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.
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.
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 Traveller’s cheque can be easily withdrawn and exchanged for local currency.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ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn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