh); Singapore and Rangoon (Myanmar). The airport is in Paro valley about 1 hour drive to Thimphu, the capital.

If you decide to travel overland, you can enter from Phuntsholing, the southern gateway. It is about 6 hours drive to Thimphu from Phuntsholing. You can also exit via the same route. Another overland entry can be made via Samdrup Jongkhar, a town in the South east Bhutan sharing borders with Indian state of Assam. However, you have to fly to Gauhati (capital town of Indian state of Assam). From there, the approximate drive to Samdrup Jongkhar is about 3 hours.

For Druk Air schedule and other details such as fare, permissible baggage long on the Druk Air website at: https://www.drukair.com.bt.  The summer and winter schedule of Druk Air is different.

Planning
*For cultural tours, booking should be completed 4 weeks in advance.  However, for tours during festivals, 8 weeks advance information is required. Festivals held in autumn and spring are peak time for the tourists and without early reservation it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.

* For trekking groups, it is important to book at least 8 weeks in advance, as it requires plenty of planning.

Visa:

Visa is required for travelling to Bhutan and it is processed and arranged by Ngyami Tours & Travel. No foreign mission abroad grants Bhutan tourist visa. So, you can contact us. 

Accommodation:

You have options to choose from a big range of accommodation. You can experience sleeping in the farm houses still without electricity or in resorts or hotels. Of course during trekking you will be sleeping in tents.  

Food:

Chinese, Indian and Continental cuisine besides spicy Bhutanese delicacies are options that you can have.

CURRENCY :

The Bhutanese currency is called Ngueltrum (Nu.), which is at par with Indian rupee. Tourists are advised to carry their money in the form of travelers cheques for convenience. Visa and American Express are also accepted only in some hotels and shops.

Climate:

The southern part of Bhutan is tropical, and in general the eastern part of Bhutan is warmer than the west. The valleys of Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntse enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winter, whilst Thimphu, Paro, Trongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate. Winter in Bhutan is from Mid-November to mid-March and at this time of the year the climate is dry with temperature falling zero. The monsoon usually arrives in Mid-June and last till Mid-September and then the autumn arrives that last till Mid-November. This is a magnificent season for the trekkers.

Clothing:

Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. Cloths should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breath better. During visits to Dzongs, monasteries and religious institutions and special functions, you should not wear hats and shorts. Your escort will advise you what to put on.

Transport:

Mode of transport within Bhutan is mainly by motor vehicle only.There are domestic airlines to east, south and central Bhutan.

Photography:

 The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. You will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc. It is advisable to ask if it is all right to take pictures. Also while visiting religious places and institutions please follow the guide’s advice.

Driving Time