OVERVIEW

This tour is tailored to those interested in Buddhism & pilgrimage. The itinerary can be personalized according to your interests. Activities (may) include meditation retreats incurring getting up very early in the morning, chanting mantras, fasting, etc.. The retreat places are very authentic and remote with basic facilities.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Arrival At Paro & Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu and light sightseeing

DAY 2: Thimphu

Hike to a monastery & Thimphu sightseeing, introduction to Buddhism

DAY 3: From Thimphu To Punakha

Dochu la and hike to Lungchutse lhakhang on the way

DAY 4: Punakha

Chimey lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Nalanda Buddhist College

DAY 5: From Punakha To Phobjikha

Hike or drive, Phobjikha village life

DAY 6: Phobjikha

Valley hike, Gangtey Gonpa

DAY 7: From Phobjikha To Bumthang, Chumey

Trongsa Dzong and Tadzong on the way

DAY 8: Bumthang, Chumey

Tharpaling monastery, meet with monks, village life

DAY 9: From Chumey To Ura

Ura Man Gi lhakhang & village life

DAY 10: Ura

Visit village temples and families tracing back to Longchenpa and Pema Lingpa

DAY11, DAY12, DAY13 : Retreat

2,5 days retreat at a remote Pema Lingpa meditation centre (simple), on the last day drive to Chokhor valley

DAY 14: Chokhor

Visit most important temples (Tamshing, Kurje, Jampe, etc.)

DAY 15: Flight To Paro

Sightseeing in Paro depending on time of arrival

DAY 16: Paro Taktsang

Hike to Taktsang, Tiger’s Nest

DAY 17: Departure

After breakfast, we drive you to airport for your departure.

MINIMUM DAILY PACKAGE

The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan. These must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.

The minimum daily package applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan for tourists travelling in a group of 3 people or more is as follows:

     •  USD $200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.

     •  USD $250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.

The minimum daily package covers the following services;

     •  A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an premium payment).

     •  All meals

     •  A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay

     •  All internal ground transport 

     •  Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours

     •  USD 65 Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

Surcharges

Tourists travelling in a group of two (2) persons or less shall be subject to a surcharge, in addition to the minimum daily package rates. These are as follows; 

      •  Single individual – US$ 40 per night  

      •  Group of 2 persons only – US$ 30 per person per night

The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.

Delayed Arrivals 

There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or road blocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.  It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel.

Cancellations

Individual tour operators has their own cancellation policy. Please discuss with your own service provider (tour operator) on the cancellation policy. 

Wire Transfer

Prior to your trip to Bhutan, you will be asked to wire the full payment for your holiday to the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

You must wire the tour payment calculated by your tour operator as well as USD 40 (one time visa fee) to the Bhutan National Bank through one of their certified international partners with the Bhutanese tour operator specified as the ultimate beneficiary.

VISA PROCESS

With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa. 

Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).  

All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior the travel to Bhutan.  Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator directly or through a foreign travel agent.    

You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa.  The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account.  Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.  

At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.  

Online Regional Permit System

In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan similar to international tourists. 

PAYMENT PROCESS

Payment System in Bhutan

Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.) It is at par with the Indian rupee which is widely accepted in the country. ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. In addition, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at most hotels and handicrafts stores.

How to make the payment?

All payments shall be made in US dollars via bank wire transfer to the Tourism Council of Bhutan’s bank account at the Bhutan National Bank, with your tour operator shown as the ultimate beneficiary of the funds. Please note that it is not possible to make the payment by credit card as the payment has to be routed through the government account in order for your visa to be authorized and is not paid directly to us.

Wire Transfer: In order to make your payment, please request your bank to remit money to the bank as follows via wire transfer only. It takes 3 – 7 working days to get your money in Bhutan.

Standard Chartered Bank Ltd, New York, USA
Standard Chartered Bank Ltd.,
One Madison Avenue, New York,
NY 10010-3603
SWIFT Code: SCBLUS33
CHIPS ABA: 0256
FED ABA: 026002561
Beneficiary Bank Account : 358-202-171-9001 (USD A/C)
Beneficiary Bank : Bhutan National Bank
P.O Box 439, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu
Bhutan SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT
Ultimate Beneficiary:

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