Uniquely Bhutan

Very Important & Must Know Point For A Traveller To Bhutan

About The Hotel Used

• This country has the hotels which are not to be compared with the Hotels of other developed destinations. For the understanding we have termed ‘The Hotels’ as DELUXE whose services are similar to that of Three Star Hotels.  
• Check-in time at Hotel is 1400 Hrs & Check-out time is 1100 Hrs.
• Hotel and service confirmation voucher will have to be presented by self for availing the promised service.
• We have selected, combined & graded the hotels in a fashion, so that the clients get similar kind of standard in services & facilities at every destination / place of retirement.
• Vegetarian people have to know that these hotels serve both Vegetarian & Non Vegetarian food. The serve will be basic, freshly prepared & healthy. No region specific food will be available.  
• For Extra Person Sharing the Room & Child with Extra Bed, almost all the hotel of our area provides MATTRESS and ROLL OVERS as a supplement to Extra Bed.

About The Transport Used

• The vehicle used will be exclusive for that group but will not be at disposal. It will be as per contract & may change sector wise.
• All transfers & sightseeing for 2 pax will be done by Toyota Car and 3-6 pax will be done by Haice Van & for 6 pax & above will be done by Toyota Coaster Bus.

About General Operations & Travel Tips

• Please note that incase of arrival at Paro Airport our Executive will hold placard as advice by you, just outside the only exit gate of Airport. 
• Please note that incase of arrival at Bagdogra Airport our Executive will hold placard as advice by you, just outside the only exit gate of Airport. 
• Incase the passengers are arriving at NJP Railway station which has 03 entry & exit gates, please inform the guest that they will be meeting our Office Executive at the old exit gate  (which happens to be the main gate also) holding placard in their name / or as advised by you. 
• The Bhutanese currency is called Ngultrum and is at par with the Indian Rupee. Indian Rupee is legally tendered in Bhutan and is widely accepted. Carrying denominations of Rupees 500 & 2000 is not advisable as it is not accepted in Bhutan. Credit Cards & Travelers cheques are accepted only by very few hotels & shops. It is better if clients carry enough cash for shopping and paying bills.
• Once the booking is made the cancellation policy as mentioned will be applicable. 
• In case of any Flight / Train Cancellation has affected the operation of the Tours then the Company will not be responsible for the same and the cancellation policy of the Hotel & Local service providers will be applicable. 
• Hotel / Flight / itinerary are all subjected to change as per the policy & situation applicable. 
• Hotel and service confirmation voucher will have to be presented by self for availing the promised service. 
• Prepone / Postpone of tours will be treated as cancellation & cancellation charge will be applicable. However minor changes like meal preferences etc can be processed without being treated as cancelled, with the payment of amendment fee.
• Whatever may be the case; there will be NO REFUND for any unutilized services for example – meals, entrance fee, optional, hotel, sightseeing, transportation (surface / air).

Food : Bhutanese delicacies are rich with spicy chilies and cheese but are normally tempered to the taste of the visitors. All hotels and lodges offer either Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian Food. Hotels normally serve a mixture of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items on buffet style. No region specific food are served by the Hotel. Normal Non- Vegetarian Food consist of Rice, Roti, Seasonable vegetable & either Egg or Meat & Normal Vegetarian food consist of Rice, Roti Seasonable vegetable, you can consider them basic food and hence don’t expect for large buffet layout.

Entry Formality To Bhutan : For all Bhutan tour please asks the clients to carry – a) 04 Recent Color Photograph b) Original Passport / Election Id card which is Mandatory for all passengers. For minors Original Birth Certificate / Valid passport with minimum six month validity from date of departure from Bhutan. The same ID will have to be carried during the tour.  However, Indian national if flying to Bhutan from any second country require valid passport with minimum six month validity from date of departure from Bhutan while entering Bhutan but visa is not required. c) Incase traveling by surface to Bhutan please avoid reaching Phuntsholing on a government holiday (List given below), Friday & Saturday. On these days permit cannot be issued & they will have to stay at Phuntsholing doing nothing. Incase one is traveling to area other than Thimphu, Paro & Phuntsholing, a special (Pink) permit is required which is issued on the basis of the permit made at Phuntsholing. This special (Pink) permit is issued from Thimphu from Monday to Friday, so one has to avoid reaching Thimphu on government holiday (List given below), Saturday & Sunday.  You are also advised to make photo copy for the paper permit issued at Paro or Phuntsholing and keep it in safe custody as you will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering this paper permit in original.

