All foreign nationals’ tourists travelling to Bhutan must travel through all-inclusive package tours. The Royal Government has set fixed tariff. This tariff includes the services of accommodation, transport, guide and meals.

VISAS
Visa is required for travelling to Bhutan. All foreign nationals intending to visit Bhutan should apply with the completed visa form at least two weeks before expected date of arrival. We can assist you with this. All the details of clients should be sent to Bhutanese Tourism Authority. Only after getting the authorization no. The embassy/ consulate is allowed to issue the visa. For those traveling from Kathmandu and not having visa, visa is issued at Paro airport upon arrival with the presentation of authorization and payment of US$ 20.00 at the airport immigration counter. Without the authorization the airlines (Druk Air) doesn’t issue the air tickets.

• Actual visa is stamped only on arrival in Bhutan with the support of Visa clearance, which will be sent you in advance.

• Visa clearance number is also required while issuing Druk Air tickets.

• Two copies of original passport size photographs are required on arrival.

MONEY
Bhutan unit of currency is the Ngultrum. 1Nu = 100 Chetrum. The Ngultrum is pegged to the value of Indian Rupee. Approx. 1 $ = Nu. 40

ACCESS (Getting there)
AIR:
The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier. Following stations are connected with Druk Air flight:

India : Delhi, & Calcutta
Nepal : Kathmandu
Thailand : Bangkok

Druk Air Schedules:
Paro to Delhi & Kathmandu ( Mon & Thus)
Paro to Calcutta & Bangkok (Tue, Thus & Sat)
Kathamndu, Delhi to Paro ( Mon & Thu)
Bangkok/ Calcutta /Paro (Wed, Fri & Sun)

Druk Air is the only Airline operating in Bhutan. For more information about Airline, please check the web: http://www.drukair.com.bt/
OR You can email us

ROAD
Entry / Exit to / from Bhutan is also possible through Phuntsoling, the southern Bhutanese border town. Bagdogra, in the state of West Bengal (India) is the nearest airport Approx. 04 hour drive from this place. For travelers wishing to visit India states of Sikkim, West Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsholing serves as the convenient point.

Exit from Bhutan can be made through Samdrup Jongkhar also. This frontier Bhutanese town is approx. 3 hours drive from Guwahati, the capital town of Indian northeastern state of Assam. Samdrup Jongkhar is the authorized exit point only and an important link for visiting further Indian north eastern states.
- As per government rule it is mandatory to travel at least one way by druk air. it can be either entry or exit or both. In an exceptional case, special permission can be obtained.

TOUR ESCORTS
Well-trained, knowledgeable guides, certified by Tourism Authority of Bhutan escort all our tours. Most of the guides are English speaking but Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian-speaking guides could also be provided with prior information and on additional cost.

FOOD
Bhutanese delicacies are limited with spicy chillies and cheese. However you will be served a buffet of Continental food with some local dishes too. Even on trek, our trained cooks prepare dishes suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian.

HEALTH
All major towns in Bhutan have fully-equipped hospitals with all medical facilities, including specialists and ambulance services for emergencies. Certificates of inoculation against cholera and smallpox are required for entry, although Bhutan is free from these diseases. For trekking, you are recommended to consult doctor before booking the trip.

CLIMATE
The southern part to Bhutan is tropical, and in general the east of Bhutan is warmer than the west of the country. The central valley of Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Mongar, Tashigang and Lhuntshi enjoy a semi tropical climate with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Tongsa and Bumthang have a temperate climate, with monsoon rains in the summer (22- 28-degree Celsius approx.) and snow-fall in winter. Winter (below 0 – 8 Degree Celsius approx.) in Bhutan is from mid-November until mid-March, and at this time of year the climate is dry, with daytime temperature of 16-19 degree centigrade (with sunshine and clear skies) and nighttime temperature falling below zero. The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June, with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings. At the end of September, after the last of the big rains, autumn (warm but nights are chilly; 17-27 D. Celsius approx.) suddenly arrives, and is a magnificent season for trekking-lasting until mid-November. Generally the spring is warm (20 – 25 Degree Celsius approx.).

Average Temperatures in Celsius Degree (High/Low)
	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Paro	9.4/ -5.8	13.4/ 1.5	14.5/ 0.6	17.6/ 4.6	23.5/ 10.6	25.4/ 13.1	26.8/ 14.9	25.3/ 14.7	23.4/ 11.7	18.7/ 7.4	13.9/ 1.4	11.2/ -1.7
Thimphu	12.3/ -2.6	14.4/ 0.6	16.4/ 3.9	20.0/ 7.1	22.5/ 13.1	24.4/ 15.2	18.9/ 13.4	25.0/ 15.8	23.1/ 15.0	21.9/ 10.4	17.9/ 5.0	14.5/ -1.1
Punakha	16.1/ 4.2	19.6/ 5.3	21.2/ 9.2	24.4/ 11.9	27.2/ 14.8	31.2/ 19.5	32.0/ 21.6	31.4/ 19.8	29.9/ 20.0	27.8/ 18.9	22.3/ 13.0	15.0/ 7.9
Wangdue	17.0/ 4.3	19.0/ 7.8	22.8/ 10.4	26.2/ 12.9	29.1/ 17.7	29.2/ 20.1	18.4/ 16.2	29.1/ 20.0	27.5/ 19.1	26.1/ 14.7	22.6/ 9.6	19.1/ 6.3
Trongsa	13.0/ -0.2	13.9/ 0.4	16.7/ 4.4	20.1/ 6.6	21.0/ 11.6	22.2/ 13.6	25.3/ 15.3	23.8/ 15.0	22.6/ 14.2	21.8/ 11.7	19.8/ 6.4	18.2/ 2.5
Bumthang	10.8/ -5.1	10.0/ -1.4	16.2/ 3.5	18.7/ 3.9	21.3/ 9.5	22.5/ 13.5	14.1/ 10.9	23.0/ 13.7	21.6/ 12.1	19.5/ 5.9	16.1/ -0.5	12.3/ -2.3
Mongar	15.5/ 8.2	15.9/ 8.3	20.0/ 11.6	22.8/ 14.0	25.1/ 17.4	26.1/ 19.5	16.1/ 15.8	25.4/ 19.6	24.7/ 19.4	22.7/ 15.8	19.9/ 11.2	15.7/ 9.5
Trashigang	20.4/ 10.5	21.7/ 11.5	24.8/ 14.4	28.3/ 17.0	30.0/ 20.6	30.7/ 22.6	31.5/ 23.1	30.2/ 22.7	30.0/ 23.9	29.1/ 17.7	26.1/ 13.6	23.0/ 11.6

