|  The Royal government of Bhutan has adopted a
very cautious approach to the development of
tourism in the kingdom in an effort to avoid
the negative impacts of tourism on the culture
and the environment. All tourists (group or individual)
must travel on a pre-planned, prepaid, guided,
package tour or custom designed program through
a government registered travel company. Independent
travel is not permitted in Bhutan.
Tour payments must be made one month prior
to the date of arrival in Bhutan and the
government issues the visa only after the
receipt of full tour payment.
Cotton clothes are sufficient from May until
September but warm clothes are very much
necessary from November to the end of April.
However, visitors are advised to carry clothes
consisting of layers (or preferably woolen
sweater and jacket) throughout the season,
as weather may change at anytime.
We use 4 WD Japanese vehicles such as Hilux
and Land-cruisers for a group of 1-2 persons.
Hiace buses for a group of 3-7 persons and
deluxe coaster bus for a group of 8-20 persons.
All these vehicles are periodically checked
and maintained and will be at your disposal
at all times, with the drivers.
For cultural tours the booking should be completed
6 weeks in advance but for tours during festivals,
10 weeks advance information is required.
Festivals held in autumn & spring are
peak season for the tourists and without
any early reservations, it can be difficult
to confirm flights and hotels. For trekking
groups, it is important to do bookings at
least 10 weeks in advance, as it requires
plenty of planning. For visitors in trek,
we serve simple but nutritious and tasty
dishes.
Religious festivals (Tse Chu) are important
events and celebrated throughout the kingdom
of Bhutan. The Tsechus are the most colorful
event and all Bhutanese gather and celebrate
at every Dzongs (fortress), temples and monasteries.
Hotels and tourist lodges in Bhutan are comfortable
but not luxurious. Although recently a few
luxury hotels have been established in Bhutan,
visitors in general can expect a unique combination
of traditional Bhutanese style together with
modern services, but not international five
star luxuries all over Bhutan! Clean and
well-maintained, most of the hotels are equipped
with telephones; fax machines and long distance
service. The food offered to the visitors
is carefully prepared to suit the western
taste combining Bhutanese food and western
dishes.
The Royal Government of Bhutan categorizes
all hotels and lodges. International visitors
will be accommodated in hotels only, which
fulfill the standards set by the government.
Some of the more simple lodges have a special
charm of their own, and convince with the traditional
warm hospitality. |
