Getting Into Bhutan
The most common method of entering Bhutan is via air into Bhutan’s only International Airport located in Paro. Once your travel dates have been confirmed, they will book your flight and arrange all formalities required of entering Bhutan. This includes the Visa clearance letter. On arrival at the international airport in Paro, this letter will need to be endorsed by the immigration officers before you are issued with a Visa permit.
The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier. As Druk Air flights may be delayed because of weather in the monsoon (July & August), it is advisable to keep a 24-hour gap before any onward international connections.
Bhutan Airline Link:
And also Bhutan Airlines being the country’s first private airline. It has always strived to provide excellent services to the people with the lowest fares possible.
Tourist Tariff
The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), Tourism Business regulating agency of the Royal Government of Bhutan, fixes the Tourist Tariff rate. This rate is valid for all the inclusive tour packages.
The tariffs for tourists visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
(A) Peak Season Rate: (March, April, May, September, October and November) Cultural Tour / Trekking
(B) Low Season Rate: (January, February, June, July, August and December) Cultural Tour / Trekking
SDF – Sustainable Development Fee or SDF is like a royalty that a visitor as tourist must pay in order to get a visa for Bhutan.
How SDF is used?
SDF is USD 100 per person per night and this fee does not cover the actual cost of travel. This means a travelers will pay US$100 per night as SDF/royalty and pay additional for the actual travel cost; such as government approved hotels, vehicle, guide fee and meals.
The SDF is directly transferred to the government revenue account. SDF is one of the major revenue sources for the government for public infrastructure development. Revenue sourced from the Tourism is allocated for public spending though the government budgetary allocations for construction of schools, roads, bridges, health infrastructure, investment on environment, waste management, investment on tourism development activities etc. Therefore, every tourist visiting Bhutan contributes to the wellbeing of citizens and infrastructure development of Bhutan.
When do I pay the SDF?
When applying for a visa to enter Bhutan, you will need to pay the SDF. Visas can be applied for at the Department of Tourism’s website.
Are the SDF incentives for long stays still valid?
No, the incentives introduced in June 2023 have been revoked and are no longer applicable. However, the 24-hour SDF waiver for border towns in Bhutan remains valid.
ENTITLEMENTS
These minimum daily package rates are inclusive of the following services:
1. Accommodation on twin sharing basis in the tourist standard hotels
2. All transfers and sightseeing within Bhutan
3. Services of accompanied guide
4. All meals and evening tea
5. Royal Government Royalty of SDF is SD 100 per person per night.
6. Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
7. All entry fees/permits to museum, monuments and parks
Note: The tariff excludes gratuity/tips, alcohol, beverages, laundry and any communication. Luxury hotels like Aman Kora, Uma, Zhiwaling, Hotel Taj Tashi and Termalinca Resort are not included in the above price. An individual will have to bear the extra room expenses should they wish to stay in the above hotels. For further information on the above hotels, kindly email us on: zhiwatour@gmail.com
These rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local agent’s obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirement shall be payable on an actual basis.
The above rates shall apply irrespective of location, tour type and type of accommodation provided/asked for. All accommodation establishments used shall be approved by the TCB.
You can also leave us message to know more about it here.
VISA Requirement and Formalities
All visitors to Bhutan require a visa.Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a visa at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).
All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. Your licensed Bhutanese tour operator will process your visa through an online system directly or through a foreign travel agent.
Zhiwa Tours And Treks will be able to process your visa in no time.
You are required to send us your photo-page of your passport in addition to your permanent address, occupation and whether this is your first time to Bhutan. (If this is not your first time to Bhutan please inform us of the date(s) that you have previously visited Bhutan). We will then apply for your visa. The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) will process the visa once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $65 visa fee) has been forward by us and received in the TCB bank account. Once received the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
You will be emailed a visa clearance letter. Please print this out, as you will be required to show your visa clearance letter at your point of entry into Bhutan. Once you enter Bhutan an official visa will then be stamped into your passport.
As well as helping you obtain your visa clearance before coming to Bhutan, We will make your travel to and within Bhutan as effortless and enjoyable as possible. We will arrange everything for you including the best hotels, comfortable transport– you won’t need to do a thing except supply us with the necessary information and documents.
RESTRICTED AREAS PERMIT
All of Bhutan outside the areas of Paro and Thimphu valleys are classified as restricted areas. Bhutan Flying Dragon Tours And Treks will obtain permits for the places on your itinerary, and this permit is checked and endorsed by the police at immigration checkpoints strategically located at important road junctions.
There are immigration checkpoints in numerous locations across Bhutan. (All are open from 5am to 9pm daily.
PERMITS TO ENTER TEMPLES AND MONASTERIES
Tourists are allowed to visit the courtyards of Dzongs and where allowed the Tshokhang (assembly hall) and one designated Lhakhang in each Dzong but only when accompanied by a licensed Bhutanese guide. This provision is subject to certain restrictions, including visiting hours, dress standards and other rules that vary by district (when visiting temples / Dzongs please come respectably dressed – no shorts or sleeveless shirts)
We will negotiate all the necessary paperwork for you. If you wish to know which Dzongs and Goembas are included in your itinerary, or you wish to make specific requests, contact us well in advance.
If you are a practicing Buddhist, you may apply for a permit to visit certain Dzongs and religious institutions usually off limits. The credibility of your application will be enhanced if you include a letter of reference from a recognized Buddhist organization in your home country.
Please email us the following on: info@zhiwabhutan.com
– The photo page of your passport
– Your permanent address
– Your occupation
– Whether you have visited Bhutan before. If so, please provide dates of your previous visits.
* Please ensure that all your details are correct. Supplying incorrect details will only slow down the process.
Cancellation And Refunds
If you want to cancel your trip, your payment made will be refunded after deducting the bank charges and other service charges. But the visitors have to let us know immediately as and when they decide to cancel their tour.
Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows: –
1. Within 60 days of the start of the tour programme: Free
2. Within 30 days: 15% of the rate
3. Within 14 days: 30% of the rate
4. Within 7 days: 50% of the rate
5. Less than 7 days or cancellation without notice: 100% of the rate
Delayed Arrival / Departure
There shall be no charge for the number of days of delay in departure of visitor due to weather conditions, Druk Air/Bhutan Airline problems or roadblocks. They will be charged only the actual expenses on accommodation, food transport and any other services required.
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel you can also leave us message to know more about it here
Payment Procudure
Tour payment must be settled 60 days prior to date of arrival in Bhutan and VISA is cleared by the Government subject to advance payment only.
To transfer money to Bhutan National Bank limited, Thimphu from any place outside Bhutan and India, please deposit/transfer the payment to following bank.
BANK ADDRESS:
Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank Limited, P.O Box 439, General Post Office Building Thimphu, Bhutan
SWIFT: BNBTBTBT
Account No.: 358-202-171-9001 (USD A/C)
Correspondent Bank Name: Standard Chartered Bank Ltd, One Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010-3603
Swift Code: SCBLUS33
FED ABA No.: 026002561
Chips ABA Routing No.: 0256
Ultimate Beneficiary: Zhiwa Tours And Treks, Thimphu, Bhutan
Copy of the bank transfer should be emailed to us on info@zhiwabhutan.com for necessary follow up with the bank.
Your entire tour payment must be sent to Zhiwa Tours And Treks by Bank transfer 60 days advance.
For high/peak seasons (March, April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov) it is advisable to remit payment for Druk Air/ Bhutan Airline flights 3 months advance. This will help us in getting your seats confirmed.
You can also leave us message to know more about it here