Trip includes
- Accommodation on double occupancy basis in three-star hotels by local standard.
- All transfers and sightseeing, as listed on the itinerary, by private vehicle.
- Three meals a day.
- English speaking local tour guide.
- Sightseeing admission fees.
- Bhutan visa fee.
- Domestic airfare (Bumthang-Paro).
Trip does not include
- Airfare into and out of Bhutan (We can book it for you and quote separately).
- Personal expenses such as drinks, tip, laundry, phone, etc.
- Extra expenses or loss due to acts of nature, and unforeseen events such as flight cancellation, delay, accident, illness, etc.
- Travel Insurance.
Trip Difficulty Level, Road, and Transport
This journey is a motor vehicle-based tour with some optional hikes and anyone with average health can participate on this trip. The itinerary’s highest altitude is Youtongla pass (3,425 m or 11,234 ft) where we have a brief stop. Our accommodations are in lower elevation where altitude sickness is not a concern. Some of the hiking excursions are steep, but they are optional. There are some long days on the road, usually from three to six hours excluding the stops. The roads are narrow, and the condition deteriorates as we enter the eastern part of the country.
We use Korean- or Japanese-made SUVs or minivans, or Japanese coaster buses, depending on the group size. Drivers are skilled and know Bhutan’s roadways. Drivers, unlike guides, may speak little or no English. Flat tires and mechanical breakdowns are possible in these conditions, but our drivers are capable of taking the situations under control. We will appreciate your cooperation and flexibility when something unexpected happens during the tour.
Accommodations
Majority of Bhutanese hotels are small properties with 25 or 30 rooms; some are even smaller. They are built in the local architectural style and has traditional Bhutanese decor. You will have a private bathroom with running hot and cold water. There may be the disparity in the rooms; so travelers of the same group may get the different types. Toiletry supplies may be limited. Hotels in the towns may have internet and long distance calling available. Hotels indicated in the itinerary are our preferred properties, and they are subject to availability.
Meals
Our tour features three meals each day, most of them at our hotels. Meals are usually a set menu or buffet and include rice, curried or stir-fried vegetables, noodles, one or two meat dishes, and bread. There are limited choices, and there are no chefs trained in western style dishes. So, you will experience a repetition of the menu soon. In Bhutan, they don't slaughter animals, and so all the meats are imported from India and other neighboring countries. So, meat tends to be chewy. Beware: A local style of meat sauce contains. Our guide can arrange some dinners at local restaurants while you are in Thimphu and Paro. One note: traditional Bhutanese food always features chilies, and the most popular dish, "ema datshi," is made with large, hot, green chilies in a cheese sauce.
Guides
Our guides are college educated locals, proficient in English and trained and licensed by local tourism authorities. Most importantly, they are friendly and committed to delivering the best services.
International and internal airfares
The tour starts and finishes in Paro, Bhutan. There are no through airfares from North America or Europe to Bhutan. Only two Bhutanese airlines-Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines operate flights to/from Bhutan, and they are a partner to none of the major international carriers. They fly to Bangkok, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Indian cities-Delhi, Kolkatta, Mumbai, Guwahati, and Bagdogra. They also have one or two flights a week from Singapore and Dhaka (Bangladesh). So, choose the gateway city that best works for you. Plan to arrive in the gateway city minimum a day early for safe connection to Bhutan the next day morning. Due to the more frequency of the flights, Bangkok is the most preferred gateway city.
You can book your international airfare to the gateway city (such as Bangkok) on your own, and we will take care of onward flight and return.
Passport and Visa
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the last day of your trip, and there must be 1 or 2 blank pages on your passport for the visa sticker, entry and exit seals. We apply for Bhutan visa for you we will email you the clearance a few weeks before your trip date. You will get the visa seal on your passport upon arrival at Paro airport. If you are traveling via Indian cities, you need to obtain an Indian visa before your travel begins. If you are flying via Kathmandu, Nepal, you can obtain Nepal visa upon arrival.
Note on Itinerary
Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed; it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Booking Deposit & Payment Schedule
We request a deposit of US$ 300 along with completed trip registration and a passport scan. The second payment will be for internal airfare.
The balance payment is due 90 days prior departure. Final payment by credit card also attracts an additional 3.5% fee. You will save this fee by paying personal check or cashier's check.
Cancellation and Refund
If you need to withdraw from the trip, please send us notification in writing, by email or fax. Our cancellation fee structure is as below.
- 90 days prior departure: US$ 150 (Administrative Fee).
- 60-89 day's before departure: US$ 300 or 25% of the land cost whichever is higher.
- Forty-five days to 59 days before departure: US$ 450 or 50% of the land cost whichever is higher.
- Thirty days to 44 days prior departure: US$ 600 or 75% of the land cost whichever is higher.
- Less than 30 days: 100%.
Travel Protection Plan
While we leave no efforts to make your tour smooth and enjoyable, there may be unforeseen events and conditions such as illness, accident, inclement weather, flight cancellation, missed connection, or loss of baggage etc. which may cause interruption, delay or total withdrawal from the trip putting your hard earned travel investment in jeopardy. It’s also possible that you may need medical assistance, emergency evacuation or medical transportation when you get ill or involve in an accident when you are traveling in remote areas. Far & High’s Tour cost does not cover any of these expenses or losses, and so we strongly recommend you that you should protect yourself and your travel investment against those unfavorable conditions.