Bhutan : Formalities for Indians

BunnyPunia · 27th October 2007, 16:08

Im plannin a ride from Mumbai to Sikkim/Bhutan in December.
Im already running http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...oute-help.html for route tips and wanted to get info on Bhutan..

some sites say that as per bhutan laws, they charge $200 per day per person to curb the inflow of tourists, but then i have heard from many ppl that Indians dont need to pay this...

NOW, im will be on Karizma, carryin all documents including passport. How easy or difficult is it for me to get in Bhutan and explore the country on my own?

I really want to do Bhutan, but if it doesnt work out,i will be doing Sikkim

yogesh sarkar · 28th October 2007, 01:59

Indians aren't charge US$ 200 fee, for rest contact Crimson.

hvkumar · 28th October 2007, 09:59

The Bhutan office at Phuntosiling is very helpful - you can call them and they will clarify most of your queries.

zenx · 28th October 2007, 11:05

Make sure you get the individual permits for each district(Dzongkhag) at Phuentsholing. Its not expensive for Indians - but they restrict tourist traffic to certain parts, and you have to take specific permits in advance, and for a specific number of days. Calling up a Bhutan Tourism number might help.
While there, do not miss the long trek up to Taksang (and once at the top, you need a permit you should have gotten earlier to enter the monastery!).
Here's some pix and links for help:
Picasa Web Albums - Sameer - Bhutan
Kingdom of Bhutan
:: Welcome to BHUTAN - Land of the Thunder Dragon ::

razor4077 · 28th October 2007, 12:52

Didn't have to pay any special charge to enter Bhutan. But yes, they do regulate the inflow of tourists.
We had to book and pay in advance. The travel agents took care of the formalities. Would suggest you do the same, i.e book your accomodation in advance. A good travel agent should be able to guide you on this.
Passport is required while checking into the hotel, but not at any border.

Bhutan was one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful place I have ever visited/driven through.
Went around all over the country... Paro -> Thimpu -> Paro -> Phuntsholing (Bhutan-Bengal border) with places in between. The last leg was the best. Experience of a lifetime... don't miss out

hvkumar · 28th October 2007, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by razor4077

Passport is required while checking into the hotel, but not at any border.

Indians don't passports to go to Bhutan, some proof of their Indian identity (like driving licence) is enough. I have stayed in hotels in Thimphu and Paro, no one asked me for a passport - in fact, I did not carry my passport along when I drove to Bhutan. My freinds who went the conventional route (not driving on their own), and stayed in Bhutan Tourism hotels, also did not have to produce their passports.

BunnyPunia · 28th October 2007, 17:51

Thanks a lot friends.. my only concern are the roads : would they be open in dec!! damm.. i don wanna come back from the route!!

madan80 · 13th May 2008, 14:49

bump- so bunny- did you go?

greenhorn · 5th May 2011, 12:24

bump!
me and some friends are planning to drive my car into bhutan sometime next year. What sort of stuff should I need to do in advance? I'm planning to go in march.

hvkumar · 5th May 2011, 12:41

Formalities remain the same, nothing has changed.
For getting car permit:
- Original documents of car
- Driving license
For visit visas:
- Proof of Indian identity (Passport ideal) - or else Election Car, Driving License

YaeJay · 6th May 2011, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

bump!
me and some friends are planning to drive my car into bhutan sometime next year. What sort of stuff should I need to do in advance? I'm planning to go in march.

Apart from formalities, taking into consideration your test Mule and fellow Mule testers, I would suggest a TATA support vehicle with efficient/experienced personnel. TATA could promote this as a paid holiday adventure for the select few (well the support crew) that qualify for the trip at the back of a 407?

panky12345 · 24th June 2011, 14:17

can someone guide me on smoking in bhutan???

sgiitk · 24th June 2011, 15:05

panky; why do you want to pollute the clean air? I may suggest that visitors to Bhutan take the trip as a way to kick the habit.

panky12345 · 24th June 2011, 15:16

I appreciate your concern sir.. but still!

lordofgondor · 24th June 2011, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by panky12345

but still!

