Frequently Asked Questions

 

WHERE IS BHUTAN?

Bhutan is a small, landlocked nation located in the eastern Himalayas with India on the south and China on the north. Its landscape ranges from subalpine forests to snowy mountains in the North and subtropical plains and forests in the South. Bhutan is a predominantly Buddhist country and is known as the last Shangri-la.

 

WHAT’S THE FOOD LIKE IN BHUTAN?

The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese cuisine is its spiciness. Chilies are an essential part of nearly every dish and are considered so important that most Bhutanese people would not enjoy a meal that is not spicy.

Rice forms staple Bhutanese diet. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef and chicken are consumed most often. A wide selection of western and Indian food is also available in many of the restaurants around the country.

 

HOW CAN I ENTER IN TO BHUTAN?

By flight, the entry points are:

  1. Bangkok to Paro
  2. Dhaka to Paro
  3. Kathmandu to Paro
  4. Singapore to Paro
  5. Delhi to Paro
  6. Mumbai to Paro
  7. Kolkata to Paro
  8. Bagdogra to Paro
  9. Bodh Gaya to Paro

 

By Land, the entry points are:

  1. Bagdogra to Phuentsholing
  2. Bagdogra to Gelephu
  3. Guwahati to Samdrupdzongkhar

 

Note: Exits can be done through same entry points.

 

 

HOW MUCH IS THE VISA FEE FOR BHUTAN?

 

For International tourist visas, a cost of USD 40 is applicable. This can be paid in advance to your tour operator or travel agent. For Indian passport (or VIC) holders, Bangladeshi nationals and persons from the Maldives, there is no cost incurred.

 

 

HOW CAN I BOOK MY TOURS TO BHUTAN?

Booking a tour or trip to Bhutan is made simple. You just need to choose the travel agent in Bhutan like us BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS and inquire about tour package and its price. You must not forget the fact that the daily tariff and surcharge if applies are fixed by the Royal Government of Bhutan and has nothing much to deliberate on it. Next is to choose the tour program and dates of travel. Once the tour program and date is decided, make full payment to Tourism Council of Bhutan with our company as the ultimate beneficiary. Upon the receiving the full payment, your visa can be processed. Upon approval of visa, a copy will be sent to you. You need to send a clear scanned copy of passport in PNG or JPEG format. This insures that your travel to Bhutan is booked and you are ready for tour to Bhutan.

 

WHAT ARE INCLUDED IN MINIMUM DAILY TARIFF PACKAGE?

The minimum daily tariff is fixed by the Royal Government of Bhutan. The rate includes all the basic services like accommodation, food, transportation, driver, a English speaking guide and crew. The part of daily tariff that is US$65 is taken by the government as Sustainable Development Fee (SDF); it’s your contribution towards development of this country. To a group of less than 3 people, the royal government of Bhutan imposes surcharge charges beside daily tariffs. Given below is the chart to give you a clear idea of daily tariff and separate surcharges. Please visit tourism department official website: https://www.tourism.gov.bt/about-us/minimum-daily-package

 

Minimum daily tariff for 3 person group (surcharge not applied)

Peak Season: USD 250 per person per night

Lean Season: USD 200 per person per night

 

Minimum daily tariff for 2 person group (surcharge applied)

Peak Season: USD 250 + 30 per person per night

Lean Season: USD 200 + 30 per person per night

 

Minimum daily tariff for single person (surcharge applied)

Peak Season: USD 250 + 40 per person per night

Lean Season: USD 200 + 40 per person per night

 

Peak Season: March – May, September – November

Lean Season: June – August, December – February

 

The following services are included in daily tariff payment:

 

While on Cultural Tours:

  • Government Royalty: USD 65 per Person per Night.
  • 2% Government Tax per Person per Night.
  • All Meals.
  • Daily Mineral Water.
  • English Language Speaking Guide.
  • Comfortable and Luxurious Imported Cars for Internal Transportation with Skilled Driver.
  • Entrance fees for Museums.
  • The Government set package rate is valid for accommodation on twin sharing basis.
  • A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium).

 

While on Trekking Tour:

  • The North Face Sleeping Bag
  • Air Mattress
  • Two Person Sleeping Tent
  • Dining Tent
  • Kitchen Tent
  • Shower Tent
  • Toilet Tent
  • Handy Shower
  • Comfort Chair
  • Table
  • Walkie Talkie
  • Walking Poles
  • Ice Axe
  • Hot Water Bag
  • Water Bottle
  • Trekking Cook & Waiter
  • Trekking Horses with Horsemen

 

Following services are not included in daily tariff payment:

  • Airfare international & Domestic.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Personal shopping.
  • Tips for Guide & Driver.

