|
Visa Formalities
Applications for tourist visa shall be submitted by the Tour
Agents in the prescribed Visa Application Form in Triplicate to TAB in advance
to allow time of one week for processing with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Visa Clearance" from Thimphu must be obtained before departing for
Bhutan. Visa clearance takes a minimum of 10 days to process. Druk Air tickets
cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your port of entry your visa will
be stamped in your passport on payment of US$20, you will also require two
passport photos. Extension of visas, for up to 6 months, can be obtained in
Thimphu at a cost of Nu. 510. Please note that Indian Nationals do not require
prior visas. Obtaining an entry permit at the time of journey will suffice, for
which they have to produce any one of the following documents like Passport,
Election Card or Driving Licence to establish the identity of the person. The
entry permit is generally valid for 15 days and for futher extension permission
of ministry is required.
Immigration
Tourists in groups of six or more may visit Bhutan.
Applications for Visa should be made at least two or three months in advance to
any of the following:
1. The Department of Tourism; Tashichhodzong, Thimphu, Bhutan.
2. The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations, 866
Second Avenue,New York, N.Y.10017, U.S.A.
3. The Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Chandra Gupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi- 110
021 (India).
4. The Royal Bhutanese Embassy, House No.-58, Road No.-3A, Dhanmondi Residential
Area, P.O.Box-3141, Dacca, Bangladesh.
5.
The Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Rm 4201, 42nd Floor, Jewelry Trade Center Building,
919/1 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 2 267-1722, 630-1192 Fax: +66 2
630-1193
DAILY TARIFF
The minimum tariff for tourists visiting in a group of 3
persons or more are as follows:
High Season Tariff (March, April, May, September, October & November) -
US$ 200 per person per night halt.
Low Season Tariff (January, February, June, July, August & December) -
US$ 165 per person per night halt.
The minimum daily package rates shall be inclusive of the following:
-
Royalty
-
Charges for accommodation
-
Food and beverages as per the "Minimum Meal Entitlements"
-
Service of guides
-
Transport within Bhutan
-
Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On
the day of departure, the local agents' host obligation shall be limited to
breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.
The rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of
accommodation provided/asked for. List of hotels and lodges approved for
international tourist accommodation updated from time to time shall be issued by
the TAB.
SURCHARGES
Individual tourists and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be
subjet to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as
follows:
Single Individual - US$ 40 per night
Group of 2 persons - US$ 30 per person per night
The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from
the surcharge. The surcharge will not apply to representatives of foreign travel
agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TAB.
DISCOUNTS
DIPLOMATS from foreign embassies/missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a
25% discount on the daily rates. There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the
age of 5 years. However, those between the age of 6 to 12 years accompanied by
elders/guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates. Full time STUDENTS
below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their academic
institutions shall also be given a 25% 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. A
discount of 10% on the daily rates shall be provided for halts between 11 to 20
nights and 20% discount on halts beyond 21 nights. Visitors availing discounts
under Sections A,B & C shall not be eligible for discount under E. Detailed
information of Druk Air flights, tour and trekking programmes, festivals, places
of interest, hotels etc. can be obtained from tour operators.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in comfortable Government hotels, cottages and guest
houses, many of them constructed for the present king's Coronation in 1974.
Accomodations and others will be arranged by the travel agent for your best
comfort.
Currency
Ngultrum is the currency of Bhutan. Value of 1 Ngultrum (Nu.)
is equivalent to Rs.1 of India. Indian Rupee is freely acceptable and
convertible in Bhutan. Bhutanese currency can be acquired at the headquarters of
the Bank of Bhutan in Phuntsholing, Thimphu and at other branches of the Bank of
Bhutan.
What to Wear
During most of the year light woolens and cottons are
sufficient for day wear, with warmer attire necessary in the evenings. Heavy
woolen clothing is required during the winter months.
Restricted Areas
Not all areas or religious establishments are open to
tourists. This is to ensure that monastic life can continue unhindered and for
environmental and safety concerns. Your tour operator can provide you with a
full list of places and festivals that are open to tourists.
Shopping
There are small bazaars in the towns where some interesting
local items can be found, including antiques, silverware's. There is a small
settlement of silver and goldsmiths in Thimphu who will make to order with some
advance notice. Handicrafts Emporium at Thimphu offers a wide range of Bhutanese
handicrafts.
Monarchs
The power of the succeeding Shabdrungs gradually eroded and
gave way to rivalry and functionalism amongst the various governors. On December
17, 1907 Ugen Wangchuck after taking control and unifying the country
established the first hereditary monarchy in Bhutan. The present King, His
Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck the fourth of the line was crowned in 1974. His
father-the late King Jigma Dorji Wanghuck is considered the architect of modern
Bhutan. Under his guidance the political and administrative machinery was re-instructured
and modernized and a program of Five Year Development Plans begun.
Government
The National Assembly consist of representatives of the
people, the civil administration and the monastic order. The proceedings of the
National Assembly can be viewed from a visitors' gallery. A Royal Advisory
Council advises the King and Government ministers on important questions and a
Council of ministers is responsible for carrying out the policy.
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.
Entertainment
The visitor has unique chance to see some of the spectacular
ancient dances and music of the Himalayan region which have been faithfully
preserved in Bhutan.
Transport and Communications
Bhutan's total road network measures about 3,200 km and the
main routes consist of an east-west highway and four north-south highways. The
road network connects all dzongkhags (Districts) and 16 dungkhags. Major towns and villages
are also connected by motor roads. However, some areas can only be reached by
mule tracks, foot trails, and cantilever and suspension bridges. Although horses
are the main beast of burden, yaks and oxen are used for transportation in some
parts of Bhutan. The only airport, at Paro, is in regular use. The national
airline, Druk Air provides services to Dhaka, Kathmandu, Delhi, Calcutta and
Bangkok.
Telecommunication services consisting of telephone, telegraph, telex, facsimile
and E-mail, including the international telephone links, are available to the
dzongkhag headquarters throughout the country except a few dzonkhags in western
Bhutan. However, civil wireless facilities are available in all the dzongkhags.
---------- ------------
|
 Thanka
High
in the clouds of the majestic Himalayan Mountains lie the enchanting
kingdoms of Bhutan . These tiny landlocked country is a living
museums with it's exquisite architecture and still intact Buddhist
cultures arousing visions of Shangri-la
|
