Some Misconception about Visiting Bhutan
1. It is difficult in obtaining a visa
Arranging your visit to Bhutan is not as difficult as you think. Once you get in touch with any of the local tour operators, all you need is to produce documents to them which are necessary to process your visas. No foreign missions or embassies abroad sanction tourists’ visas. As per the government regulations, you are required to make full tour payment in advance and upon receipt of full payment, your tour operators will process visas with the government. It normally takes 2-3 working days to clear your visas. The Bhutan visa confirmation letter will be sent to you in advance and your actual Bhutan visas will be stamped in your passports on the strength of this confirmation letter on arrival at Paro airport.
2. Visa costs are $ 250 dollars per day The actual visa itself is only around 40 dollars. What you are paying for is an all inclusive tour package which covers most of your stays cost. The 200$-250$ package per day that you pay includes royalty to the Government (35% of tariff), accommodation, meals, private chauffeured transportation, guided tour and entrance fees to museums and other government institutions requiring payment on entry.
3. Aside from the costly visa, tourists have to pay separately for their stay Only all inclusive tourist packages can be experienced in Bhutan for which a fixed minimum tariff of US$ 200 low season – US$ 250 high season /person/day is set by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
This tariff covers the following land costs for a Standard Package:
(a) Standard Hotel (2-3 star hotel) twin sharing accommodation; camping on treks
(b) Full Board – All meals at local restaurants/standard hotels/on treks
(c) Transport / Transfers
(d) Ponies & Assistants for treks
(d) Licensed English Speaking Guide
(e) Sightseeing
(f) Entrances fees to museums, monuments and cultural sites
(g) 35% royalty to the government
>> FIT Surcharge
Single Individual : US $ 40 per night per person Groups of 2 persons : US $ 30 per night per person
>> Visa Fee US $ 40 per person
>> Tourism Development Fee US $ 3 per person