FAQS

Bhutan is a very safe place to visit, even if you’re travelling alone. There is very little crime experienced by locals or visitors, although we advise you to take care of yourself and your belongings. In some areas you may encounter stray dogs – please be cautious around them as they are not domesticated. They normally keep their distance, but please stay away from them as much as possible, especially if travelling with children.

Bhutan’s physical environment presents occasional safety hazards, including flooding and landslides. From June to September the monsoons can affect transport and services. Check with your hotel or tour operator for possible disruptions.

Barefoot Bhutan is a local tour operator in Bhutan. You will save a good deal of money by booking your trip directly through us. The agents abroad are commission agents and you be paying a commission on top of the rate charged by a local tour operator. When you book your trip through travel agents abroad, they ultimately need to deal with local operators in Bhutan because tourist visas can be only be arranged by a local operator.

You can travel single in Bhutan. You will get an independent guide and driver throughout your tour. Unless it comes as a request to join a group, to cut down on travel cost, we don’t combine groups as we respect the privacy of each individual. There may be a “solo” fee for some tours.

Two seasons, March to May and September to November, are the best times to travel in Bhutan. The climate is good then and there are many festivals in these seasons. You can travel during the rest of the year too but June, July and August are slightly humid because of the onset of the monsoon while December, January and February are the cold winter months.

You can visit western Bhutan (Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Wangdue phodrang) anytime of the year. Avoid central and eastern Bhutan during the monsoon months of July and August when the weather is sometimes a little too wet and clouded for sightseeing.

On 20th June 2022, the Royal Government of Bhutan revised the Tourism Bill. The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF or Royalty) is now increased from US$ 65 to US$ 100 per night per person. This means a travelers will pay US$100 per night as SDF/royalty and pay additional for the actual travel cost; such as government approved hotels, vehicle, guide fee and meals.

The old Minimum Daily Tariff of USD 250 (season) and USD200 (lean season) per person per night is no longer valid. This Minimum Daily Tariff used to cover all travel expenses as well. Such as hotel room, meals, guide and vehicle with driver.

Barefoot Bhutan can arrange your airline tickets on both Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. There is no commission fee involved for this service. However, you can also buy directly from their websites www.drukair.com.bt and www.bhutanairlines.bt

All travelers must produce a travel insurance in order to process visa for Bhutan. Travel insurance can be purchased from a Bhutanese Insurance Company and the cost ranges from USD10-40 depending on the length of the stay and coverage. A basic insurance will suffice to apply for a visa.

Most currencies are exchanged by the banks in Bhutan. The most commonly accepted currencies are US dollars, Australian dollars, Singapore dollars, Euro, Pounds, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollars and Indian Rupees. Most handicraft shops accept US dollar, Australian Dollar, Euro and Pounds. You can even exchange these currencies in some local shops. They give you a better exchange rate than the banks.

Barefoot Bhutan keeps Bhutanese currency ready if you need to get USD changed. You need to inform us before your arrival to Bhutan.

The major banks now have ATMs and you can withdraw local currency via Visa & MasterCard credit & debit cards & Cirrus/Maestro endorsed bank debit cards. Remember to inform you bank that you are traveling to Bhutan and you may use your credit cards in Bhutan. Some banks don’t let their cards be used in Bhutan, if not informed beforehand. However, do not rely on local ATMs to always work.

Licensed Bhutanese travel guides will introduce you to the many facets of Bhutan and its culture. The English-speaking guides undergo regular training and, where required, specialized guides will lead you on bird watching, meditation or other special tours. Language guides are also available upon request. As are female guides, if preferred by women travelers.

Guide for the following languages are available if you book with Barefoot Bhutan: Chinese, Spanish, Portugese, Korean or Japanese. However, there will be an additional charge of USD150 per day. Please speak to your travel consultant should you require a guide who speaks a different language so arrangements can be made prior to your arrival.

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 laptops and other sensitive equipment, be prepared for fluctuations and power surges. Many rural areas are still without electricity although some farms have solar electrification.

Barefoot Bhutan provides vehicles based on tour size. For small tours we provide 4 door SUV type cars, for larger tours, we provide smaller tour buses that can accommodate 8-10 individuals. Our cars are in excellent shape and our drivers are always safe and careful. All vehicles will be equipped with air conditioning or heaters.

Pack light for all of our tours, soft suitcases/duffel bags are best. Dressing up will not be necessary, dress for comfort. Layer, layer, layer. Wear sturdy shoes for walking/hiking. When we visit holy sites, you will be asked to wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.

