Some might think Taking the first step in planning your dream trip to Bhutan — whether that’s buying a plane ticket or figuring out which places to visit— is always the hardest but Believe it or not, the process of planning a vacation to Bhutan can be an enjoyable one. You read that right!!! Just figuring out how to pull off your next getaway gives you a sense of relief and control that makes the actual trip all the more fun.

Also the team at AD Tours & Travels will extend our support for planning your trip to Bhutan to the varied level of travelers, business associates and peers at the personal level and 24X7 email and phone supported assistance and service facilitating all kinds of travel solution.

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Transportation

Bhutan is a landlocked country, so the only available means of transport system are by air and road. There are relatively a well developed network of few domestic airports & roads accessing almost every nooks & Corner of the country. Making a journey in this mountainous terrain is really a pleasant one. Latest model of Indian & imported Vehicle like SUV, Toyota Cars, Land Cruisers, Hiace and Coaster Buses are available for the tourists depending upon the group size, comfort & Luxury. Our drivers are well trained and experienced who owns registered license in Department of Tourism council of Bhutan and the Department of Motor Vehicles in safety driving in mountainous terrain in order to help you to reach safely to your destinations.

Types of transport system available for tourist:

Domestic flights – the domestic flight operates only to three limited local airports (Bumthang in central Bhutan, Tashigang in the east and Gelephu in the south central) that lets you travel long distance within the premises.

Taxi – there exist plenty of taxi in every towns where you can negotiate a better deal with local taxi drivers since most of the taxi driver can understand and speak English and other few languages.

Organized tours by local tour operator – tour operators provide with comfortable transport systems under the supervision of experienced driver and guide. All travelling itinerary, transportation and accommodation will be arranged by the tour operator. It is mostly preferred by all tourist visiting Bhutan.

Driving into Bhutan – You may drive your own car while you tour. However it involves additional paperwork on your arrival at the entry point. You will have to get the authorized letter from the Road Safety and Transport Authority that may take your day.

Car rental service – You also have the option of hiring a SUV or a mid-size coach as per your preference. This is the most preferred option among the independent travelers as it provide convenient and better experience and moreover, a beautiful journey during your stay.

Tour Guide

There are over 1000 licensed and active tour guides working in the country. In order to ensure that visitors receive high-quality professional service, every guide must complete a training course. Guides are trained to specialize in either cultural or adventure tours. Many guides complete language courses in German, Japanese, Thai and other languages so that they can easily communicate with guests and almost all are proficient in English. All tour operators are must to employ only registered and certified guides.

Best Time To Visit Bhutan

Bhutan is a multilateral seasoned nation that hosts different festivals and ecological diversification in different seasons of the year. Harsh and cold climate prevails in most of the places during winter season while the summer season experiences cool and warm weather with heavy rain mostly in southern regions. Different group of visitors with their interest and their specialty for various seasons are important to mark before their arrival. For photography, the best time to visit and explore Bhutan is October till December. This season is notable for a chance to witness rare black-necked cranes in Phobjikha Valley and various breathtaking scenery around the kingdom thorough your lens.

Book in advance as autumn sees the influx of International travelers. A period between January and February is the coldest time of the year with occasional road closures, but Losar celebrations will warm you up. March and April are relatively dry and warm with an abundance of mesmerizing flowers in the valleys. From May onward, temperature start to rise leading to the monsoon season from June till September. If you don’t mind the rain, summer is a good time to be in Bhutan with fewer tourists around.

Telecommunication

Bhutan Telecom (estd. 1st July 2000) and Tashi cell (estd. 23rd January 2007) are the two telecommunication & internet service provider in the country. Telecommunication systems in Bhutan are interconnected to all the major towns and cities with basic communication facilities including phone, fax, and email service. Local and international calls can be made from all hotels and public phone booths. Cell phones with Bhutanese SIM card can be used in all the urban centers and also in most of the rural places. It can be operated to make calls with a commonly available pre-paid mobile voucher. Tourist Sim-cards are available at the airport and in most of the shops.· Bhutan Telecom (estd. 1st July 2000) and Tashi cell (estd. 23rd January 2007) are the two telecommunication & internet service provider in the country. Telecommunication systems in Bhutan are interconnected to all the major towns and cities with basic communication facilities including phone, fax, and email service. Local and international calls can be made from all hotels and public phone booths. Cell phones with Bhutanese SIM card can be used in all the urban centers and also in most of the rural places. It can be operated to make calls with a commonly available pre-paid mobile voucher. Tourist Sim-cards are available at the airport and in most of the shops.

Currency & ATM

Bhutan’s currency is Ngultrum (Nu.). As Kingdom of Bhutan is a small nation without major exports, the country has pegged its currency value to that of the Indian rupee which is widely accepted in the country. The monetary symbol is "Nu." when you decide to look at the currency through a Forex trading service, it will either be listed as Nu or under the code "BTN" (short for Bhutanese Ngultrum). The exact exchange rate does vary slightly yet remains connected to the Indian rupee. Currently, 1 Bhutanese Ngultrum is equal to 1 Indian Rupee. Updated foreign exchange rates can be viewed on local banks website at the airport and local banks.

