Travelling to Bhutan: The Basis
Visas and permits:
Citizens of virtually all countries require a visa to enter
Bhutan. This is in most cases issued on arrival at the
airport, subject to prior approval. Approval is gained
through the agency. Please note that the cost of the entry
visa for Bhutan is not built into the package costs
quoted on this website.
In
addition, you will need a visa in order to enter Nepal, from
where all our trips to Bhutan begin, Again, citizens of
virtually all countries requires this, but it is in general
easily obtained on arrival at the airport for EU, North
American, Australian, New Zealand, Israeli, and South
African citizens. On occasion the visa on arrival at the
airport can be cheaper than in your home country. Check with
the consulate or embassy of Nepal closest to you. If you are
applying for a visa on arrival or prior to departure, your
passport must be valid for at least six more months, and you
must carry a passport-sized photograph. A visa on arrival
costs US$30 for 60 days, single entry, and $50 for double
entry.
Please note that visa and permit fees could change at any
time, and in the event that happens, we reserve the right to
levy an additional charge payable by our clients.
Airport tax:
Visitors must factor in an airport departure tax of Nepali
Rs 1,795 for international flights (Rs 1,400 if flight is
terminating in a SAARC country), as well as NRs TKTK for
each domestic flight.
Reaching Kathmandu:
We cannot reserve your international flight from and to your
home (see Costing under Terms and Conditions). Discuss this
with your travel agent at your end and do consider that if
you fly via New Delhi or Bangkok, your flight options - and
reliability - increase dramatically. Some of the best
connections you can make are with Thai, Gulf, Qatar,
Austrian (in season), Druk Air, Air China, Phuket Air, and
other Indian and international airlines such as Indian
Airlines, Lufthansa etc.
Currency:
The
currency in Bhutan is the Ngultrum, and major international
currencies and travellers; cheques can be enchashed in Paro
and Thimphu. Nepal;s currency is the Nepali Rupee. Most
major international currencies and travellers' cheques can
be exchanged in Kathmandu. Tourists commonly bring in US$,
UKŁ, Euro, ChF, Aus$ etc. If you keep your foreign exchange
encashment certificate, or exchange office receipt, you may
change back any remaining Nepali Rupees at departure.
In
Bhutan rely more on cash. In Kathmandu major credit cards
(except American Express) are accepted and ATMS will usually
dispense cash on foreign credit and debit cards too. Banks
work weekdays 0930-1500, though some of the larger banks
have one counter open in the city throughout the day and on
all public holidays. Kantipath and Darbar Marg, close to the
tourist and shopping centre of Thamel, house a number of
banks including Standard Chartered (who issue cash advances
against Visa and Mastercard with no commission), Nepal
Investment Bank, and Nabil Bank. All through Thamel money
exchange counters are open from 0800-2200 and offer
reasonable rates. There is no real tourist black market for
foreign currency any more.
Weather and clothing:
Generally people consider Oct-Dec, and March-May to visit
Bhutan. When visiting in warmer weather, a few layers are
more than enough - long-sleeved T-shirts, light fleeces or
wool sweaters, and windstoppers are all handy. In the winter
bring a warm down jacket, gloves or mittens, a hat and a
scarf.
Insurance:
All our clients must purchase travel insurance at home
before they leave for their trip. Those planning on trekking
are advised additionally to make sure that their insurance
covers the eventuality of a helicopter rescue/ evacuation to
Kathmandu, repatriation to their home country etc. It is not
possible for travelers to buy insurance here.
Health care:
No vaccinations are required for travel to Nepal and Bhutan,
though some do take shots against hepatitis.
There are a number of reputed hospitals in Kathmandu,
and three clinics specifically for travelers. The best known
is CIWEC on Darbar Marg, near the tourist and shopping
centre Thamel.
In
general, travelling in Nepal and Bhutan is safe,
health-wise, and there is no reason you should fall prey to
gastro-intestinal disorders if you take common sensible
precautions with food, drink, and personal hygiene. If
bottled water is unavailable, drink only what you know has
been sterilized, or do so yourself. Ensure you wash your
hands with soap, or use an antibacterial sanitizing gel
before you eat or drink.
Hotel accommodation:
Tin-Tin Trekking provides tourist standard accommodation in
Kathmandu in hotels close to the agency as well as the
tourist, recreation and shopping centre of Thamel
respectively. If, however, you wish to stay in a particular
hotel or simply a different class of hotel, please let us
know. We can usually arrange a discounted rate for our
clients at most hotels. Check www.nepalhotels.com for more
information. All hotels we organize will store your
remaining baggage when you are on a trek or tour.
