1. Ammanya Travels provide range of facilities as follows:
  2. How do I book the package tour to Bhutan?
  • Provide information on cultural tours and trekking so as to guides you to plan your trip as per your choice and interest
  • Offers quality service meeting all your travel needs
  • Provide tours and travels services to a smaller and manageable group so that each and every guest gets proper care, attention with high standard services
  • Guides you to customize your trip based on your interest and area of specialization
  • On our treks, we use only the best tents and gears
  • Arrange your Druk-Air tickets to and from Bhutan.
  • Offers safer and secure mode of payment
  • Offers 100% money refund, if you cancel the trip before one month of your travel dates
  • We are experienced and will guarantee that all your personal requirements are satisfied

If the tour itinerary given in the website suits you, you can book online, e-mail, call us. Also if you want to customize your trip, we can start the dialogue and together we can develop an itinerary that really suits your utmost interests and travel dates. To help you in customizing the trip, decide the duration that you wish to spend in Bhutan, destinations and check the Druk Air flight schedules from Druk air website to make your entry and departure dates. The duration of stay in Bhutan will determine your package costs.

  1. What is the cost of travel in Bhutan?

The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan and this must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan. The minimum tariffs for tourist visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:

  1. High Season Tariff ( February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November and December).
    US$ 250 per person per day for 3 or more in a group
    US$ 280 per person per day for 2 in a group
    US$ 290 per day for a single individual

 

  1. Low Season Tariff (January, June, July).

US$ 200 per person per day for 3 or more in a group
US$ 230 per person per day for 2 in a group
US$ 240 per day for a single individual

These rates are inclusive of Government mandated surcharge of US$ 40 per day for one person and US$ 30 per day per person for a group of two.

  1. What is included in tour package?

The minimum price includes:

  • A sustainable tourism Royalty of US $65 per person per night. This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure
  • All internal taxes and charges
  • A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star requires an additional premium).
  • All Meals
  • All travel with a licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
  • All Internal Transportation
  • Camping Equipment and Haulage for Trekking Tours
  • Porter and Pony charges
  1. What is not included in tour package?

Tour Cost does not include:

  • Airfare and Airport Tax
  • Bhutan Visa Fee (US $40 per person)
  • Alcoholic brevages and drinks.
  • Luxury hotels
  • Insurance and Travel and others
  • Trips/Gratitude to the guide, driver and for trekking staffs
  1. Why is there a fixed cost to travel Bhutan and why is tariff relatively more expensive than other neighbouring countries?

All the tourists visiting Bhutan should come through package inclusive tours. The tariff you pay is not just a fee for entering Bhutan. The tariff covers the cost of  35% of royalty and taxes to the government, hotels, inland transportation, services of guide, meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner), and entrance fees to temple and monuments.
For trekkers, it covers the cost of riding ponies and pack animals such as yaks/horses, knowledgeable guides, camping equipment, meals, cooks and transportation.
The tariff is regulated by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is applicable to all the tour operators in Bhutan.
The only way to visit Bhutan is by purchasing package inclusive tours from one of the licensed tour operators in the country.

  1. Why the Royal Government of Bhutan adopts strong pricing by keeping the tariff relatively higher?

The Royal Government has always been aware that an unrestricted flow of tourists can have negative impacts on Bhutan’s pristine environment and its rich and unique culture.
Therefore, the Royal Government of Bhutan adheres strongly to a policy of ‘Low volume and high value’ tourism, based on the principle of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable.
Also the volume of tourists visiting Bhutan is regulated to a manageable level because of the constraints of the tourism infrastructure.

  1. Could you explain what the royalty and taxes to the government are used for?

From the daily tariff, an amount of US$ 65 is deducted by the Government as Royalty.
The Royal Government of Bhutan uses the royalty and taxes for the socio-economic development of the country, sustainability of public services such as free education and health care services, rendering employment opportunities for the youth as guides, cooks and transport operators, and the development of other service sectors such as hotels, restaurants, transportations and communications. Tourism has also contributed significantly to rural incomes through earnings from tourist transport and portage. Thus, the royalty and taxes collected from tourism have largely benefited the people of Bhutan by improving their quality of life.

  1. Is it possible to get the package tour at cheaper cost?

Yes, but any other rates, other than the tariffs set by the government, are unlawful and you would be taking a serious risk. The tourism authority firmly checks any kind of undercutting, and will impose severe fines on anyone found guilty, such as cancellation of business license, disruption of tours, and even expulsion of visitors who use these agents.  In any case, cheaper rates would without doubt lead to poorer customer service, as tour operators would turn as many guests as possible in large groups, put them up in sub-standard hotels to cut expenses, and hire unqualified guides to drag their visitors around.

