Citizens of most countries will require a visa to enter Bhutan. You must apply for the visa in advance through your tour operator and receive approval before you travel. The visa can only be approved when your entire trip is paid for. The actual visa is stamped in your passport upon arrival in the country at Paro airport.

Everyone has their own budget, but Bhutan is not as expensive as many people believe. The government of Bhutan has adopted a policy of“High Value, Low Impact” tourism designed to protect the country’s culture and natural resources. They have instituted a daily tariff that averages $250 (USD) per person per day, with discounts for the low season and a surcharge for single travellers. However, this fee includes 3-star accommodation, meals, driver, guide, comfortable ground transportation within Bhutan, entry fee into monuments and temples, drinking water, and a royalty of $65 that supports education and health services for Bhutan citizens.

You can travel single in Bhutan however you will still need a guide and driver throughout your tour. There is currently a government imposed $40 surcharge per day for singles.

English-speaking guides are included in the tour price. We can provide French, Japanese, German, Chinese and Italian-speaking guides for an additional charge.

Tips are not mandatory, however most clients offer a tip to their guide and driver for good service. We recommend $10 per day for your guide and $7 per day for your driver.

US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, Singapore Dollars, Euro, English Pounds, Swiss Franc, Danish Kroner, Norwegian Kroner, Swedish Kroner, Japanese Yen and Indian Rupees are all widely accepted. Most handicraft shops accept US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Euro and Pounds. You can even exchange these currencies in some local shops for a better exchange rate than in banks.

Yes, you can use Visa, MasterCard and Maestro debit and credit cards in most towns in Bhutan.

Yes, Namaste Nomad is committed to careful preparation for your tour, but we cannot foresee all risks and contingencies. As such, participation is at your own risk and you must have travel insurance that covers travel delays, loss of luggage, accident and the cost of repatriation, if necessary.

March to May and September to November offer the best climate and several festivals. You can, however, travel any time of the year. While December to January is less crowded, it may be rather chilly, whereas June to August may be rather wet.

Bring clothing for different weather: a few warm clothes, discreet clothing for the monasteries and comfortable hiking pants or shorts for day hikes. Include a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a good pair of hiking boots. You may wish to consider extra memory cards for your camera.

There are few 5-star hotels in Bhutan, however the three-star hotels included in the government required tariff are clean, carpeted and have good bathroom facilities.

Yes, most hotels have WiFi.

Yes, you can use your mobile phone. Check with your local service provider to ensure they provide roaming service in Bhutan, or buy a local SIM card very cheaply.