In
Bhutan there are official hotels that you need to stay at,
and these are sometimes exceptionally good, and never
sub-par.
Restaurants:
In Kathmandu you will be accommodated in localities that
house many different kinds of restaurants. We can direct you
to usually reliable, clean restaurants in a variety of price
ranges and catering to tastes ranging from traditional
Nepali dal-bhat to steak. Just bear in mind that many
restaurants in Kathmandu take last orders around 2100-2200.
Tipping:
Tipping is catching on in Nepal. How much you leave depends,
naturally, on the service you get, but also on the scale of
the restaurant. At a smaller, cheaper restaurant a few
rupees usually rounds up the bill and is adequate, while at
more upscale western-style restaurants you can round up the
bill and add a little, or leave anything from 5-15%
depending on how satisfied you are.
If
you want to tip the staff, do so at the end of your trek or
tour. These are only suggestions based on what people have
found reasonable to give in the past - for guide/ sirdar and
cook: Rs 100-200 per day for the group. For porters, Rs
50-100 per day for the group.
Shopping:
Kathmandu is a shoppers' paradise. There is something for
everybody, from adorable handknitted woollen outfits for
children to trekking and climbing gear, from inexpensive
silver jewellery to very expensive amber and turqouise, from
thangka paintings (Buddhist religious art) to pashmina
shawls, and great deals on cameras and cotton clothing. The
key to not over-paying is not buying the first thing you
see, no matter how much you like it. Look at similar
merchandise in a couple more shops, compare prices and
quality, and even try your hand at bargaining. Bargaining
does not have to be hostile or exhausting - if you treat it
as a game and don't try to beat people down to the lowest
possible price - it's just a few rupees difference.
Barring shoes, you should be able to buy a lot of items you
need for your trek in Kathmandu. The quality of the
imitation windstoppers, down jackets, Gore-Tex gear, and
fleece gear varies, but it is possible to get quality
products for a lower price than back home. If nothing else,
most of the gear is suitable for at least one trek. Look out
for the slightly more expensive - but original -
Chinese-made branded gear from Mountain Hardware and North
Face. These are worth the money. Also available at
reasonable prices are original head lamps, high-performance
socks, ski/ trekking poles, some climbing gear, and quality
sunglasses.
Electricity and electronic equipment:
Devices run on 220 volts here, so be sure to bring
converters for 110V devices. While most wall sockets are the
round three-pin variety, there can sometimes be a
frustrating variety of outlets, and it is best to have at
least one plug adapter. If you are bringing along sensitive
electronic equipment, also include a surge protector/
voltage stabiliser. Trekking in Bhutan, especially on the
Chomolhari trek, expect that there will be noelectricity for
part of your trek.
Photography and video, and other etiquette:
There is a surprisingly good range of film-based and digital
still and video cameras in Kathmandu, as well as accessories
available, but to be on the safe side bring along whatever
lenses, memory sticks and filters you anticipate needing.
The
etiquette for photographing people, images of gods and
godesses, temples and other religious monuments is the same
as anywhere in the world. Do ask if you're in doubt
about whether it is okay or not. In places where you are
instructed that photography is prohibited, please be
sensitive to the requirement. For example, at Pashupatinath
temple, where tourists are not allowed close to the
cremation pyres, you might see some standing across the
river taking pictures with telephoto lenses. In this case
ask yourself if one mediocre picture is worth your intruding
into someone else's grief, and decide for yourself.
In
Bhutan be careful to not initiate discussions on politics,
the refugee situation, or politicized religion in any shape
or form. Most Bhutanese will be unwilling to discuss
anything beyond the official story, so don't push.
Beggars:
In general begging is frowned upon in Nepal and there aren't
many beggars, but tourist areas are the exception and there
are a few. Please do not give them money. As you will see, a
number of them, most noticeably the young boys, are junkies,
hooked on sniffing glue or slugging cough syrup. Your
'charity' will feed either their habit or that of their
parents. It is perfectly okay to give them any food items
you may have, ensuring however that you open the package
before giving it. This is not as patronizing as it sounds;
it is a way to stop them selling it for a little cash to
someone else and often then supporting their drug habit.
In
Bhutan, there won't be much by way of begging.
Miscellaneous suggestions:
When you visit the historic old quarters of Kathmandu, Patan,
and Bhaktapur, do make sure that the official puts down your
name and passport number and the date of purchase on your
ticket. You then have access to these old squares for the
length of your stay without having to pay again.
When
traveling by road or on the trail, it is advisable to carry
some of your own dry snacks such as nuts, chocolate and
biscuit, fruit, and water.
