Travel Information for Indian National
No Visa Fee for Indian Nationals:
Getting into Bhutan by Druk Air (only National Airline in the country).
| From (Bhutan) | To |
| Paro | Delhi (India) |
| Paro | Kolkata (India) |
| Paro | Bangkok (Thailand) |
| Paro | Bagdogra (India) |
| Paro | Kathmandu (Nepal) |
| Paro | Gaya (India) |
Trip by land through the frontier town of Bhutan from Indian destinations.
| From (West Bengal) | To (Bhutan) | Approx. Time | KM |
| Bagdogra (Airport) | Phuentsholing | 6 hours | 170 |
| Siliguri (NJP Railway Station) | Phuentsholing | 5 hours | 155 |
| Darjeeling (Hill Stations) | Phuentsholing | 6 hours | 200 |
| Gangtok (Sikkim) | Phuentsholing | 7 hours | 220 |
| Kalimpong | Phuentsholing | 6 hours | 185 |
TARIFF FOR INDIAN NATIONALS:
Tariff for Indian Nationals in Indian Rupee (per person per day)
| Tour Package | 2 – 5 persons | 6 – 8 persons | 9 & above persons |
| A. P (American Plan) | 7,500 | 6,800 | 5,350 |
| E. P (European Plan) | 5,350 | 4,850 | 4,450 |
There is a 50% discount for One Person in a group of 12 people and 100% discount for One Person in a group of 17 and above. The duration discount will also be offered; 10% discount from 10 days and above and 15% discount from 15 days and above.
THE TARIFF INCLUDES
American plan
Transportations within Bhutan and vehicles used for will be Hiace Bus, Toyota Coaster Bus, Santa Fee, Tucson and Prado depending on the group size. The accommodation is in twin sharing basis in “A” class hotels and resorts. Three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea with snacks), and temple fees and guide.
European plan
Transportations within Bhutan and vehicles used for will be Hiace Bus, Toyota Coaster Bus and Prado depending on the group size. The accommodation is in twin sharing basis in “C” class hotels and resorts. Three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea with snacks), and temple fees and guide.
THE TARIFF EXCLUDES
Air fare, Airport tax, any bar bill, laundry bill, telephone bill, Travel insurance and other personal gifts.
COMMUNICATION
The telecommunication system in Bhutan is available in every tourist destination. You can bring your own mobile phone and buy Sim card and use in Bhutan to keep up to date information.
CUSTOMS
The Bhutanese authorities monitor export of any religious antiquities of any kind from the kingdom. The personal uses of electronic devices and small amount of alcohol and cigarettes are permitted to bring along into Bhutan.
THE BEST SEASON FOR INDIAN CLIENTS
June, July, and August to skip the heat of Indian plains. Bhutan’s temperature will in maximum 28 degree & minimum 16 degree.
January, February, November & December for winter vacations. You can enjoy the beautiful snow capped mountains.
TREKKING IN BHUTAN
March, April, May, June, & Sept, Oct, would be the best season on the high mountains.
ENTRY PERMIT (Route permit)
Indian Nationals traveling from India to Bhutan does not need Bhutan Visa. Passport or an election commission I. D card is, however required for presentation at the immigration during entry, to obtain an entry permit. An Affidavit from Supreme Court is needed for those who don’t have any of the above documents.
Indian Nationals traveling from Bhutan to Nepal or Nepal to Bhutan require valid passport as per Nepalese immigration regulation.
SPECIAL PERMIT
Special permit is required for those who wish to travel to restricted areas beyond Dochula pass from special commission, Ministry of Home Affairs. The Special Permit is processed & issued in Thimphu, only after arrival in Bhutan and on production of the Entry Permit or Route permits. Two copies of passport size photos required while processing Route Permit. Also this permit can be processed only during working days (Mon-Fri) and applications are accepted from 9-11 a. m and Special permit will be given on same day from 3 -5 p.m in summer and 3 -.4 p.m in winter.
Immigration office is closed on Saturday, Sunday & Govt. holidays.
FOOD (VEG & NON VEG)
Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese but are normally tempered to the taste of the visitors. All our hotels and lodges offer delicious Indian, Chinese, Continental and Bhutanese cuisine. Hotels normally serve a mixture of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items on buffet style however pure vegetarian meals also served on request and prior information.
