The Beginning of New Travel Agent: Bhutan Historic Tour

The New Travel Agent, Bhutan Historic Tour will shortly open in Bhutan and it will help the tourist to visit Bhutan and make their stay more comfortable, memorable, worthy and wonderful.

Hope that the Travel agent will also have the Ticketing Agent at the same time.

will be back with more information......

Inter Departmental Tournamnet Updates

In yesterdays match of Inter Departmental Tournament Knockout match the result was as follows:

First Match:
RTC (Royal Thimphu College) beats RSTA (Road Safety and Transport Authority) 10:1

Second Match:
Bhutan Post beats Druk Wangyel 2:1

So now Bhutan Post will face BMT in Quarter Final on the 3rd of December 2009 at 3:30 pm

Bhutan Traveler's Tips

The people of Bhutan are like other people! Ask before you take their picture. Ask your guide before taking pictures in Museums or Public Buildings. There are some places that are off limits to visitors for religious and safety reasons. Ask your guide so you can always be sure. And please never hand out candy or small trinkets to children. Bhutanese people are very proud of the fact that there are no beggars in Bhutan and wish not to encourage this behavior of expecting anything from our guests. Small gifts to people you stay with and a tip for your guide are fine.

What should I and what can I bring with me?

1. Good walking shoes
2. Sunglasses
3. Sunscreen (highest possible)
4. Headgear for sunny days
5. Bug repellent
6. Cotton clothing for summer days, light woolen clothes for evenings. Heavy woolens for winter.
7. Shorts for hiking and walking around town are fine. Out of respect, please don’t wear shorts in public buildings or monasteries. Have a pair of long pants or longer skirt for these locations.
8. Toiletries are not provided in most hotels
9. Prescription medications

For trekkers, be sure to bring the following:

1. Sturdy and “broken-in” trekking/hiking boots
2. Sunglasses
3. Sunscreen (highest possible)
4. Headgear
5. Raincoat
6. Medium to heavy sleeping bag (tents are provided)
7. Torch (Flashlight)
8. Insect repellent

Maximum recommended load for trekking is 25Kgs (55lbs.), or 1/5th of body weight. Comfortable casual clothes are great, but you may want to bring some semi-formal clothes (jacket and tie for men, dresses for women) just incase if you coincide with a festival, which is a social function. Even in the summer, it can be cool in Bhutan, and it is very cold in winter. Days can be quite warm, especially in the lowlands of Punakha and Phuentsholing, and you could start off driving in the cold of dawn and become uncomfortable midmorning. Use the layering system, starting with thermal underwear and adding a shirt, pile jacket and wind-breaker (or parka) as necessary. All hotels provide sheets, blankets or quilt, and a pillow. Unless you are trekking, you won’t need to carry a sleeping bag. Hotels provide heating in winter, either an electric heater or a wood stove which will keep you quite warm.

What will the weather be like in Bhutan? Climate: Days are normally warm. Nights can be quite chilly. In winter, the temperature is below freezing point. Monsoon shower in summer with heavy rains in July and August.

Preventing Acute Altitude Sickness

* Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or narcotics. They may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
* Drink plenty of fluids.
* Avoid heavy exercise; mild exercise is okay.
* Diamox® (acetazolamide) 125 mg. tablets taken twice a day is F.D.A. approved for prevention and treatment of A.M.S. Although it originally was released as a diuretic (water pill), it also helps you breath deeper and faster. This allows you to get more oxygen. Diamox is especially helpful with the sleeping problems and other symptoms of A.M.S.
* Home oxygen will relieve symptoms. Home oxygen is safe, cheap and easy to use. It can be used at night when symptoms are worse and off and on during the day as symptoms dictate.
* If nothing else works, you can return to lower altitude. Going down to Denver will always relieve the symptoms of A.M.S.

Acute mountain sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen when traveling to higher elevations. This usually occurs in individuals exposed to an altitude over 7,000 feet (2,100 m) who have not had a chance to acclimate to the altitude before engaging in physical activities. (Rare below 12,000 feet) Mountain climbers, trekkers, skiers, and travelers to the Andes or Himalayas are at greatest risk. While individual tolerance varies, symptoms usually appear in several hours, with those in poor physical condition being most susceptible. Headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and poor appetite occur initially. Inability to sleep is also frequently reported. In more severe cases thinking and judgment may become impaired. An uncommon but potentially fatal complication called high altitude pulmonary edema, caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, can also occur.