  1. Are there any discount?

Yes, the following discounts on daily rates are allowed:

  • The royalty for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years is exempted, while those between the ages of 6 and  12 years, accompanied by elders/guardians, will be given 50% discount on daily royalty
  • 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 royalty.
  1. How can I obtain a visa to travel Bhutan? Is there any country or embassy that issues visa on behalf of Bhutan?

The visa application form can be e-mailed to us, along a copy of your passport and one passport photograph. Or you could send us the following details along with a copy of your passport and passport photograph.

  • Full Name (Mr/Ms/Mrs):
  • Permanent Address:
  • Nationality:
  • Date and Place of birth:
  • Profession/Occupation:
  • Type of Passport:  Diplomatic/Official/Ordinary/Un Lassie passer
  • Passport Number:
  • Date of Issue:
  • Place of Issue:
  • Date of Expiry:
  • Period for which visa is required: From:               To:
  • Point of Entry into Bhutan:
  • Point of Exit from Bhutan

All visa applications must reach Bhutan at least 4 weeks prior to the visitor’s intended travel date. We apply for visas on the behalf of our clients to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan. After approval, your visa copy will be sent to you by e-mail and this process confirms your visa for Bhutan.

Visas are not issued by Bhutanese embassies or any countries abroad and no visa is entertained upon arrival. Unless the visa number is obtained from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Druk Air will not issue the ticket and no passenger will be allowed to board the flight. The actual visa will be stamped at the Paro Airport upon the payment of the fee of US$ 40. Two copies of passport photos are required on the arrival. The visas can be extended, if required, upon the additional payment of US$ 40.

  1. How do I book the Druk-Air Ticket? How will I receive the Druk-Air tickets?

We will book your Druk-Air Tickets and there is no commission fee for availing this service. We will buy and send your air ticket via e-mail prior to your schedule visit or else if there is limited time, we will send it to the respective Druk Air outstation abroad from where you will be entering Bhutan, so that you can collect it from there.

  1. When is the best season to travel to Bhutan?

The most excellent time to visit Bhutan would be all the months except June, July and August due to the rains that may interrupt your flight schedule to get in or out of Bhutan.
In spring, the trekking season starts in moderate altitudes. Above 2500 meters, magnificent rhododendron forests and flowers are in full bloom. In Paro, one of the largest monastic festivals “Paro Tsechu” takes place. The temperature is enjoyably mild. Rain starts falling in May which is a sign of the approaching monsoon. Autumn is the tradition season in Bhutan. September, October and November has the highest number of religious festivals or Tshechus. Trekkers particularly like the clear view of the mountains in October and November.

  1. Is it possible to travel as an individual with a guide?

Yes, individual traveller can also be arranged but there is a government surcharge of US$ 40 per night halt for the individual traveller and US$30 per night halt for the group of two persons. The surcharge is not applicable for a group of three or more persons.

  1. What kind of guide do you use for the trip?

We use knowledgeable, experienced and English speaking guides. French, German, Japanese and Chinese speaking guides can also be arranged for a group of three or more persons upon the additional fees.

  1. What kind of transport vehicles are used for the trips?

We use 4WD Toyota vehicles such as Toyota Prado, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Hyundai Tucson for a group 1-2 person. Hyundai H1 Van, Toyota Hiace bus for a group of 3-7 persons and Deluxe Coaster bus for group 8-20 persons. All these vehicles are periodically checked and maintained, and will be at your disposal at all times, with the drivers.

  1. What kind of hotels do you used?

We use the best available 3 star hotels in each tourist destination, which are approved by the Royal Government of Bhutan for the tourist.

  1. Is Bhutan a safe travel destination?

Yes, as Bhutan is small yet with the people are peace loving and generous. The crime rate in Bhutan is very low.

  1. Do we need to cover travel insurance?

Yes, we advise you to get your insurance cover from your respective country.

  1. How do we make the payment?

Once the tour reservation has been confirmed, Bhutan Spiritual Liberty Tours & Treks will provide the secure and safer mode of payment.

  1. Is my advance payment safe and secure?

Yes, your payment is safe and secure because your payment goes directly to the government account.  By rule, the tour operators receive their money only after the tour is completed.

© Ammanya travels, 2015