TRAVEL INFO

GENERAL INFORMATION

Please take time to read through this information; it is designed to prepare you for your adventure in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.

Travel to Bhutan

Namay Samay handles the whole booking process on behalf of our guests, including fights and visa applications but it is advisable to book well in advance to secure accommodation and seats on Druk Air.

Druk Air

Bhutan’s national airline, Druk Air, (the only airline flying to Bhutan) flies from Bangkok (Daily), Delhi, Calcutta, Guwati, Bodhgaya,Dhaka and Kathmandu to Bhutan.
Please check www.drukair.com.bt for schedule and price.

Druk Air Tickets

Druk Air is the only airline that flies in and out of Bhutan. Druk Air tickets are refundable. If cancellation is made prior to 45 days of your initial travel date. You may also re-schedule up to one month from date of purchase. Namay Samay Bhutan is happy to assist in the purchase of Druk Air tickets as a service, however Druk Air’s policies are applied to this service and Namay Samay Bhutan cannot refund tickets purchased on behalf of its guests. On receipt of payment for the full fare, guests will be sent a copy of their E-ticket via email.

Passports, Government Fees and Visas

In order to arrange a visit to Bhutan (under Bhutanese laws) all arrangements must be made through a local tour operator, namely us. This must be applied for prior to departure by Namay Samay Bhutan. You will then be issued with your visa on arrival. We require a scanned copy of your passport photo/details page and an original or scanned copy of a recent color passport photo from you to apply for this.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.

Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.

Visa applications for Bhutan can take up to 2 weeks to process. If you are going on a trip through Namay Samay Bhutan , we can take your visa application by e-mail. As soon as you have decided on an itinerary and have made payments for your trip, we will be able to make your reservations on Druk Air. To make these reservations, we will need your application.

1. Download visa application form
2. Fill out form in detail
3. Return form as an attachment by e-mail or in the body of your message.

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Daily Government fees are:

USD 100 per person per day Sustainable Development Fee and INR 1200 per person per day for Indian citizens

The price quoted by Namay Samay Bhutan is includsive of accommodation, meals, overland transport within Bhutan, sightseeing, a local tour guide, airport transfers, and a supply of pack animals(if opted for) when and where needed for treks. Additional charges apply for flights within Bhutan or luxury goods or services requested.

FIT surcharge (FIT means “Free Independent Traveler”) There is an additional fee per person per day for couples or single travelers, this fees is waived for parties of 3 or more guests travelling together.

Additionally, foreign nationals (except Indian nationals) are required to pay a Visa fee (non refundable) of US$40 per application. (one name per application)

NOTE: If you wish to stay in one of the luxury resorts (Uma in Paro, Taj Tashi in Thimphu or Zhiwaling in Paro), you will need to make an additional payment in full. Our tour rate does not cover the high cost of these resorts. Our rate covers tourist-standard accommodations only.

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Discounts

There will be no charge for children aged 5 and younger. Children aged 6 through 12 will be given a 50% discount when accompanied by an adult/guardian.
Full-time students under the age of 25 will be given a 20% discount if they have a valid identity card from their academic institution. All discounts are subject to policy guidelines laid out by the Royal Government of Bhutan and are subject to change without notice

Payments and fees

You can make your trip payment in two parts. First you can make a payment for your Druk Air tickets, and later you can make your tour payment. If you choose to pay in two parts you will have to pay two separate wire transfer fees (~$40 for each transfer depending on your bank's policy). You will need to make your tour payment at least 7 weeks prior to your arrival in Bhutan to allow time for your visa to be processed.

Payment for the Druk Air tickets

The payment for the Druk Air tickets can be made via check, electronic transfer, or wire transfer.

Payment for the tour

The tour payment can be made via check, electronic transfer, or wire transfer. You should make the tour payment at least 7 weeks before your arrival in Bhutan to allow time to process your visa.

Tips for Passengers

As Paro airport is “daylight restricted” and totally dependent on weather, flights can sometimes be delayed. Passengers should keep
at least 24 hours transit time for connecting flights out of Paro. Flights into Paro are also sometimes disrupted by the weather. To be prepared for such an event, it is advised to carry essential personal items like medicines, toiletries, minimum change etc. in your hand baggage.

Hand Baggage Allowance

Economy Class: 20kg (44lbs)
Business Class: 30kg (66lbs)
Due to the limited hold space baggage is often left behind, most often from Bangkok. Bulky items should be booked ahead as unaccompanied baggage/cargo.

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Customs

Please Note: Visitors can bring in cigarettes for their own use the items will attract a duty of 200%. Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items. Customs authorities will not allow any old/used items to be taken out of the country if they have not been certified as non-antique. It is also recommended that you keep the invoice of any old or used items that you purchase in Bhutan in
case customs authorities request them at the airport on departure.

Guests Flying via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

The Druk Air check-in desk at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International airport is at Row W at the far end of the concourse, to save time ask your driver to drop you at the end.

Guests Flying via India

All passengers flying to and from Bhutan via Calcutta or Delhi must apply for an Indian Visa prior to their departure if they intent to stay overnight - if they remain in transit no Indian visa is required. However you are strongly advised to check with Indian authorities on the need for transit visas for your country

The Effects of Altitude

At 2,300m above sea level, Thimphu lies below the height where Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) might begin to affect people. It is caused by going too high too fast and in some rare cases can be fatal if the warning signals are ignored. it is important to take care, allowing your body time to adjust to smaller quantities of oxygen. Some people adjust quickly, while others take longer, but very few people are incapable of acclimatization, given sufficient time. To aid the process drink lots of water(3-4 liters a day), listen to your body and avoid over exertion.