The symptoms of acute mountain sickness can be prevented or minimized by gradually ascending (less than 500 meters/day) over several days to give your body a chance to acclimate to the higher altitude. Taking the prescription medication Diamox (acetazolamide) 250 mg three times a day has been shown to speed up the acclimatization process and can be taken shortly before and during the ascent. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. This medication is a mild diuretic and may work by changing the body’s acid-base balance and stimulating breathing. Dexamethasone 8 mg once a day has also been shown to be effective. However, this steroid medication may have more adverse effects. Once symptoms occur, they usually improve over several days without treatment. However, if they become severe, they can be relieved with the administration of oxygen or descent to a lower altitude.

Essential Extras:
A folding umbrella; especially if traveling during the monsoons of mid June to late September. Rain is possible any time, and is almost certain from June through August.
Be sure to carry ear plugs (and spares) for when you sleep. There are a lot of dogs in Bhutan as the Bhutanese consider them next mankind in the cycle of life. These dogs don’t realize this and will sometimes bark at night.
There are occasional electric outages throughout the country; so you should always keep a torch (flashlight) beside your bed.
Make sure you bring a pair of good sunglasses for protection in the high altitude.
A Swiss style army knife is a good thing to bring, but with the recent concerns over air travel you may want to bring a folding utility tool such as a Leather man and make sure to put it in you check-in luggage.
Bring a small alarm clock if you need help waking up after all those barking dogs. Not all hotel rooms have telephones or wake-up service. Our guides will make sure you are not late for anything.

Packing:
If you are on a cultural tour, it’s OK to bring a hard suitcase, though a soft bag is more versatile and easier to pack into the luggage space of a vehicle. For those trekking in Bhutan a strong duffel bag as luggage is best. You will also want a small rucksack (back pack) or waist pack to carry your camera, water bottle and other essentials in the vehicle and when you are walking around town or visiting monuments.

Travel Information's

We would firstly like to make sure about the Tourism regulations in Bhutan, we are sure you are aware that Tourism in Bhutan is fully regulated by the Govt. and they had set fixed daily tariffs per person on night halt basis for two different seasons which are classified as follows:

Peak Season Rates (Till 31st December 2011):

For The Months Of January, February, March, April, May, June - September, October, November, December.
US$200 per person per day for 3 or more in a group
US$230 per person per day for 2 in a group
US$240 per day for a single individual

Off Season Rates (Till 31st December 2011):

For The Months Of July and August.
US$165 per person per day for 3 or more in a group
US$195 per person per day for 2 in a group
US$205 per day for a single individual

Peak Season Rates (From 1st January 2012):

For The Months Of January, February, March, April, May, June - September, October, November, December.
US$ 250 per person per day for 3 or more in a group
US$ 280 person per day for 2 in a group
US$ 290 day for a single individual

Off Season Rates (From 1st January 2012):

For The Months Of July and August.
US$ 200 person per day for 3 or more in a group
US$ 125 person per day for 2 in a group
US$ 245 day for a single individual

These rates include government mandated surcharge of US$40 per day for one person and US$30 per day per person for a group of two.

You get a lot more for your money in Bhutan!

Cancellation Policy

Tour Payment:

100% Refund if tour canceled within 95 Days from the start of the tour.

50% Refund if tour canceled within 65 Days from the start of the tour.

25% Refund if tour canceled within 45 Days from the start of the tour.

No Refund if tour canceled less than 30 Days from the start of the tour.

Airfare:

100% Refund if Air Ticket canceled within 5 Days from the start of the tour.

50% Refund Air Fare canceled within 65 Days from the start of the tour.

25% Refund Air Fare canceled within 30 Days from the start of the tour.

No Refund for Tickets canceled less than 30 Days from the start of the tour.

The above price does not include round trip airfare on National Airline Druk-Air.

Here’s what’s Included!

