Jumolhari Mountain

Jumolhari Mountain: Trekking in Bhutan

Mongar Dzong

Mongar Dzong

Mongar Dzong, Although built in the 1930s and one of Bhutan’s newest dzongs, it is constructed in the same way as all earlier dzongs, without plans or nails. A visit to Mongar Dzong shows one how traditional Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries.

Bumthang Jakar Dzong

BUMTHANG: JAKAR DZONG

Jakar Dzong, Constructed in 1549 by the great grandfather of the first Shabdrung, the Dzong was initially built as a monastery. It was upgraded in 1646, after the Shabdrung had firmly established his power. Jakar Dzong is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang valley, and also houses the regional monk body.

Bumthang farms yield buckwheat, dairy products, honey, and apples among other products.

The language spoken in the Bumthang district is known as Bumthangkha. It is a Tibeto-Burman language closely related to Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. Bumthangkha is partially comprehensible to speakers of Dzongkha, which originated in valleys to the west of Bumthang. Each of the four valleys of Bumthang has its own dialect, and the remnants of the Kheng kingdom to the south in Zhemgang speak Khengkha which may be classified as a dialect of Bumthangka.

Druk Air

As required by government regulations all visitors must travel at least one way into Bhutan by Royal Bhutan Airlines, Druk Air. Druk Air operates from Bangkok (BKK), Kolkatta, Delhi (DEL) and Kathmandu (KTM) to Paro. Entry is permitted only by Druk Air into Paro or overland through Phuentsholing accompanied by a guide.

National Airline "Druk Air" operates New Delhi & Kolkata in India, Kathmandu - Nepal and Bangkok - Thailand. There is flight from Paro to Bangkok via Kolkata and Bangkok to Paro via Kolkata every day and there is flight from Delhi to Paro via Kathmandu on Monday, Thursday & Saturday and Paro to Delhi via Kathmandu on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday and flying back the same. We are authorized GSA for Druk Air we will do ticketing for Bhutan portion but rest we are not authorized so you may have to handle by yourself.


Flight Schedule and Read More

Druk Air Addresses:

BANGLADESH – Dhaka
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
Mams Travels & Tours Ltd
33, Gulshan Ave, Road-45
Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212
Tel: +880-2-9862243/9892862/9890802
Fax: +880-2-8828439

BHUTAN – Paro
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
Nemizampa, Paro
Tel: +975-8-271856 to 58/271860
Fax: +975-8-271861
SITA: QJCRPKB

BHUTAN – Thimphu
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
P.O. Box 209, Thimphu
Tel: +975-2-322215/323420/322825/321754
Fax: +975-2-322775
SITA: QJCRRRKB

INDIA – New Delhi
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
City Office: Ansal Bhawan Building
G Floor-3, 16 KG Marg
Connaught Place, New Delhi - 110001
Tel: +91-11-23357703/23357704
Fax: +91-11-23357768
Airport Tel: +91-11-25653207/25653147
SITA: DELKKKB, DELCOKB

INDIA – Kolkata
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
51, Tivoli Court
1A Ballygunge Circular Road
Kolkata
Tel: +91-33-22402419/22805376
Fax: +91-33-22470050
Airport Tel: +91-33-25119976
SITA: CCURRKB

MYANMAR – Yangon
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
C/o Mrs Soe Soewin
Thuriya Tours & Travels, Yangon
Tel: +95-1-524904
Fax: +95-1-525948
Mobile: +95-95002776

NEPAL – Kathmandu
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
Malla Treks (P) Ltd
P.O. Box 5227
Leknath Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: +977-1-4410089/4423145
Fax: +977-1- 4423143/4471712

THAILAND – Bangkok
Druk Air Corporation Ltd
Room # 3237, Central Block
International Airport, Bangkok
Tel: +66-2-5351960/5354901
Fax: +66-2-5353661
SITA: BKKKKB

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.