TRAVEL
information
TOURING BHUTAN WITH GLOBAL TOURS AND TREKS
Depending on your interests and the duration of your stay, you can either ask Global Tours and Treks to make a program especially for you, or you can opt for one of our standard tour packages, details of which we will be happy to email to you. For most itineraries, we will need to take into consideration the availability of flights available at the time you wish to travel. Listed below is a brief outline of some tours available for a cultural visit. Unless otherwise stated, arrivals and departures are by Druk Air via Paro. There are overnight or longer stops at all places mentioned unless otherwise stated.
Bhutan, also known as the ‘Thunder Dragon Kingdom’, was isolated from the outside influence for many centuries, and opened its doors to modern socio-economic development in the early 1960’s. Today, Bhutan has entered the 21st century as a unique nation known and has become a model for sustainable development by blending its unique traditions and culture with the forces of modernization. It is astounding that a country with a population of just over half a million speaks as many as nineteen different dialects and a few major languages.
This program completely presents its people, its culture, its landscapes and the people of Western Bhutan including Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, with its magnificent monasteries, fortresses and shrines perched on the cliffs of the mountains.
This program also covers driving to places in Central Bhutan like Trongsa, Bumthang and Ura valley that is said to have been home to the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. Here you will also find the most ancient and sacred temples and sites. Walking down the streets you would believe to have travelled back in time with an unusual yet attractive atmosphere where women still wear the traditional sheepskin shawls on their backs which double as a blanket and cushion.
Tourism in Bhutan has been strictly limited so that traditional culture can be preserved and nurtured. We receive fewer than 10,000 visitors yearly, and tourism is carefully monitored to keep the number of tourists visiting our country to an environmentally manageable level. The government sets charges, with rates varying according to season as follows:
High season: March, April, May, June, Sept., Oct., Nov. – US$ 200 per person per night
Low season: Jan., Feb., July, August, Dec. – US$ 165 per person per night
On this government set tariff, we are allowed to offer 10% as agency commission that will be availed to you. This means net payable is $180 pp per night in full season & $148.50 in low-season. Children aged under 5 travel will be charged $20 each per night. Discounts are available for children aged 6-12, students aged under 25, and diplomats from foreign missions accredited to Bhutan. Discounts are also provided for stays of longer than 10 days in the country. For students you need to send valid students’ ID by mail.
The above daily package rate includes the following:
Accommodation on twin sharing basis
All transfers, sightseeing & permit fees within Bhutan.
Guide for whole duration of your stay.
All meals, service charges to restaurants and hotels
Entry fees to temples and monuments
Pack animals on trek
Cultural show /mask dance performance (for groups of 5 persons and above)
35% royalty and taxes to the government on $200 peak season & $165 low-season.
Not included: Insurances, bottled water, soft & alcoholic drinks; dry cleaning & laundry charges; tips to staff; French, German and Japanese speaking guide supplement cost $100 per day and Airfares.
Extra charges:
US$40 per night if you are traveling alone (government surcharge to encourage group tours)
US$30 per person per night for group of two persons only (government surcharge to encourage group tours)
US$10 per person per visit as Tourism Development fee
Airport tax on departure US$ 12 eqv.
Suite upgrades $100 per room per night.
Toyota Deluxe Land cruiser $50 per day.
5 stars international such as Uma Paro & Amankora can be booked at supplement costs.
Other Hotel: Single rooms supplement $25 per room per night. Deluxe room upgrade $50 per night & suite upgrade $100 per night.
REMITTANCE OF TOUR PAYMENT
When we cost your requirements, we will provide full information on remittance of payment. Services are provided subject to advance payment only, as follows:
Airfare: Tickets are issued only following receipt of your payment in full for the cost of the flights. The bank transfer charges are $20 per transfer.
Land costs: Payment should reach us no later than 14 days before the land tour is to begin. Visa applications are processed only following receipt of payment. Visa clearance formalities take 7 to 10 days. Visitors may not enter Bhutan without a visa clearance number already on file.
Banking Information:
No one in Bhutan is allowed to hold foreign currency account. Any foreign currency transfers are controlled by the Government. You can transfer using the following two banks. To enable us to claim the payment, kindly fax the remittance copy to +975-2-328121
Bank Address: American Express Bank Ltd
300 Boulevard East, Weehawken,
NJ 07087-6702. New York, USA.
Swift Code: AEIB US33
ABA Routine No. 124071889.
Account Holder: Bhutan National Bank.
P.O Box 439, PNT Building,
Thimphu-Bhutan.
Account No. with American Express Bank: 734061.
Alternative Bank:
Bank Address: CITI Bank N.A
111 Wall Street,
19th Floor, New York,
NY 10043, USA.
Swift Code : CITIUS 33.
ABA No. : 0210-0008-9
Routine No. : 008.
Account Holder : Bhutan National Bank,
P.O.Box No. 439, PNT Building,
Thimphu-Bhutan
Account No. with CITI Bank: 36023474.
Cancellation Policy
Druk Airfare: Non refundable
High Season: March/April/May/September/October/November
Cancellation made in case of requested/wait-listed- Administrative fee to be collected.
100% refund permitted for tickets cancelled between more than 30 days from the date of travel.
50% refund permitted for tickets cancelled between 30-last 10 days from the date of travel.
Cancellation made less than 10 days prior to flight departure, no refund.
No refund permitted for tickets cancelled on medical grounds.
On Land Cost: Cancellation within 21nights –cancellation charge 10%, within 14 nights 15%, within 7 nights 30%, Less than 7 nights 50% and after date of arrival no refund. Tours & Trek programs disrupted by forces of nature such as bad weather will not be applicable for refund. Instead the company, after discussions with the group leader will arrange for alternative programmes for the full duration of the stay in Bhutan.
Entry and exit: There are but two ways to enter landlocked Bhutan – by road and by air. The land entry point is the southern border town of Phuentsholing, which is a three-hour drive away from the airport in Bagdogra, India. The aerial route touches ground at Paro, the western Bhutanese town that houses the country’s only airport.
Druk Air: Druk Air, Bhutan’s sole and relatively young flagship, flies two British Aerospace 146 jets between Paro and the international airports at Bangkok in Thailand, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Kathmandu in Nepal as well as Calcutta and Delhi in India.
Visa: Visa applications will have to be forwarded through us as only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu, the capital, has the jurisdiction to issue them. They cannot be obtained from any embassies or missions abroad.
Tariff: The government has, in accordance with its low volume-high quality tourism policy, fixed a tourist tariff of US$ 200 per night per person. While the rate may appear somewhat steep it is all-inclusive and covers your expenses on guides, accommodation, travel, food and other necessities. However, individual travelers and groups of less than three people pay a surcharge (in addition to the tariff) of:
US$ 40 per night halt : for lone travelers
US$ 30 per night halt per person : for groups of two