Toursim Policy of Bhutan
The Royal Government of Bhutan has been following the tourism policy of “High Value, Low Volume” since its inception in 1974. Bhutan government has managed to follow the Tourism policy.
The tourist has to travel with licensed Bhutanese Tour Operators with licensed Tour Guides. The Guest has to accommodate in licensed accommodation with paying minimum daily rates. At the same time they have to follow particular routes.
The Bhutanese government promotes the conservation of traditional and culture and to improve the well beings of our Bhutanese people with guiding principles of Gross National Happiness. In 1974 Bhutan open her door to the visitor to the outside world. Since then Tourism became one of our largest commercial sources of Bhutan.
“The Bhutanese tourism industry is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable”. Guided by the unique tourism policy of “High Quality and Low Impact” set by the royal government of Bhutan, it is mandatory to take a full board package to Bhutan through a local agent, which includes your Visa arrangement too. Below is our detailed information for all our trips based on our quoted rates for 2016.
Payment:
(NO credit card facility)
We don’t provide credit facility at any condition 50% payment is required while confirming the tour. The remaining payment or 100% payment must be made one month prior to the arrival date of the group
Duration Discount:
* 11th night onwards, US$ 25 will be given as duration discount
* 16th night onwards, US$ 50 will be given as duration discount
* Children/Students traveling under children tariff are not eligible
Children Discount:
(Children on discounted rates are not counted in the group category)
* Complimentary for children of less than 5 years
* 50% discount on royalty (government tax) for children between 5 years to 12 years (valid school ID required)
* 25% discount on royalty (government tax) for full time students under the age of 25 years (valid school ID required)
Tour Cancellation Policy:
* 10% charges for the tour cancelled before 45 days of arrival date
* 50% cancellation charges for the tour cancelled before 15 days of arrival date
* No refund for less than 15 days of arrival date and for any change of itinerary
* The above policy doesn’t apply to the luxury hotels. If you are using luxury hotels, please check with us, as different luxury hotels have their own cancellation policy.
Flight Cancellation Policy:
(Documentation charge US$ 50)
* 70% refund for cancellation made before 31 days of travel date (Documentation charge applicable)
* 40% refund for cancellation made before 20 days of travel date (Documentation charge applicable)
* 20% refund for cancellation made before 07 days of travel date (Documentation charge applicable)
* NO refund for cancellation made less than 07 days and after travel date
Treks:
* For high altitude treks, insurance is mandatory. (Prior to your arrival you must provide us with your insurance policy details and contact info)
* All our trekking routes are designed and approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. If you are not able to complete the trek, unveilinghappiness doesn’t take any responsibility.unveilinghappiness is not responsible if the trails are not of your expected standard or of difficult grade. Also due to high altitude terrain and being isolated, unveilinghappiness doesn’t take any responsible if the routes are not in a good condition.
Others:
* Proposed itinerary is subject to availability of the hotels.
* Change of itinerary is NOT entertained once the itinerary is finalized and agreed by both the parties. Guests have to pay extra for any change of itinerary.
* Goods at your own risk. We don’t take any responsibility for any loss or damage of your personal belongings.
Being an active licensed holder of the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), the company takes the liability and refund for any substandard service provided below country’s infrastructure and standard mentioned in the our tourism guidelines.
Immigration
Visitors are required to fill up the Custom Form and hand over to concerned authorities on arrival. Following articles are exempted from duty :-
a) Personal affects and articles for day to day use by the visitor
b) 2 litres of alcohol, 400 cigarettes, 150 gms of pipe tobacco
c) Instruments, apparatus or appliances for professional use
d) Photogrphic equipment, video cameras and other electronic goods for personal use .
The articles mentioned under c). & d). must be declared in Custom Form. If such items disposed off in Bhutan by sale of gift, they are liable for custom duty.
Import and Export of following goods are strictly prohibited :-
a) Arms, ammunitions, explosives and military stores
b) All narcotics and drugs except medically prescribed drugs
c) Wildlife products, especially those of endangered species
d) Antiques
Being an active licensed holder of the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB), the company takes the liability and refund for any substandard service provided below country’s infrastructure and standard mentioned in the our tourism guidelines.
Visa Information
Other than Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa; all visas are issued from Thimphu; visas are only issued to booked with a local licensed tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent.
The minimum tariff for tourist visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
High Season Tariff – USD$ 250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.
The minimum price includes:
– All internal taxes and charges (including the royalty)
– Accommodation
– All Meals
– All travel with a licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
– All Internal Transport
– Camping Equipment and Haulage for Trekking Tours
Tariff Information
The Tourism Council of Bhutan operates the daily tariff for all tourists entering the country. It is not possible to enter Bhutan as a tourist without paying this tariff except if you are from India, Maldives or Bangladesh. For these three countries all the visitor requires is to produce their identity card of their country.
The daily tariff covers:
• A minimum of 3 star accommodation – Luxury hotels may incur an additional fee
• All meals – Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• A licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide for the extent of the stay
• All internal transport – excluding any internal flights
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• All internal taxes and charges
• A royalty of $65 (which is included in the tariff price)
The minimum tariff is (for a group of 3 persons or more):
• USD $250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.
• USD $200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.
The rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. Groups of two or less shall be subject to a surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
• Individual, US$ 40 per night
• 2 persons, US$ 30 per person per night.
There is no charge for children up to the age of 5 years. Children aged between 6 to12 years accompanied by parents/ guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates and 100% discount on Royalty. Full time students below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions shall also be given a 25% discount on daily rates. A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to one person in a group of 11 to 15 people. 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons. A 50% discount on Royalty shall be provided after the 8th night and 100% discount on Royalty shall be provided after the 14th night.
Tour Guides
All our tours are escorted by well trained, knowledgeable guides who are certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan. We generally provide English speaking guides however the services of Japanese, French & German speaking guides can be provided with sufficient prior information and on an additional cost.
