Bhutan Travel Forum

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

Hi,
I am going to be 7 days in Bhutan. I prepared an itinerary. I assume that it is overloaded but it is my first (and probably last) visit to Bhutan. Is it realistic to do it this way? Any comments are welcome

Leo
-----------------------
19 March – Arrival 10:55.
Visit Paro city.Paro (Rinpung) Dzong. Kyichu Lhakhang. Evening shopping and night in Paro.
20 March - Day in Paro:Tigers Nest, Taktchang Goemba. Evening trip to Thimpu, on the way: Tamchhog Lhakhang. Evening shopping and night in Thimphu (Hotel Pending)
21 March - Thimphu, weekend market, Tango, evening trip to Phobjikha
22 March- Visit Phobjikha. Night at Punakha
23 March - Punakha and Wandue Phodrang, Khamsun Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, Chiming Lhakhang,Evening trip to Thimphu.
Evening shopping and Night at Thimpu.
24 March - Visit Thimpu. Later travel to Paro (with a stop at Tamchong Lhakhang), Night in Paro.
25 March- Departure at 11:00.

Hallo,

Does anyone know quiet and peaceful hotels in Thimpu and Paro, not very far from center? I will stay there few nights, and would like to be able to sleep at nights. Barking dogs are OK (I understand they bark all over all Bhutan), but no people-produced noise, neither musics, nor traffic.
Has anyone experienced quiet hotels there?

Leo

Hi,
We are trying to decide on a tour company for a fall 2009 trip to Bhutan. Is anyone familiar with these companies and can compare them or give an opinion on any of them?
Mountain Travel Sobek
Far Fung Places
Bhutan Travel (out of NY)

Thanks,
Sharon

We are hoping to go to Nepal for approx 14 days and then spend perhaps 4/5 days in Bhutan end Oct this year. We have a 9 year old son so can't risk being overloaded with culture or long bus journeys. I am getting overwhelmed with information and can't get quotes until I'm clear about where exactly we want to go etc. I've contacted a few agencies in Bhutan who are charming and helpful, but am concerned that not going with UK company on a family adventure is a bit risky. Opinions and experience anyone?
Also, from what I've seen. Thimpu doesn't sound that inspiring and, in the short time we have, we might be better off trying to get to Bhumtang festival (would that be possible or is it too far?), Tigers Nest and Paro??????
Also (sorry lots of questions!) Is there a best way of organising trip to 2 countries? eg using separate agencies for each country or the same? and if so which way round? Thank you Best wishes Kate

Hi!
My friends wish to travel to Bhutan. I clueless about Bhutan and I couldn't give them any advice. My main concerns are:

a) is it possible to travel overland from Nepal to Bhutan? or foreigners only allow to travel by air?
b) is visa required in Bhutan? how to apply
c) is it true that travelers ought to pay the Bhutan govt USD $200 for a day.
d) are there any budget hostels/hotels in Bhutan? I couldn't find anything from www.hostelworld.com
e) is it worth visit Bhutan in a day?What are the places that a traveler shouldn't miss for a day stay?

Thanks!

Hi,

my passport is almost full with Asian visas. I have only half-pages (i.e., full pages, but no two free pages in opening). Will it be enough for Bhutan visa, or do I need to replace passport?

Leo

Hallo,

I have an invitation from an official organization in Bhutan. The planned visit time in in March. What are next steps? The contact person in this organization asked me to send a copy of my passport. Since then (one month ago), I did not hear from them. But i believe I must buy ticket now or as soon as possible (now is January, and the tickets might be sold out soon). Does anyone has experience with getting business visa to Bhutan? or do I need to book usual trip (200 USD/day)?

Leo

Hi Friends,

I want to visit Bhutan and travel indipendently (i.e. no travel agency).

My questions:
- can I enter and visit Bhutan as independent traveler? Do I need some special permit and/or do I have to pay some extra fee?
- some suggestion for a 5-10 days trek?

Thank you very much,

Paolo

We heard that the Druk Air flights fill up 8 months in advance! Is this true? Have any of you had trouble getting flights? We're going in September/October 2009.

Also, as I read about Nepal and Tibet, the public restroom situation in these countries make me a bit anxious. What are they like in Bhutan, are there any like at tourist sites?

Thanks
Sharon

Hi friends of Bhutan
Can anybody explain me how some agencies can give a discount on the government minimum fees - like 10% on 200 $ and / or 10 % for those who stay longer than 10 days ? Is this legal and what do tourists risk if they accept such an offer ?

And the 10% that the foreign agencies get from their partners in Bhutan are they normally added on the gov. min. fees (200 $ plus 10 % = 220 $ to be paid to the foreign agency) or are they included in the 200 $ fee ?

