Visas are required for travelling to Bhutan. No foreign mission/embassy abroad grants tourist visas for Bhutan. Visas are processed through the local tour operator like Whitewater Bhutan Adventures in conjunction with the tour booking.

We will apply for your Bhutan visa after the full tour payment is received and will require the following:

1. Scanned Passport Copy (pg w/pic & details) sent via email. Your photo must be clear.
2. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 month after your planned date of departure from Bhutan.

Arrival by Air

• Visa applications are cleared in advance, and a visa clearance doc will be forwarded to you. The visa clearance doc is required for check-in/boarding the flight to Bhutan.
• On arrival at the Paro International Airport, the Actual visa is stamped on your passport.
• Passport size photo is NOT required for Immigration at Paro Airport.

Arrival by Land (border towns of Phuntsholing & Samdrup Jongkhar).

• Visa applications are cleared in advance, and a visa clearance doc will be forwarded to you. The visa clearance doc is required at the border Immigration Check Points at Phuntsholing & Samdrup Jongkhar & Gelephu.
• On arrival at the border town Immigration Check Points at Phuentsholing & Samdrup Jongkhar & Gelephu, the Actual visa is stamped on your passport.
• Passport size photo is NOT required..
• Finger prints and photos will be taken at the at border town Immigration Check Points at Phuntsholing & Samdrup Jongkhar.

Please make sure to travel with the same passport on which the Bhutan visa was issued. We will not be held responsible if the passport on which the visa was issued does not match the passport used to travel to Bhutan. In such an event, you will not be allowed to board the flight or enter Bhutan at the border towns.

Other Country Visas
Please make sure you have the necessary visas & documents required for other countries that you may transit through or visit before/after Bhutan.

Inclusive Package Tour & Tariff

All tours must be booked through a licensed Bhutanese Tour Operator such as Whitewater Bhutan Adventures.
Visitors may only experience Bhutan on an all-inclusive package tour for which a fixed daily tariff is set by the Royal Government / Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Minimum Package Tour Rate: (Standard Package)

• US $ 250 per person per night (Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov – Peak Season)
• US $ 200 per person per night (Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec – Regular Season)
• US $ 40 Bhutan Visa fee per person (per one time visit)

Govt. FIT Surcharge:in addition to the tour rates given above

Single Individual:

• US $ 40 per night per person (Peak & Regular Season)

Groups of 2 persons:

• US $ 30 per night per person (Peak & Regular Season)

Group of 3 persons and more:

• FIT Surcharge is waived (Peak & Regular Season)

The above Standard Package covers the following land costs:
(a) Govt. approved standard hotels in twin sharing room (2-3 star)
(b) All meals at the Govt. approved standard hotels or local restaurants
(c) Standard Transport / transfers within Bhutan for the duration of the tour
(d) A licensed English speaking local guide for the duration of the tour
(e) Sightseeing, entrances fees to museums & monuments, all permits
(f) 35% royalty to the government & all taxes
(g) Trekking (basic equipments, haulage & crew)

Accommodation:

• Most hotels in Bhutan are in the 2-3 star level and are referred to as Standard Hotels. A few luxury 4 & 5 star accommodations are also available (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang). The standard accommodations all offer the necessary facilities, and are properly maintained. Generally speaking, hotels in western Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue) are better appointed than the rest of the country. Accommodation establishments are more modest with fewer amenities in the more remote areas of central (Gangtey, Trongsa, Bumthang) and eastern Bhutan (Mongar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Samdrup Jongkhar). Sometimes the best accommodation may be the only accommodation and a very modest one in that area especially in the central and eastern regions. When you travel with Whitewater Bhutan Adventures, you can be sure that your accommodation in lodges, guest houses, smaller hotels and tented camps will be up to the best available.

Food:

• The Standard Package tour will include breakfast at the overnight hotel/accommodation; lunch and dinner at local tourist restaurants or at the overnight hotel/accommodation. We provide packed lunch for journeys that pass through areas where local tourist restaurant are not available (central and eastern Bhutan) and on treks and hikes. If weather permits, the packed lunch is normally enjoyed outdoors at a suitable area along the journey. If weather is not suitable, then lunch is provided at the nearest available sheltered structure (house, barn, etc).

Guide:

• All our tours are escorted by well trained and knowledgeable local English Speaking Guides. Our guides are all certified and trained by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. There will be extra charges for German/French/Japanese guides. Since there are not many language speaking guides in Bhutan, advance booking will increase the confirmation of the language speaking guides.

Transportation:

• Chauffeured by our skilled and experienced drivers, they will ensure your safety and comfort while traveling on the small winding roads of Bhutan. The Standard transportation consists of Toyota coaches seating 6-20 people and smaller Toyota vans seating 1 to 5 people. We have a well maintained and an up-to-date fleet of 20 Toyota vehicles. The options of upgrading to luxury 4 wheel drives are also available.

