Paradise Bhutan Trek

Cancellation policy on Tour :

Once visa is processed & tour program booked and subsequently canceled shall be subject to the following charges :

a) before 30 days of start of the program    – no charge

b) before 21 days                                – 10% of the rate

c) before 14 days                                – 15% of the rate

d) before 7 days                                  – 30% of the rate

e) less than 7 days                             – 50% of the rate

f) 24 hours prior to the trip             – 100% of the rate

Hotel policy:

Visas policy:

Note: Min 4 Pax required on display rate.

About the country

Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, was off-limits for tourists up until the seventies. Enveloped in mystery and magic, this soulful country is deeply rooted in its past. Resting in the Himalayas, this country is also known as the last Shangri-La. With the pristine Himalayan landscape, Bhutan also has a lush green forest, mesmerizing traditional villages, temples, and fortresses. To avoid any impacts of tourism on the country’s culture and environment, Bhutan limits its visitors to pre-planned tours. Foreign visitors here pay a minimum tariff of USD 200-250 daily which includes meals, accommodation, food, transport, and official guides. With its extraordinary culture, traditions, and history, Bhutan is a place you must visit at least once in your life.

Key Facts

Location: Bhutan is located in South Asia, and is bordered by the Autonomous Region of Tibet and the Republic of India.

Geography: It is a sovereign nation located toward the eastern extreme of the Himalayas.

Capital: The capital city of Bhutan is Thimphu.

Area: It covers an area of 38,394km².

Population: The current population of Bhutan is 827,403.

Political system: The political system of Nepalis a constitutional monarchy and the current King is Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk.

Major religion: Bhutan is a Buddhist country and more than half of the population follows Vajrayana Buddhism.

Time zone: UTC+06:00

Official language: Dzongkha or Bhutanese language is the official language.

Working hours: The working hours in Bhutan are differentiated into summer timing and winter timing, 8 hours, and 7 hours respectively. During summer, the timing is from 9 am to 5 pm and, during winter, it is from 9 am to 4 pm.

Electricity: Most parts of the country are well connected with electricity. The standard voltage of electricity is 230V.

Visa Information

All tourists except India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives require a valid visa to enter Bhutan. You can process your visa to Bhutan through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or foreign travel agency. With a photo sample of your passport and USD 40, you will be able to apply for a visa. As soon as you provide the required documents and full payment for the tour, the tourism council of Bhutan will process your visa. Within 72 hours, you will get your visa cleared and, now, you can head to Bhutan.

How to reach the country

Bhutan was recently opened for tourism and, recently, it has been made easier to access through planned economic development. You can reach Bhutan through land or air as there are well-connected networks of roads and an international airport. Visitors can enter Bhutan by land through Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkar. These are the only open borders for those entering Bhutan by land. For those who are traveling by air, there are currently two operators Druk Air and Bhutan airlines. Paro International Airport is the only international airport to reach Bhutan.

Popular destinations to visit

Bhutan is known for its unique and amazing landscapes, cultural heritage, and historic fortresses. The well-preserved authentic culture, history, and traditions spring out admiration towards the country. While visiting Bhutan, there are few places you should certainly see. You should start with the unbeatable Tiger’s Nest monastery also known as “Paro Taktsang”. This monastery resting on a 3000m vertical cliff is something you should not miss out on. If you are on time, you can also observe the Punakha festival in Punakha Dzong. The capital city of Thimphu should also be on your list as it boasts an array of traditional arts, cultural sites, markets, and fortresses. From Dochu La pass, you can visit the 108 Chortens (stupas) which were built in memory of a Bhutanese soldier who died fighting against the insurgency in 2003. Finally, you can tour the Phobjikha valley where you will witness the wildlife of Bhutan.

Internet and communication in the country

Within recent years, communication services have improved in Bhutan. The country has a good network of telecommunication facilities. The major cities are filled with hotels, restaurants, internet cafes, domestic, and international phone booths where you can make phone calls and use the internet. Wi-Fi is widely and easily available in major cities. However, in a remote area, the availability and reliability are both quite poor. You can also acquire a sim card to access the internet or for communication purposes. Having said that, some rural areas do not have proper connectivity.

Local currency and foreign exchange

The official local currency of Bhutan is Ngultrum. The Bhutanese currency is equivalent to the value of the Indian rupees. The Indian currency is also widely accepted in Bhutan. You can exchange dollars and other foreign currencies at the bank in Thimpu and a few other major cities. In such situations, you need to be updated to exchange your currency. This information is available on the official website of the Bank of Bhutan at https://www.bob.bt.