Would be great if somebody could answer my questions. THANKS !! Chri

My husband and I, both Bangladeshi nationals, will be travelling to Bhutan by road from 13-19 Dec. We will be going to Phuentsholing first, and then to Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. We would like to rent a 4WD vehicle (with heating) for the entire tour. Can anyone give us an idea about rates and reliable companies?

We would not mind sharing the vehicle with other fellow VT travellers if travel plans coincide.

Thanks in advance.

Hello,

My husband and I are thinking of traveling to Bhutan and have just begun looking into it. We are over 50 and are looking for tours that stay in hotels (some tours have camping and river trips...)and wonder if someone out there knows of a reputable tour company?

It sounds like such a lovely country to visit!!

Sharon

Hi all,
I want to go Bhutan next January. Please tell me will I find snow in Bumthang? If not then where will I find snowfall or snow?

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinkig of visiting Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal in one trip next year. However, I'm not sure of the sequence of the countries because I don't think there are any flights from Lhasa to Paro. Am I right? If that is the case, I would have to visit Bhutan first and then fly from Paro to Lhasa?

Hey there- I will be flying into Paro from Kolkatta on October 10th. Am organising a 'solo' itinerary with one of the agencies (obligatory) and there are added costs for single travellers (unfortunate!). For one or two more travellers these surcharges will be waived.

Anyone looking to get around in a slightly more low key group, please get in touch. We should manage to catch some of the Tsechu in Bumthang (or even the final day of Thimpu) but I would also like to get across to the quieter eastern towns of Trashigang and Yangste and exit overland....if the cost is not prohibitive.

Did anybody stay in Buhtan with BTCL? Any comments are welcome. Thank you.

Hello VT-ers,
I'm in the final stages of planning a trip to Bhutan for November. Has anyone had experience with or heard anything about Jachung Travel? Apparently Bhutanese-owned, San Francisco-based... Would be grateful for any comments.
Cheers.

Hello,

Got intention to visit Bhutan one day.....may be next year...if got budget..
any idea...cos i read some travel books mention their authorities will collect some USDXXX.00 per day staying...in Bhutan form tourist is this true?

Any idea how much it will cost for a nite in Bhutan in average?
If i wish to go for treking then do i need to pay any extra fees to govt?

Thank you

Rgds

In Lonely Planet italian version it says that the farmers who sell their goods at the market come to Thimpu already thursday and friday. Is this true or does the market actually take place only on saturday and sunday ?

We will go to Bhutan in autumn and are wondering how much we should tip the driver and guide by day, and what to give the poeple (cook, horseman etc.) when on trek. We don't want to offend the people, but also don't want to exagerate.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Im a young person (which means i dont want to endup with a bunch of retirees) who is volunteering in nepal but thought going to bhutan for a very short tour afterwards would be extremely interesting.
Basically my question is, are there any tours aimed at young people? and what does going solo as a "group" mean? will i be the only one in the tour?
If so would that be wierd?
Does anyonehave any feedback about going to bhutan alone? or know of any feedback?
Lots of help would be great and i would be eternally greatful.
Thanks,
Alice.

What is it like in June? Are the rains as heavy in June as they are in July?

I'd like to go to Bhutan but not sure if it's best to travel in August or September ?
I'd like to climb to the tiger's nest and so be closer to the mounbtains as possible.

I'll be travelling with my son-4 years old.
Any tips about travelling with young kids ?
I read the visa is free for kids but the travel agency I contacted asked me for 100$ / day. Anyone found a travel agency that accept kids for free ?
As I am not an indian citizen, I cannot go there without an agency...

Thanks !

I read couple books about Bhutan and found that orchid curry is a delicacy. Does anybody know what kind of orchids they use for this curry? I would be extra thrilled if there is a recipe out there!!

Thank you so much!

Kennis

WANTED: Good partner (preferably female), for the Snow Man Trek in Bhutan during September 18 to October 22 2008.
This trek is one of the most magnificent and adventures treks on earth.
I am male, 54 years old, experienced and love trekking.
Please write to Meir : meirhn@gmail.com

hi,
i am planning to go to bhutan, can u please advise me on how to recah there, i am a citizen of india, also worth knowing is that do i need to take some tour package or i can go on my own, last thing i would like to know is that, which is a better place paro or thimpu, since i have at max 3 days for travel.
if possible reaply me at taneja_rajat@yahoo.com
regards
rajat

Hi everybody,

My husband and me are planning a trip to Bhutan during the last week of May. We plan to fly to Paro and spend about 10 days exploring Bhutan.

Can someone please suggest a good itinery which involves trekking,sightseeing and eating exotic Bhutanese food. Also it would be great if you could suggest some hotels/places to stay.

We also might require a driver since we would be travelling independently and not as a part of a tour (Being Indian nationals, its not mandatory for us!). It would be great if you could suggest somebody you know.

I know this is a tall list. But looking forward to your replies as I want to make this a memorable gift to my husband for our second anniversary!!!

Thanks in advance!