Travel Information

Festivals: Religious festivals (Tse Chu) are important events and celebrated throughout the Kingdom of Bhutan. The Tsechus are the most colourful event and all Bhutanese gather and celebrate at every Dzongs (fortress), temples and monasteries.

Accomodation: Hotels and tourist lodges in Bhutan are comfortable but not luxurious. Although recently a few luxury hotels have been established in Bhutan, visitors in general can expect a unique combination of traditional Bhutanese style together with modern services, but not international five star luxury all over Bhutan! Clean and well-maintained, most of the hotels are equipped with telephones; fax machines and long distance service. The food offered to the visitors is carefully prepared to suit the western taste combining Bhutanese food and western dishes.

The Royal Government of Bhutan categorizes all hotels and lodges. International visitors will be accommodated in hotels only, which fulfill the standards set by the government. Some of the more simple lodges have a special charm of their own, and convince with the traditional warm hospitality.

Food: Most of the hotels provide a wide selection of Indian, Chinese, European and the Bhutanese food. Meals are normally served buffet for the groups. Bhutanese food is a blend of Himalayan flavours with the modern cuisine, traditional cuisine. Traditional Bhutanese food is hot and spicy.

• For visitors in trek, we serve simple but nutritious and tasty dishes.

Trip Planning:
For cultural tours the booking should be completed 6 weeks in advance but for tours during festivals, 10 weeks advance information is required. Festivals held in autumn & spring are peak season for the tourists and without any early reservations, it can be difficult to confirm flights and hotels.

For trekking groups, it is important to do bookings at least 10 weeks in advance, as it requires plenty of planning.

Transportation: we use 4 WD Japanese vehicles such as Hilux and Land-cruisers for a group of 1-2 persons. Hiace buses for a group of 3-7 persons and Deluxe coaster bus for a group of 8-20 persons. All these vehicles are periodically checked and maintained and will be at your disposal at all times, with the drivers.

Internet: There are abundant internet access facilities in Thimpu but once you proceed farther to central and eastern Bhutan, you will have limited access to them. The rates are very reasonable. However, international telephone and fax services are excellent and available in all the towns.

Clothing: Cotton clothes are sufficient from May until September but warm clothes are very much necessary from November to the end of April. However, visitors are advised to carry clothes consisting of layers (or preferably woolen sweater and jacket) throughout the season, as weather may change at anytime. Formal dress is also required for visitors attending festivals or if you are in the company of high government official members.

Other recommended items are – comfortable shoes, sun glasses, sun hats, mountain boots for trekkers, down jacket  (required in winter only), sun block cream, lip balm, flash light, insect repellent, ear plugs, pair of casual shoes, umbrella, antiseptic cream, anti diarrhoea medicine, camera, and accessories.

Time: Bhutan standard time is half an hour ahead of Indian Standard time and 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Electricity & Plug type: Current is 220 – 240 volts. The plug is round, 3 prong, and British style.

Cancellations:
Tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charge as follows:

1. Within 30 days of start of programmes
2. Within 21 days – 10% of rate
3. Within 14 days – 15 % of rate
4. Within 07 days – 30 % of rate
5. Less than 07 days or without notice – 50 % of the rate
6. After arrival in Bhutan – 100 %
7. An administrative fee of US$ 75 will be applicable for all cancelled tours

Delayed Arrival / Departure:

There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure due to weather conditions disrupting must, however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other services.

Visa and Passport: Bhutanese embassies or consulates abroad do not issue tourist visa. The Druk Air Ticket cannot be purchased without first obtaining visa. Visa application at least eight weeks in advance is advisable. The visitors are required valid passport and visa to enter Bhutan, except for Indian nationals. Travelers to Bhutan must have a visa approval prior to arriving in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Those who have not had a visa approval will not permitted to board their Druk Air Flight.

Travel Visa Application: Once you are ready to confirm your tour arrangements we will apply for your visas. We will need the following details:

1. Your full name (exactly as it appears in your passport)
2. Permanent address
3. Occupation
4. Sex
5. Nationality
6. Passport Number
7. Date of issue and expiry date of passport
8. Date and place of birth

Your Bhutan visa will be stamped in your passport when you arrive in the kingdom. You need to pay US$ 20 cash upon arrival and present 2 passport photos with your passport number on the back. We can process visa extensions for you if necessary.

Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines): As required by goverment regulations all visitors must travel at least one way into Bhutan by Royal Bhutan Airlines (Druk Air). Druk Air operates from Kathmandu - Paro - Kathmandu every ........... Entry is permitted only by Druk Air into Paro

Travel in Bhutan: The Royal government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach to the development of tourism in the Kingdom in an effort to avoid the negative impacts of tourism on the culture and the environment. All tourists (group or individual) must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided, package tour or custom designed program through a government registered travel company. Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan.

Payments:
Tour payments must be made one month prior to the date of arrival in Bhutan and the government clears the visa only after the receipt of full tour payment.

You can transfer the money to the following bank:
Bank's Name: Himalayan Bank Limited
Account of: My Nepal Adventure Tours & Travels (P.) Ltd.
Account No: 001-0092- 0053- 0014
Swift Code: Citius
ABA No:
Chips Routing No.:
Beneficiary: Maya Holidays
After depositing the money, please fax us the receipt at +977-1-4263143 for verification with the bank.