Bhutan is a year-round destination with each season having its own charm, color and experience:
Spring season(March, April, May) - cultivation season, Good for trekking and cultural sightseeing.
Summer Season- (June, July, August) - If you can endure some rain, it is the best time to see flowers blossom, rising rivers, Agriculture farming, lush green vegetation, beautiful rainbows etc.
Fall Season (September, October, November) Harvesting season. It is good for trekking,Hiking & walking and cultural sightseeing.
Winter Season (December, January, February) - Though Cold and dry yet beautiful with clear sky. Low altitude treks, cultural tour, Hikes & walks can be done.
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines are the only two air carriers in Bhutan.
Drukair - services to and from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Dhaka and Singapore.
Bhutan Airlines - services to and from Bangkok, Kolkata, Kathmandu and Delhi.
Phuentsholing,Phuentsholing, a southwest town bordering the Indian state of West Bengal. Phuentsholing is more convenient if you wish to visit Sikkim and Darjeeling either before or after Bhutan.
SamdrupJongkhar, a southeast town bordering Assam. SamdrupJongkhar is the best entry and exit points if you have trips in neighbouring Indian states of Assam.
If you are traveling from Nepal, it is possible to get a Nepali visa on arrival at the immigration desk at the airport. You can also obtain a visa for Nepal from a majority of its foreign embassies and consulates in advance. It is a good idea to obtain a multiple-entry visa on your first visit if you are entering Nepal on your way to Bhutan and if you plan on going back to Kathmandu after so that you do not need to apply for a visa again.
Nationals of most countries require a visa to go to India. It is advised to get your Indian visa from your home country before traveling to Bhutan via India. The pre-requisite is that you must have confirmed hotels and flight tickets out of India. You must also get a transit visa even if you do not go out of terminal and have flight out within 24 hours.
Bangkok & Singapore has a list of countries that do not require a visa to enter the country. You may not have to apply for a transit visa if you are on the list of their visa-exempted countries.
Bhutan is renowned for its carefully considered travel regulations that help to protect its culture, natural beauty and age-old way of life. As a result, most nationalities require a visa to enter the Kingdom, obtained at least seven working days before arriving in the country.
Lonely Bhutan is ready to help with every step of the visa process, which involves a passport valid for at least 6 months following the date of arrival and proof of return flights, travel insurance and paid accommodation.
Nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives can obtain a visa on arrival (or online in advance to save time), while Indian nationals require a permit (also obtained online or on arrival).
Bhutan Visa fee is USD 40 payable one time. Bhutan visa fee can be only paid in US dollar. The validity of your Bhutan visa corresponds with the length of the trip. Visa is granted for the exact dates of your visit as applied in advance. However, extension of visa is possible after arrival in Bhutan.
Bhutan time zone (BTT) is +6:00 ahead of Universal Time Coordinated (UTC +6). It does not have an associated daylight saving time and only applies to Bhutan.
Bhutan is 11 hours ahead of New York, USA. 10am Monday in New York is 9pm Monday in Bhutan. Bhutan is 1 hour behind of Thailand, 30 minutes ahead of Delhi, 15 minutes ahead of Kathmandu and no time difference with Dhaka.
As Bhutan has limited flights and hotels, we suggest booking your tour well ahead in advance, at least 3 months ahead. However, during peak spring and fall season as well as during festival time, you need to book at least 6 months to 1 year prior to your travel date.
Lonely BhutanTours & Trek is dedicated to ensuring that your stay is as effortless and enjoyable as possible. To this end, travel insurance is not just a visa requirement, but also a highly recommended investment to protect against unexpected cancellations or delays, as well as any unforeseen circumstances or expenses that may arise during your travels.
A country of less than half a million people, Bhutan has always carefully limited the number of travellers across its borders. With its customary prescience, the Kingdom has stepped back onto the world’s stage with new measures to protect its natural and cultural heritage and to enhance the tourist experience. The daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) per person per night, promotes carbon-neutral tourism, preserving and increasing Bhutan’s allure as an ever more rarefied, sought-after travel destination.
As of 1 September 2023, the Royal Government of Bhutan adjusted the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) policy, with new, reduced rates applicable to all visitors regardless of the length of stay:
$100 per adult per day $50 per child (6 - 12 years of age) per day Visitors who are 13 years of age or older at the time of travel will be charged as adults. These revised rates will remain in effect until 31 August 2027.
