BY AIR
The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Aobhir, Bhutan's National Flag carrier. Druk Air has flights from India (Delhi & Calcutta), Nepal (Kathmandu), Thailand (Bangkok) and Bangladesh (Dhaka). Druk Air is the only air operating TO/FROM Bhutan.

BY LAND
By land, one can enter or exit Bhutan from Phuntsoling, the southern Bhutanese border town that is soon connected to West Bengal state of India. For travellers willing to visit Darjeeling, Sikkim and Nepal, Phuntsoling serves as a best connecting point. Exit from Bhutan can be made from Samdrup Zongkhar also. This frontier town is approximately three hours drive from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam state of India. Samdrup Zongkhar is the only other authorised exit point in Bhutan from where you can make further visit to other parts of India.

As per government rule, it is mandatory to travel at least one way to/from Bhutan or both.

VISA
A visa is required for traveling to Bhutan and it is processed and arranged by travel agents in Bhutan. No foreign mission grants tourist visa. Once you've decided to participate in one of Around Himal's Bhutan programs, our partner agent in Bhutan will take care of your Visa preparation. Please download this <Visa Application Form> fill it carefully and mail it to us at least four weeks prior to date of your proposed travel, for processing it with the concerned authorities. Please include four copies of a recent passport size photographs.

For all travelers, entering Bhutan by Druk Air, the visa clearance number is forwarded to concerned overseas Druk Air stations and without the clearance number; passengers are not allowed to board the flight. Visa clearance number is also required while issuing Druk Air tickets.

For all travelers, entering into the country by surface through Phuntsholing (the border town south of Bhutan), the visa is stamped on arrival and Clearance Number is forwarded to Foreign Ministry's office for references and record.

Visa fee is US$ 20.00 per person for 14 days visa, which can be further extended with additional fee of US$ 15.00. Visa fee is payable on arrival in cash.

For FITs / GITs travelling during festivals, visa particulars must be sent to us at least six weeks prior to your date of travel as festivals are peak time for tourists and all tour formalities are required to be completed well in advance.

CUSTOMS & REGULATIONS
The Bhutanese authorities strictly prohibit the export of any religious antiquity or antiques of any type. All personal electronics, cameras, video cameras, computers and personal electronic equipment may be brought into the country but they must be listed on the Customs form provided on arrival at Paro and will be checked on your departure.

CURRENCY
Bhutan's unit of currency is the Ngultrum (Nu), which equals 100 Chetrums. It is at par with the Indian rupee, itself a legal tender in the kingdom. One US dollar is exchanged for roughly 44 Ngultrums. Tourists can exchange traveller's cheques or cash at the Bank of Bhutan or at any authorised hotels. US dollar, Australian dollars, pound sterling, Euro, French and Swiss francs, German marks, Dutch guilders, Hongkong dollars, Singapore dollars, Thai bath or Japanese yen are all accepted currencies.

ACCOMMODATION
Hotels vary in style and quality but are generally considered one of the welcome surprises for visitors. There is a variety of hotels in Bhutan, ranging from simple huts that cater to Bhutanese yak herders to Paro's fancy Olathang Hotel, which was built for royal guests. There is no International chain of hotels and not much imported hotel equipment. To be more precise, what you get is a Bhutanese version of what the tourists expect. In most cases, the facilities and service are good. All Government approved hotels are reasonably modern with running hot and cold water in Thimphu and Paro but less often further east in the remote areas. All hotels are equipped with telephones, fax machines with international dialing facilities and internet.

CLOTHING
Due to a wide range of temperature and climatic conditions, it is advisable to bring appropriate clothing. From May to September normal traveling cloths plus a light woolen sweater or a light jacket and a light walking boots are sufficient. From November to end of April on the other hand, you will need very warm cloths including underwear or woolen tights to wear under trousers, thick socks, strong boots and down

Jackets
You will be offending people if you walk around in skimpy or tight fitting clothes. Although there are normally opportunities to wear skirts or loose trousers, men should not wear singlets. While visiting monasteries, Dzongs and other religious sites, it is impolite to wear shorts and hats.

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
The photography opportunities in Bhutan are immense. Photography is permitted nearly everywhere in Bhutan and the local population has no aversion to being photographed. If you wish to record the local people, their houses, shops etc, always ask by gestures.