Bhutan Travel Information,Bhutan Tourism Regulations,Bhutan Tour Prices,Bhutan Tour Booking,Bhutan All Seasons Tours

Bhutan Tourist Regulations

Tourism has been strictly limited in Bhutan so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. The Bhutanese are highly religious people and therefore it is important to show respect and understanding for local customs and way of life, especially while visiting places of religious significance.
The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable, and also economically viable. For these reasons, visitors to the kingdom have been carefully monitored and the number of tourists visiting Bhutan is kept to an environmentally manageable level.
Visitors may experience Bhutan only on all-inclusive package tours for which a fixed daily tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. This tariff covers the following services: accommodation & all meals, transport, guide, entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites, and additionally a cultural program for visitors traveling in a group of three or above.

Tours Reservation
• All tours must be booked through recognized Bhutanese Tour Operators such as Bhutan All Seasons Travel, with entire land arrangements provided by one and the same operator.
• For Cultural Tours, booking arrangements must be completed 4 weeks in advance, but for cultural tours during festivals, arrangements must be completed 6 weeks in advance. The spring and autumn festivals are our peak times, and without early reservations it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.
• For Trekking groups, booking arrangements should be completed at least 8 weeks in advance, as this activity requires detailed forward planning. Bhutan All Seasons Tour has built up impressive resources over the last 20 years, and can offer your clients a choice of the finest and best organized trekking experiences in the entire Himalayas.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan regulates all tourism related activities in Bhutan. The existing travel agencies are registered with them, and they also fix the minimum daily Bhutan tour prices. 35 % of the daily tariff goes directly to the Tourism Council of Bhutan as a tourist tax and hence to the national treasury.

The current daily tariff is as follows:
During the Peak season (February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November and December).

For group of 3 persons or above, the daily tour cost is US$ 200 per night per person
For a group of 2 persons, the daily tour cost is US$ 230 per night per person (daily tariff US$ 200 + surcharge US$ 30)
For 1 person / single traveller, the daily tour cost is US$ 240 per night per person (daily tariff US$ 200 + surcharge US$ 40)

For a group of 3 persons or above, the daily tour cost is US$ 165 per night per person
For a group of 2 persons, the daily tour cost is US$ 195 per night per person (daily tariff US$ 165 + surcharge US$ 30)
For 1 person or a single traveller, the daily tour cost is US$ 205 per night per person ( daily tariff U $ 165 + surcharge US$ 40)

Bhutan Government Royalty
Twin sharing hotel Rooms in tourist standard hotels
All Meals ( breakfast, lunch & dinner)
English speaking Bhutan tour guide
Refreshments ( tea,coffee, cold drinks and snacks)
All transfers and sightseeing/treks/tours specified in the Bhutan tour itinerary
Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
All entrance fees
BST (Bhutan Sales Tax)
Tourism Development fee (TDF)

The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local Bhutan tour operators / Bhutan travel agents' obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.

4. The rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. These hotel accommodation establishments shall be approved by the Bhutan Tourism Council.

Visa fee US$20/person (must be paid in advance with tour cost).
Airfares
Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Other personal expenses, calls overseas, laundary,excess baggage charges, etc.
Hotel rooms and meals at high end hotels like Uma, Aman, Taj Tashi, etc ( optional).

Discount on tourist daily tariff:

There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the age of 6 to 12 years accompanied by elders/guardians shall be given a 40% discount on daily rates.
Full time Students below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions shall also be given a 25% discount on daily rates
A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to one person in a group of 11 to 15 persons.A 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
A discount of 10% on the daily rates of US$200 shall be provided from 9th nights and 20% discount is given from 21st night onwards.

Cancellation Policy
Bhutan trip booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to the following scale of charges depending on when the notification of cancellation is received:
- If notification of cancellation of your trip is received a month before your travel date, 100% of the daily rate will be refunded.
- If notification of cancellation of your trip is received between 14-21 days from date of your travel to Bhutan, 75 % of the daily rate will be refunded.
- If notification of cancellation of your trip is received between 7-13 days: 50% of the daily rate will be refunded.
- If notification of cancellation of your trip is received less than 7 days of your travel date or after your arrival in Bhutan: there will be no refund.

Delayed Arrival/ Departure
A. There shall be no fixed charge for the number of days of delay in arrival of visitors due to weather conditions, DrukAir problems or road blocks except for minimum charge on hotel cancellation, transport & guide.
B,There is no daily tariff charge if the plane is delayed leaving Bhutan. You will be billed for the actual expenses of accommodations, meals, transport and other services that might be required.

Customs
All visitors are required to complete a customs form upon arrival at Paro International Airport. The following items are exempted from customs duty:
1.Personal effects.
2.Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use.
3.Photographic equipments, video cameras and other electronic goods.

Import of tobacco or tobacco products for personal consumption are subject to 100% sales tax and 100% customs duty. The maximum allowance for personal consumption are:
1. Cigarettes: 1 carton of 200 cigarettes.
2. Pipe tobacco: 3 tins of 50 grams each.
3. Other tobacco products: 50 grams.

Import/Export Restrictions
Import/export of the following goods is strictly prohibited
1. Arms, ammunitions and explosives
2. All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
3.Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species
4.Antiques.

Imports of plants, soils etc. are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be declared on arrival. Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items, especially of religious or cultural significance, as such items may not be exported without a clearance certificate. The visitors may seek our tour company's help and advice before committing to such purchases.

Mailing Address : Bhutan All Seasons Tours & Treks, Post Box No.625, Thimphu, BHUTAN

Bhutan Tour Information