Check out this wiki link:

List of smoking bans - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kinda confusing but I guess if one can get a stamina stick in there, then one can use it discretely.

But I'd go by the suggestions of sgiitk.

27th October 2007, 16:08	#1
BunnyPunia BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 895 Thanked: 1,257 Times View My Garage	Bhutan : Formalities for Indians Im plannin a ride from Mumbai to Sikkim/Bhutan in December. Im already running http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...oute-help.html for route tips and wanted to get info on Bhutan.. some sites say that as per bhutan laws, they charge $200 per day per person to curb the inflow of tourists, but then i have heard from many ppl that Indians dont need to pay this... NOW, im will be on Karizma, carryin all documents including passport. How easy or difficult is it for me to get in Bhutan and explore the country on my own? I really want to do Bhutan, but if it doesnt work out,i will be doing Sikkim
	() Thanks

28th October 2007, 01:59	#2
yogesh sarkar BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 238 Thanked: 37 Times	Indians aren't charge US$ 200 fee, for rest contact Crimson.
	() Thanks

28th October 2007, 09:59	#3
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,454 Times	The Bhutan office at Phuntosiling is very helpful - you can call them and they will clarify most of your queries.
	() Thanks

28th October 2007, 11:05	#4
zenx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,161 Thanked: 158 Times View My Garage	Make sure you get the individual permits for each district(Dzongkhag) at Phuentsholing. Its not expensive for Indians - but they restrict tourist traffic to certain parts, and you have to take specific permits in advance, and for a specific number of days. Calling up a Bhutan Tourism number might help. While there, do not miss the long trek up to Taksang (and once at the top, you need a permit you should have gotten earlier to enter the monastery!). Here's some pix and links for help: Picasa Web Albums - Sameer - Bhutan Kingdom of Bhutan :: Welcome to BHUTAN - Land of the Thunder Dragon ::
	() Thanks

28th October 2007, 12:52	#5
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,882 Thanked: 298 Times View My Garage	Didn't have to pay any special charge to enter Bhutan. But yes, they do regulate the inflow of tourists. We had to book and pay in advance. The travel agents took care of the formalities. Would suggest you do the same, i.e book your accomodation in advance. A good travel agent should be able to guide you on this. Passport is required while checking into the hotel, but not at any border. Bhutan was one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful place I have ever visited/driven through. Went around all over the country... Paro -> Thimpu -> Paro -> Phuntsholing (Bhutan-Bengal border) with places in between. The last leg was the best. Experience of a lifetime... don't miss out
	() Thanks

28th October 2007, 17:51	#7
BunnyPunia BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 895 Thanked: 1,257 Times View My Garage	Thanks a lot friends.. my only concern are the roads : would they be open in dec!! damm.. i don wanna come back from the route!!
	() Thanks

13th May 2008, 14:49	#8
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	bump- so bunny- did you go?
	() Thanks

5th May 2011, 12:24	#9
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,401 Times View My Garage	Re: Bhutan : Formalities for Indians bump! me and some friends are planning to drive my car into bhutan sometime next year. What sort of stuff should I need to do in advance? I'm planning to go in march.
	() Thanks

5th May 2011, 12:41	#10
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,454 Times	Re: Bhutan : Formalities for Indians Formalities remain the same, nothing has changed. For getting car permit: - Original documents of car - Driving license For visit visas: - Proof of Indian identity (Passport ideal) - or else Election Car, Driving License
	(1) Thanks

24th June 2011, 14:17	#12
panky12345 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 171 Times	Re: Bhutan : Formalities for Indians can someone guide me on smoking in bhutan???
	() Thanks

24th June 2011, 15:05	#13
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Re: Bhutan : Formalities for Indians panky; why do you want to pollute the clean air? I may suggest that visitors to Bhutan take the trip as a way to kick the habit.
	(1) Thanks

24th June 2011, 15:16	#14
panky12345 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2,697 Thanked: 171 Times	Re: Bhutan : Formalities for Indians I appreciate your concern sir.. but still!
	() Thanks