Bhutan – The Land of Thunder Dragon

There are 19 languages spoken in Bhutan, but the national language is Dzongkha. English is used throughout Bhutan’s education system, so it is widely used and understood.

Bhutan’s currency is called ngultrum. It’s 1:1 with Indian rupees.

It is vital to know that Bhutan does not have a Visa on Arrival Service. Except for a few southeastern countries like India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, tourists from all other countries need to get a visa for traveling to Bhutan. Applying for a visa for Bhutan is a relatively easier process than what people imagine. You cannot apply for a visa on your own so you need to book a trip with your international tour operator or a local travel agency to apply online on behalf of you. These tour agents should be registered with the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Certain documents particularly the electronic copy of your passport is required for processing by the tour agency. It costs about $40 for the application.

It will take about 72 working hours for the Tourism Council of Bhutan to process your visa. Your visa clearance letter will be sent to your tour operator, the airport immigration terminal, road checkpoints, and the airlines that you choose to fly from. Your visa is usually cleared about 1 to 2 weeks before your destined trip date. At the entry point in Bhutan, your visa will be stamped in your passport. Having the visa processing done through your tour operator makes it rather easier and hassle-free.

Tourism in Bhutan is strictly monitored by the Government. It only began in 1974 to promote the distinct culture, tradition, and landscape of Bhutan. To keep check of the environmental impact tourists can have on the unique landscape and culture of Bhutan, the government established a ‘High Value, Low Impact’ tourism which strictly meant that despite targeting only a selected number of tourists respectful towards protecting the culture of Bhutan, it would provide them the best experience in their destination of choice. Hence there are certain travel rules you need to abide by:

• If you are not the citizen of countries, India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, you need to get a visa to travel to Bhutan
• It is a government regulation to book your travel activities only through a government licensed tour operator.
• There is a strict Minimum Daily package/minimum price of tours that a tourist should follow per night. Although expensive, it is an all-inclusive price.

Compared to traveling in other countries, tourism in Bhutan is expensive. It is so because of the government’s initiative to protect the culture and environment of Bhutan. The government has introduced a Minimum Daily Package where the tourist has to spend $200/night in the offseason of January, February, June, July, and August, and $250/night in the peak season like March, April, May, September, October, and November.

Despite the high cost, the Minimum Daily Package is all-inclusive consisting of:

• Accommodation in a 3-star hotel
• All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
• Tea & snacks
• Camping equipment and food supplies on trekking
• Experienced Guide
• Transportation (Usually via a car) – does not include airfare to and from home country
• $65 segregated for Sustainable Development fee (for free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation in Bhutan)

The all-inclusive package is fair enough and seems all worth it when you get to experience the unspoiled beauty of Bhutan.