Bhutan The Dragon Kingdom : Purely Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom has unsurpassed scenic majesty and vibrant culture. The kingdom is still regarded as one of the last Shangrl-la’s in the Himalayan region and is living heritage of Buddhism. Sandwiched in the Himalayas between India, Nepal and the Tibet region of China, shares the world’s greatest mountains which makes it an exotic tourist destination. The Bhutanese have safeguarded their ancient way of life, beautiful Dzongs, temples and houses with architecture found nowhere else in the world, which adds up to the call to Bhutan. Thimphu is the capital city & Paro which is at a 2 hours drive from Thimphu is the only airport in the country.  Phuntsholing is an Indo-Bhutan border town and is one of the entry points to Bhutan by surface. 

Time : Bhutan is half an hour ahead of IST (Indian Standard Time).

The Bhutanese Way

• Please remember not to point with a single finger but use an upturned flat extended hand especially to indicate a sacred object or place.
• Please do not walk over any clothes, books, heap or materials left open in religious sites.
• Please do not encourage begging by giving alms, candies, etc if you wish you may leave small donation for genuine purpose at designated areas.
• Please refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol while visiting religious places.
• Always walk in clockwise direction while visiting religious places. 
• Please throw rubbish only in designated areas. 
• Please refrain from touching any ritual objects or mural painting. 
• If you are not sure, please ask local peoples. 

Dress Code 

• Please were shirts with collars, preferably with long sleeves. 
• Please take off hats while entering a dzong, temple or monastery.
• Shorts / half pants are not permitted while entering a dzong, temple, monastery.
• In some religious sites, sneakers are not permitted. 
• It is safer to dress up in smart casual.

Religious Artifact / Antique

• Please do not touch any religious artifact or antique.
• Purchase of religious items especially antiques is prohibited. 
• Please do not climb on or do anything that would show lack of respect to all Buddhist artifact or antiques.          

Communication

• Before entering a Dzong, Temple or Monastery, please switch off all mobiles phone or Switch to silent / vibrating mode .Please speak softly within the religious premises.

Photography

• You are requested to take permission before taking photographs of people, event or object inside the premises of temple, Dzongs or monastery. In many religious places taking photographs are not permitted.

Smoking & Tobacco 

• Note that smoking is banned in public places in Bhutan, and that the import of tobacco items for sale in Bhutan is illegal. 100% tax is levied on tobacco brought in for personal use. There is a limit of 200 cigarettes and 150 grams of pipe tobacco for personal consumptions and that too with a very special permission but the tobacco user must have the proper documentation at all times to avoid being charged with a crime. Any default may result in Penalty / imprisonment or both

Drinking

• Tuesdays is dry day in Bhutan and no alcohol is served.

Information On Timing For Important Monument 

Ta Dzong (National Museum)

• Opening Hours - Tuesday to Saturday - 0900HRS TO 1600HRS
• Closed On Sunday, Monday & National Holidays  (National Museum) 

School of Arts & Crafts : Thimphu

• Opening Hours : Monday – Friday : 2 p.m – 4 p.m & Saturday : 9 a.m to 12 a.m
• Closed on Sundays, National Holidays and winter Holidays (20 December – 10 March)

National Library : Thimphu

• Opening Hours : Monday – Friday : 9 a.m – 5 p.m (summer) & 9 a.m – 4 p.m 
• (Winter) Closed on Saturdays, Sundays & National Holidays

National Textile Museum : Thimphu

• Opening Hours : Tuesday – Friday : 9 a.m – 4 p.m, Saturday : 1 p.m – 4 p.m, 
• Sunday: 10 a.m – 3 p.m. Closed on Mondays & National Holidays. 

The Punakha Dzong: Which is closed in winter months when the monk body is in Punakha. All visit to Dzong and Monasteries limited till courtyard only : 

Closed in winter months when the monk body is in Punakha. All visits to Dzongs And Monasteries limited till courtyard only. Visit to Trashichhodzong permitted only after office hours (after 4 p.m till 5 p.m.) in winter months when the monk body is not in Thimphu. All tourists visiting Dzongs and temples must be dressed Appropriately. No half pant, sleeve less shirts, floaters, etc will be allowed.