Bhutan Visa & Tarriff


The Royal Government of Bhutan encourages all tourists to travel in groups. However private custom tours is also allowed. You can book a package holiday to Bhutan through both international and Bhutanese local tour operators. The visit must be preplanned, prepaid and guided. It can either be a group package tour or a customized private travel plan.

There is no restriction on visitor numbers. Remember that independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan.

The minimum daily tariff is fixed by the government. The minimum tariff for tourist visiting in a group of 3 persons or more is as follows:

High Season Tariff – US$ 250 per person per night halt (March, April, May, September, October & November)

Low Season Tariff – US$ 200 per person per night halt (January, February, June, July, August & December)

The minimum price includes:
         - All internal taxes and charges (including the royalty paid to the government)
         - Accommodation (double occupancy)
         - All meals
         - All travel with a licensed Bhutanese tour guide
         - All internal transport
         - Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours

The rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local agent’s host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis. The rates apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. This minimum cost can vary depending on the size of the visiting group, season, duration of stay, and your itinerary.

You will have to pay separately for liquor, beer, mineral water, bottled soft drinks, laundry, and Bhutanese hot-stone bath.

Surcharge

Individual travelling (with a guide, of course) is common, but comes at a higher tariff rate. Individual tourists and couples are subject to FIT (foreign independent travelers) surcharge, over and above the daily rate.

The surcharge is US$ 40 per night for one person and US$ 30 per person per night for a group of two people.

The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.

Tourist Discounts

There is no charge for children up to the age of five years. However, those between the ages of 6-12 years accompanied by elders/guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates and 100% discount on Royalty.

Full time students under the age of 25 must produce valid identity cards from their academic institutions to be eligible for a 25% discount on daily rates.

A discount of 50% on daily rates is given to one person in a group of 11 to 15 people.

100% discount is given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.

Visa

Except for Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa.

All visas are issued from Thimphu, and visas are issued only to tourists booked with a licensed local tour operator directly or through a foreign travel agent. Visas are issued only when you arrive in the country, either at Paro Airport or (if entering by road) at Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar.

Yak Adventure Travel shall apply for visa on your behalf, and get the visa clearance for you. Remember that visa clearance takes a minimum of 10 days.

To enable us to process your visa on time, your visa application must reach us at least 60 days before the date of your travel. The immigration department will then issue a visa authorization letter to enable you to board the Druk Air flight to Bhutan. The actual visa will be issued and stamped in your passport when you arrive at one of the four ports of entry for a fee of US$ 20. Visas are issued for a 15-day period; extensions can be obtained in Thimphu at a cost of Nu 510. Don’t forget to carry at least two passport size pictures.

As travel to Bhutan almost invariably requires at least one flight change in India, Nepal, or Thailand, ensure that you can meet the visa requirements of those countries before departing on your journey. Nepal and Thailand offer visa on arrival or visa waiver for many nationalities. India generally requires visa procedures to be completed before arrival, and this can take up to two weeks.

Visas for Indian nationals
Indian visitors are issued a 14-day permit upon arrival in Bhutan. No passport or visa is required, but some form of identification such as a passport or voter’s registration card is necessary. Visitors must carry about six passport size photos for the permit.

Cancellations
Tour programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
         - Within 30 days of start of program - no charges
         - Within 21 days - 50% of rate
         - Within 20 days - 100% of rate

Customs
The following articles are exempt from duty:
         - Personal effects and articles for day-to-day use by the visitor
         - One liter of alcohol
         - 200 cigarettes, on payment of import duty of 200%
         - Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use
         - Photographic equipment, video cameras, and other electronic goods for personal use

You have to complete the passenger declaration form on your arrival before checking out. The articles mentioned under (d) & (e) must be declared on the declaration form. If any such items are disposed of in Bhutan by sale or gift, they are liable for customs duty. On departure, visitors are required to surrender their forms to the customs authorities.

Import/export of the following goods is strictly prohibited:
1) Arms, ammunitions, and explosives
2) All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
3) Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species
4) Antiques

Imports of plants, soils, etc., are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be cleared on arrival. Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items, especially of religious or cultural significance, as such items may not be exported without a clearance certificate.