PRACTICAL INFORMATION

VISA FORMALITIES

(1)Visa applications should be routed through Om Mani Tours & Travel

(2)Three weeks prior to arrival of the tour to Bhutan, we require the following:

(a)Send the completed visa application form of each client along with passport photograph by fax or post.

(b)If you do not have visa forms then send in the passport particulars (Name, Passport No., Date of Issue, Date of Validity, Place of Issue, Occupation, Nationality, Date of Birth and Home Address) along with photograph.

(3)We will apply for the Bhutan visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu and on approval send you the visa clearance number which will also be automatically intimated to all Druk Air Station Managers. Without this visa clearance number the Druk Air will not permit you to board the flight.

(4)The visa will be given on arrival at Paro Airport or Phuentsholing on payment of US$ 20 per person. Airport tax of Nu. 300 will be charged on departure at Paro Airport.

(5)A tourist visa is granted for only 2 weeks. However, depending on the program the visa can be extended and the visa extension fee of Nu. 510 will have to be borne by the individual clients.

AIRLINES

(1)Entry to Bhutan is by Druk Air from Bangkok, Dhaka, Calcutta, Delhi and Kathmandu. The aircraft used is the the Air bus 319. If you wish to travel overland, you can also enter Bhutan from its southern gateway, the city of Phuentsholing and the nearest airport is in the city of Bagdogra (West Bengal, India)

(2)All Druk Air space is controlled by the airline¹s headquarters office in Thimphu. We will take care of your booking for Druk Air and we can purchase the tickets and send them to the Druk Air out station offices. You can either pick up the tickets from the city offices if you have the time or it can be delivered to you at the Airport. Book the tours well in advance with the date of entry and exit from Bhutan mentioned clearly. This is mainly to ensure seats on Druk Air flight, which has a limited seating capacity of only 61Y class and 10 J class seats. Druk Air has a summer and winter flight schedule which differ only in timings. The days of operation remains the same.Click Here about Drukair International Airlines

BY LAND

The town of Phuentsholing in the south - west has the road access open for tourists. It lies approxiemately 170 km from the Indian domestic Airport Bagdogra, West Bengal. Phuentsholing is 179 km from Thimphu and takes about six hours drive through endless hair-pin bends and scenic mountain road.

Driving distance within Bhutan

Mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor vehicles only. There are no domestic airlines or trains. The main highway runs from west to east connecting all the major towns.