Visitor Information
The Royal Government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach to the development of tourism in the kingdom in an effort to avoid the negative impacts of tourism, on the culture & environment.
Visitors to Bhutan must be either the Government guests or tourist. All tourists must travel on a pre-planned, pre-paid guided package tour.
Independent travel is not permitted.
PLANNING
For cultural tours & trekking, booking should be completed 8 weeks in advance. However, for tours coinciding with festivals, 1012 weeks advance information is required. Festivals held in autumn and spring are peak time for the tourists and without early reservation it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.
VISA
All visitors to Bhutan must have a visa approval prior to arrival in the Kingdom. Those who have not had a visa approval will not be permitted to board their Druk Air flights to Bhutan.
Your Visa is processed and arranged by Bhutan Pristine Tours & Trek. No foreign mission abroad grants Bhutan tourist visa. All visitors must hold passports valid for atleast 6 months.
Send us your details through email and we will have your VISA waiting for you in time.
* For travellers entering Bhutan by surface through Phuntsholing (town in south sharing borders with India) the visa is stamped on arrival. The clearance is forwarded to Immigration Office at Phuntsholing for reference prior to arrival. You will be asked to produce 3 copies of original passport size photos at the time of issuing a visa.
ACCOMMODATION
Visitors must be informed that Bhutan is remote & a unique country and all facilities are not the best. There are comfortable hotels, lodges & guest houses at tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels, while in central & eastern part of the country accommodations are simple & basic, but clean.
Accommodations are available from the simple farm house stay to the high-end resort in some places. However, five-star luxuries are not available at any of the standard accommodations & resorts.
There are 171 hotels in the country providing, 4000 beds in total, although not all of them are tourist standard.
For trekking expeditions, we arrange & provide all necessary items & provisions for a truly wonderful experience in the Bhutan Mountains!
Bhutan Pristine Tours & Trek has carefully selected the list of accommodation units with the best of location & ambience.
FOOD
The hotels connected to Bhutan Pristine Tours & Trek serve Chinese, Indian and Continental besides spicy Bhutanese delicacies. For trekking groups, the Company trained cooks will make every effort to accommodate the dietary preferences of each guest. Advance notice for any special dietary requirements
Restrictions will be appreciated.
CURRENCY
The Bhutanese currency is called Ngueltrum (Nu.), which is at par with Indian rupee. Tourists are advised to carry their money in the form of traveler's Cheques for convenience, & shops generally charge a levy on credit cards. We recommend our clients to carry some amount of cash in USD for personal expenses, tips and incidental expenses as cash is widely accepted throughout the country. The extra money as a precautionary measure is always welcome.
HEALTH
Yellow fever & Cholera vaccines are required for those coming from an infected area, at least 10 days prior to their visit. Anti-malarial medications are also recommended for those visiting rural areas, bordering India.
COMMUNICATIONS
Internet access is assured in most hotels in Paro Thimphu, & in many cafés in & around town. While in Central & the Far East, there are public IDD calling booths. You can bring your GSM 900 mobile phone & get a local SIM card for the duration of your stay-Cost: NU: 400. International & local SMS is available, although the mobile network works only in some districts.
LANGUAGE
Dzongkha, which is the language of Western Bhutan, is the National Language of Bhutan. English is also widely used as one of the mediums of instruction in offices, & in schools. The other languages are Nepali in Southern Bhutan, Bumtapkha and Khengkha in Central Bhutan and Sharchopkha in the East, among other dialects.
Bhutan has registered 19 languages & dialects! This diversity in language & culture indicates the cultural richness & heritage of a small country.
CLIMATE
The southern part of Bhutan istropical, and in general the eastern part of Bhutan is warmer than the west. The valleys of Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang, Mongar, Trashigang and Lhuntse enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winter, whilst Thimphu, Paro, Trongsa and Bumthang have a much harsher climate. Winter in Bhutan is from Mid-November to mid-March and at this time of the year the climate is dry with temperature falling to zero. The monsoon usually arrives in Mid-June and last till Mid-September and then the autumn arrives that last till Mid-November. This is a magnificent season for the trekkers.
CLOTHING
Due to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. Cloths should preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe better. During visits to Dzongs, monasteries and religious institutions and special functions, kindly refrain from wearing skimpy, tight-fitting cloths, jeans, hats & shorts. Your escort will advise you what best to wear.
TRANSPORT
The mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor vehicle only. There are few domestic airlines and no trains. However, motor roads are well maintained and smooth and connect to all major sightseeing places.
Druk air also operates special helicopter services, which can be chartered for special Mountain flights, for a view of the Himalayan panorama!
Bhutan Pristine Tours & Trek will provide you with luxury Toyota cars and buses. Drivers are well experienced and are dependable.
Photography
The photographic opportunities on all trips are immense. You will also wish to record the local people, their houses and shops etc. It is advisable to ask if it is all right to take pictures. Also, while visiting religious places and institutions, please follow the guide advice.