Visa And Tour Tariff
Visa/Entry Permit
- Before traveling to Bhutan, all tourists must obtain a visa. If you book your Bhutan trip with us, M/s. Bhutan Glacier Tours will process your VISA via an online system (Tashel Online System), which normally takes a week.
- You must send us a scanned copy of your passport(s) as well as a passport size photo (digital copy).
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months during your visit to Bhutan.
- The visa fee is US $ 40 per person, per trip, and is payable in addition to the cost of your Bhutan trip.
- The visa is only approved and issued by the Department of Immigration in Thimphu, Bhutan.
- The “Visa Approval Letter” will be emailed to you prior to your trip to Bhutan once it has been approved.
- You must present it at the check-in counter when flying to Bhutan or entering through any other point of entry.
- When you arrive in Bhutan, the actual visa is stamped in your passport at the point of entry.
- The length of the visa depends on the duration of the trip booked us.
If necessary, our sister company, M/s Glacier Travel Service, can arrange both domestic and international incoming and outgoing flight tickets at your convenience. You can mention this when you book your trip with us.
Online Regional Permit System
In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan similar to international tourists.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
Bhutan’s new tourism policy has enabled the country to welcome tourists in a way that contributes to socioeconomic development while preserving its identity and natural environment. In exchange, Bhutan’s unique cultural heritage and natural assets will benefit from the “High Value, Low Impact” tourism policy.
The government has implemented a daily tariff for all tourists visiting the country as part of the new policy, with the exception of Indian visitors, who will be charged a different rate.
Tourists will now have to pay $200 USD per person per night of stay in Bhutan as a Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) or Royalty to the government. Children under 5 are exempt, and those below 12 pay 50%. Tourists must pay entry fees to monuments and festivals in addition to the SDF.
Regional tourists pay 1200 INR with no discounts applicable.
Visitors can now personalize their trip plans and pay accordingly; they are no longer required to follow the set schedule. It means that customers must make separate payments for their lodging, meals, transportation, guide fees, and another travel-related expenses.
Tour Tariff
The tariff is fixed by Royal Government of Bhutan for packages to Bhutan and this must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.
However, if travelers want a hassle-free trip, then you can choose to have us manage all the travel arrangements and services under one roof. The price will vary depending on the length of the tour, the accommodations, and any other services required; you may need to get in touch with us for an exact estimate.
Daily Tariff
The government has announced that existing tariffs and fees would change as of June 20, 2022. For travel to Bhutan, the minimum daily tariff rate of $250 USD per person has been discontinued. Instead, the sustainable development fee (SDF), which has been previously included in the tariff and was set at USD65 per person per night, has been increased to USD200 per person per night. All tourists are subject to the SDF, with the exception of Indian visitors, who will be charged a different rate.
For more information, please refer to the announcement from the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
Payment
To allow us to obtain your visa and plan your internal travel within Bhutan, full payment for the complete tour must be received in advance. Your payment is deposited into the bank accounts of the Bhutan Tourism Council, which only releases your Ngultrum (local currency) payment once you have returned from Bhutan.
It’s also a good idea to pay for your Druk Air tickets as soon as your travel plans are set in stone so that we can guarantee seats for the dates you need. Once your travel plans are set in stone, the payment information will be provided.
Bhutan Tour Cost is inclusive of:
- All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner & Evening tea].
- Accommodation in 3 star Hotel/Resorts (Twin / double Sharing).
- Single Room Supplement US $: 40 per room per night.
- All transportation within the country including airport transfers (SUV, Mini Bus or Larger Bus).
- Sustainable Development Fund/Royalty US $ 200 per person per night or Government taxes.
- English speaking local Guide.
- Bottled water.
Bhutan Tour Cost exclusive of:
- Flight tickets (International or Domestic).
- Bhutan visa Fee $40 USD.
- Entry fees to monuments and festivals
- Cost of RTPCR test for COVID-19 if required.
- Extra premiums for 4 and 5 star hotels.
- Bank transfers
- Insurance Premiums.
- Payments for service provided on a personal basis.
- Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.
- Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
- Personal expense in items such as laundry, soft drinks, incidentals, Portage, tips or any other services.
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 TCB.
The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.
The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.
Cancellations
Tour Programmes booked and subsequently canceled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
- Within 45 days of the start of the tour, a program is free
- Within 30 days – 15 % of the rate
- Within 21 days- 20% of the rate
- Within 7 days- 30% of the rate
- After arrival in Bhutan: 100%
However, the following rules will apply to the airfare:
100% refund if cancelled 30 days or more before the scheduled departure date,
50% within 30 to 10 days of the departure date,
No refunds are given if you cancel within 10 days of your departure date, however the ticket is still good for a year.
For cancellations of air tickets, additional administrative fees also apply.
Delayed Arrivals
There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or roadblocks. The tourist must, however, bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required. It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel.
Tour payment
The only mode of payment to Bhutan is by wire transfer. Prior to your trip to Bhutan, you will be asked to wire the full payment for your holiday to the Tourism Council of Bhutan account with the ultimate beneficiary in the name of Bhutan Glacier Tours. A tourist visa will not be issued until full payment is made prior to departure. This money will remain with the Tourism Council of Bhutan until your trip is complete. Only after you have completed your holiday will the money be transferred us with which you booked your travel through.
For more information visit Tourism Council of Bhutan(TCB)