Association of 
Tourism Council Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)
01: Who is Authentic Bhutan Tours?
Authentic Bhutan Tour is a licensed Tour Operator based in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Our Tour Operator licensed number is 1022046.
02. How can I be sure that I have a reserved place on the tour to Bhutan?
Visitors to Bhutan must either be guests of the government or tourists. All tourists must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided package tour through the registered company and your tour will be confirmed once the company receives your full payment. You will receive a confirmation via email.
03. What is the difference between booking a tour directly through Authentic Bhutan Tours and agents abroad?
Authentic Bhutan Tours is a local operator in Bhutan, and you will safe a good deal of money by booking your tour directly through us. The abroad agents are commission agents and you will have to pay commission on top of daily tariff, and hence the cost goes up. Even if you book your trip through any one of abroad agents, they ultimately need to deal with local operators in Bhutan, because tourist’s visas can only be arranged by the local registered tour company.
04: When is the best season to visit Bhutan?
From our experience we found the most suitable months are March, April and May. Other suitable season is autumn season of September, October and November where most of the festivals take places. Comparing other seasons Autumn season is considered as best for sightseeing a great Himalayan mountains ranges in blue and clear sky.During summer season of June, July, and August are monsoon months, so is likely that may encounter rain where trip may be unpleasant. Winter Season of December, January and February can be extremely cold. Some of the upper trek may remain closed during heavily snow fall.
05: Do I need a visa to enter Bhutan ?
Visa is compulsory for all visitors entering Bhutan. You have to pay visa fee of US$ 20, which you have to send along with your other payments and your visa will be issued by stamping on your passport upon arrival in Bhutan. In order to board Druk Air you need visa clearance, your visa clearance will be forwarded to Druk Air after your visa is approved by Department of Immigration, Royal Government of Bhutan..
04: What are the procedure to obtain a visa for Bhutan ?
Authentic Bhutan Tours will process your visa for Bhutan. But you have to provide us your passport details, once your itinerary and travel date has been confirmed. You also have to remit the necessary payments to us. The government of Bhutan will not issue visa clearance if all tariffs and Druk Air fees are not received. Your visa application must reach Bhutan before three weeks of your arrival date for processing time. When you are filling up visa application make sure, your name and other necessary information appears exactly same as in your passport, otherwise Druk Air will not allow you to board the plane. Also bring two passport-size photos for each person that you will need for immigration when you request your visa at Airport.
06: How do I enter Bhutan?
It's possible to enter Bhutan via Druk Air from mentioned Airport cities;
New Delhi (India), Bangkok (Thailand), Kathmandu (Nepal), Kolkatta (India),
Dhaka (Bangladesh), Rangoon (Myanmar).
Other alternatives to get inside and exit Bhutan are by road from West Bengal (Indian State) to Phuntsholing (Bhutan's commercial town), and Samdrup Jongkhar (Bhutan's town) – Only for EXIT at present in southeast of Bhutan.
NOTE: Paro International Airport is only Airport of Bhutan. It's is mandatory by government to use Druk Air at least one way.
07. What services are included in the cost of a tour?
The cost of your tour includes:
-hotel accommodation in government classified hotels
-three meals a day and tea and snacks
-the government royalty
-in-country transport with airport drop and pick up
-guide service
-tours specified in the itinerary, cultural programmed where specified
-entrance fees to museums and monuments
-On treks it includes: tents for sleeping, dining and toilet, guide service, meals prepared by trained cooks, porters, pack horses and yaks, and a guide.
08. What are additional costs?
The following are additional costs:
-travel insurance
-airfares
-mailing fee for Druk Air tickets
-visa fees of USD20/- per person
-airport departure tax of USD 19/- per person
-bank transfer fees for making your payment to the bank in Bhutan
-excess baggage charges
-tips and gratitude
-drinks – alcohol, soft drinks
-sleeping bags on treks
-laundry
-telephone calls
-evacuation by helicopters
-Bills of personal nature e.g. laundry etc.
