Frequently Asked Questions
Atsaras or clowns are an integral part of the religious festivals
Where is Bhutan?
Bhutan is a tiny landlocked nation in south Asia wedged between the most populous nations in the world, India and China. It is an extremely mountainous country with sub – tropical forests in the foothills bordering India, temperate valleys in the middle and alpine vegetation and mountains peaks to the north.
What language is spoken in Bhutan?
There are as many as 19 other spoken languages in Bhutan. Dzongkha is the official language and Tsangla and Lhotsamkha (Nepali) are the other regional languages spoken by a large section of the population.
English is widely spoken in Bhutan since it is the medium of instruction in schools. A majority of the Bhutanese also speak basic Hindi, largely influenced by Bollywood media and interaction at the southern border.
The tourism industry has specialised guides that speak French, German, Japanese and Mandarin.
Do I need to use a tour operator to book my travel?
As per Bhutan’s new regulations, it is on longer necessary to come through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or their international partner. Visitors can do direct bookings with hotels.
Do I need a visa to enter Bhutan?
All international tourists require a visa, which will be pre-arranged by your Bhutanese tour operator or their international partner. Visa clearance must be obtained through your tour operator prior to travel. Visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives get visa on arrival.
How much does the visa cost?
For International tourists, a one-time fee of USD 40 is applied for visas. This can be paid in advance to you tour operator or travel agent. There is no visa fee for visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives.
How do I get to Bhutan?
You can fly into Bhutan from Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai.. Two carriers, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, operate to Bhutan.
You can also enter Bhutan by road from the southern border with India at Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. Your tour operator will make all the necessary arrangements.
What does the $200 daily tax include?
The $200 per day daily tax does not include anything. It is the charge international visitors must pay to get entry into the country. Regional tourists pay INR 1200 a day. Once inside the country, visitors have to pay separately for hotels, meals, transport and guide.
What currency is used in Bhutan?
Bhutanese currency is known as the Ngultrum. It is pegged at par with the Indian Rupee (INR), which is also legal tender in Bhutan except for denominations of 500, 1000 and 2000. You can also pay in USD.
What is Bhutan’s tourism policy?
To keep the industry sustainable and to protect the culture, traditions and natural environment, the government has adopted a policy of “High Value, Low Impact” tourism. It is for this reason that the government has has raised the daily tariff to USD 200 to avoid mass tourism and keep it green, manageable and sustainable.
What is the food like in Bhutan?
Bhutan is a rice eating nation. Platefuls of rice is consumed at breakfast, lunch and dinner accompanied by a side dish of vegetables or meat.
Bhutanese also consume a lot of chilies fresh, dried, powered or as a pickle with almost every meal. Bhutan’s most famous dish is ema-datse, which means chili and cheese. Mild versions of this dish are prepared for visitors who want to get a taste of Bhutan.
Nowadays, restaurants and hotels also offer a wide selection of western and Indian food.