Travel Insurance

It is strongly recommended that you be insured against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services) and that you also take out cancellation insurance. You should be aware that some policies restrict coverage or do not cover travel to Bhutan and may not cover activities such as trekking and mountain biking. Please ensure that your policy provides a sufficient level of protection and covers you for the activities involved. You must carry proof of insurance
(e.g. your insurance certificate) with you to Bhutan.

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Weather

In terms of weather, the Kingdom is a year round destination which in general experiences warm days and cool nights with temperatures only getting below freezing at Uma Paro on winter nights.
SPRING; March, April, May : warm days and cold nights (max 24oC vs min 2oC ) with some chance of rain.
Camping Trek Season (temperatures can drop below freezing at high camps).
SUMMER; June, July, August : warm days and balmy nights (max 26oC vs. min 14o C) with the chance of rain. Best time for flowers and birdlife
AUTUMN; September, October, November : warm days and cold nights (max 23oC vs min 2oC ) with some chance of rain. Camping
Trek Season (temperatures can drop below freezing at high camps).
WINTER; December, January, February : crisp sunny days and cold dry nights (max 20oC vs. min -4oC )

Equipment and Clothing

In addition to your normal daily clothes, you will need to bring the following items with you:
Essential: backpack; warm jacket; good leather or waterproof fabric boots or shoes with good soles; waterproof jacket; sunglasses; warm hat; sunhat; sunscreen; day-pack to carry your essentials.

Recommended:

Trekking pole; gloves; tracksuit or thermal underwear (for evenings and in the winter); shorts for cycling; torch; insect repellent; lip balm; wet wipes, a sufficient supply of any medication you are taking.

NB. Camera _lm is a rarity in Bhutan so bring your own supply which should be in your carry-on luggage.

Essential for Camping Treks

4 season sleeping bag; torch; backpack; thermal underwear. (For a full trek packing list and more information about trekking please ask for a copy of the Pre Departure Information sheet for Treks)

Walking Conditions

Our walks and treks are mostly on established trails, and there are no particularly difficult sections, although some of the trails are steep and rocky and can be muddy and slippery after rain. Boots with ankle support and a trekking pole are recommended.

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Transport

For transfers and tours we use small private minibuses and 4 x 4 vehicles such as Hyundai Santa Fee depending on the size of the party.

Currency

The Bhutanese unit of currency is the Ngultrum and 1Nu = 100 Chetrum. The Ngultrum is pegged to the value of the Indian Rupee and at 10/09/2024 was worth the following:
1 $US = 83.72 Nu
1 UKP = 110.30 Nu
1 Euro = 93.04 Nu
1 $Sing = 64.45 Nu
Please note that not all businesses in Bhutan take credit cards and there are still no international ATMs, however local ATM's do facilitate the withdrawal of local currency. Please also note that while Indian Rupee currency can be used in Bhutan the Bhutan Monetary Authority does not allow 500 and 1,000 Rupee notes to be traded in Bhutan. Also please note that Thai Bhat cannot be exchanged in Bhutan by order of the Bhutan Monetary Authority.

Local Time

Local time is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime (London UK time), 30 minutes ahead of India and 1 hour behind Thailand.

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Language

Dzongkha is Bhutan’s official language and there are countless dialects. English is widely spoken in shops and hotels.

Suggested Reading List

Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Queen of Bhutan A captivating blend of personal memoir, history, folklore and travelogue
Facts About Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon by Lily Wangchhuk A comprehensive guide to Bhutan published to mark the centenary of the Bhutanese monarchy
Lonely Planet Bhutan 3rd edition (April 2007) A general travel guide to Bhutan including trekking, information about Bhutan's ancient Buddhist cultural
Raven Crown: Origins of the Buddhist Monarchy in Bhutan by Michael Aris
212 pages and over a hundred photographs of the Himalayan kingdom
Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan by Jamie Zeppa Zeppa’s fascinating account of her time as a volunteer schoolteacher in Bhutan.
Bhutan: A Visual Odyssey Across the Last Himalayan Kingdom
The Blessings of Bhutan (A Latitude 20 Book) by Russ and Blyth Carpenter. A personal and fascinating compilation of essays about the authors’ experiences and understanding of Bhutanese life.

Other Media

www.kuenselonline.com
www.bhutanobserver.bt
www.bhutantimes.bt - websites for the three national newspapers
Travelers and Magicians - a wonderfully evocative Bhutanese made film
Little Buddha - some of the scenes for this Hollywood film were shot in and around Paro

Cancellation Policy

For trip booked and subsequent cancellation, the following applies.
- cancellations up to 30 days in advance - no charge
- cancellations up to 21 days in advance - 10% of total cost
- cancellations up to 14 days in advance - 15% of total cost
- cancellations up to 7 days - 30% of total cost
- cancellations up to less than 7 days or without notice - 50% of total cost
- cancellations up to arrival in Bhutan - 100% of total cost - no refund

For Drukair tickets issued and subsequent cancellation, the following applies.
- 100% refund permitted for tickets cancelled 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.
- 25% refund permitted for tickets cancelled prior to 03 (three) days from the date of travel.

A US$75 administration fee will be payable for each traveler's cancellation.

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