09: Does the guide speak English fluently?
English is medium of Instruction in schools, colleges and institutes. All guides can speak, read and write English very well.
10: Can I create or customize itineraries of my own ?
The management of Authentic Bhutan Tours arrange above sample Itineraries to meet your requirement. You can also create your own itineraries to meet your particular needs and travel dates.
11. What does it cost to visit Bhutan?
The International Tourist Tariff is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and is valid for all inclusive packages. The tariff is divided into a high season and a low season rate. The rates are the same for cultural tours, treks or any other special interest tours. For groups of three persons or more, the rates are as follows: High season tariff: US $200/- per person per night in January, February, March, April, May, June, Sept. October, November and December. Low Season Tariff: US$ 165/- per person per night in July & August. For a group of less than three persons, there is a surcharge to the daily tariff: One person: US $40 per person per night. Two persons: US $30 per person per night. Three persons and more: No surcharge applicable.
12. When should I pay for my tour?
It is best to pay for your tour at least four weeks before the date of arrival. This will give enough time for the Royal Government of Bhutan to clear your visa formalities (which is done only after the payment is received). For visits during the peak season in March, April, May, September, October, & November, it is advisable to make your payment 12 weeks in advance. This is to enable us to make a confirmed booking for you on the airline, since seats are in high demand during these months.
13. How should I pay for my tour payment?
The best way to transfer money is through wire or bank transfer to the Bhutan National Bank in Thimphu. Authentic Bhutan Tours will provide you all the necessary information for your money transfer to Bhutan, once the tour is confirmed..
14. Can I use credit cards in Bhutan?
Credit cards are accepted in very few hotels and shops in the capital and towns. All credit card transactions take extra time and are cumbersome to use. For convenience, it is preferable to have travelers’ cheques and cash.
15: Does Authentic Bhutan gives any discounts for off seasons?
Government of Bhutan fixed the rates and discount of tours and treks packages.
Tariff is set US$200 during the high seasons thourg out the year except July and August which is low season. The government charges US$165 per night per person in low season.
We provide you discounts for those who staying more than 10 days. If your trip is 11 to 20 days we provide 10% discount per night per person. For you trip more than 20 days we provide discount of 20 % per night per person.
We don't charge children below 5 years of age, and children age between 6 and 12 will be given 50 % discount accompanying with their parents. We also provide 25% discount to full time student below 25 years of age, provided he/she has valid student identity card from their Academic Institutes.
We (Authentic Bhutan) don't charge for any numbers of days if your arrival/departure are delayed because of weather condition, road blocks, Druk Air delay etc.
16: Is Advance booking necessary?
Festivals time is peak season for tourist in Bhutan, therefore festival tour booking must complete at least 8 weeks in advance; rest of the tours packages must complete 6 weeks in advance.
17: Mention varieties of food provided to us ?
We provide Chinese, Indian, continental and Bhutanese food.
Bhutanese meal consists of rice and one or more "curry" dishes. In Dzongkha(Bhutan's national language) those dishes are called tshoem. The locally grown rice, pink in colour(called eue chum). Maize(Kharang) meal are popular in eastern Bhutan. Tradational Bhutanese food features with green chillies. The tradational dish ema datse comprises large green or dried red or white (hot) chillies, prepared as a vegetable in a cheese sause. The second most popular dish is phak sha laphu(stewed pork with radish). Other typical dishes are no sha huentseu(stewed beef with spinach), phak sha phin tshoem(port with rice noodles) and bja sha maroo(chicken in garlic and butter sauce).
18. What is Bhutan’s electricity supply like? Can I use electrical appliances in the hotels?
Bhutan uses a 240 v system. Electrical supply is generally good, but can be less stable in the smaller towns outside the capital, Thimphu. If you are using computers and other sensitive equipment, be prepared for fluctuations and power surges. Many rural areas are still without electricity although some farms have solar electrification.
