FAQ

When you book with us, there is no overseas agent in the middle. You deal directly with the family who plans your trip, your payment goes straight to Bhutan, and you benefit from our own local network of guides, drivers and hosts. We can also answer your questions quickly, because we live here.

Every Tamshing tour is private, so you never have to join a group. We plan around whoever is travelling: solo travellers, couples, families with children, and groups of friends or colleagues.

The cost depends on how long you stay, the season and the style of hotels you prefer. Every trip includes the government’s Sustainable Development Fee (US $100 per adult per night) and your visa fee, plus your accommodation, meals, guide, private vehicle and entrance fees. Our sample cultural tours start from US $790 per person for two travellers. Tell us your dates and wishes, and we will send you a free, itemised quote.

We suggest getting in touch three to six months ahead, and earlier for festival dates and the busy spring and autumn seasons, when flights and the best hotels fill up quickly. Shorter notice is often possible too, so just ask.

A 50% deposit confirms your trip, and the balance is due 60 days before you arrive. You can pay by international bank transfer, or by card through a secure payment link with a 5% processing fee. See our Booking Terms for full details.

Tamshing Travel is a licensed Bhutanese tour operator (Licence No. 50002640). All payments go directly to our US dollar business account with Bhutan National Bank (BNB), and we send you an invoice before every payment and a receipt afterwards.

Charges depend on how much notice you give, starting from a flat US $250 per person if you cancel more than 60 days before arrival. You can find the full cancellation table in our Booking Terms.

It is no longer compulsory, but we strongly recommend it. Choose a policy that covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation and lost belongings, and send us the details before you travel.

All visitors except Indian nationals need a visa. We apply for it on your behalf once your trip is confirmed, so you just need a passport valid for at least six months. Indian nationals need an entry permit instead, using a passport or voter ID card. Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals can get their visa in advance or on arrival, though arranging it beforehand saves waiting at the border. The visa fee is US $40, and it is included in our package prices. See our visa page for the full process.

The SDF is a daily government fee that helps fund free healthcare and education, conservation and the protection of Bhutan’s culture. It is currently US $100 per adult per night, US $50 for children aged 6 to 11, and free for children under 6. For Indian nationals it is Nu 1,200 per adult per night (Nu 600 for children aged 6 to 11). We include it in your quote and pay it for you. Rates are set by the government and can change.

Once we have your payment and documents, the visa clearance is usually issued within five working days. We apply well before your trip, so there is no need to worry.

Usually, yes. If you fall in love with Bhutan and want to stay longer, tell us as early as possible. We will help you apply for an extension and arrange the extra nights, which include the SDF for each additional day.

Yes. The government refunds the SDF for any nights you do not spend in Bhutan, whether you cancel or shorten your trip, minus any bank charges. We handle the refund request for you, and it is processed after you leave. Other refunds follow our Booking Terms.

A tourist visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days from the day you arrive, which is far longer than most journeys. If you would like to stay longer than planned, just tell us and we will help you extend it.

Most visitors fly into Paro International Airport with Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines, from cities including Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Dhaka and Singapore. Bhutan’s second international airport, at Gelephu, also has a small number of flights. You can also enter overland from India through Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar.

Yes. We book your Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines flights as part of your trip and email you the e-tickets, so you do not need to deal with the airlines yourself.

Flights into Paro depend on mountain weather and are sometimes delayed or rescheduled. If this happens, we adjust your itinerary, hotels and transfers for you. We recommend leaving a spare day between your Bhutan flight and any long-haul connection.

Your guide and driver will meet you as you leave the arrivals hall at Paro, or at the border if you arrive by land, and stay with you throughout your journey.

Yes. There are domestic airports in Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula, and flights can save a long drive, for example on our Central Valleys journey. Domestic flights depend on the weather, so we always have a road plan ready.

Yes. Visitors must be accompanied by a licensed guide throughout their time in Bhutan, and a guide is needed to enter dzongs and temples. We include one on every tour. Our guides are Bhutanese and certified by the Department of Tourism, and they speak English; guides in other languages can be arranged on request.

Most of our tours stay between 1,200m and 3,000m, crossing a few higher passes by road, such as Dochula (3,100m) and Chele La (3,988m). Walks are optional and can be adapted. The Tiger's Nest hike takes most people four to five hours return.

Our packages use comfortable 3-star hotels approved by the Department of Tourism. We can also arrange 4-star, boutique or luxury hotels, or a night in a village homestay or farmhouse. Visitors may only stay in accommodation approved by the Department of Tourism, and all the places we use are.

Bhutan is one of the safest countries in Asia, with very little crime and a warm welcome for visitors, including those travelling alone. The main things to take care with are winding mountain roads, the altitude and the occasional landslide during the summer monsoon, and your guide and driver will look after all of these. You may also see stray dogs in towns; they usually keep their distance, but it is best not to feed or pet them.

Visa and Mastercard work at ATMs and in larger hotels and shops, but cards are less useful outside the towns, so carry some cash for villages, crafts and tips. You can exchange money on arrival at Paro airport or at banks in Thimphu, and US dollars and Indian rupees are widely accepted (the rupee has the same value as the ngultrum). Many shops also take payment through the goBoB and MyPay apps, which can be linked to an international card. You can bring cash worth up to US $10,000. Read more in our Travel Guide.

Tipping is not compulsory, but it is a welcome way to thank your guide and driver if you are happy with their service.

Most hotels have Wi-Fi, and mobile signal is good in towns and along main roads. You can buy a local SIM card from B-Mobile or TashiCell on arrival, and we are happy to help.

There is no dress code for visitors in general, but at dzongs, temples and other sacred sites please cover your shoulders and knees, and remove your hat inside. Smart-casual clothing is ideal. Our Travel Guide has more tips on packing and local etiquette.

Visitors are generally not allowed to bring drones into Bhutan, and any drone flight needs a permit arranged well in advance. Please speak to us before packing one, and we will explain the current rules.

Your guide and driver are with you throughout your trip and can be reached at any time if you need help. In an emergency in Bhutan, dial 112 for an ambulance, 113 for the police or 110 for the fire service. The Department of Tourism also runs a visitor helpline on +975 17661974.

Antiques and important cultural objects cannot be taken out of Bhutan. Some newly made artefacts also need an export permit, and we can help you arrange one. For souvenirs, good places to browse include the Centenary Farmers’ Market and the craft and textile shops in Thimphu, and we are happy to introduce you to local weavers and artisans so you can buy directly from the makers.

Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom between India and Tibet (China), stretching from subtropical plains in the south to snow-capped peaks above 7,000m in the north.

Bhutan is a year-round destination. Autumn (late September to November) has the clearest skies and mountain views, and spring (March to May) brings flowers and festivals. Winter is crisp, sunny and quiet, and summer is green, with monsoon rain. Read more in our journal article on the best time to visit Bhutan.

Around 19 languages are spoken across Bhutan, and the national language is Dzongkha. English is the language of schools, so it is widely spoken, especially by guides, in hotels and in towns.

Bhutan is on GMT +6 and does not change its clocks during the year. The international dialling code is +975.

Bhutan uses 230V power, and you will find three kinds of socket: British-style three square pins (type G), European two round pins (type C) and Indian-style three round pins (type D). A universal travel adapter covers all three.