USEFUL INFORMATION WHILE TRAVELLEING TO BHUTAN

Snuggled in the folds of Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is the only country in the world where Vajrayana Buddhism is a way of everyday life and is often known as “The Last Shangri-la”. Welcome to Bhutan – the happiest place on the Earth! Famous for its concept of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan is the best place to visit when you want to break away from the monotony of a hectic, stressful lifestyle.

The two main cities are Thimphu, the capital city and Paro, the city with only international Airport of the country.  The other important city is Phuentsholing which is located on Indo-Bhutan border and is one of the entry points to Bhutan by Road from India.

GETTING TO BHUTAN

 By Air:

Paro is the only International operational airport in Bhutan and is connected by Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines.  Druk Air is the national carrier of Bhutan, which operates flights from Indian cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Gaya, Bagdogra & Guwahati. Bhutan Airlines operates regularly from Kolkata, Delhi and Gaya. During summer some chartered flights are operated from Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

By Road:

Bhutan is connected to India by surface through its South Western border town of Phuentsholing. The nearest Indian towns from Phuentsholing are Hasimara, Alipurdwar, Jalpaiguri & Siliguri. Bhutan is also connected to India through its South Eastern Border of Samdrup Jongkhar which is about two and half hours drive from Guwahati and Gelephu located in Sarpang District of Southern Bhutan.

By Rail:

Though Bhutan does not have any rail link but it is conveniently reached by road from nearest Indian Railway stations at New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), Hasimara, Alipurdwar & Guwahati.

ENTRY FORMALITIES FOR INDIAN TOURIST

Indian Tourist traveling to Bhutan does not require any visa. However, they need a travel Permit to visit Bhutan. . For Indians only a valid passport or Voter Id card are the valid documents for obtaining entry permit.

Permits: There are 03 types of PERMIT.

1. Entry Permit: When you are entering Bhutan, you have to get the Entry Permit which can be procured at the entry point either in Paro airport (when travelling by flight) or in Phuentsholing Bhutan (when travelling overland either from Bagdogra or NJP). Entry permit is also a valid document to visit Thimphu and Paro.
2. Special Permit: If you choose your Itinerary to visit places (Haa, Punakha, Wangdue, Bumthang, etc) beyond Paro and Thimphu, you need to have a Special Permit. We need the copy of either your passport or Voter ID card along with the copy of entry permit to make your Special Permit. Special permit will ONLY be made in Thimphu on the working days between 09.00 – 16.00 hrs.
3. Advance Online Permits: If you are traveling with an Indian Passport (with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of departure from Bhutan), you can avail advance online permits by sending us clear colour scanned passport copy .It should reach us before 10 working days. We shall not be responsible for any rejections or similar issues in regards to the permits due to improper documents or delay in arrival of documents.

Travel Documents required with physical presence of the guest:

1. Valid Indian passport (above 6 months validity) or Voters Identity Card (anyone) is a must for 18 years and above.
2. Child below 5 years (Original Birth certificate in English is required).
3. Child between 6 – 17 years academic School Identity Card is required along with the Birth Certicate.

Entering Bhutan by Flight: While collecting your airlines boarding pass you are given 01 form at Airlines counter.

1. Immigration form: You are required to fill and submit this form at the immigration counter while getting the entry permit at Bhutan airport.
2. Bhutan Entry Permit:

• Passport Holder: Bhutan entry permit are stamped on the passport itself. It is must to carry your passport while traveling & taking inter point connection. You will not be allowed to leave the country without stamping the exit on it.
• A clear scanned copy of passport (in color) in JPEG or PDF format and the flight details is required to process the online permits. Please note that the permit gets rejected if the Scanned copies of the passports do not meet the standards. Online permits require the use of TCB certified hotels, Bhutanese vehicle and certified Bhutanese guide.
• Proper travel documents shall be required at least 10 workings days prior to the date of travel. We shall not be responsible for any rejections or similar issues in regards to the permits due to improper documents or delay in arrival of documents.
• Voter ID Card: Bhutan entry permit are issued separately on papers after verifying Voter ID card. This document must be carried while traveling & taking inter point connection. You are also advised to make photo copy of the paper permit and keep it in safe custody as you will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering this paper permit in original. This permit is also required to make the pink permit for visiting any other area other than Thimphu & Paro.

Exiting Bhutan by Flight: While collecting your airlines boarding pass you are given 01 forms at the Airlines counter.

1. Immigration Form: You are required to fill up this immigration form and this form has to be submitted at the immigration counter at the final port of Disembarkation, ie Bagdogra, Kolkata, Delhi and other airport connected by Druk air or Bhutan Airlines in India.
2. Bhutan Entry Permit: This is the same Paper permit issued while entering Bhutan. You will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering this paper permit in original.

Notes:

1. Declaration form basically states that you are not carrying any prohibited items out of Bhutan
2. Yellow form is basically a self-declaration of items carried by you on flight.i.e. number of check-in Baggage, hand baggage, duty & duty-free items.

Entering Bhutan by Surface:

Indian nationals do not require any visa for Bhutan. A permit will be issued at the entry point on production of a passport (with a minimum validity of 6 months from the date of departure) or Voter ID (only valid document for issuing the Bhutan Entry permit). The traveler also has to carry photocopy of the travel documents. For Children, Original Birth certificate in English and student ID is required.

If you are entering Bhutan via land, it is to be noted that the permits are issued only during working days and hours. (Monday to Friday between 9 am to 4 pm during winter and 5 pm during summer). It is suggested that the travelers arriving in Phuentsholing on Friday should arrive latest by 10 AM in order to complete the entry formalities on the same day. No permits are issued on Saturday, Sunday and Bhutan government holidays. During the peak season (depending upon the rush), immigration may take long time to issue the permit. We shall not be responsible for any delay during processing of permit by the immigration authority. Please keep your clients informed that they may have to stand on long queue during high season to obtain the permit if traveling via Phuentsholing.

The entry permit is valid for travel in Phuentsholing, Thimphu and Paro only. Special permit is required to travel in Haa, Punakha/Wangdue and beyond.

The special permit will have to be processed in Department of Immigrations, Thimphu; in production of the entry permit or the Passport (photocopies are required). This special permit is given only after guest has entered Bhutan. Permits are not issued on Saturday, Sunday & Bhutan Govt. holidays.

If you have sent us coloured scan passport copies in advance we will take all the permits in advance.

1. You are required to visit the immigration office along with your guide / driver at the Bhutan entry gate to obtain your Bhutan entry permit (personal presence is a must for obtaining the permit).
2. For surface traveler Bhutan entry permit are issued separately in papers after verifying the documents. This document must be carried while traveling and taking inner point connection. You are also advised to make photo copy of the paper permit and keep it in safe custody. As you will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering the pink permit for visiting any other area other than Thimphu & Paro.

Exiting Bhutan by Surface:

While exiting from Phuentsholing you will have to surrender original entry permit which was given to you while entering Bhutan at immigration office, Karbandi, which is 5 km before Phuentsholing. You will not be allowed to leave the country without surrendering this paper permit in original, issued at Paro / Phuntsholing.