| Bhutan
Tours |
| Bhutan |
On
the roof of the world, nestled
on the lap of the Eastern
Himalayas, is Bhutan, or
the Kingdom of the Thunder
Dragon. Here, centuries
old ways of life, culture
and tradition blend harmoniously
with modern times to create
a fairytale realm like no
other.Bhutan has never been
colonial's and the Bhutanese
are fiercely protective
about their independence. |
|
After centuries of self imposed
isolation, Bhutan has emerged strongly
from the shrouds of myth as a nation
exemplified for choosing all the
right paths.Bhutan is perhaps the
only nation in the world where billboards
and tobacco are banned. Their absence
further heightens the nations intact
forest cover of more that 70 percent
of its entire land and its prestigious
standing among the 10 global hotspots
for environmental conservation.
Bhutan is also the recipient of
the Champions of the Earth Awards
1005 from the United Nations Environment
Program. |
|
Bhutan:
Druk Yul
Population: 7,00,000
Capital: Thimpu
Location: Bhutan lies
between 890 and 920E
and 270 and 280 N.
Time: 30 minutes ahead
of Indian standard time.
6 hours ahead of GMT.
Language:
Drukpa (67%) of Tibetan
and Monpa Bhutan Travel
Information: |
|
All Foreign
National Tourists visiting Bhutan
must travel through all inclusive
package Tours, for which there
is a fixed tariff set by the
Royal government of Bhutan.
This Tariff includes the Services
of accommodation, All meals,
Transportation within the country,
Guide services, sightseeing
and entrance fees for the museums
and monuments. |
|
| Tourism
in Bhutan: |
The
Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly
to a policy of low impact/volume, high
value tourism.
Tourism policy dictates that the industry
must be environmentally and ecologically
firendly, socially and culturally acceptable
and economically viable.
The Government recognizes the importance
of tourism in achieving socia-economic
developent, promoting undestanding amoung
people and buklding closer ties of friendship. |
Bhutan
Culture Tours: |
Cultural
tours in Bhutan offer tourists a complete
insight into the nation’s religion
and culture. The most popular events in
the cultural itinerary are the Thimphu,
Paro and Bumthang Tsechus. Tsechus are
weeklong festivals where the teaching
of Padmasambhava are imparted to the laity
through mask dances. For the locals, it
is the time for post-harvest festivity,
a time to wear the finest and eat the
best. The Tsechus are deeply revered and
it is believed that people get blessed
by their attendance.
The other attraction of cultural tours
is to meet the rural Bhutanese in their
quaint harmed and see first hand their
way of life. Here one gets the opportunity
to intermingle with the average Bhutanese
and to enjoy their hospitality.
|
| Trekking
in Bhutan: |
Enveloping
tieny urban towns, just
minutes away, abound a realm
that embodies the true soul
of Bhutan, Lush valleys
with terraced fields, quaint
hamlets against a backdrop
of rising hills dotted with
ancient monuments and fluttering
prayer flags, here time
stands still. After centuries
of self imposed isolation,
Bhutan has emerged strongly
from the shrouds of myth
as a nation exemplified
for choosing all the right
paths. |
|
After centuries of self imposed
isolation, Bhutan has emerged
strongly from the shrouds of myth
as a nation exemplified for choosing
all the right paths.Trekking and
other outdoor activities mean
getting off the beaten path into
a bewitching world that few have
had to the fortune to explore. |
|
| Daily
Tariff: |
The
minimum tariff for tourist visiting in
a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
High Season Tariff: USD 190.00 Per Person
per night halt (March/April/May/September/October
and November)
Low Season tariff: USD 170.00 Per Person
per night halt (January, February, June,
July, August and December) |
The
minimum daily package rates shall be inclusive
of the following: |
a)
Royalty
b) Food and Beverage as per the “Minimu
Meal Entitlements”
c) Service of Guides
d) Transport within Bhutan
e) Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
The rates given above are applicable per
tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the
day of departure, the “local Agent”
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 types of accmmodation
provided/asked for. List of hotels and
lodges approved for international tourist
accommodation updated from time to time
shall be issued by the Department of Tourism. |
| Surcharges: |
Individual
tourist and smaller groups of less than
three persons shall be subject to surcharge,
over and above the minimum daily rates
applicable, as follows:
Single Surcharge: USD 40.00 Per Person
Per night
Group of 2 Person: USD 30.00 Per Person
per night
Note: The surcharge will not be applicable
to representatives of foreign travel agents
on business study or promotional visit
approved and cleared by DOT. |
| Discount: |
a)
DIPLOMATS from foreign embassies/missions
accredited to Bhutan shall be given a
25% discount on the daily rates.