 

 

HOW CAN I MAKE THE TOUR PAYMENT?

Entire tour package payment must be settled at least 6 weeks prior to arrival in Bhutan and VISA is approved by government subject to advance payment only.

 

Payment Security

Your payment is held in government account and is released to BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS account only upon your travel has taken place. This provides you the security that your money is safe until your travel to Bhutan has taken place. If for any reason your trip to Bhutan got cancelled your money will be returned to you by the government (subject to any cancellation charges applied if you cancelled the trip). You may use following banks to make payment to us.

 

  1. Standard Chartered Bank Ltd., New York, USA

Beneficiary Bank Account No: 358-202-171-9001 (US Dollar)

SWIFT Code: SCBLUS33

CHIPS ABA: 0256

FED ABA: 026002561

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/Reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. Standard Chartered Bank Ltd., Singapore

Beneficiary Bank Account No: 01-7005970-7 (US Dollar)

Swift Code: SCBLSGSG

Sort Code: 60-91-04

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. Standard Chartered Bank Ltd., Frankfurt Germany

Beneficiary Bank Account 1: 18155200 (EURO- You must deposit Euro only)

Beneficiary Bank Account 2: IBAN-DE05512305000018155200 (EURO- You must deposit Euro only)

Swift Code: SCBLDEFX

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank,  GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. Standard Chartered Bank Ltd., London

Beneficiary Bank Account 1: 01706885901 (GBP- You must deposit GBP only)

Beneficiary Bank Account 2: IBAN-GB21SCBL60910417068859 (GBP- You must deposit GBP only)

Swift Code: SCBLGB2L

Sort Code: 60-91-04

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. Standard Chartered Bank Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

Beneficiary Bank Account: 2342855-1110 (Japanese Yen- You must pay Japanese Yen only)

Swift Code: SCBLJPJT

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sydney, Australia

Beneficiary Bank Account: 2342855-1110 (Australian Dollar- You must pay AUD only)

Swift Code: CTBAAU2SXXX

BSB no. 062-069

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. Kasikornbank PCL, Bangkok, Thailand

Beneficiary Bank Account: 400-95-1003-1 (US Dollar only)

Swift Code: KASITHBK

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. Export Inport Bank of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand

Beneficiary Bank Account: 999-6-00369-0 (US Dollar only)

Swift Code: EXTHTHBK 

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

Address: Tshewang Dorji Building, Bldg no # 9, Changjalu, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan.

 

  1. (Correspondent Bank) Standard Chartered Bank Ltd., Naya Bazar, Kathmandu, Nepal

Swift Code: SCBLNPKA

 

Beneficiary Bank Account: 01185233751 (USD A/C)

 

Beneficiary Bank: Bhutan National Bank, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan

SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT

 

Note in Remarks/reference: Ultimate Beneficiary BHUTAN GRACE TRAVELS Account No. 0000061747014

 

NOTE: Please email a copy of Bank transfer to us for necessary follow-up with the Bank here in Bhutan. Email: [email protected]

 

WHAT DOES SURCHARGE MEANS?

The Surcharge means extra payment that you need to pay to cover your travel to Bhutan. The surcharges are as follows: US$ 40 per person per night for single travelers, US$ 30 per person per night for 2 travelers in group. https://www.tourism.gov.bt/about-us/surcharges

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STANDARD AND LUXURY TOUR?

The luxury tour is determined by type of accommodation, food and type of vehicle used for transportation. The Luxury hotels are in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, and Bumthang. The luxury tours are not available in other places as of now because related infrastructures are not in developed according to standard defined by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Luxury tours are not covered by regular minimum daily tariff fixed by government but it requires additional payment.

 

HOW CAN I PROCESS VISA TO BHUTAN?

The process of visa for Bhutan looks complicated but actually it is straight and simple. Unlike other countries issuing visa from the embassy or consulate, Bhutan has different approach. You must apply through Bhutanese Tour Operator like our Bhutan Grace Travels and receive approval before your travel to Bhutan. Visas are approved by Department of Immigration in Thimphu, and upon producing this copy of visa will Bhutan Airlines or Druk Air allow you to board their flights to Bhutan.