Trekking:

• On your trek, you will be accompanied by a professionally trained and experienced catering/trekking team, who will set up camp, prepare fresh meals, and cater to all your needs while on the trek. Since there are no teahouses or lodges along the trekking routes in Bhutan, tented camps are set up during the treks. All members of our catering/trekking team are certified and licensed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Air
The only International Airport is located in Paro.

International Sectors by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines:

• India (Kolkata CCU, Delhi DEL, Bagdogra IXB, Guwahati GUA)
• Nepal (Kathmandu KTM)
• Thailand (Bangkok BKK)
• Bangladesh (Dhaka DAC)
• Singapore (Singapore SIN)

National Sectors by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines:

• Bathbalathang in Bumthang
• Yonphulla in Trashigang
• Gelephu in Sarbang

As flights can be delayed due to weather conditions, we advise you to keep at least 24 hours transit time between your international flight and Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines flight (incoming and outgoing).

Land
Arrival/departure through the south-western border town of Phuentsholing, south- central border town of Gelephu and the south-eastern border town of Samdrup Jongkhar.

• The nearest airport to the south-western border town of Phuntsholing is at Bagdogra, West Bengal, about 4 hours’ drive away. Phuentsholing is a convenient entry/exit point for travellers wishing to visit the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal along with Bhutan.
• The nearest airport to the south-central border town of Gelephu is at Bagdogra, West Bengal, about 6 hours’ drive away. Gelephu can also be used as entry/exit point for travellers wishing to visit the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and the North Eastern Indian States along with Bhutan.
• The nearest airport to the south-eastern border town of Samdrup Jongkhar is at Guwahati, capital of the Indian state of Assam, about 3 hours’ drive away. Samdrup Jongkhar is a convenient entry/exit point for travellers wishing to visit the Indian states of Assam and other North Eastern states of India along with Bhutan.

Flight Frequency & Airfares
Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines flies several times a week between its destinations, but flight timings and frequency vary according to season. Please contact us for the latest information on flight schedule and airfare when planning your travel arrangements. If you would like the current flight schedule sent to you, please let us know.

A wide variety of accommodation is available ranging from luxurious 5-star hotels to cozy little hotels and homestays in traditional Bhutanese homes and settings. Visitors can be assured of their warmth and comfort of the hotels. Similarly, the ambience and hospitality offered by the hotels are incredible.

The types of accommodations can be divided into:

1.         Hotels

2.        Resorts

3.        Farm-stays

4.        Home-stays

Additionally visitors embarking on long treks will be provided with tents and whatever other camping equipment is deemed necessary. Regardless of where they stay, visitors can be assured of their comfort and traditional Bhutanese hospitality.

Spring and Autumn are the best time to visit Bhutan. Having said so, summer and winter have their own draws and attractions.

International Tourists Arrival by Month
About 20 percent of international tourists arrive in the month of October. We would highly recommend travelers to book at least three months in advance if you are considering of traveling in the month of October. Travelers who would like to avoid the crowd but enjoy the best weather may want to consider the month of May and November. If you would like to save as much as possible with the lowest possible price, consider traveling in June or December. You would enjoy the low season price while still having favourable weather.

The Detail Four Season favourable timing to visit Bhutan:

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Spring
Spring is the favourite time to visit Bhutan. Nature lovers who are keen on local flora should consider visiting Bhutan end of April or in May. Flowers would be in full bloom then.

Months:
March, April, May

Recommended Events:

• Gomkora (Festival in Trashigang)
• The Jacaranda blossoms at Punakha Dzong in mid-May.
• Jomolhari Trek & Drukpath Trek from mid-april til end-May. 

Note:
The ever-popular 5-day Paro Tshechu also means that Paro will be teeming with travellers. Hotels & services may be overwhelmed as the better hotels and guides would have been pre-booked. Drukair tickets would be fully sold out by January.

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Fall
Fall is another high and crowded season for Bhutan. Though Bhutan does not offer browning forest nor Maples, the mild weather in autumn makes it a perfect time to visit Bhutan. Thimphu Festival usually takes places at the end of September or early October.

Months:
September, October, November

Recommends Events:

• Black-Necked Crane Festival – Stay with a local villager in the beautiful valley of Phobjikha and witness the one day Black-Necked Crane Festival and do your part to help nature conservation!
• October – see the valleys turn into a shade of gold as rice farmers prepare to harvest their rice crops.

Note:
In late-september, the Thimphu Tshechu is a grand affair in the modern capital of Bhutan. Just like Paro Tshechu, good hotels would be fully booked, and service level do suffers. Thimphu tshechu also occurs about the same time as Wangdi tshechu and the chance to attend two festival on one trip is always very tempting but WATCH out for the crowd.
Another crowded festival calendar, this time in central Bhutan is the Jakar, Jambay Lhakhang Drup & Prakar Tshechu. Trongsa of travellers pays homage to the Switzerland of Asia at this time to attend the mysterious Jambay festivities that was fabled for its bonfire dance of 20 masked and naked dancers.
If you would like to attend this festival, do be prepared to stay in some less comfortable hotels too.