Indian tourists are required to pay Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of INR 1,200/- per person per night. Children aged 5 years and below are exempted of SDF and children between the age of 6-12 years are given 50 % concession on SDF.
We take utmost care in selecting your hotels and try to book upscale 3 starred hotels in all locations. All these hotels are approved and classified by the Department of Tourism. They are clean and well maintained with good choices of Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Continental foods. With some supplement, we can also arrange other 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts.
Licensed local Bhutanese guides will introduce you to many facets of this wonderful country. Our guides are trained and certified by the government and refreshers course are given frequently to update their knowledge and skills. They are knowledgeable, friendly and can speak fluent English.
We always provide well maintained cars with experienced drivers. For 1-2 people, we use comfortable SUVs 4WD cars such as Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Korean cars like Tucson, Santa Fe and Terracan. For 3-4 people in a group, we provide comfortable Korean Hyundai H-1 and Toyota Hi-ace buses and for 5 people and above, we provide AC Toyota coaster buses.
Although Bhutanese meals are rich with spicy chilies and cheese, restaurants that cater to western tourists will tone down the spice. You will have choices of Chinese, Continental, Bhutanese and Indian cuisine in the hotels and local restaurants. Vegetarian meals also available in Bhutan.
While on trek, Lonely Bhutan Tours & Trek have trained chefs who will prepare dishes suitable to western taste and quite often people say that our trek food is better than in cities. Any special dietary requirements that you have can be met with an advance notice.
Bhutanese Ngultrum (Nu.) is the currency of Bhutan. USD 1 is equal to Nu.85 with little variations. You can exchange your money with the banks or a money changer. US dollars are widely accepted in Bhutan including some handicraft stores and cafes. There is ATM The exchange rate for the 100 denomination notes is slightly higher than the lower denomination of 50 and below.
All flights to Bhutan must be re-confirmed 72 hours before departure. This is to avoid any last-minute inconvenience in light of any flight cancellations, delays, or changes in flight time. If you have booked flights yourself, you must send a copy of your ticket to your tour company. We will re-confirm on your behalf and inform you of the changes if any.
Visitors are advised to dress comfortably as Bhutan is generally a formal place. Shorts, skirts and revealing tight clothing are to be avoided.TheBhutanese people wear their full traditional dress and formal wear to Dzongs and to temples. Visitors should wear long pants (even if jeans), shirts with full sleeves, and more formal skirts below the knees to these places. Wearing Slippers and sandals can be difficult in some part of Bhutan’s Terrain. Sun caps are also not permitted inside Dzongs and temples.
The sale of tobacco products and smoking in public places is banned. For personal consumption, a person may carry any one of the following Tobacco at a time: 200 sticks of cigarette or 30 pieces of cigar; or 150 grams of other tobacco products You must declare tobacco products at the airport or entry points. On-demand, you must also produce proof or receipt of tax payment. Tobacco products imported from India shall pay 100% Sales Tax and from other countries 200% duty.
Tips are not compulsory though,but it is expected. Tipping is a matter of social custom and showing gratitude for the hard work and sincerity of the people involved to make the best out of your time in Bhutan. You may tip your guide and driver at the end of the trip. And your cooking staff – trek chef, assistant, and horseman at the end of the trek. Tips may be handed directly to them.
You can buy large assortment of hand-woven textiles, handicrafts, silver and gold ornaments, Thangka or scroll paintings and exquisite Bhutanese stamps. Carved masks, woven baskets, wooden bowls, handmade paper products also make great souvenirs. Exporting antiques is strictly prohibited. You may be able to carry the antique items only with a government seal on it.
If you wish to bring gifts and presents but really not sure, our past clients have brought storybooks, pens, and stationaries to gift to the local school children. And spectacles for the elderly, but really anything works. However, we discourage giving chocolates and money as gifts.
Besides FITs and solo tours, we also arrange group tours. The maximum size we take for a cultural tour is 16-18 people and 8-10 people on treks. We have handled tours consisting of a large number and have the fitting experience to arrange group tours. You may check our website for the upcoming join-in tours.