Travel Information

Visiting Bhutan

All foreign nationals other than Indians require a visa and must travel through a registered travel agent on an all-inclusive package tour. The agent will make all necessary paper arrangements including obtaining of visa and Druk Air reservations. For Cultural Tours, booking arrangements must be completed 3 weeks in advance, but for Cultural Tours during festivals,being a peak season for tourism, arrangements must be completed 8 weeks in advance to confirm flights and hotels.

Visa formalities

All foreign nationals traveling to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the Kingdom of Bhutan. No foreign mission or embassies abroad has an authority to grant tourist visas.

All visa applications or passport details must reach Bhutan at least 2 weeks prior to the travel date. Please submit the required information by fax or email. Vajra Guru Spiritual Travels will take care of the visa application on behalf of its clients. The actual visa is stamped only on arrival in Bhutan. The guest is required to have a copy of the Visa Clearance Letter or at least know the visa clearance numbers. You are advised to bring 2 passport size photographs with name and passport number printed on the back and small change of US$ 20 to pay visa fee on the arrival in Bhutan.

Please note that we have to purchase the air tickets 30 days after booking to secure the flight along with a visa clearance. Travelers entering the country by land from India, the visa are stamped on arrival at border town of Phuentsholing.

TARIFF

The minimum tariff for tourists visiting in a group of 3 persons or more is US$ 200 per person per day. This tariff, which is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan, includes tourism royalty, accommodation on a twin sharing basis, meals, guide and transportation. This price does not include the tourism development fund tax, visa fee, airport tax & surcharge of Druk Air, beverages and travel insurance.

The Tourism Authority of Bhutan regulates all tourism related activities in Bhutan. The existing travel agencies are all registered with Department of Tourism, and they also fix the daily tariff rates. Thirty-five percent of the daily tariff goes directly to the Department of Tourism and hence to the national treasury. These funds are used by the government for the socioeconomic development activities of Bhutan.

Supplement Charge

Individual tourists and groups of less than 3 persons shall be subject to a surcharge, in addition to the minimum daily tariff as follows:

1. Single Individual US$ 40 per night
2. Group of 2 persons US$ 30 per person per night

Discount Tariff

The following are subject to approval from the Department of Tourism.

1. Children of 5 years and below are free; 6-12 years is 40% off
2. Full time students below the age of 25 years are given a 25% discount (certificate required)

Cancellation Charges

Trips booked and subsequently cancelled are subject to cancellation charges as per the Druk Air reservation rules and regulations. On land cost- within 5 weeks 50% and within 4 weeks no refund. Please contact Vajra Guru Spiritual Travels for specific costing and discount rate.

Tour Payment

Entire tour payment must be sent to Vajra Guru Spiritual Travels by Bank transfer and settled 30 days in advance of commencement of tour to issue airline ticket and clear the visa.

1. Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank,Post Box No.439,Thimphu,Bhutan
   Swift Code: BNBTBTBT
   Account No: 734061 (USD.A/C)
   
   Bank Address: American Express Bank Ltd.300 Boulevard East,Weehawken,NJ 07087-6702. New York -USA
   Swift Code: AEIBUS33
   ABA No: 124071889
   
   
2. Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, Post Box No. 439, Thimphu, Bhutan
   Swift Code: BNBTBTBT
   Account No: 01-7-005970-7 (USD.A/C)
   Bank Address: Standard Chartered Bank, 6 Battery Road,Singapore 049906
   Swift Code: SCBL SG SG
   

When depositing the funds, it is very important to mention Vajra Guru Spiritual Travels as the Ultimate Beneficiary. After transferring the funds, please advise us of the details and send a copy of bank transfer receipt by fax at 00975 2 339988

Accessibility

The convenient way of entering Bhutan is by Druk Air, the country’s only national carrier. As flight could be delayed due to weather condition particularly during the rainy season, it is advisable to allow yourself 24 hours before any onward connection.

Druk Air flies regularly between Bangkok (Thailand); Delhi, Kolkata (India); Kathmandu (Nepal); Dhaka (Bangladesh); and Yangon (Burma). The flight timings and frequency vary according to season, so please check the Druk Air’s website www.drukair.com.bt or contact Vajra Guru Spiritual Travels for the latest information.

Insurance

Travel Insurance is the responsibility of the individual. It is advised/recommended that a traveler does this at his/her place/country of residence prior to commencement of his/her trip to Bhutan. Bhutan has no such facilities till date.