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Summer
If you like to avoid the higher tariff and the cold of winter, consider visiting Bhutan early June. If the monsoon is late, the whole of June will be great for traveling. Monsoon will be in its earnest in July. Having said so, our personal experience with monsoon in Bhutan has been limited to afternoon light shower once every 2 to 3 days. Some outlying district such as Gangtey can be given a miss as the country road can be swollen with mud. Summer often offers vibrant green foresting and flourishing paddy fields against a backdrop of the clear blue sky after the rain.

Months:
June, July, August

Recommended Events:

• Nimalung Tshechu in June.
• Kurjey Tshechu in late June celebrates a very important holy sites of Guru Rinpoche.

Note:
The summer season sees a lower level of tourists as many have the misconception that Bhutan may experience a rainy deluge similar to many parts of South Asia. This is not true. Though it dubbed the monsoon, Bhutan experiences relatively light rain with most rainfall confined to the late afternoon and does not affect most travellers’ itinerary.

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Winter
To avoid the crowd and catch the Black-Necked Cranes, winter would be the time to go. To catch Himalayan blue sky without paying the additional tariff, consider visiting Bhutan in December. The temperature will not be too cold yet as lowest temperature usually takes places near the end of January. In January or February, Paro and Thimphu may experience a one-day snow.

Months:
December, January, February

Recommended Events:

• Punakha Dromche & Tshechu in February – The Punakha Dromche & Tshechu is a week-long celebration of the founding of Bhutan in the 1600s. The festivities take place around the ancient capital and most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. The mild weather of lower Punakha also makes this town a great winter escape for the Bhutanese.
• Trongsa Tshechu – The Trongsa Tshechu takes place in the Trongsa Dzong, is an intimate affair with only a small handful of attending travellers. This festival has some of the most elaborate festival costume for the dancing lamas.

Note:
Expect snowfall in mid-Jan till early Feb.
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How and where do I apply for Visa?
Your Visa to Bhutan can only be applied and processed by an authorized and registered travel agent such as us. The Visa will come together with your travel package to Bhutan. You can’t apply Visa yourself and Bhutan embassy does not have travel visa services.

My Bhutan travel visa is issued on my old passport which was close to expiring. Will there be any problems when I reach the immigration in Bhutan?
If your Bhutan travel visa is issued on your old passport, you will have to bring along your old passport with you to Bhutan. The Department of Immigration will need to verify your details on your old passport too. A fine of up to 10,000 Nu will be imposed if traveller fail to present both the traveller’s old and new passport. Alternatively, please inform your Bhutan travel agent to update your visa if there’s still a week to go before your trip.

What does my tariff pay for?
USD 65 per night (frequently termed as royalty) actually goes toward a development fund for free healthcare, free education and road building in Bhutan. The remainder of the tariff goes to accommodation, meals, and services such as tour guides, transportation, drivers and entrance fees to places of attractions.

Drukair departs early in the morning during my last day and I won’t be visiting any attractions, will I be exempted from the tariff on the last day?
Yes. Drukair generally departs Paro by 10 am everyday. Travelers departing by Drukair will be exempted from daily tariff on the last day when departing Bhutan.

How long does it take to get my Bhutan Visa?
Visa is usually released about 1 – 2 weeks before your arrival in Bhutan. This is to accommodate travelers who have to make last minute change of plan. We can arrange for your Visa within a one week period. So it is possible to book your trip this week and be in Bhutan in 7 day.

Is there a tourist quota to the number of people who can visit Bhutan every year?
There is no tourist quota set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. Tourist number is about 29,000 per year (2010) largely because of the limited flight capacity and shortages of good hotels currently.

Can I stay at exclusive resorts like Uma and Amankora?
Visitors who opt for more exclusive resorts like Uma Paro, Taj Tashi and Amankora will have to pay for their accommodation on top of the daily tariff specified.

I can’t find embassy of Bhutan in my country. How do I apply for the Visa?
Your Visa will be applied by your travel agency or tour operator. You would not need to make an appointment with Bhutan embassy. Embassy of Bhutan does not provide tourist Visa services.

I travel frequently and I can’t send my passport for Visa application. How can I get the Visa?
We don’t need your physical passport to apply for tourist Visa. We simply need a color scanned copy of your passport to make the Visa application

I would like to travel alone, backpack style and free-and-easy. Can I apply just the Visa without the accompanying tour package? 
It is not possible to separate Visa application from tour package. Having said so you can still travel alone and free-and-easy. A guide and driver will be accompanying you and the activities within the day is really up you. You don’t have complete the tourism circuit.

When is the best time to travel to Bhutan?
You can travel to Bhutan all year round, but the best months are March to May and September to November.

Reference

Tourism Council of Bhutan