1. Why should I choose Bhutan Expeditions?

a) Bhutan Expeditions is a small family-owned business. We are more concerned with customer care and personalized services, rather than handling large volume of tourists.

b) Our tours and treks are not only sightseeing trips, but also cover spiritual and cultural aspects. Therefore, most of our tours are education-oriented.

c) We have the best tour/trek guide in the country, Tsewang Nidup, who topped the cultural tour-guiding class in 1997 and the trekking guiding class in 1999. Tsewang is always enthusiastic to share his experiences and knowledge with visitors, including international consultants working in Bhutan, who always appreciate his ability as a guide and a tour leader.

d) Our visitors are put up in the best hotels/guest houses. Bhutan Expeditions has the best possible trekking equipment, with the best guides and cooks, who create various dishes in Indian, Chinese, continental and Bhutanese styles.

2. How can I book a package tour to Bhutan?

Choose any of the tour programs and send us your passport details.
We will place you in a group of a minimum of three persons and a maximum of twenty-two persons if you don't already belong to a group. For groups of less than 3 persons, there is a surcharge over and above the daily tariff.

3. What is the minimum tourist tariff for Bhutan?

The minimum tariffs for tourists visiting in a group of three persons or more are as follows:

High season tariff - US$ 200.00 per person per night
(March, April, May, September, October and November)

Low season tariff - US $165.00 per person per night
(January, February, June, July, August and December)

4. Can I travel as a free individual in Bhutan?

Tours to most parts of Bhutan can be arranged for an individual tourist and small groups of less than three persons in accordance with the travelers' interests and desires. Such tours are subject to a surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:

Single individual - US$ 40.00 per night.
Group of two - US$ 30.00 per person per night.

5. Are there any discounts?

Yes, the following discounts on daily rates are allowed:

a) DIPLOMATS from foreign embassies/missions accredited to Bhutan will be
given 25% discount on the daily rates.

b) There will be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years, while
those between the ages of 6 and 12 years, accompanied by elders/guardians, will be given 50% discount on daily rates.

c) Full time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years, holding valid identity cards
from academic institutions, will also be given a 25 % discount on daily rates.

6. How can I process my VISA for Bhutan?

Fill out our visa application form, and submit it to us. Bhutan Expeditions will apply on your behalf, and after approval, your visa number will be faxed to you. This process confirms your visa for Bhutan. Upon arrival at Paro airport, you will be requested to pay visa fees of US$ 20.00. You should bring 2 passport-sized photos to be used upon arrival by Bhutan immigration officers.

7. Why is there a fixed cost for travel to Bhutan? And why is it relatively more
expensive than neighboring destinations?

The fixed cost that you pay is not just a fee for entry to Bhutan. This cost is a
package that covers all your accommodations, meals, land transportation, guides,
sightseeing, inland permits and fees. If you are trekking, this sum covers all
expenses for the treks, such as the cost of transport animals carrying your equipment and material , camping equipment, meals and transport. The fixed tourist tariff is set by the government and is applicable to all tour operators in Bhutan. Working directly with Bhutan Expeditions will provide the greatest flexibility at the lowest possible cost. Our government controls the cost in order to manage tourism in a sensible and sustainable way, avoiding negative effects on both the environment and the culture.

The only way to visit Bhutan is by purchasing a package tour from a reliable and licensed tour operator at these rates. For the last 20 years, Bhutan has marvelously preserved its age-old traditions, sacred monasteries and temples. The pristine air and environment, without large cities and slums, add more value to Bhutan as a tourist destination. For many visitors, Bhutan is refreshing, since they find here something that many other countries lost years ago, and will probably not be able to retrieve again. Therefore, it would be best if you support our government's noble goal of sustainable low-volume, high-value tourism, which all of our visitors enjoy when they come to Bhutan.

8. What is not included in the Package?

Airfares, airport taxes, visa fees, excess baggage, insurance, emergency evacuation, medical and all other personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, beverages, etc.

9. Can I find cheaper rates for travel to Bhutan?

Yes, but any other rates, other than the tariffs set by the government, are illegal and you would be taking a serious risk. The tourism authority strictly checks any kind of undercutting, and if guilt is found, will impose severe sanctions, such as loss of business license, disruption of tours, and even deportation of visitors who use these agents. Otherwise, cheaper rates would inevitably lead to poor customer service, as tour operators would herd as many guests as possible in large groups, put them up in sub-standard hotels to cut expenses, and hire unqualified guides to haul their visitors around.

10. When do I make the tour payment?

Tour payment must be made at least one month before the start of a tour. The visa
process will begin only after receipt of the full tour payment.

11. How do I cancel my trip?

Tour programs booked and subsequently canceled shall be subject to cancellation
charges as follows:

a) 30 days or more prior to start of the tour - No charge
b) 30-21 days prior to start of tour - 10% of the rate
c) 14-21 days prior to start of tour - 15% of the rate
d) 7-4 days prior to start of tour - 30% of the rate
e) Less than 7 days prior to start of tour, or
cancellation without notice - 50% of the rate
f) After arrival in Bhutan - 100%

12. What happens in the case of delayed arrival/departure?

There shall be no charge for the number of days of delays in the arrival of visitors due to bad weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks.

There shall be no charge for the number of days of delay in the departure of
visitors due to bad weather conditions, Druk Air problems or road blocks. However, you will be charged any actual expenses for accommodation, food, transportation and any other services required.

13. What kind of vehicles are used for tours?

For individual travelers and a group of less than four persons, we use Japanese
Toyota 4WD land cruisers. For groups of 5-9 persons, we have Toyota
Hiace buses. For larger groups of 10-22 persons, we use Deluxe Toyota Coaster buses.

14. What kind of hotels will we stay in?

We normally put our visitors in the best hotels available in each valley. These may not be comparable with multi-star hotels in developed countries, but will be clean and comfortable, with proper bathroom facilities and a good range of food.

15. What is the best time to be in Bhutan?

Spring and Fall are usually the best times in Bhutan as far as weather is concerned. You will get good views in Winter, and the best diversity of fauna and flora in the Summer, when the rates are also the lowest.