While on Cultural Tour:

* Imported Car with Driver
* Fluent English Speaking Cultural Guide
* All Accommodations
* All Three Meals with evening tea
* Museum Fees
* Road Permit / Special Permits to enter old monasteries

While on Trekking Tour:

· The North Face Sleeping Bag
· The Thermarest Air Mattress
· The 2 men sleeping Tent
· Dining Tent
· Kitchen Tent
· Shower Tent
· Toilet Tent
· Handy Shower
· Comfort Chair
· Table
· Geographic Positioning System (GPS)
· Satellite Phone
· Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC)
· Walkie Talkie
· Leki Poles
· Ice Axe
· Hot Water Bag
· Drinking Water Bottle
· Trekking Cook & Waiter
· Trekking Horses to carry trek goods and luggage

Here’s what’s NOT Included!

USD 20 as Visa Fee
Laundry
Alcohol / Beverages
International Telephone Calls / Internet
Souvenirs/ Gifts
Tips for Guide / Driver / Trekking Team
Round trip Air fare Bhutan Rock Climbing

The rates quoted above are set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. Any other rates seen advertised is illegal. Many tour operators think they have to “undercut” prices that the government has set in order to compete. This inevitably leads to poor customer service as tour operators herd as many guests as they can in large groups, and put their guests in sub-standard hotels to cut expenses and hire unqualified guides to haul you around.

Accommodations:
The costs of all accommodations are included in tour costs. In the major towns of Thimphu, Paro, and Phuentsholing, comfortable hotels are available for the visitor. In smaller towns, modest, but adequate, hotels, lodges and guest houses are readily available. We will ensure that the best available accommodations are arranged for you. The Department of Tourism (formerly known as Tourism Authority of Bhutan: TAB) regulates hotel standards and all travel regulations in Bhutan.

Food and Drink:
Traditional Bhutanese food is hot and spicy. For our visitors, however, Chinese, Indian, and Continental fares are served. The more adventurous can try the local delicacies like the tasty and fiery the national dish of Bhutan, Emma Datshi which is made with chilies and Local Bhutanese cheese. Meals are normally served buffet style in the hotels. On trekking tours a trained cook will accompany your group to provide simple but nutritious dishes. All meals while you trek or visit in Bhutan are also included in the daily tour cost. Other services include trekking arrangements. Your only extra expenses will be, liquor, laundry, souvenirs and tips if you choose.

Ground Transport:
Again, all ground transportation is already included in your daily tariff. We use only clean, comfortable and well maintained cars, vans and coaches to transport our guests. Our experienced drivers are trained and licensed by the DOT and the Road Safety and Transport Authority. You will be at ease riding in the mountains of Bhutan unlike the experiences you will have had in Nepal and India. Sanity on the road prevails, and drivers are courteous to each other.

Guides:
Guests of the kingdom are required to have guide accompaniment throughout their stay in Bhutan. You will have a very fluent English speaking guide and driver at your disposal at all times. This is not to say you have to have your hand held everywhere you go. We are very accommodating and we can be flexible. Our guides have all been trained and licensed by the DOT (Department of Tourism). Our trekking guides and cooks undergo additional mountain training, including safety and first aid. None of our guests have ever needed a rescue, but we have helped lost trekkers from other tour agencies get out of the high passes safely. We have been successfully leading groups through the Bhutan highlands ever since tourism was privatized.

Tourist Seasons:
A visit to Bhutan can be planned anytime of the year but the best period is from mid September to November and March to June. There are many festivals during these months, and visitors should take advantage of trekking and the Tsechu (Festival). Most hotels sell out during this time and it is important for us to plan in advance if you want to attend.

Contact us if you have any questions regarding the tour costs. The daily rate may sound high at first, but remember that this includes all your accommodations, meals, guided tours, and all ground transportation in Bhutan, museums fees.

Travel Visa Application:

Tourist Visas: Your visa has to be approved prior to air ticketing and your arrival in Bhutan. Once you are ready to confirm your tour arrangements we will apply for your visas. We will need all of the following details.

01: Your full name (EXACTLY as it appears in your passport)
02: Permanent address
03: Occupation
04: Nationality
05: Passport number
06: Date of issue and expiration of passport
07: Date and place of birth
08: Telephone Nos

Your Bhutan visa will be stamped in your passport only when you arrive in Bhutan. Bhutan Visa Fees of US$ 20 which you need to wire together with your Airline and Tour Payment to Bhutan Historic tour in advance to process your Bhutan Visa and purchase Druk Air tickets.