b) There shall be no
charge for children u to the age of 5
years. However, those between the ages
of 6-12 years accompanied by elders/guardians
shall be given 50% discount on daily rates
c) Full time students
below the age of 25 years holding valid
identity cards from their academic institutions
shall also be given a 25% discount on
daily rates.
d) A discount of 50%
on daily rates shall be given to one person
in a group of 11 to 15 people. 100% discount
shall be given to one member in a group
exceeding 16 persons.
e) A discount of 10%
on the daily rates shall be provided for
halts between 11 to 20 nights and 20%
discount on halts beyond 21 nights.
f) Visitors availing
discounts under sections A, B & C
shall not be eligible for discount under
E. |
Cancellations: |
Tour
Programmers booked and subsequently cancelled
shall be subject to cancellation charge
as follows:
1) Within 30 days of start of programmed-
No charge
2) Within 21 days- 15% of rate
3) Within 14 days- 25% of rate
4) Within 7 days- 40% of rate
5) Less than 7 days or without notice-
60% of rate
6) After arrival in Nepal-100%
Tour Payment:
All tour payment must be settled in advance.
The tour booking will be confirmed only
after we receive 100% of the tour payment.
Please deposit/transfer the tour payment
through Bank.
Note: A copy of Bank transfer receipt
should be faxed to us. |
| Tour
Payment: |
All
tour payment must be settled in advance.
The tour booking will be confirmed only
after we receive 100% of the tour payment.
Please deposit/transfer the tour payment
through Bank.
Note: A copy of Bank transfer receipt
should be faxed to us. |
| Tour
Escorts: |
All
our tours are escorted by well trained,
knowledgeable guides, certified by the
Department of Tourism. All the guides
speak English but Japanese, French and
German speaking guides can be provided
with prior information and on additional
cost. |
| Food: |
Bhutanese
Delicacies are limited with spicy chilies
and Cheese. However You will be served
a buffet of continental food with some
local dishes too. On treks, our trained
cooks prepare dishes suitable to western
tastes ranging from continental to Chinese
and Bhutanese to Indian. Money:
Bhutanese unit of currency is the Ngultrum.
1Nu =100 Chetrum. The Ngultrum is at par
with the Indian Rupe. Approx. 1 USD=Nu/43.5. |
Clothing: |
Due
to wide range of temperature and climatic
conditions, It is advisable to bring appropriate
clothing. From May to Sep. Cotton clothes
are sufficient, plus a woolen sweater
of light jacket. From November to the
end of April, you will need very warm
clothes including long underwear or woolen
tights to wear under trousers, and down
jacket or coat. During visit to the monasteries,
Dzongs and other religious institution,
you should not wear short, hats and should
be properly dressed. |
| What
to Pack: |
Clothes
as per season, sunglassess/ spare glasses
or contact lenses, pair of casual shoes,
washing kit, shaving kit, towel, hat,
umbrella, camera, film and accessories,
maps, insect repellent, hand cream, small
sewing kit & safety pins, tourch or
flash ligh with spare batteries, mirror,
sun screen cream, lip salve or soluble
aspirin, antiseptic cream, preparation
for the relief of sunburn. You may not
be tuned to the Asian drugs so it is always
advise to bring own brand. |
| Photography: |
The
photographic opportunities on
all trips are immense if you wish
to record the local people, their
houses and shops etc. You can
always ask by gesture, if it’s
ok to take picture. Also while
visiting Dzongs, monasteries and
religious institutions: please
follow your guide’s instruction
carefully. Photography inside
the Dzongs and monuments are not
allowed. |
|
Although
films and batteries are available
locally, It is best to bring it
yourself.
16mm film camera are prohibited
in Bhutan. Also photography in
some of the monasteries &
Dzong are not allowed. |
|
| Filming
Regulations: |
The
rules and rates for filming in Bhutan
differ from that of normal treks and tours.
Tourrists or professionals intent on filming
in Bhutan must abide by the bhutanese
filming regulations, 1975 Act. Available
with the implementing agency, the Department
of Tourism. Applications for a filming
permit must be submitted to the Department
of Tourism. |
Filming
Royalty: |
1.
First 30 minutes or part thereof-USD 10,000
2. Next 30 minutes or part thereof- 6,000
3. Every additional 30 minutes or part
thereof- USD 3,000
In addition a security deposit of USD
5,000 must be deposited with the DOT.
This deposit will be refunded upon completion
of the film to the satisfaction of the
DOT. |
| Medical
and Health: |
Anyone
who enjoys out door life and is physically
fit can participate on our treks and tours.
