Tales of Bhutan Tour

Bhutan Tour Info

" VISIT BHUTAN – THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD! "

Nestled between the towering Himalayas, Bhutan is one of the world’s smallest and happiest countries. Located south of Tibet and north of India, it offers a unique blend of breathtaking landscapes and rich culture, making it a top travel destination according to Lonely Planet. Bhutan operates under a constitutional democracy, with His Majesty the King serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister overseeing government functions for a five-year term. Its serene environment and commitment to preserving culture make Bhutan one of the safest places for tourists. Plan your holiday in Bhutan and explore a unique destination where happiness is prioritized over economic measures. Here, Gross National Happiness holds more significance than Gross Domestic Product. visit the world’s only carbon-negative country – BHUTAN!

TOURIST VISA – BHUTAN

Visa Requirements for International Travelers;

For international tourists, obtaining an e-Visa in advance is essential. Travelers can apply for the visa online, but it’s often easier to secure it through a local travel agency in Bhutan. Please note that the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), which is $100 per day, does not cover the visa cost. An additional one-time visa fee of $40 is required.

Tales of Bhutan Tour, a local tour operator, is here to assist you with your e-Visa permits for your Bhutan adventure.

It’s crucial to select a licensed local tour company in Bhutan! Therefore select a trusted travel agency like ‘Tales of Bhutan Tour’ for your journey. Once you’ve made your choice, please email us your travel dates along with a copy of your passport. We’ll get back to you to finalize your travel arrangements and promptly assist with your e-Visa application.
To process your Bhutan Visa, we kindly request a 20% advance payment. The remaining balance can be settled once we confirm your visa and send you a copy.

International tourists, cannot obtain a visa on arrival in Bhutan. As there is no visa on arrival for international travelers, it is essential to either process your visa through a travel agency or submit your documents directly through the online visa application system. Indian and Bangladeshi tourists are the only two nationalities that can obtain a visa on arrival at Paro International Airport or at the immigration office in Phuentsholing.

If you would like to apply for the tourist visa on your own, you must first create a profile on the Department of Immigration’s forum and then submit the required information and documents. Bhutan tourist visa application link is given here: https://immi.gov.bt/services/

For international tourists, the Bhutan visa fee is $40 (one-time) plus a daily fee of 100 SDF, which must be paid online. Please allow a few working days for processing.

The visa processing may take at least a week, depending on how urgent our request is.

Travelers to Bhutan face no restrictions unless arriving from certain airports previously noted. However, certain tools and weapons are prohibited on airlines in Bhutan.

For Indian and Bangladeshi travelers, a visa on arrival is available, but you’ll need to have cash on hand to pay the sustainable development fees and visa fees.

You can extend your visa while you’re here, but it’s important to discuss this in advance with the company.

If you’re looking for Bhutan travel agencies to assist with your visa, look no further than Tales of Bhutan Tour. We’re here to provide prompt services and help you plan your holiday in Bhutan.

Foreign transactions in Bhutan are carefully regulated by the government, ensuring that travelers can safely make tour payments through the Bhutan National Bank. In fact, once the bank receives your payment, it holds the funds until the travel agency submits the invoice and sender’s details. The bank only releases the funds when the information matches. If you have any concerns about the transfer process, feel free to ask for assistance

Absolutely! Bhutan is renowned as one of the safest travel destinations. The country prioritizes tourist security, with dedicated agencies and teams focused on ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for every visitor. You’ll find that Bhutanese people are trustworthy, and there is no risk of fraud. Solo female travelers can explore Bhutan with confidence, as the government provides designated guides and drivers to ensure your safety and well-being. With its reputation as one of the happiest countries in Asia, Bhutan offers a welcoming environment for all travelers.

Best Season to Visit Bhutan

Bhutan boasts four stunning seasons, each with its unique attractions.

Summer

Summer showcases lush green valleys and vibrant farming activities, making it an excellent time to interact with local farmers, even amidst the rain. Photographers will find summer to be exceptional, but remember to pack waterproof gear!

