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| Booking
the Tour |
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All
Foreign National Tourists visiting Bhutan must travel
through all-inclusive package Tours, for which there
is a fixed tariff set by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
This Tariff includes the services of accommodation,
Meals, Transportation within the country, Guide services,
sightseeing and entrance fees for the museums and monuments.
- All Tours must be booked through
a Local Tour Operator/Travel Agent such as Bhutan
Yak Adventure Travel and entire Land arrangements
will be made by the same Agent.
- For Clients traveling in peak
seasons and Festival time, it is necessary to book
the Tour at least 2 ½ months in advance.
Festivals held in autumn and spring are peak time
fort tourists and without early reservation it can
be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.
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| VISA |
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- Visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it
is processed in Thimphu through a local tour operator
such as Bhutan Yak Adventures Travel. No foreign
missions/embassies abroad grants tourist visa.
- All passport details should be forwarded to the
agent at least 1 month prior to date of travel for
visa processing.
- Actual visa is stamped only on arrival in Bhutan
with the support of visa clearance, which will be
sent to you in advance.
- For all Travelers, entering Bhutan via Druk Air,
Visa clearance number is forwarded to the concerned
overseas Druk Air Stations and without this clearance
number the passengers are not allowed to board the
flight.
- For Travelers entering the country by surface
through Phuntsholing (The border town in the southern
Bhutan), Visa Clearance number is forwarded to the
Local authority and the actual visa is stamped on
arrival. Two copies of original passport size photographs
are required on arrival.
- Visa fee is USD 20 per person payable on arrival
in addition to the package cost.
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| The Tourists wishing to
visit Bhutan should furnish us with the following details
to process the visa: |
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- Full Name: ………………………………………………………..
…
- Permanent Address: ………………………………………………….
- Place of Birth: ………………………………………………………..
- Date of Birth: …………………………………………………………
- Nationality:…………………………………………………………….
- Nature of Passport: Diplomatic/Official/Ordinary/UN
Laisser-Passer
- Passport Number: ……………………………………………………...
- Date of Issue: …………………………………………………………..
- Place of Issue: ………………………………………………………….
- Date of Expiry:………………………………………………………….
- Occupation/Profession: …………………………………………………
- Period for which visa is required: ………………………………………
- Point of Entry/Exit into Bhutan: Entry:
………………
Exit: ………….
- Purpose of visiting Bhutan: …………………………………………….
- Is this first visit to Bhutan? YES /NO.
If not, give details of your earlier visit.
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| PASSPORT |
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| A valid passport is required
for all nationals except Indians. |
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Please contact
us for the Druk Air schedule or visit our website: www.golays.com
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| Druk Air Fares |
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Sector |
J
Class (Business) |
Y
Class (Economy) |
PBH/BKK |
US
$ 450 |
US
$ 365. |
PBH/DEL |
US
$ 390 |
US
$ 325. |
PBH/CCU |
US
$ 240 |
US
$ 200 |
PBH/KTM |
US
$ 240 |
US
$ 195. |
PBH/DAC |
US
$ 240 |
US
$ 200. |
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| Abbreviation: |
PBH:
Paro Bhutan.
BKK: Bangkok. (Thailand)
DEL: Delhi. (India)
CCU: Calcutta/Kolkotta. (India)
DAC: Dhaka. (Bangladesh)
KTM: Kathmandu. (Nepal) |
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Tour
payment |
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All Tour Payments must
be settled one month in advance of commencement of Tour
to clear the Visa and other necessary documents. The
Tour booking will be confirmed only after we receive
100% of the Tour payment. |
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| Please deposit/Transfer
the Tour payment to the account of BHUTAN
NATIONAL BANK (BNB), Thimphu at: |
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Account
number |
Swift
Code |
ABA
Number |
CHIPS
Routing No |
Ultimate
Beneficiary |
CITI
BANK N.A, 111 WALL ST.
19th FLOOR, NEW YORK,
NY 10043, USA |
36023474
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CITIUS
33 |
0210-0008-9
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008 |
Bhutan
Yak Adventure Travel |
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Note: A copy of Bank
Transfer Receipt should be faxed to us. |
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| Financial Security |
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| A
member of Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators, Bhutan
Yak Adventure Travel operates under the license issued
by the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan.
