Flights

To an outsider, Bhutan is an oddity. A solitary, obscure place frozen in time. Because of its pastoral character, people have invented several labels for Bhutan like “Last Shangri-la”, “Happiest Place on Earth” and “Himalayan Paradise”. In this age of rapid growth, where nations often sever ties with their old lifestyle to make a forward leap, Bhutan has managed to preserve its natural and traditional core while taking small steps towards change. The guiding force behind Bhutan’s commitment to protect its natural heritage and maintain a cultural harmony is the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. It emphasizes sustainable development along with environmental conservation and cultural preservation. By adhering to this unique philosophy, people have cultivated an attitude where happiness is their primary goal and respect for nature and contentment are the primary virtues of Bhutanese society.

To an outsider, Bhutan is an oddity. A solitary, obscure place frozen in time. Because of its pastoral character, people have invented several labels for Bhutan like “Last Shangri-la”, “Happiest Place on Earth” and “Himalayan Paradise”. In this age of rapid growth, where nations often sever ties with their old lifestyle to make a forward leap, Bhutan has managed to preserve its natural and traditional core while taking small steps towards change. The guiding force behind Bhutan’s commitment to protect its natural heritage and maintain a cultural harmony is the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. It emphasizes sustainable development along with environmental conservation and cultural preservation. By adhering to this unique philosophy, people have cultivated an attitude where happiness is their primary goal and respect for nature and contentment are the primary virtues of Bhutanese society.

Visa

Except for citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all visitors are required to obtain a visa prior to travelling to Bhutan. Your passport must be valid for six months from the date of application. The current fee for the visa is $40.

Visas are issued by Tourism Council of Bhutan. Once you confirm your trip, send us a scan of your passport at least 2 weeks prior to the planned date of arrival. We will forward your request to Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Visa is issued by Tourism Council of Bhutan once full payment of your vacation has been received. Upon receiving the payment, the visa will be processed within 72 working hours

We will email you a copy of your visa one week before your trip commences.

You will have to produce the copy of your visa along with your valid passport upon arrival at Paro Airport.

Visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives: Citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives are issued Route Permits which they can obtain on arrival in Bhutan; however, they are required to carry their passports or a state issued valid voter’s card.

There is no charge for Route Permit if travellers plan to get it on arrival. However, we charge a small amount for this service (included in the package) if you book through us.

Note for the Visitors from India: Aadhar Card is NOT deemed as an acceptable document for availing the Route Permit.

Travellers who plan to obtain the permit on arrival are given a seven-day Entry/Route Permit upon producing a passport or a valid voter’s card. These permits can be extended for a period of 3 weeks at the Immigration Office in Thimphu.

The Route Permit allows travel only within Phuentsholing, Thimphu, and Paro. Special Area Permit is required for travel beyond these destinations which can be obtained from the Immigration Office in Thimphu upon producing valid documents and travel itinerary.

Travellers planning to travel Bhutan via road must note that the Route Permit can only be obtained at the Immigration Office at Phuentsholing. No permits are issued at Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar so if you plan to enter Bhutan from these two routes, get your permit in advance by booking through an agent.

Indian vehicles are allowed up to 5 km inside the border at Phuentsholing. A Driving Clearance Permit from Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) is required to drive further into Bhutan. A valid driver’s license is required to obtain the permit.

The immigration office is open from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday. The border closes every day at 10 p.m.

Documents Required for the Route Permit:

• Passport or valid Voter’s Card.
• Booking confirmation slip for Hotels.
• Tentative Itinerary.
• 2 passport size photographs.
• Birth Certificate or ID issued by the school for children below 18 years with no valid passport.

Tariff Policy

Bhutan cautiously opened its gates to foreign visitors three decades ago and still regulates the volume of tourists to preserve its socio-cultural heritage and environment. The Royal Government of Bhutan has set the policy of “high-value low impact” tourism to control the number of visitors and minimize the impact on the environment. This ensures that a limited number of discerning tourists visit the country and get the best experience here. At the same time, the country’s resources are not burdened by mass tourism and the true character of Bhutan is preserved.

As part of the policy, the government has fixed Minimum Daily Package for all foreign nationals. The package for a group of 3 or more tourists are as follows:

March to May | September to November – USD 250 per person per night

June to August | December to February – USD 200 per person per night

Surcharge:

In addition to Minimum Daily Package, an additional surcharge is levied on tourists travelling alone or in a pair:

Single Traveller: USD 40 per night
Two Travellers: USD 30 per night

Note: Foreign tour agents and their representatives travelling to Bhutan for business, study or promotional purposes are exempted from paying the surcharge. Prior clearance from Tourism Council of Bhutan is required.

The above-mentioned fees include:

• Lodging in a Government- approved Three Star Hotel/Lodge
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. On the day of departure, the tour operator will provide only breakfast. Cost for any additional eatables will be borne by the traveller.
• Transport for Local Transfers in SUV, Mini Hiace Bus, Coaster Bus of 20 seater 
• Taxes and Charges
• Sustainable Development Fees of $65 (Per person per night)
• Entry Fees for all Tourist Sites
• Trained and Experienced English speaking guide licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan
• Spa, traditional handmade painting, hot stone bath and dress up in Bhutanese costume.
• Authentic Bhutanese dinner at Folk Heritage Restaurant.

Important Note: Minimum Daily Package is fixed by Royal Government of Bhutan and no tour company operating within Bhutan has authority to offer a discount on the package. Tour operators who offer a discount on Minimum Daily Package and tourists who buy these packages are essentially breaking the law. Beware of unscrupulous elements and book through a registered tour operator with proper credentials. Scroll down to know more about government approved discounts and offers. Also, check http://www.tourism.gov.bt/plan/minimum-daily-package for further information.

