FAQs

Here are some of the questions that we hear often from visitors. If there are other questions, please send us an email, we are happy to answer.

Can I arrange a visit to Bhutan on my own?

Yes. With the latest update from the government in 2023, guests can now organize the entire tour by themselves.  We are certainly happy to help you in terms of doing everything or even just helping with small parts of your visit.

Why is it so expensive to visit Bhutan?

When compared to other countries in Asia, Bhutan’s price will seem high.  The most expensive part of any tour is the sustainable development fee (SDF) which is currently $200USD/day which is essentially a direct tax by the government to help with costs of education and healthcare within the country.

Currently (June 2023 to December 2024) the government has offered various incentive packages which allow you pay the SDF for some nights then you receive the same number of nights free.  The packages are called 4+4 and 7+7.

Can I pay by credit card?

Yes, we have the ability now to accept credit card payments through a bank website called bhutanpayments.com. When paying through this portal you will see a “processing fee” of 5%. Any quotations that we provide you should already have this processing fee included.

If you wish to pay by bank transfer rather than credit card, we can offer a small discount in the fee payment.

How do I apply for a visa?

If you have decided to use us for the entire package, we will be responsible for applying for the visa for you.  We will need a scan of the first page of your passport and a copy of a certificate of travel insurance.  The visa will be issued electronically.

When you reach the passport control counter at the airport, they will scan your passport and stamp it based on the information that is in their system.  The stamps for visiting Bhutan will use up about one half of a page in your passport.

Can I book the flights myself?

Yes, you may book the DrukAir flights from their website or you may let us do the booking for you.  Sometimes the website booking tool will show a flight as completely sold out but agents in Bhutan may be able to confirm a date.  If we do the booking for you, we will send a copy of the e-ticket as soon as it is issued.

What is the quality of the hotels?

Hotels in Bhutan are not categorized to international standards.  In comparison to hotels in other parts of the world hotels between 2 star and 4 star quality is available.  We try to book our clients in the nicest possible hotels that we are familiar with.  During festival times when hotels are fully booked we might have to use lower quality hotels.