The Department of Tourism’s role is to regulate
the Tourism industry, in particular to frame policy
directives, which will ensure the Industry’s healthy
growth. As a rule, all monetary transactions are approved
by the Department for release only after the Tour is
completed and the standards are met. As such, there
is no risk involved while booking your Tours. |
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| Tour
Escorts |
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All
our Tours are escorted by well trained, knowledgeable
guides, certified by the Department of Tourism.
All the guides speak English but Japanese, French and
German speaking guides can be provided with prior information
and on additional cost. |
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| Food |
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Bhutanese
Delicacies are limited with spicy Chillies and Cheese.
However you will be served a Buffet of continental food
with some local dishes too. On Treks, our trained cooks
prepare dishes suitable to western tastes ranging from
continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian. |
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| Money |
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Bhutanese
unit of currency is the Ngultrum. 1Nu. = 100 Chetrum.
The Ngultrum is at par with the Indian Rupee.
Approx. 1 USD = Nu/43.5 |
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| Clothing |
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Due
to wide range of temperature and climatic conditions,
it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. From
May to Sep. cotton clothes are sufficient, plus a woolen
sweater or light jacket. From November to the end of
April, you will need very warm clothes including long
underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, and
down jacket or coat. During visit to the monasteries,
Dzongs and other religious institution, you should not
wear shorts, hats and should be properly dressed.
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| What
to pack |
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Clothes
as per season, sunglasses/spare glasses or contact lenses,
pair of casual shoes, washing kit, shaving kit, towel,
hat, umbrella, camera, film and accessories, maps, insect
repellent, hand cream, small sewing kit & safety
pins, torch or flash light with spare batteries, mirror,
sun screen cream, lip salve or soluble aspirin, antiseptic
cream, preparation for the relief of sunburn. You may
not be tuned to the Asian drugs so it is always better
to bring own brand. |
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| Photography |
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The
photographic opportunities on all trips are immense.
If you wish to record the local people, their houses
and shops etc. You can always ask by gesture, if it’s
ok to take pictures. Also while visiting Dzongs, monasteries,
and religious institutions; please follow your guide’s
instruction carefully. Photography inside the Dzongs
and monuments are not allowed. Although films and batteries
are available locally, it is best to bring it yourself.
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| Filming
Regulations |
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| The rules and rates for
filming in Bhutan differ from that of normal treks and
tours. Tourists or professionals intent on filming in
Bhutan must abide by the Bhutanese Filing Regulations,
1995, available with the implementing agency, the Department
of Tourism. Applications for a filming permit must be
submitted to the Department of Tourism. |
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- Synopsis of the film ~ theme/background/objective/purpose.
- Specific locations/objects/activities.
- Composition of the team and list of equipment,
accessories/ consumables (members of the team will
have to pay the full daily tourist tariff).
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Letter of recommendation
from sponsoring agency (application forms can be obtained
from the DOT on payment of Nu/300.00)
at least 30 days in advance. The application must be accompanied
by: |
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| Filming
Royalty |
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1. First 30 Minutes
or part thereof ~ US $10,000
2. Next 30 Minutes or part thereof ~ US $6,000
3. Every additional 30 Minutes or part there of US $3,000
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| In addition a security deposit
of US $5,000 must be deposited with the DOT. This deposit
will be refunded upon completion of the film to the satisfaction
of the DOT. |
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| Medical
& Health |
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Anyone
who enjoys out door life and is physically fit can participate
on our treks and tours. How ever some treks maybe rigorous
and difficult because of high altitude and therefore
a good training of fitness for at least a month at home
is required for treks going to an altitude in excess
of 4000 mts/1500 ft. there are no compulsory vaccinations
for travel to Bhutan or within the continent. However
it is recommended that you be protected against Polio,
Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Malaria, especially
if you are traveling out of Bhutan. If you have heart
condition, please check with the doctor to ensure that
it is ok to undertake high altitude treks. |
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| Travel
Insurance |
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The costs that we offer
do not cover your Travel Insurance. It is imperative that
you have full comprehensive insurance cover to protect
against unforeseen accidents and mishaps. Such policies
are not available in Bhutan. It should adequately cover
baggage and travel delays etc. and helicopter evacuation,
transportation and medical assistance incase of treks.
