BUILDING: WILDERNESS TREKS

Prices and Payment Methods:

Tour cost:
The minimum daily tariff is set by the Bhutanese Department of Tourism and cannot be negotiated. These rates include all accommodation, meals, overland transport within Bhutan, sightseeing, a local tour guide, airport transfers and a supply of pack animals when and where needed for treks. There is a government surcharge of US$ 40 per night for individual travelers and US$ 30 per night per person for groups of two. For groups of three or more there is no government surcharge.

Peak Season Rates:  (January to June and September to December)
Individual travelers: US$ 200 per night (plus surcharge of US$ 40 / night / person)
Groups of two people: US$ 200 per night per person (surcharge of US$ 30 night / person)
Groups of three of more: US$ 200 per night per person (no government surcharge)

Off Season Rates:
Individual travelers: US$ 165 per night (plus surcharge of US$ 40 / night / person)
Groups of two people: US$ 165 per night per person (surcharge of US$ 30 night / person)
Groups of three of more: US$ 165 per night per person (no government surcharge)
(Prices for 2008 will be rising by about 20%, because of government increases)
Payment Methods: (please state as applicable)
Includes: Package on full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) on room sharing basis, airport transfers in Bhutan, all other transfer & s/seeing with an English speaking guide as per the program, TDF, entrance fees, visa fee. 

Excludes:  2 passport sized photos required at Paro airport, airfare, airport tax, beverages, tips & expenses of personal nature

Cancellation Policy : Once the visa is processed & tour programs booked, the subsequent cancellation shall be subjected to the following charges :
 
a) within 30 days of start of program                              - No charge
b) within 21 days                                                    - 10 % of the total package price
c) within 14 days                                                    - 15 % of the total package price
d) within 7 days                                                    - 30 % of the total package price
e) less than 7 days or cancellation without notice            - 50 % of the total package price
f) after arrival in Bhutan                                                - 100 % of the total package price
 
Best Times to Travel:
The most popular times to visit Bhutan tend to be the spring months of March, April, May and the autumn months of September, October and November because the weather is more mild and many of the largest festivals take place during these months.

Accommodation: All of the hotels we use are clean, comfortable, and of the highest quality by Bhutan standards. They are all approved by the Department of Tourism. Western Bhutan (Thimphu, Paro, Phuntsholing, Wangdue, and Punakha ) has the best hotels while in smaller towns, modest, but adequate hotels, lodges and guest houses are available.

Food and Drink: Traditional Bhutanese food tends to be hot and spicy. For our visitors, however, a range of Chinese, Indian, and Continental fares is served. If you like, you can also try the local delicacies like the tasty, but fiery, ematatshi, the national dish of Bhutan, made with red chilies and cottage cheese.

Transport: We use comfortable and safe Japanese cars, jeeps, vans and coaches to transport our guests.

Overland travel:  It is possible to enter or leave Bhutan by road; however you are required by the government of Bhutan to use Druk Air at least one way. The point of entry into Bhutan if driving is Phuntsholing bordering India by the south. This overland trip to Bhutan is a good alternative if you have to travel around India before or after your Bhutan trip or if you have trouble getting seats on Druk Airs, which is commonly overbooked during the peak season.
An alternative overland route is to first fly to Bagdogra.  The Bagdogra airport is located in west Bengal, India. The airport is a major stop in the region with flights connecting to Calcutta, New Delhi and Guwahati. The road from Bagdogra enters Bhutan at the border town of Phuentsholing, which is 179km (111 miles) from Thimphu. The border crossing at Samdrup Jongkhar in eastern Bhutan allows tour operators to take travelers across Bhutan on a single-lane road crossing into Assam, India.

Currency: The Bhutanese currency is called Ngultrum. It is linked and equal in value to the Indian rupee as  per US dollar - 44.20 Ngultrum as per the latest exchange rate.

Credit Card:  There are no ATMs in Bhutan, and credit cards are accepted only at the banks and at a few high - end tourist shops.

Time Difference: Bhutan is 6 hours ahead of G.M.T. and half an hour ahead of India, 15 minutes ahead of Nepal. In the USA during daylight saving time (April through October) Bhutan is 10 hours ahead of New York City. During standard time (November through March) Bhutan is 11 hours ahead of New York City.

Health and Safety: The government of Bhutan does not require you to have any particularvaccinations to enter the country. However, you may wish to talk to your doctor about receiving immunizations against certain preventable diseases. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov) has up to date travel information about which diseases you may want to immunize yourself against when traveling to Bhutan.

Main Airport(s): Paro (PBH), Bhutan’s only airport, is located in a deep valley, some 2,190m (7,300ft) above sea level, surrounded by hills and high mountains. Operating conditions are fairly difficult and the approach into Paro airport is entirely by visual flight rules.  Buses and taxis are available to the city center (journey time - 1 hour 30 minutes). Facilities: The airport has a post office, bank, bureau de change, restaurants, VIP lounge, duty-free shop, gift shop, and two airport hotels

Customs   
The Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibit the export of any religious antiquity or antiques of any type from the country. Camera, video cameras, computers and personal electronic equipment may be brought into the country but must be listed on arrival and will be checked on departure. Areasonable quantity of cigarettes and alcohol may be imported into the kingdom.

Mountain flights:
Druk Air operates an hour-long scenic mountain flight (the so-called ‘Kingdom of the Sky’), which offers visitors spectacular views of the mountains, lakes and waterfalls. However, there are no domestic airline routes within Bhutan

Guides: All tourist groups will be accompanied throughout their stay in Bhutan by an English-speaking guide and will have a vehicle and driver at their disposal at all times.

High Season: January to June & September to December

Low Season: July & August

Banking hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 3 pm. Saturday 9am – 11 am

Taxes: A departure tax of Nu.500 Ngultrum (US$ 12) at Paro airport.

Telephone: Bhutan country code is +975. Telephone communication is very reliable.

Internet: Internet Service is available in every tourist lodge/hotel as well as in town Cafés at cheaper rates.

Night Clubs: Thimphu has around five licensed night clubs which operate on a weekly basis, on Saturday night and some of them on Wednesday as ladies' night.

Very Important Information for Visitors in 2008. Please note independent travel may often be unavailable during 2008 which sees the inauguration of Bhutan's 5th King along with the official handover to democracy (dates yet to be advised to both events).

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