Bhutan VISA
“All the tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior their travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator like our self”
Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit 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). You are required to mail us the photo-page of your passport after which we will apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance process usually takes around 3 to 4 working days. We will then mail you your approved VISA. You will be required to show your visa clearance letter at the point of entry and the visa will then be stamped onto your passport.
ROUTE TO BHUTAN
Travel By Land
The gateway to Bhutan through Land opens to only three entry places: Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.
Phuentsholing gate in south-west is approximately 7 hrs drive from Indian national airport at Bagdogra. After crossing Phuentsholing, you begin your journey to Thimphu, the capital city with travel time of about six hours for the 170 km.
Gelephu gate, in south-central Bhutan, is another entry point to Bhutan. It is approximately 250 kms from Thimphu and the journey will take about 7 hrs.
The Samdrup Jongkhar gate in south-east Bhutan borders the Indian district of Darranga, Assam and is approximately 150 kms away from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. The journey from Guwahati is about three hours.
Travel By Air
“To get into Bhutan through Air, Bhutan has two airlines: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. These two flights have destinations to Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai from Paro International Airport”
Flying into Bhutan’s Paro International Aiport is typically an exciting experience as the descent into Paro valley brings you closer to the mountain tops than most other flights in the world. For more information, visit www.drukair.com.bt and www.bhutanairlines.bt
Sustainable Development Fee
A tourist must pay a tourism levy known as the Sustainable Development Fee of USD 200 per night, which may be revised from time to time by the Competent Authority. The proceeds going toward carbon-neutral activities, and the development of a more sustainable tourism sector. SDF of Rs 1200 per person per night will be charged for Indian tourists. The Minimum Daily Package Rate (MDPR) is being phased out. Tourists will be able to engage service providers directly and pay for their services accordingly.
Following services are covered in daily package:
• A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium).
• All meals
• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay
• All internal transport (excluding internal flights)
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• All internal taxes and charges including the royalty of USD 65 per person per night.
Following services are not covered in daily package:
• USD 40 as VISA fee
• Donations to monasteries and temples
• Alcohol and Beverages
• Souvenirs and Gifts
• Tips for Guide and Driver
• Air Fare
• Travel Insurance.
Discounts
There shall be no charge other than visa fee of USD 40 for children below the age of 5 years. A GROUP SIZE DISCOUNT of 50% on minimum daily package shall be given to one person in a group of 11 people. 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Bhutan Tour Reservations
Booking and reservations will be received for all dates at any time of the year. It is highly recommended that your tour reservation be made well in advance so that we will have enough time to make all the necessary arrangements for your visit to Bhutan. For the festival bookings, at least 90 days prior to the actual travelling dates as in most festival times, it is difficult to get hotels and flights. However, we will try and accept for your last minute bookings also.
Once all are confirmed, we will send you the confirmation letter containing all the necessary information like flight information, hotels details, and tour itinerary.
2. Bhutan Tour Payments
The tour packages price includes:
Government Royalty.
Accommodation in twin Sharing in Standard Hotel.
All Meals
All travel with a licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide (English Speaking)
All Internal Land Transport
Camping Equipment and Haulage for Trekking Tours
Mineral Water.
The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.
The minimum daily packages rates shall not include the following:
Airfare
Airport Taxes
Visa fees
Medical Expenses
Drinks (alcoholic beverages)
Tourism Development Fund
Insurance coverage
Surcharges
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
Single individual US$ 40 per night
Group of 2 persons US$ 30 per person per night
The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.
The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.
Incase the number of persons travelling together is 3pax or more, then there is no surcharge.
3. Tour Cancellation Policy
The tour cancellation policy is as follow: 90 days+ 100% refund of trip cost
30-89 days 75% refund of trip cost
15-29 days 50% refund of trip cost
00-14 days 100% cancellation fee
Flight Cancellation Policy The flight cancellation policy is as follow: 30 days+ 90% refund of ticket cost
10-29 days 75% refund of ticket cost
04-09 days 50% refund of ticket cost
00-03 days 100% cancellation fee
Note: No refund permitted for rescheduled ticket. Fee applicable for date change.
4. Travel Insurance
All visitors are encouraged to insure themselves for their tour to Bhutan. Laughingthrush Adventure does not provide insurance coverage for your trip and hence it is not included in our tour cost. Travel insurance should be obtained from your country of residence before the commencement of your trip. You may also wish to insure your travel against delays due to weather conditions
5. Liability
Laughingthrush Adventure will not be held liable for any illness, injury or death sustained during a tour or trekking. Laughingthrush Adventure also assumes no responsibility for any delays, cancellations, additional expenses, damage or loss of any kind due to circumstances beyond our control. Laughingthrush Adventure shall not be held responsible for cancellation arising from natural calamity, national emergency, civil strife, war or acts of terrorism that effectively hampers carrying out the trip.
Change of Itineraries
A change in itinerary is sometimes unavoidable due to the weather and road conditions. Laughingthrush Adventure reserves the right to change the itinerary for any reason that we may deem it necessary for carrying out the trip.
6. Delayed Departure and Arrival
Delays in departure and arrivals are sometimes unavoidable for the same reasons. As the airline Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines depends on visual landing in Bhutan , a clear sky and weather condition is required for Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines to land in Paro. Similarly, road blocks can occur after heavy rainfall in the monsoon and can delay travel on the road.