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| Single
Room Supplement |
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| Rooms and Tent camp accommodations
are provided on double occupancy basis. If you wish to
reserve a single tent or Hotel room, an additional surcharge
of USD 15 is applicable per person per night. |
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Alteration
of itineraries
Bhutan Yak Adventure Travel reserves the right
to modify or alter many trip itineraries due to circumstances
beyond our control such as Flight cancellation, weather
condition, political strikes or restrictions etc. |
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Airport
Tax
Airport tax of Nu/300.00 or USD 10.00 per person
is payable at the time of departure. It is subject to
change. |
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Customs
& Regulations
The Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibit
the export of any religious Antiquity or antiques of any
type. All personal electronics, Cameras, Video Cameras,
Computers and personal electronic equipment may be brought
into the country but they must be listed on the customs
form provided on arrival at Paro and will be checked on
departure. Two liters of Alcohol and reasonable quantity
of cigarettes may be brought in to the country without
duty. |
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Accomodation
There are comfortable hotel and lodges at all
tourist destinations. Western Bhutan has better hotels
while in central and eastern part of the country, accommodation
establishments are simple and offer minimum facilities. |
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Distance
& driving time between various places in Bhutan
All mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor
vehicle as there is no domestic airline or trains. However,
motor roads are well maintained and link all parts of
the country. The mountainous terrain and winding roads
restrict the average driving speed of vehicle to less
than 35 kilometers per hour. |
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| From |
To |
Distance
[in Km] |
Driving
Time [approx] |
| Thimphu |
Paro |
54 |
2
Hrs. |
| Thimphu |
Phuntsholing |
172 |
6
Hrs. |
| Thimphu |
Wangdue
Phodrang |
70 |
3
Hrs. |
| Thimphu |
Punakhas |
76 |
3
Hrs. |
| Punakha |
Wangdue
Phodrang |
17 |
40
Mins. |
| Wangdue
Phodrang |
Trongsa |
129 |
5
Hrs. |
| Trongsa |
Bumthang |
68 |
3
Hrs. |
| Bumthang |
Mongar |
198 |
7
Hrs. |
| Mongar |
Lhuntshi |
76 |
3
Hrs. |
| Mongar |
Trashigang |
91 |
3
Hrs. |
| Trashigang |
Chorten
Kora |
52 |
2
Hrs. |
| Trashigang |
Samdrup
Jongkhar |
180 |
7
Hrs. |
| Samdrup
Jongkhar |
Guwahati
(India) |
110 |
3
Hrs. |
| Samdrup
Jongkhar |
Phuentsholing |
380 |
10
Hrs. |
| Phuntsholing |
Bagdogara |
170 |
4
Hrs |
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Climate
& Average Temperature of Major Towns
The southern part of 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,
Trashigang and Lhuntse enjoy a semi tropical climate
with very cool winters, while Thimphu, Trongsa and Bumthang
have a much harsher climate, with heavy monsoon
rains in the summer and heavy snow fall in winter. Winter
in Bhutan starts from mid-November till mid-March, and
at this time of the year the climate is dry with day
time temperature of 16-18° C and night time temperature
falling below zero. The monsoon usually arrives in mid-June,
with the rain falling mainly in the afternoons and evenings.
Autumn starts from the end of September, after the last
of the big rains, and it is a magnificent season for
trekking-lasting till mid-November. |
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Place |
Jan/Feb |
Mar/Apr |
May/June |
July/Aug |
Sep/Oct |
Nov/Dec |
| Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
| Paro |
+13 |
+3 |
+15 |
+3 |
+23 |
+13 |
+25 |
+15 |
+22 |
+10 |
+12 |
+3 |
| Thimphu |
+14 |
0 |
+16 |
+6 |
+22 |
+14 |
+27 |
+17 |
+20 |
+13 |
+16 |
+1 |
| Punakha |
+18 |
+7 |
+24 |
+9 |
+22 |
+10 |
+26 |
+13 |
+25 |
+11 |
+22 |
+9 |
| Wangdi |
+17 |
+7 |
+24 |
+11 |
+28 |
+18 |
+29 |
+20 |
+26 |
+17 |
+22 |
+7 |
| Trongsa |
+12 |
+1 |
+16 |
+2 |
+20 |
+14 |
+18 |
+14 |
+17 |
+13 |
+16 |
+9 |
| Bumthang |
+10 |
+1 |
+16 |
+5 |
+18 |
+10 |
+21 |
+13 |
+19 |
+11 |
+15 |
+2 |
| Mongar |
+23 |
+10 |
+27 |
+11 |
+30 |
+20 |
+35 |
+22 |
+30 |
+18 |
+25 |
+8 |
| Trashigang |
+16 |
+4 |
+19 |
+7 |
+20 |
+13 |
+22 |
+14 |
+20 |
+11 |
+16 |
+9 |
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