MINIMUM TOURIST TARIFFS
The minimum tariff fixed by the Department of Tourism for tourists visiting Bhutan in-groups of 3 or more persons are as follows:

The minimum daily package rates shall be inclusive of the following:

1. Government Tax 35% of the daily tariff goes directly to Department of Tourism
2. Charges for accommodation
3. Food and beverages (excluding alcohol) as per the "Minimum Meal Entitlements"
4. Service of guides
5. Transport within Bhutan
6. Animal transport on treks
7. Trekking crew and equipment peaks.

Not included in the tour price are the following:

I. Air fare
II. Beverages and telephone calls
III. Laundry
IV. Visa Fee of US$ 20.00 and departure tax of US$10

Tariff for Individuals (FITS)
Individuals travelers or in a group of two shall be subject to a surcharge as follows:

I. The 10% agency commission payable to agents abroad shall not be deductible from the surcharge.

II. The surcharge will not apply to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved by the DOT.

The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local agents' host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.

The rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. List of hotels and lodges approved for international tourist accommodation are approved and certified by the Department of Tourism and are updated from time to time.

PAYMENTS (FITS)
100% payment should be made in advance in US dollars. The payment shall be remitted by Telegraphic/Electronic transfer to the Account of:

Beneficiary :

Bhutan National Bank
P.O.Box 439,
Thimphu : Bhutan

A/C No :

36023474

Bank Address:

Citibank N.A, 111 Wall Street,
19th floor, New York

Swift Code :

CITIUS 33

ABA No :

0210-0008-9

Chip Routing No :

008

Ultimate Beneficiary:

Sophun Tours & Trek

A copy of the remittance of the transfer must be sent to us by fax in order to process the visa and ticketing.

NOTE: Please note that the advance full payment for Druk-Air is a must to secure the seat confirmation with the Druk air.

The Department of Tourism will not authorize to process visa if the payment is delayed.

DISCOUNTS ON TOURIST TARIFF.
The following discounts shall be allowed:

Diplomats from foreign embassies/missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount on the daily rates.

There shall be no charge for Children up to the age of five years. However, those between the age of six to twelve years accompanied by elders shall be given 50% discount on the daily rates.

Full time Students below the age of twenty-five holding valid identity cards from their respective academic institutions shall be given 25% discounts on the daily rates.

A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to one person in a group of 11 to 15 persons. A 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.

 (Note: Discounts on daily rates shall mean inclusive of royalty)

Visa Formalities
Visa Application will be made by us to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on your behalf. Visa processing will take a minimum of five working days. You need to have 3 copies of passport size photographs to be sent along with your visa application form. However if this is not possible, the photographs must be presented by you on  arrival to the visa officer at the port of entry. It is mandatory for a tourist to get his/her visa clearance before departing for Bhutan. Without receiving the full payment for Druk Air and the tour, the Ministry of Foreign affairs will not issue visa and Druk-Air will not issue tickets.

Visa will be stamped on your Passport at the airport upon payment of visa fee of US$20.00. You will be required to produce two pass port size photographs for the visa. Visa can be extended at Thimphu up to six months after the payment of Nu.510.00.

Cancellations
 Tour programmers booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to CANCELLATION FEE as follows:

a. Within 30 days of start of the tour -   NO CHARGE.
b. Within 21 days - 10 % of the cost.
c. Within 14 days - 15 % of the cost.
d. Within 7 days - 30 % of the cost.
e. Less than 7 days or cancellation without notice - 50 % of the cost.
f. After arrival in Bhutan - 100 % of the cost.

FILMING IN BHUTAN
The rules and rates for filming in Bhutan differ from that of normal rates of Tours & Treks. Tourists or professionals intent of filming in Bhutan must abide by the Bhutanese Filming Regulations, 1995, available with the implementing agency, the Department of Tourism (DOT), (The Regulation does not apply to feature and cinematographic films). Applications for a filming permit must be submitted to DOT at least 30 days in advance. The application must be accompanied by:

Synopsis of the film – theme/background/objective/purpose

Specific locations/objects/activities

Composition of the filming team and the list of equipment including accessories and consumables (Filming crew members have to pay full daily tourist tariff)

Letter of recommendation from the sponsoring agency (application forms can be obtained from DOT on payment of Nu.300.00)

Royalty on Filming

 1:  First 30 minutes or part thereof – US$ 10,000
 2:  Next 30 minutes or part thereof – US$ 6,000
 3:  Every additional 30 minutes or part thereof – US$ 3,000

In addition a security deposit of US$ 5,000 must be deposited with DOT. This deposit will be refunded upon completion of the film to the satisfaction of the DOT.

[ TOP / BACK TO TOURIST INFORMATION ]

BHUTAN