Travel Answers

I am an Indian national, planning a 5 days holiday in Bhutan in June 2013. Can someone suggest which places I should be visiting

Has anyone been o this festival : Jambay Lhakhang Drup Bumthang Oct 18, 2013 Oct 22, 2013? Where exactly is it (easy to get to ?) and how much time should we foresee for this?

We want to go to Bhutan in October for 2 weeks in combination with 4 days of Katmandu. Any suggestions for itinerary? From a travel agent we received this proposal: Day 1 arrival Paro Dag 2 Paro Dag 3 Paro – Thimpu via Haa Dag 4 Thimpu Dag 5 Thimpu – Wangdue via Punakha Dag 6 Wangdue – Trongsa Dag 7 Trongsa – Bumthang valley Dag 8 Bumthang valley Dag 9 Bumthang – Mongar via Ura Dag 10 Mongar / excursie Khoma Dag 11 Mongar – Trashigang Dag 12 Trashigang / excursion Tashi Yangste Dag 13 Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkar Dag 14 leave Samdrup Jongkar Is this offering a good diverse view of the highlights or is it missing some must sees?

Hi there I am looking online for tours to Bhutan. The one thing i want to include on an itinery is a trip to Phuentsholing where Bhutan meets India and theres a Crocodile farm. Does anyone happen to know any bhutan tours that goes to Phuentsholing. It would be good to make this trip without having to finish the tour by crossing into India. As i think most tours prefer you to have a return ticket from Thailand

I have a plan to enter Bhutan through Phuntshilong border by road and my first destination will be Thimphu. So far, I understand that I will be given permit for Thimphu at Phuntshilong border. My question is do I need to have separate permits for Paro, Punakha, Bumthang, Wangdue, Gangtey, Trongsa, Lhuntse & Trashigang? How long it takes to get this permit and what are the costs relating to this?

Where should i buy Bhutan Dress?

Hi, I am Tareque from Bangladesh. a. Is it possible to travel independently in Bhutan for Bangladeshi citizens? b. After arriving at Phuentsholing, via India, can I hire a minibus to reach Paro or Thimphu? How much it might cost per person? c. Alternately, is good bus services available at Phuentsholing? Thanks for the help.

Can Australians do an independent tour of Bhutan say for 10 days...how hard is it to get a visa.

Hello, I have been trying to get a room for 2 nights in May for a family of husband,wife and teenager son. We need one room only. The hotels that look good on the website are all sold out. Please help me find a clean and comfortable hotel near the river. Thank you,

We are planning a trip to Bhutan and this is our tentative itinerary -- Day 1 -- drive from gangtok and reach Phuntscholing by road, if we get permit soon, then proceed to Paro otherwise stay for a night at Phuntscholing Day 2 -- Paro Day 3-- Paro Day 4 -- paro to Thimphu Day 5 -- thimphu Day 6 -- Thimphu Day 7 -- kept it free( suggestions required) Day 8 -- suggestions required Day 9 -- return to Phuntscholing and proceed to India. We want to do one home stay and get an insight into Bhutanese medicine. Which place is Bhutan is best to do our shopping -- Paro or Thimphu? Thank you all, Seetha

Did anyone who has travelled or is travelling to Bhutan have to sign a Release Form regarding liability release of risk and guarantee from your tour company. This is the first time we have been sent these forms which release our legal rights. We are not trekking, just travelling as a pair with a driver and tour guide. Are all drivers experienced and the condition of motor vehicles in excellent road worthy condition. Thank you.

We are a family of husband, wife and a 14 year old boy. I wish to know the following -- 1. Is it a must to go through a travel agent/ tour operator? We are Indian nationals. 2. We plan to go to Bhutan in the 1st week or 2 nd week of May this year, what are the places we can cover in 8 to 9 days? We are interested in scenic locations, easy treks, home stays and a bit of culture and massages. Would be grateful for any suggestions for an itenary. 3. We propose to drive down from the city of Gangtok in Sikkim, India. So would be entering from Pheuntsholing. Is that the right route or is there any better option? Thank you so much. Seetha

Hi All I am interested in going to Bhutan with my wife from England. I need some advice where to start and how to find travel agents to Bhutan. Also visas, tours etc. We are not into treaking but just like to visit for around 10 nights. What are the costs for travel to Bhutan, perhaps i should combine it with Nepal (Kathmandu) All advice suggestions would be appreciated, thanks, Bal

We are two seniors (not very athletic - more cultural types) traveling to Bhutan in early April and have several quotes from agents and want to know if there is positive or negative feedback about them or alternative suggestions: Yetis and Dragons, Bhutan Travelers, Asia Transpacific Tours. Thanks

Hello! I need to send a letter (because of a promise I made to someone) to Tamshing Goemba and I need the full address. Anyone knows??? I just know: Chokhor Valley, Jakar. Is it enough??? Thank you all!

what is the dress code in the bars and pubs of bhutan?