19. Are there any internet cafes in Bhutan?
Yes, all most all the towns have internet cafes.
20. What type of electrical plug is used in Bhutan?
Bhutan uses the Indian round pin sockets. You can find adaptors in many of the hardware shops in the capital, Thimphu.
21. Are cigarettes available in Bhutan?
There is a ban on the sale of cigarettes in Bhutan. Smoking is also prohibited in public places, hotels and offices.
22. Can we buy antiques in Bhutan?
The export of antiques is prohibited by law. Tourists should buy only artifacts that have been certified for sale and for export. The government provides an official seal to certify that artifacts can be taken out of Bhutan.
23: What is the National language and other popular languages of Bhutan ?
National language of Bhutan is Dzongkha, which is derived from Tibetan language. The medium of Instruction is schools and colleges are Dzongkha and English, educated Bhutanese can read and write very well in English, this perhaps become greatest advantage to Bhutanese indeed. The other popular languages are Sharchop-the eastern language and Napali – the southern language.
24: Does Bhutan has US embassy ?
There is no US Embassy or Consulate in Bhutan. Informal contact between the US and Bhutan is maintained through the US Embassy in New Delhi, India. Travelers may also obtain assistance from the US Consulates in India (in Chennai, Mumbai, and Calcutta) and, to a limited degree, from the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal.
25: What is the name of Bhutanese currency ?
Bhutan's currency is called Ngultrum. It's has equal value with Indian currency (Rupee). Rupee is accepted in Bhutan, but Ngultrum is not accepted in all Indian market. You can purchase ngultrum upon your arrival in Bhutan at Airport. Apart from Airport you can also buy Ngultrum in Bank and some popular hotels.
26. Are there ATMs in Bhutan ?
ATMs cards are available in Bhutan. Only Bhutan National Bank provides this service for their clients/customers only.
27: What is the time zone in Bhutan ?
Bhutan being tiny country has only one time zone. Bhutan Standard time is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), one hours behind Bangkok time, 30 minutes ahead of Indian time and 11 hours ahead of standard New York time.
Bhutan's time matches with Bangladesh time.
28: Is there, health care, dangers and annoyances to travel Bhutan?
The crime rate is very low in Bhutan. It’s safe for all types of travelers. Our tour operator will be able to arrange to visit hospital in case you need medical help. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital is the best medical facility available for you at free treatment, even to tourist. In Bhutan there are no private health clinics, but there are some private medicines shops. The hospital is available throughout districts, and Basic Health Units (BHU) is located available in rural area.
29: Do you provide travel insurance?
No, we do not provide travel insurance in Bhutan. You are advised to insure from your country.
30: Do I have to pay penalty if I want to cancel my trip?
There are penalties where you have to pay once all the tours are confirmed. For more information please see our cancellation policy.
31: What are the accommodations like?
All the hotels in Bhutan are regulated by the Department of Tourism. Authentic Bhutan Tours will provide you the best hotel available and approved by the Department of Tourism in cities. But there are some luxury hotels like Aman Kora, Umaparo, and Zhiwaling hotel in Paro. If our guest wishes to stay in these hotels, you have to the supplement charges, where we give you accordingly in our estimate and invoices.
32. Do you impose any weight limit on Druk Air ?
Bhutan's airline (Druk Air) allows luggage weight limit to 20 kgs for economy class and 30 kgs for business class. You can pay charges for excess baggage, but may delay the arrival of excess baggage. While carrying hand bag make sure to keep minimum as there is no required cabin space.
33. Can I just tour on my own?
It's mandatory for all tours and treks in Bhutan to be operated through licensed Bhutanese Tour Company and is not allowed to tour the country of your own. The prize of tours and treks are set by Royal Government and that includes accommodation, over land transport within Bhutan, meals, tour guide, sightseeing, riding animals in trek etc. You can visit Bhutan of your own but in Bhutan you will be most of the accompanied by your tour guide.