However some treks may be rigorous and
difficult because of high altitude and
therefore a good training of fitness for
at least a month at home is required for
treks going to an altitude in excess of
4000mts. There are no compulsory vaccinations
for travel to Bhutan or within the continent.
However it is recommended that you be
protected against Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid,
Cholera, Hepatitis A, Malaria, especially
if you are traveling out of Bhutan. If
you have heart condition, Please check
with the doctor to ensure that it is ok
to undertake high altitude treks. |
| Travels
Insurance: |
The
costs that we offer do not cover your
Travel Insurance. It is imperative that
you have full comprehensive insurance
cover to protect against unforeseen accidents
and mishaps. Such policies are not available
in Bhutan. It should adequately cover
baggage and travel delays etc. and helicopter
evacuation, transportation and medical
assistance incase of treks. |
| Single
Room Supplement: |
Rooms
and Tent camp accommodations are provided
on double occupancy basis. Ir you wish
to reserve a single tent or Hotel room,
an additional surcharge of USD 25 is applicable
per person per night |
| Alteration
of Itineraries: |
We
Holiday Nepal and Bhutan Agent reserves
the right to modify or alter many trip
itineraries due to circumstances beyond
our control such as flight cancellation,
Weather condition, Political strikes or
restrictions etc. |
| Customs
& Regulations: |
The
Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibit
the export of any religious Antiquity
or antiques of any types. All personal
electronics, camera, video cameras, computers,
Laptops and personal electronic equipment
may be brought into the country but they
must be listed on the customs from provided
on arrival at Paro and will be checked
on departure. Two liters of Alcohol and
reasonable quantity of cigarettes may
be brought in to the country without duty. |
| Accommodation: |
There
are comfortable hotel and lodges at all
tourist destinations, Western Bhutan has
better hotels while in central and eastern
part of the country, and accommodation
establishments are simple and offer minimum
facilities. |
| Driving
Distance: |
All
mode of transport within Bhutan is by
motor vehicle as there is no domestic
airlines or trains. Howerve, motor roads
are well maintained and link all parts
of the country. The mountainous terrain
and winding roads restrict the average
driving speed of vehicle to less than
35 km per hour. All transport vehicles
are well maintained and tourist coaches
are imported from Japan, which make it
very reliable and comfortable. |
| Getting
There: |
Druk
air flies 3 days a week i.e Monday, Thursday
and Sunday between kathmandu and Paro.
Cost for one way trip is US$ 200+10 Tax.
Per person & round trip just double.
The national airline of Bhutan/Druk Air
operate with connection from Kolkatta,
Delhi, Dhaka, Bangkok. It is possible
to enter & exit Bhutan by overland
transportation, stopping en-route at Sikkim
and Darjeeling (India)
Diplomats (holding passport) accredited
to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount
in tour cost if they come in a group of
02 pax.
|
| Travel
Tips: |
October-March
warm clothing.
April-September light cotton clothing,
However, a warm sweater and jacket are
always advised.
|
| Climate:
Best seasons: |
March-April-May,
Sep- Oct- & Nov.
Monsoon- June-July & August
Winter-Dec-Jan & Feb |
| Bhutan
Tours & Treks |
Reservation
Form |
Below
you'll find some of the
best guided Bhutan tours/treks
and Bhutan holiday packages
available . Many of these
tours feature unique travel
activities that you are
not likely to find anywhere
else. We try to compile
the best of special interest
Bhutan . If you are interested
in any of these tours,
please contact us directly
for ordering free information
or booking. The list is
updated frequently so
visit early and check
often.
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Bhutan
Tour Itinerary: |
Bhutan
Trek Itinerary: |
:: 3 Nights
4 Days Bhutan Tour |
:: Beautiful
Laya Lingshi Trek |
:: 4 Nights
5 Days Bhutan Tour |
:: Bhumthang
Cultural Trek |
:: 6 Nights
7 Days Bhutan Tour |
:: Dagala Thousand
Lakes Trek |
:: 7 Nights
8 Days Bhutan Tour |
:: Druk Path
Trek |
:: 9 Nights
10 Days Bhutan Tour (Fly) |
:: Dur Hot
Spring Trek |
:: 9 Nights
10 Days Bhutan Tour (Drive) |
:: Gangtey
- Gogona Trek |
:: 12 Nights
13 Days Bhutan Tour |
:: Jumolhari
Base Camp Trek |
::
13 Night 14 Days Bhutan Tour |
:: Jumolhari
Trek 2. (Round Trek)
Snowman Trek/Gankhar Phunsum |
:: Bhutan Mountain
Bike Tour Route 1 |
:: Bhutan
Mountain Bike Tour Route 2 |
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