The actual visa is stamped on your passport upon arrival to Bhutan at any entry point. You just need to send a scanned copy of passport with at least six months in JPEG or PNG file, other details such as name, occupation, nationality, date and place of birth, permanent and present address. You are not required to send signed application and passport size photo at this time. Double check your information before you send it to avoid any complication or delay. The process of visa takes at least a week.

Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivians can obtain visa at the port of entry upon producing a passport with minimum 6 months validity. Indian can also get permits at the port of entry with Voter Identity Card (VIC). Note that Bhutanese Tour Operator like ours Bhutan Grace Travels can process your permit in advance for your travel convenience.

 

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL?

There is two season for travel to Bhutan. They are called Peak Season and Low Season. Peak Season fall in March-May and September-November; and Low Season fall in June-August and December-February every year. The best time for travel would be in Peak Season. But good time is in Low Season for two reasons: 1. it’s cheaper 2. Avail better service due to less number of tourists.

 

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE CONDITION IN BHUTAN?

Climate in Bhutan depends upon the altitude. In the northern parts of the country where mountains rise up to 7,000m, weather conditions are similar to arctic. Southwards, closer to India, the weather is hot and humid in the summer and cool in winter. The monsoon rains are usually heavy. Winters can be a good time to visit the lower parts, but then the highest areas are freezing. The best times to visit Bhutan are spring (March-May) and autumn (late September – November) when the weather is warm, dry and sunny but always throw in a couple of warm clothes into your travelling gear when you travel to Bhutan regardless of the season. Bhutan has four seasons:

 

Spring: (March, April and May),

Summer: (June, July and August),

Autumn: (September, October and November) and

Winter: (December, January and February).

 

Average Temperatures in Bhutan

It should be noted that average temperatures are recorded from valley floors. There can be considerable divergences from the recorded figures depending upon elevation.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL CARDS ARE ACCEPTED IN BHUTAN?

Visa and Master Card are accepted in Bhutan. You may prefer to bring cash with you for shopping and entertainment uses preferably in US dollar. Also you can change Australian dollar and Euro with bank here.

 

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for all visitors to Bhutan. But to hold a valid comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes cancellation & emergency evacuation cover is highly advisable. Bhutan & Beyond can assist with this if required.

 

HOW CAN I BOOK MY AIR TICKET?

You can book your air ticket either through us or agent approved by Druk Air Corporation Ltd., or Bhutan Airlines. But we suggest that you book your ticket with us so that it will be cheaper for you, for they will charge you the commission and in addition to that their service charge also. Moreover, we know your travel itinerary for in and out of Bhutan it will be convenient for you to book ticket with us.

 

DO YOU GIVE DISCOUNT ON BIG GROUP?

 

First of all, we give very good Group Size Discount. We give 50% discount to 1 person in a group of 11 people. And 100% discount for 1 person in group of 17 people or more.

 

Secondly, we give 50% discount as Duration Discount on Sustainable Development Fee after 8th night stay and 100% discount on Sustainable Development Fee after 14th night stay.

 

Thirdly, we give 100% discount on Sustainable Development Fee on Free Zone Discount either for first night halt or last night halt, but arrival or departure must be in Phuentsholing, Sarpang and Samdrup Dzongkhar. Also tourist visiting and staying in six eastern districts Mongar, Samdrupjongkhar, Lhuentse, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang and Pemagatshel are exempted from Sustainable Development Fee.

 

There shall be no charge other than visa fee of USD 40 for children below the age of 5 years.

 

Children between the ages of 5-12 years shall be given 50% discount on minimum daily package rate.

 

Please Note: Children below 5 years will not be eligible for GROUP SIZE DISCOUNTS, DURATION DISCOUNTS and SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FEE FREE ZONE DISCOUNT and All Children and Students will not be eligible for DURATION DISCOUNTS

 

HOW IS COMMUNICATION IN BHUTAN?

We have one of the best communications in the region with fixed line to 4G services almost all over the countries through two service providers, Bhutan Telecom and Tashi cell. You can purchase tourist SIM card at airport or around at any port of entry. Free wi-fi services can be availed in hotel, ask for it at reception.

 

WHAT MAKES YOUR COMPANY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COMPANIES?

First, our travel company focuses to receive limited number of groups at a time unlike other companies. We prefer to give proper attention and efficient services to the guest we have received.

Secondly, unless specified we don’t charge hidden cost other than daily tariff and surcharges if applied.

Thirdly, we don’t give heavy discounts for we give uncompromising quality of services with tireless effort to make your stay in Bhutan a experience of life time.

Last but not the least, we serve and thrive on motto of “Honesty is the best policy”.