Best season: March, April, May, September, October and November.
Monsoon:June, July and August.
Winter: December, January and February.

CLOTHING
Due to wide range of temperature and climate conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. For protection against cold; layered clothing is better than a few thick ones, so choose your cloths accordingly. Cloths should be preferably be made from natural materials, which allow the body to breathe better. You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting or exposing clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear shorts, we would advise women to wear shirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlets. During visit of monasteries, Dzong and the other religious institutions you should not wear shorts, hats and should be properly dressed.

WHAT TO PACK
The following is a fairly exhaustive list of what you should pack for the trip:

Clothes as per seasons, sunglasses,/ spare glasses or contact lenses, pair of casual shoes, washing kit, shaving kit, towel, hat, umbrella, camera, film and accessories, books, maps, insect repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit, safety pins, torch or flash light with spare batteries, mirror, nail clippers, scissors, sun cream, lip salve or soluble aspirin, antiseptic cream, anti-histamine cream [for relief of insect bites], anti diarrhoea, preparation of relief of sunburn etc.

Reservations

- All tours must be booked through Tour Operator and entire land arrangements will by the same agent.

- For clients travelling in peak seasons and festival time, it is necessary to book 05 weeks in advance. Festivals held in autumn and spring are the peak time for the tourists and without early reservation it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.

TERMS OF CONTACT
Ghale Treks makes every effort for your smooth and pleasant journey. However, all the Bhutan programs are conducted strictly by the rules governed by Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Cost does not include any insurance against accident/ injuries/sickness/evacuation (in case of need) trip cancellation etc. Therefore, it is highly recommended to insure covering such incidents at their home country. A separate form of contract has to be signed by clients accepting the above conditions at the time of booking.

BOOKING CONDITIONS
It would help to book at least 60 days in advance, as the infrastructure in BHUTAN can handle only a limited number of tourists. The months of APRIL, MAY, OCTOBER and NOVEMBER normally have many festivals being celebrated at that time, and tourism is at its height at this period. However, at least four weeks prior to your tour, a booking with full passport details (including occupation) , home address and full payment of tour should reach us. There will be a cancellation charge of 50% for confirmed booking 10 days prior to departure. Where as, no refund there after. No refund for no shows and delay arrivals of the clients whatsoever reason.

TARIFF
International Toursit Tariff is valid for all-inclusive package.

(1.) The daily tariff for the tourists visiting in a group of 04 PAX or more is approx.:
Cultural Tours/Trekking: US$ 230 per person per day (Minimum)

(2.) For individual and small groups of less than four PAX (04 PAX), there is additional surcharge above the daily applicable rates as follows:

Single person (01 Person) : US$ 40 per day
Group of 02 persons : US$ 30 per pax /day
Group of 03 persons : US$ 20 per / per day

(3.) The rates are inclusive of the following:
(a) Accommodation on the twin sharing basis with meals
(b) Transfers and sight seeing within Bhutan by a deluxe vehicle
(c) The services of the guide/porters/ponies wherever required
(d) Royalty & Taxes to the Govt.
(e) Monastery and Monument entrances fees if any.

AIR FARE
Departure from Y CLASS J CLASS
KTM-PBH-KTM US $ 420 (Round Trip)
"All Schedules, aircraft, seat configuration and other information are subject to change without prior notice. No responsibility will be assumed by the airline for delay, cancellation of flight or for missed connections."
For more details about the flights please see the website – http://www.drukair.com.bt/
It is also possible to enter/exit Bhutan by overland transportation, stopping en route at Sikkim & Darjeeling (India).

TRAVEL TIPS
Personal clothing: Strong, normal clothing (according to season), preferably cotton for summer and woolen clothing for evening and winter. For trekking, strong comfortable trekking boots, warm socks, sunglasses, headgear, raincoat, and warm clothing, including a down Jacket for higher altitude treks and for the evenings. A sleeping bag is a must (medium too heavy).

Note: for trekking, limit load to 25 kg.

INSURANCE
The purchase of medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended in your home country before the commencement of your journey. Besides reimbursement of non-refundable air tickets, it should also cover the cost of rescue operations by helicopter in the event of an evacuation.