Note: Citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives are exempted from paying Minimum Daily Package and are permitted to set their own travel budgets.

Visa Fees:

All travellers visiting Bhutan must pay one-time visa fees of USD 40 per person.

Note: There is no charge for obtaining route permit for the citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives if they plan to get it themselves. However, we charge a small amount for this service if you book through us.

In addition to above-mentioned charges, travellers who visit Bhutan on trekking trips, an additional US$50 per person per day will be levied as a trekking supplement, which will be applied only to scheduled trekking days. During your trek, we will provide sleeping bags from Marmot. These can withstand temperatures well below -20 degrees, ensuring that you’ll be comfortable on your adventure. We will also supply you with a sleeping mat, pillow, tents rated for all four seasons (Big Agnes, REI, or Marmot brand), luggage van, hot wager bags, first aid kit, blankets, heaters, and filtered water bottles from REI. This gear will be carried by horses, and your trek will be led by a guide and helpers. A personal cook will also be there every step of the way to keep you happy and well-fed.

Here is a comprehensive list of what is included in the trekking supplement: 

• Sleeping tents: Marmot, REI, or Big Agnes brand
• Sleeping bags: Marmot brand
• Sleeping mattress
• Inner fleece
• Hot water bag
• Water bottle with filter: REI brand
• Dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, and shower tent
• European-style toilet pot
• Trekking guide
• Trained chef
• Helper
• Horses to carry luggage
• Horsemen
• Luggage van to drop and pick up the luggage

Secure Transaction:

Booking your trip to Bhutan with Raven Tours and Treks is both safe and easy. The entire payment process is supervised by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). Your total payment, including the cost of your trip and any visa fees, must be made before you arrive in
Bhutan. This deposit goes directly into our company account with either the Bank of Bhutan or the Bhutan National Bank. When your payment has been made in full, the bank will release funds to the airlines and TCB to confirm your flight reservations and visa application. Raven Tours and Treks will receive the remainder of your payment only after your trip in Bhutan has ended.

Payment by Wire Transfer:

Like all licensed tour operators in Bhutan, Raven Tours and Treks maintains accounts with the Bank of Bhutan and the Bhutan National Bank. Both banks are registered with the Tourism Council of Bhutan and will help to confirm your travel arrangements.
Once your trip has been booked, we’ll send you the details of our bank here in Bhutan; you’ll simply instruct your own bank to remit payment identifying Raven Tours and Treks and its account as the Ultimate Beneficiary. Send us a copy of your remittance slip; payments are typically processed within two or three business days, and we’ll send you an e-mail confirmation as soon as your transfer has been received.

Note: We can also accept payments in USD or Euros by using online money transfer services, such as Transferwise.

For Visitors from India:

If you’re an Indian citizen traveling to Bhutan, your payment process will be slightly different. When your trip has been confirmed, we’ll send you the details of our correspondent bank in India. You’ll need to pay 50% of the total cost of your trip at this time. The
remaining balance will be due two weeks before your arrival in Bhutan. We can accept payments from both HDFC Bank and PNB Bank. Please remember to send us a copy of your remittance slip when your payment has been sent. Alternately, you can pay for your trip by using a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card.

Transfer Fees:

If you’re paying via credit card, we’ll need to apply an additional charge of 3.5% in transfer fees. This breaks down as follows:

•  2% to Visa or Mastercard
•  1% to your bank
•  0.5% to the Bank of Bhutan

If you have chosen to pay by bank transfer or online money transfer instead, a single transfer fee of USD 35 will be applied for each separate transaction.

Payment through Credit/Debit Card:

When your trip has been booked, we’ll send you an invoice and a link to our online payment gateway. You’ll be able to enter your credit card details directly on this secure web site, and we’ll notify you as soon as your payment has been received. Please note that
we are only able to accept Mastercard and Visa at this time; we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Cancellation Policy:

In the unfortunate event that you would need to cancel your reservation with us, please let us know right away. The following cancellation charges will apply:

• 45 days before the trip begins: no charge (100% refund)
• 40 days before the trip begins: 10% of the trip cost
• 30 days before the trip begins: 15% of the trip cost
• 20 days before the trip begins: 30% of the trip cost
• 15 days or less before the trip begins: 50% of the trip cost
• After arriving in Bhutan: 100% of the trip cost (no refund)

Spring: March-May

Although there is a slight chill in the air, spring is an ideal season to visit Bhutan. Trekking routes open after winters, rhododendrons cover every valley and town, the time is right for day hikes and Himalayan peaks are visible. Famous festivals like Paro Tshechu also take place during spring.

Summer: June-August

Summers bring heavy rainfall throughout Bhutan and trekking routes remain closed. For those interested in regular sightseeing, light tourist activities and meditation, a trip to Bhutan during summer is ideal for relaxing and unwinding as there are fewer tourists around.

Autumn: September-November

Autumn is the best time to visit Bhutan for various reasons.Although there are some light showers during daytime in early September, weather largely remains dry. Clean, crisp air of autumn make it an ideal time for outdoor activities, trekking routes reopen and festivals are celebrated throughout Bhutan.

Winter: December-February

The famed Black-necked Cranes descend to Punakha from Tibet during winters and attract many birdwatchers and photographers. Winter is also the time for some small but equally beautiful and culturally rich festivals that take place in Eastern and Southern Bhutan. Those who are impervious to cold visit the country in winters to visit balmy Southern Bhutan to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and winter landscape. However, trekking routes remain closed.