HOTELS WE USE IN BHUTAN:
| Paro valley | Thimphu | Punakha/Wangdue
|
Trongsa Valley | Bumthang Valley |
| Holiday Home | Jhomolhari hotel | Dragon Nest Resort | Yangkhil Resort | Wangdi Choling Resort |
| Valley view Resort | Hotel Pedling | Meri Phunsum | Swiss Guest House |
The Bhutanese currency is called Ngultrum (Nu.) and it is equal to Indian Rupee. Credit cards (Amex and Visa cards) are accepted by only few limited establishments. Indian Rupee is acceptable all over Bhutan however please do not carry Rs. 1,000/ and Rs. 500/ denomination currency notes.
LANGUAGE
The official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha. English is widely spoken. And Hindi also remains very common among the business community around the country.
TIME
Bhutan is half an hour ahead of IST (Indian Standard Time).
AIRPORT TAX
If you are departing by air, there is departure tax or airport tax of Rs 800 payable at Bhutan’s Paro International Airport. The company will do ticketing upon your request and will charge Rs. 500 per ticket as service charge.
IMPORTANT TIMINGS:
| Place | Closed |
| Ta Dzong (National Museum) Paro. Entrance Fees: Rs. 50 per person (Indian Nationals only) Tourists Allowed: Tue to Sat: 9am- 4pm |
Sundays, Mondays & National Holidays; |
| Tashichhodzong | Till 5 PM in Winter |
| School of Art & Craft (Painting School) Thimphu Tourists Allowed: Monday – Friday: 2 – 4 p m ; Sat: 9 – 12 a m Fees: Rs 50 Per Person |
In Winter (Dec 17- Mar 10) Sunday & Govt. holidays |
| National Library, Thimphu Tourist Allowed: Monday – Friday: 9 a m – 5 pm (Summer) 9 am – 4 pm Winter |
Saturday, Sunday & Govt. holidays. |
| Textile Museum, Thimphu Tuesday – Friday: 9 a m – 4 p m Saturday: 1 pm – 4 pm / Sunday: 10 am – 3 pm |
Monday & Govt. holidays |
| Punakha Dzong: | Winter, visitors are limited to court yard. |
| Tashicho Dzong | In summer / after 5 pm |
All tourists visiting Dzongs and temples must be dressed appropriately in their own national dress, leave shoes / sandals / caps at the entrance of temple and other appropriate personal decorum should be followed.
To transfer money to Bhutan National Bank, Thimphu from India, please request your bank to remit as follows:
BANK ADDRESS IN INDIA
To transfer money to the Bhutan National Bank, Thimphu from India, Please request your bank to remit money as follows:
- Beneficiary Bank : Bhutan National Bank, P.O Box 439 Thimphu, Bhutan SWIFT: BNBTBTBT
- Account No. : 01510390000013 (INR A/C)
- Bank Address : HDFC BANK Ltd, Sevoke Road Siliguri 734401, India (Any HDFC branch in India will accept the transfer)
- Ultimate Beneficiary : Account No 5004987006 of Harka Bdr. Tamang maintained with BNB, Thimphu, Bhutan
To transfer money to the Bhutan National Bank, Thimphu from India, Please request your bank to remit money as follows:
- Beneficiary Bank : Bhutan National Bank, P.O Box 439 Thimphu, Bhutan SWIFT: BNBTBTBT
- Account No. : 035010200012537 (INR A/C)
- Bank Address : Axis Bank Ltd, Spectrum House, Sevoke Road Siliguri 734401, India. (Any UTI branch in India will accept the transfer)
- Ultimate Beneficiary : Account No 5004987006 of Harka Bdr. Tamang maintained with BNB, Thimphu, Bhutan
CANCELLATION CHARGES
The trips booked and consequently cancelled are subject to cancellation charges as follows:
- Tour booked and cancelled within one month of prior notice; only 75% of the total cost will be refunded.
- Without notice or less then a month; only 50% will be refunded.
All tourists visiting temples and Dzong must be dressed appropriately in their own national dress, leaves shoes and caps at the entrance and appropriate decorum should be followed.
Contact Information:
H B Tamang
Bhutan Everest Tours & Treks,
P O Box # 879, Thimphu: Bhutan
Tel # 00975-2-326464
Fax # 00975-2-334873
Mobile # 00975-17640420/17824795
Email: everest@druknet.bt or hbtamang@yahoo.com