Autumn

Autumn brings milder weather with golden paddy fields perfect for photography. You can witness traditional activities like winnowing and threshing rice during this season.

Winter

Winter offers crystal-clear blue skies, revealing breathtaking views of the sacred eastern Himalayas. On clear nights, you can gaze at the Milky Way and thousands of stars, despite the chilly temperatures.

Spring

Spring is a paradise for birdwatchers and trekkers, with opportunities to capture stunning images of nature and wildlife. The peak tourist seasons in Bhutan are during Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November).

Bhutan Travel Advise: If you visit during the off-peak months, you’ll enjoy with fewer crowds and potentially lower rates at hotels and restaurants, making for a more relaxing experience.

How to Visit Bhutan

Visiting Bhutan can be done conveniently by flying directly to Paro International Airport or by taking a scenic road trip from northeast India. Start your journey at Bagdogra Airport, travel to Siliguri, and then continue to Jaigaon in West Bengal, before crossing into Phuentsholing, Bhutan’s nearest town to the Indian border.

For all international travelers (excluding Indian and Bangladeshi nationals), an e-Visa permit must be obtained before your travel dates, as visas are not available on arrival. Indian and Bangladeshi citizens, however, can enjoy the convenience of obtaining a visa on arrival and can also pay the Sustainable Development Fee upon entry.

Obtaining a tourist visa for Bhutan has become significantly easier since the Department of Tourism launched the online Bhutan visa portal in June 2024. This user-friendly service features a convenient drag-and-drop option for submitting passports and passport-sized photos. The application form includes twelve sections, with eight automatically populated, streamlining the process compared to the previous manual entry system.

Tourists can now easily track the status of their applications, whether pending, failed, or confirmed. These improvements aim to expedite and simplify the visa application process, benefiting both visitors and the Department of Immigration (DoI).

Additionally, the system includes built-in refund processes, allowing clients to process refunds for sustainable development fees related to cancelled tours without needing to visit immigration offices. However, please ensure that you check and book your flight tickets before applying for the Bhutan visa, as there are limited seats available and reservations must be made in advance.

How can we apply for a online tourist visa/online permit for visiting Bhutan?

8 Simple Steps to Apply for Your Online Tourist E-Visa

  1. Passport Requirements: Please keep a scanned copy of your valid passport, ensuring it has at least six months of validity remaining from your exit date from Bhutan.
  2. Passport Photos: A scanned copy of passport-sized photos is required for all travellers. This can be submitted by an individual or by a group leader on behalf of the group.
  3. Sustainable Development Fees: In addition to the one-time visa fee, a Sustainable Development Fee is required. For international tourists, this fee is $100 per night per person, along with a one-time visa fee of $40. For Bangladeshi nationals, the fee is $15 per day per person plus the $40 visa fee. Indian tourists are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee of 1200 INR per night per person, and no visa fee is applicable.
  1. Online Visa Application: You can access the online visa portal to complete your application.
  2. Payment Process: When submitting your application, there will be an option to make an online payment. You can wire transfer the fee and then click the submit button.
  3. Visa Approval Timeline: Please allow a few working days for your visa application to be processed online.
  4. Check Visa Status: You can easily track the status of your visa online by visiting the same portal and selecting the ‘Visa Status’ option.
  5. Confirmation Email: You will receive an email confirmation from the Department of Immigration regarding your application status.

The Sample of the documents required before you start the application;

You can access the online visa portal for tourist visas/permit system here: https://immi.gov.bt/home/  and create your own password and user name.

Finally you can start the New Application!

 

Advice: Applying for your e-Visa is simple with the assistance of your local travel partner. Just send the visa fees and sustainable development fees, along with a half-sized photo and a copy of your passport. Your trusted Travel Partner ‘Tales of Bhutan Tour’ will assists you through in processing your visa with Department of Immigration under The Department of Tourism.