Yes, please feel free to take as many pictures as you would like. However, you will be asked to not take pictures in our temples. If you have any questions about when you can take pictures, please ask your guide.

Internet access is provided for free in almost all hotels.

Barefoot Bhutan not only features the popular attractions and programs but we go out of our way to make sure that you get a wholesome experience of Bhutan. Barefoot Bhutan is constantly exploring new and out-of-the-box activities and experiences. We have already started exploring several unique activities which other travel agencies do not provide.

Barefoot Bhutan was started by local senior guides who have over 50 years of total experience. They know all the roads less traveled. All the good places, the people and the best places to stop for tea! Barefoot Bhutan is also committed to giving back to the communities we serve – to help the local Bhutanese provide for their families and their family’s education. Every tour we do is special - you will be remembered, and we will make sure that you too remember us and your travel experience in Bhutan.

For passengers heading to Bhutan, both the airlines will ensure that you get on the next available flight to Paro. For passengers who miss their flight due to late check-in, passengers can pay Druk Air an admin charge of US$50 to get on the next available flight.

For travellers returning from Bhutan, airline staff at Paro will assist you with all arrangements in case of a flight delay. They will also attempt to contact your connecting flight airline to inform them of a delay. Should you not be able to take your connecting flight on the same day, they will arrange for your accommodation in your transit port.

Any other fees and charges incurred will typically have to be borne by the travelers. You are advised to acquire your own travel insurance.

Tipping is not an ingrained culture. Hotel & waiting staff do not linger around expecting a tip. However, guides and drivers will expect a tip at the end of the tour. Tipping for guides is typically $10-20 per day per person depending upon service and drivers $ 5-10 per day per person depending upon service.

For a trip booked and subsequently cancelled, the following apply.

More than 60 days before start of travel program, USD 150 flat rate/per person.

Between 60 – 10 days: 45% of the package cost retained as cancellation charges

Within 10 days – 100% of the package cost retained as cancellation charges

75% refund permitted for tickets cancelled more than 30 days from the date of travel.

50% refund permitted for tickets cancelled between 30 – last 10 days from the date of travel.

25% refund permitted for tickets cancelled prior to 04 (four) days from the date of travel.

For Drukair tickets issued and subsequently rescheduled, the following applies.

USD 40 rescheduling fee or equivalent local currency for every flight reschedule less than 72 hours prior to date of travel. No charges for business class passengers.

Selling of cigarettes and tobacco is now legal in Bhutan. The ban on the sale of cigarettes in Bhutan has been lifted during the Covid19 Pandemic. The ban on cigarettes was encouraging smugglers and this activity was posing a threat in keeping Bhutan safe from Covid19 infections. Smoking is prohibited in public places.

The export of antiques is prohibited by law. Tourists should buy only artefacts that have been certified for sale and for export. The government provides an official seal to certify that artefacts can be taken out of Bhutan.

A 50% deposit has to be made on confirming the trip and the balance 50% needs to be paid 2 months before your arrival date. The 50% confirmation deposit will be used to buy air tickets and hotel rooms; as they can get sold out if not already booked in advance. On paying the 50% final deposit, your visa will be processed by paying the necessary Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) to the Department Of Immigration.

Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (NU) and is equivalent to the Indian rupee which is widely accepted in Bhutan. You will not be able to purchase ngultrums outside Bhutan, but you can easily buy ngultrums at the Paro airport, at Bhutan National Bank and the Bank of Bhutan, and at major hotels in Thimphu and Paro, all of which accept traveler’s checks and/or dollars and various other currencies. It is advisable to carry ngultrums when visiting smaller towns as it may not be possible to exchange your currency there.

Your payment is secured as it goes directly to the visa issuing agency (Department Of Immigration), which is a government organization. All tour operators are licensed by Department Of Tourism and they will step in to safe guard your interest if you have issues or concerns to be addressed.

The following documents are required to fulfill visa application form: Picture of Passport (Photograph Page), Passport Photograph (or headshot with a plain background), Travel Insurance Certificate or Proof Of Insurance.

Airlines do not issue paper tickets any more. Barefoot Bhutan can purchase your ticket and email the e-ticket to you.

• Festivals in Bhutan

• Special and Unique Adventures and Experiences

• Trekking in Bhutan

OUR TRAVEL GUIDE

Etiquette For Visits To Dzongs, Monasteries, Temples & Festivals

Dress neatly and modestly (covered arms, no shorts or short skirts) and do not wear a hat in the precincts of Dzongs or religious complexes. Do not smoke.

Flying Of Drones & Drone Rules In Bhutan