Bhutan Paro to Samrudjonkar

1. Tourism Policy of the Royal Government of Bhutan All tourists must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided package tour. Independent travel is not permitted.

2. Booking & Reservations of tours Book your tours with us. Our associates in Bhutan will operate your tour. Our Tour Manager cum birding guide will be present throughout to ensure service as per itinerary.Your tour will be operated, within the parameters laid down by the Royal Government of Bhutan.To avoid hitches, please book your tour as much in advance as possible. It is necessary to go firm on exact dates of entry and exit, in order to ensure confirmed bookings with Drukair, which offers only 71 seats per flight.

3. How to get to Bhutan By air, Bhutan is approachable only through Drukair from Bangkok, Calcutta, Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu and Yangoon.By the land route, you can reach or exit via Phuentsholing, on the Indian border. Thimphu, the Capital, is 06 hrs away from Phuentsholing, whilst the nearest Indian airport of Bagdogra is 04 hrs away. Driving time from Darjeeling is 06 hrs, from Kalimpong it is 05 hrs and from Gangtok in Sikkim it is 08 hrs to Phuentsholing.Please note that whilst you can enter and exit via the air route. You can use the land route either for entry or exit, and not both ways unless there is no seat available on Drukair.

4. Procedure for entry documents

Step 1: Book your tour with us. We will arrange for your entry documents and the operation of the tour, with our associates, who are registered in Bhutan. We will intimate the full amount due on your account.

Step 2: To process your visa, send the following details by email or fax 1) Full name 2) Gender 3) Date & place of birth 4) Address 5) Passport number 6) Date of issue 7) Place of issue 8) Date of expiry 9) Occupation

Step 3. (Simultaneously with Step 2), Electronically transfer full payment, for the tour plus Drukair fare into the designated Royal Government account, to be specified by us.

Step 4. Send us fax copy of intimation giving details of transfer of funds. This will enable our associates in Bhutan, to obtain the clearance number for your air ticket from the Bhutan authorities.

Step 5. On receipt of intimation of payment, and approval of visa, a clearance number will be provided to Drukair Bhutan Office. On the basis of this number, your confirmed tickets will be dispatched to the outstation office at the place from where you will be boarding the flight into Bhutan. We will reconfirm your tour and intimate you the address and contact numbers of the city office concerned. Tickets can also be delivered at airport, or sent to you by courier. In case you are only returning via air, your tickets will be handed over when you arrive in Bhutan.

Step 6. On arrival at Paro airport in Bhutan or at Phuentsholing – if using land entry point, your Bhutan visa will be stamped on your passport, for a fee of USD 45 to be paid by you. Your Tour Manager, and Bhutanese Guide will greet you, as you arrive. All this may sound very complicated – but in practice it works. Our associates in Bhutan will ensure smooth passage. For this we need to send them visa application and full payments, as per Step 2 & 3.

5. Accommodation Hotel accommodation is provided at Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, and Wangdue. At other places, you will stay at lodges, and guest houses with simple neat and clean rooms and toilets. Fully serviced camps will be set up in other remoter locations.

6. Cuisine Indian, Bhutanese, Chinese, and continental dishes are available.

7. Transport Japanese or Korean luxury vehicles with experienced and dependable drivers are provided.

8. Tariff The Royal Government has fixed a standard tariff. This is irrespective of hotel accommodation, lodges or camping. The tariff is USD 250 per night.(For four people an special rate of USD 250 only per night)