GETTING INTO BHUTANG

The Royal Government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach to the development of tourism in the kingdom in an effort to avoid the negative impacts of tourism on the culture and the environment. Visitors to Bhutan must either be guests of the government or tourists. All tourists must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided package tour. Independent travel is not permitted.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

All visitors to Bhutan require 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 six month validity. The complete visa form should be faxed or e-mailed to Think Bhutan Tours at least three weeks before your travel arrangements to complete your visa formalities. Also, visitors must bring two passport-size photographs to hand over at the entry points. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport at the entry point either at Paro Airport or by road at Phuntsholing.

BANKING

Financial institutions in Bhutan have been greatly enhanced and today we have a number of banks that cater to the needs of the people. Some of the banks that you can avail of while in Bhutan are the Bank of Bhutan Limited, the Bhutan National Bank, the Druk PNB and the Tashi Bank. Traveller’s cheque can be easily withdrawn and exchanged for local currency. Many of these banks provide internet banking facilities.
ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. In addition, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at most hotels and handicrafts stores

TRAVELLING KITS

Bhutan experiences great variations in its climate. In general summers are warm with average daily temperature ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, while winter temperatures are usually below 15 degrees Celsius.
The northern regions of the country are colder than the more tropical south and it is recommended you pack accordingly. Trekkers will need to bring appropriate warm clothes and comfortable hiking boots (well broken in) preferably with ankle support and weather-proof to complement the weather and rugged terrain.

Others suggested items to pack:
  • A pair of sunglasses
  • Sunscreen lotion
  • Hat
  • Umbrella
  • Camera
  • Spare camera batteries
  • Flash light (with spare batteries)
  • Travel sickness tablets
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Anti-histamine cream
  • Anti-diarrhoea pills
  • Altitude sickness medication it trekking above 3000m
  • Insect repellent

TRANSPORTATION

We have our own fleet of vehicles in each of our branches. We want to be able to guarantee the quality of the vehicles used to conduct tours. Our vehicles are also registered and insured in accordance to the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

ACCOMODTION

There are comfortable hotels and lodges that are certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan, at all tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels while in central and eastern parts of the country, accommodation establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities.

CUSTOMS

Exports of antiques, plants or animal products are strictly prohibited. Visitors are required to fill up the custom forms on their arrival. Cameras, video cameras, computers and other electronic equipment for personal use must be declared on the custom forms. Some articles, which are exempted from duty are 2 liters of wine/any other alcohol, 150 grams of pipe tobacco & 400 numbers of cigarettes.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Bhutan offers immense opportunities for photography especially during outdoor sightseeing trips. However, you should check with your guide before taking pictures or filming inside Dzongs, temples, monasteries and religious institutions as in some area photograph/filming is not permitted. You are free to capture images of the landscape, the panoramic views of the mountain ranges, rural life, flora and fauna, distinctive Bhutanese architecture and the exterior of Dzongs and Chortens in particular.

TRAVEL BY AIR

Bhutan’s two airlines the Druk Air (National Airlines) and the Bhutan airlines (Private) fly daily to several destinations; these are Delhi, Kolkata, Katmandu, Dhaka, Bangkok, Singapore, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Guwahati, and Mumbai.
There also domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan. A second international airport is currently under construction in Gelephu along the southern border to India.

TRAVEL BY LAND

You can enter Bhutan by road from Phuntsholing through west Bengal– India with nearest airport at Bagdogra or by air at Paro. Tourists to Bhutan are obliged to use airlines once either on entry into or exit from the country. Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are the only land border areas open to tourists