Bhutan Cultural Tour

Useful Info

Food in Bhutan

Variety of meals are available in most of the hotels – the most popular being Indian, Chinese, and the more common continental food which you can choose as per your wish. Emadatse - spicy chilies mixed with a cheese sauce is the national diet of Bhutan. Bhutanese eat chilies as vegetables rather than spices. Red and white rice are served at all meals. Non vegetarian dishes - pork, beef, chicken, and fish are generally available in most parts of Bhutan. Vegetarian foods are also available. Better ask the hotel or restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season.

Accommodation in Bhutan

Hotels in Bhutan are approved and classified by the government as grade A, B and C. These government approved hotels are equivalent to 3-4 star hotels located throughout the globe. Western Bhutan (Thimpu, Paro,Wangdue and Punakha)has the best hotels but as you head to eastern and central regions, the quality decreases a little bit. All the hotels/lodges/guest houses in the western Bhutan have pretty good electrical heating systems. While the hotels in the central and eastern part of Bhutan has wood-stoves for heating.

Transportation in Bhutan

We use comfortable and luxury transportation during the Bhutan Tour. Vehicles what we are using are well maintained and cleaned 4WD car and Hiace. If for some reason you are not comfortable with your vehicle you can request for the change.

Currency in Bhutan

The currency of Bhutan is ngultrum. As it is linked and equal to Indian rupee, ngultrum is also accepted in Bhutan. You cannot buy ngultrum prior arriving to Bhutan, but you can purchase it at the Paro International Airport, Bhutan National Bank, Bank of Bhutan and at major hotels in Thimpu and Paro, all of them accepts traveler’s cheque, US dollars and various other currencies. However, while visiting smaller town you should have ngultrum to purchase, as it is not possible to exchange your currency.

Trip Note

Bhutan Visa process

Bhutan Visa is essential for every foreigner who is planning to enter Bhutan. The visa has to be processed by local tour operators, such as our company Mount Trails Trekking and Adventures . No foreign mission or embassy abroad grants tourist visa. For the visa, a passport is required which must be valid for at least 6 months after you leave Bhutan. The Druk Air allows boarding only if it has got your visa clearance from the Bhutan Government.

Book Tour in Advance

As earlier as you book your trip, the better selection of available departure dates you will have. Moreover for holiday trips, you'll want to reserve several months out to find the best selection. Thus, to gain more advantage you can book as fast as you can.

Travel Requirements

It is mandatory for all tourists (other than Indian, Bangladeshi & Maldivian nationalities) to obtain a Bhutan visa clearance before travelling to Bhutan.  The Bhutan visa has to be processed via a government approved travel agency such as Mount Trails

To obtain the visa, you need to tell us how long you will be staying in Bhutan and from where you will fly. We will then book your flights and hotels accordingly. After this, you must send us a scanned copy of your passport. As soon as we receive these, we will send you the tour invoice so that you can make payments following which we will forward the same to the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) and  Department of Immigration (DOI). These agencies will process the visa online.

Next we will send you the visa confirmation code. You must carry a printed copy of the visa confirmation code and your flight tickets as this need to be produced at the check-in counter at Paro International Airport. Your actual Bhutan visa will be stamped on your passport upon your arrival.

Visa/Permits for Indian, Bangladeshi & Maldivian nationalities can be obtained at the Immigration Check Points, at the port of entry, upon production of a valid Passport (Indian Nationals can also use their Voter Identity Card).

Trips

• Select an itinerary from our list of tour packages.
• The number of days you plan to spend in Bhutan.
• Tentative date of arrival.
• Group Size.
• Personal interests and things you want to do while in Bhutan.
• Indicate clearly where you are arriving from.
• Email a copy of the bank transfer to Mount Trails at [email protected]
• On receiving full payment, we will email you the flight ticket and a copy of the approved visa.
• Your actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival at Paro Airport.
• For those entering Bhutan via road through India, your visa will be stamped at the immigration check point in Phuentsholing or Samdrup Jongkhar.
• Passport:  Passports must have a minimum validity of 6 months or more. Travelers are requested to travel using the same passport on which the Bhutan visa is stamped.

Discounts

There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years. However, those between the ages of 6-12 years accompanied by elders or guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates.
A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to one person in a group of 11 to 15 people.
100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.

Cancellations

Tour Programs booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to charges as follows:
Before 30 days or more of start of program~ no charges.
50% cancellation charges will be applicable if a tour gets cancelled between 30 – 10 days of start of tour program.
100% cancellation charges will applicable if a tour gets cancelled within 10 days or less of start of tour program.