In addition, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by debit card at most of the hotels and handicrafts stores. With the assistance of local guides, travelers can exchange currencies of Indian Rupee and USD with Ngultrum. For better transitions, ATMs are located within all the main towns throughout the country, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. For concerned travelers, a list of ATM locations throughout Bhutan is provided in local maps.

Accomodation

Every visitor wish for an ideal accommodation for night spent. Tour operators in Bhutan facilities best hotel management system and services with efficient and exhaustive awareness on choices of hotels. Valid and reliable information is ensured through enduring commitment to update all information on the website for convenient stay throughout your tour everywhere. Accommodations ranging from luxurious 5-star resorts to traditional Bhutanese home stay at rural countryside’s are present all over tour destinations on majestic locations. Visitors can be assured of their warmth and comfort of the hotels with incredible ambiance and hospitality offered by the hotels.

Based on the rating system, establishments are classified into: Farm-stays/Home-stays, Resorts, Hotels(3*, 4* & 5*), and Guesthouses. Additionally, visitors embarking on long treks will be provided with tents and whatever other camping equipment is deemed necessary. Regardless of their stay, visitors can be assured with comfort and traditional Bhutanese hospitality. Most hotels provide their guests with Television, Room Service, Fitness Centers, Spas and Wi-fi. However the exact services available will vary from hotel to hotel.You need to confirm all you’re booking before traveling to Bhutan and should carry your hotel confirmation vouchers with you, without it your immigration formalities will not be completed.

Farm Stays

All officially sanctioned and listed Farm-stays are located in the gorgeous Bhutanese countryside amidst lush farmland far from the noise and crowds of population centers. Visitors have their choice to spend a night in a traditional Bhutanese Farm House which will let you explore an excellent glimpse into the day-to-day life of a typical Bhutanese family. You’ll be able to observe age old Bhutanese farming traditions as the family goes about for its daily chores. You’ll enjoy delicious home-cooked meals and the unparalleled hospitality of a Bhutanese host. In order to experience a traditional life, electricity and running water are not available at Farm-Stays.

Home Stays

Home stays slightly differ from that of farm stay. It a perfect place for people who do not necessarily want to spend a night in a farmhouse but nevertheless would like to have a taste of Bhutanese traditional rural life.With adequate facilities where you can enjoy the comfort of rooms with attached bathrooms, heaters and hot water, you will take your meals in the large kitchen of the family home.

Visa/Entry Permit

All visitors will need a visa to visit Bhutan, except for visitors from India,  who will require a permit. Nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives shall be eligible for a visa on arrival at the port of entry.  and Nationals of Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic and official passports shall be eligible for a visa on arrival at the port of entry. Visitors from India will need a permit to visit Bhutan.

Documents Required

Documents required to process the visa, passport copy is required. The passport must be valid for six months from the intended date of departure from the Kingdom, Travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip, and a recent passport-size photograph. For Travelers from India can use a passport or voter ID card for adults and Children under 18 years of age can use a birth certificate or passport, and must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Travel insurance is required and should be valid for the whole duration of the trip.

Visa Fee

The visa fee is USD 40 per person and it is non-refundable. While the process to issue the visa is usually quick, the visa can take up to five working days to process. Indian travelers do not need to pay a Visa fee. 

Sustainable Development Fee

As per the New tourism Policy 2022, visitors visiting Bhutan will make an active contribution to Bhutan's economic, social and cultural development. The Sustainable Development Fee enables investment in transformative programs that preserve our cultural traditions, protect our heritage and environment, upgrade infrastructure, create opportunities for our young people, and build resilience. 

Therefore guests from India are levied SDF of Nu. 1,200 or an equivalent amount in INR per person per night, which will remain in effect for two years, following which time it may be reviewed and revised in keeping with the principle of the preferential rate after two years. Then the visitors from all other countries are levied SDF of USD 200 per person, per night. There will be a concessionary levy of 50% on the SDF for children between the ages of 6-12 years and exemptions of SDF for children aged 5 years and below.

The SDF funds go to the national exchequer and are allocated to various projects that enhance facilities, services, and infrastructure for nationals and guests who visit Bhutan, as well as funding free healthcare and education.

The SDF must be paid during the visa or permit application via wire transfer or using a credit card and must be paid in USD; however, Indians can also pay in INR. A guest who is eligible for a visa on arrival should also pay the applicable SDF in USD at the port of entry. The SDF will be waived for visitors to the Bhutanese towns bordering India, until the first designated point identified by the Government. The SDF will be levied on visitors spending the night within border towns.   

Getting to Bhutan 

Visitors can travel to Bhutan by taking flights from Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore (Changi), and Thailand (Bangkok). For now, there are two airlines that fly into Bhutan - namely, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Private jets can fly into Bhutan after getting the relevant approvals from the competent authorities. All visitors can also enter via land from Phuentsholing. Indian guests can enter Bhutan via other land entry points (Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Samtse).