Hi all Does anyone know if my mobile and blackberry would work in Bhutan? thanks

Hi, I am looking at travelling this year again with my family. I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on Bhutan as a destination for children...ages 7, 11 and 15. Would appreciate any thoughts or tips from anyone... thanks

Hi, We are going on a cultural trip (not treking) and will be using a driver and guide resteraunts etc. What is the appropriate rate to tip guides and drivers I assume 10% at resteraunts.

I am planning to visit Bhutan with my family and friends in the last week of December this year. My kids are really keen to experience and see snowfall. Any ideas on that in Bhutan?

Hi, I am looking into trekking options in Bhutan as an individual. My interests are in the native wildlife and seeing the amazing natural areas. I am in decent shape and enjoy being outdoors as well as experiencing the local customs. I also have experience with animals from being a wildlife veterinarian. Are there any specific treks or other options you might recommend? I understand that coming from the United States I must use a trekking organization for my trip, but was wondering also if there are some agencies that would allow me to modify things such that I could see that would might interest me more? Thank you very much, - Duane

Hello, I plan to travel to Bhutan at the end of Oct. Please help me with a few doubts I have. I am an Indian citizen and I plan to travel on a tight budget. My plan is as follows and the questions are asked beside the daily plan. It'd be kind if you could answer them. Day1-Entry from Phuentsholing, P'ling to Paro, Paro D2-Paro, Paro-Tatsang Gompa, Q) Would this much time be enough for Paro and T'Gompa? D3-Paro-Thimphu, Thimphu D4- Thimphu, onwards to Punakha D5-Punakha-Trongsa, Are there buses from Punakha to Trongsa? Shared taxis? D6-Trongsa-Bumthang/Jakar Buses avlbl? D7-Jakar-Trashigang- What is there in Trashigang? Bus service? Shared taxis? Can I fit in Lhuentse on D 8 and onward to Samdrup Jhongkar? I need a list of hostels/cheap hotels or can I stay with families there? Would I be welcome and would that be cheap? And do you know how to get n touch with them? Thanks a lot. Regards, Adway

The tallest statue of the Buddha in the world is nearing completion. After completion it will be one of the major tourist attractions in Thimphu.This statue will house temmples, meditation halls, conference hall within. The construction of this statue is being funded by a Singaporean millionaire.

I am traveling to Bhutan in Oct. We will be in a group traveling to the main group stops. Is there any outbreak of japenese encephalitis and should I get immunized against it. The cost of the two shots is560.

Hi all, Two other guys and myself (ages 20, 21, 21) are looking to travel to Bhutan. Basically, all three of us love experiencing other cultures and ways of living. We all have a good bit of travel under our belts for guys our age, but Bhutan would be the most primitive country any of us have ever visited. We want to stay for at least three weeks and we essentially want to live as much like the Bhutanese as possible (while still seeing the sights of course. We don't want to just sign up for three weeks of farm labor :P). We would also like to learn some Dzongkha before we go. So I have some questions. Are there a lot of "traditional" hotels with traditional sleeping arrangements and food and etc? How do the Bhutanese feel about tourists? I assume that a guide will be pretty much required since we won't speak anywhere near fluent Dzongkha. Is this so? Are there any sort of cultural programs that would get us closely in touch with the Bhutanese people and their culture? Are there any "must see" holidays? When? The eternal question: what is the tipping procedure in Bhutan? And last: is there anything that the Bhutanese consider offensive that travelers accidentally do? Thanks

HI All, I've recently signed up for some trekking in bhutan in April. My question is about TIPPING the staff. I'm prepared to do so, but my company has stated the daily amount to be at least around10 per day per person (it seems) for "Ok service". THis adds my costs up to an enormous sum, nor does it seem reasonable. From practice, how much tipping is enough and customary?? Thanks!!

Dear Friends, I'm planning to visit Bhutan from 24th December for 1 week. Is there any chance for snow fall during that time? Regards, Reaz

Hello! My friend and i have booked our trip/trek to Bhutan and are trying to figure out where we could post info in order to get 1-4 more people signed up. We are trying to save on the daily charge and would like to meet some other people who have an interest in travelling Bhutan. We are also wondering about Druk air and if they run "on-time" for the most part. We have booked our connecting homebound flight alittle tight..How much time do you think would be a minimum from arriving in Bangkok, getting our baggage and checking in on our outbound flight? Thanks!!

hi guys is it a good time to visit bhutan in august? if yes then what places should we target and some hotel names pls cheers akshat

Hallo, I understand that Paro is the most important sightseeing point in Bhutan. I arrive to Paro at 11 a.m. and must be next day, around 15:00 in Thimpu. What is the optimal schedule for these half+half day in Paro? Leo