MINIMUM TOURIST TARIFFS

The minimum tariff fixed by the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan for tourists visiting Bhutan in-groups of 3 or more persons are as follows:

Season                               Month                                               Per night Halt

Peak Season                  March, April, May,                                   US$ 200.00
                            September, October & November

Off Season            December, January, February,                        US$ 165.00
                                       June, July, August

The minimum daily package rates shall be inclusive of the following:

1.      Royalty
2.      Charges for accommodation 
3.      Food and beverages (excluding alcohol) as per the "Minimum Meal Entitlements" 
4.      Service of guides 
5.         Transport within Bhutan 
6.      Riding ponies and pack animals on treks 
7.      Trekking staff and equipment 

Not included in the package are the following; 
1.      Cost of air ticket 
2.      Alcohol; international truck calls 
3.      Medical expenses 
4.      Personal shopping 
5.      Visa Fee of US$ 20.00 per entry payable at the Airport upon Landing

Tariff for Individuals (FITS)
Individuals travelling single or in a group of two shall be subject to a surcharge as follows:

Single Individual                        US$ 40.00 per person/night halt

Group of 2                                 US$ 30.00 per person/night halt

The rates given above are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan. On the day of departure, the local agents' host obligation shall be limited to breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on actual basis.

The rates shall apply uniformly irrespective of locations and the type of accommodation provided/asked for. List of hotels and lodges approved for international tourist accommodation, shall be issued by the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan and updated from time to time.

DISCOUNTS ON TOURIST TARRIFF
The following discounts shall be allowed:

1.   Diplomats from foreign embassies/missions accredited to Bhutan shall be given a 25% discount on the daily rates.

2.      There shall be no charge for Children up to the age of five years. However, those between the age of six to twelve years accompanied by elders shall be given a 25% discount on the daily rates.

3.      Full time Students below the age of twenty-five holding valid identity cards from their respective academic institutions shall be given 25% discounts on the daily rates.

4.      A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to the member in a group exceeding sixteen persons.

5.      A 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding sixteen persons.

6.      A discount of 10% on the daily rates shall be provided for halts between eleven to twenty nights and a 20% discount on halts beyond twenty-one nights.

Visa Formalities
Visa Application will be made by us to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on your behalf. Visa processing will take a minimum of five working days. It is mandatory for a tourist to get his/her visa clearance before departing for Bhutan. Without proof of payment, Druk-Air, the only airline flying in and out of Bhutan, will not issue tickets. Department of Tourism will not issue clearance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not issue visa.

Visa will be stamped on your Passport at the airport upon payment of visa fee of US$20.00. You will be required to produce two pass port size photographs for the visa. Visa can be extended at Thimphu up to six months upon payment of Nu.510.00 as extension fee and the night halt charges as applicable.

Cancellations
Tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to CANCELLATION FEE as follows:

a.      Within 30 days of start of tour programme - NO CHARGE
b.      Within 21 days - 10 % of costs
c.      Within 14 days - 15 % of costs
d.      Within 7 days - 30 % of costs
e.      Less than 7 days or cancellation without notice - 50 % of costs
f.       After arrival in Bhutan - 100 % of costs

FILMING IN BHUTAN
The rules and rates for filming in Bhutan differ from that of normal rates applicable to tours & treks. Filming in Bhutan is governed by the Bhutan Filming Regulations, 1995,  a copy of which is available with the implementing agency i.e. the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan (the Regulation does not apply to feature and cinematographic films). Applications for a filming permit must be submitted to the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan at least 30 days in advance. The application must be accompanied by:

1.      Synopsis of the film – theme/background/objective/purpose 

2.      Specific location/objects/activities

3.   Composition of the filming team and the list of equipment including accessories and consumables (Filming crew members have to pay full daily tourist tariff)

4.      Letter of recommendation from sponsoring agency (application form available with TAB at the cost of Nu.300.00 

Royalty on Filming
First 30 minutes or part thereof – US$ 10,000 
Next 30 minutes or part thereof – US$ 6,000 
Every additional 30 minutes or part thereof – US$ 3,000