However, you will not be needing a lot of cash as everything is prepaid and included within the mandatory price of USD 200-250.

Weather and Climate

The climate in Bhutan depends upon the season, altitude, and influence of northern Indian monsoons. Bhutan also possesses four seasons, namely, autumn, spring, winter, and monsoon. Autumn offers pleasant weather for exploration and sightseeing whereas the spring season brings in colorful flora and vibrant fauna. Winter experiences cold and harsh weather conditions whereas monsoon welcomes rainfall across the country.

Likewise, the country is divided into three parts mainly southern, central, and northern. Southern Bhutan is hot, humid, and unchanging throughout the year. Temperatures can vary from 15-30 degrees Celsius. The central part of the country is engulfed in the deciduous forest which results in a fair temperature, with warm summers and cool dry winters. However, in the far northern part of the kingdom, the weather is much colder during the winter and cooler during the summer. Mountains peaks are perpetually covered in snow while the lower green lands blossoms during the summer.

People, culture, and festival

Bhutan is the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation in the world and Buddhism is the official religion of the nation. Hence, Bhutanese culture and traditions are heavily influenced by Buddhism. Bhutanese people are very warm and welcoming resulting in the boost of your gross domestic happiness. You will see many elderly and middle-aged people draped in Bhutanese dress as it is the national dress of the kingdom. Bhutan is rich in cultural diversity which leads to a wide variety of colorful and elaborate festivals. The widely celebrated festival is Tshechu which marks the important events in the life of Guru Rinpoche. Likewise, Paro Tshechu, and Wangduephodrang Tshechu. Punakha Drubchen and Haa Summer Festival are some other popular festivals in Bhutan.

Equipment List for Dagala Thousand Lake Trek:

Dagala Thousand Lake Trek is a Moderate trek and we hope, this information will be helpful to you to succeed in your trip.

• Luggage/Duffle bag:
  You will require a duffel bag or a backpack for trekking (45- 55 L) max and all our trekking stuff is kept in this duffle bag and this will be carried by our porters.
• A day backpack:
  You will need a day backpack and you will be carrying it every day by yourself and we recommend you it has to be at least 25L and you can carry important documents like Passport, credit card along with the need to carry a water bottle, snacks bar and clothing layers (hat, gloves, fleece, sunblock, poles, etc…).
• Trekking/Hiking boots:
  It is very important to have good trekking boots and they should be waterproof (in case of snow, or rain) Make sure it should be fit on your feet and comfortable during walking.
• Sport sandals:
  You need to have a pair of sports shoes or sandals to use while you are in camp after the trek.
• Sneakers:
  Better to have trekking boots so sneakers are not suitable for this trek.
• Sleeping Bag:
  You need to have a lightweight sleeping bag that works for minus 10 degrees for the summer season but during the winter we recommend minus 15 degrees for the Dagala Thousand Lake Trek.
• Fleece jacket:
  You need to have good quality fleece jacket at least 1 synthetic jacket or pullovers are a great alternative to fleece because they are lighter and more compressible and gives you enough warmth during trekking.
• Down jacket:
  A down jacket is compulsory and recommends you to bring the warm enough so can keep you warm during the trek.
• Socks:
  You need to have at least 2 pairs of thick socks during the spring & autumn but winter and monsoon need at least 3 pairs of socks for the Dagala Thousand Lake Trek.
• Lightweight/ warm insulated pants:
  You need to have at least 2 pairs of lightweight trekking pants like Lightweight Pants/ Nylon hiking shorts, Water/windproof trousers, and Casual pants so we can use them like the weather.
• Short-sleeved shirts:
  You need to have 2 ice-breaker merino wool to keep you warm from the cold or synthetic shirts and if you are not allergic to wool products, merino wool is ideal for Dagala Thousand Lake Trek.
• Long-sleeved shirts:
  You need to have at least two shirts.
• Underwear:
  You need to have a few pairs of underwear and this can be as much as you need as there are no washing facilities during the trek so, we highly recommend you to have enough pair of underwear.
• Waterproof jacket:
  You need at least one waterproof jacket for the rain/snow and wind and waterproof pants may be an option.
• Head and face gear:
  Sun Hat or cap during the daytime, Woolen Hat for morning & Evening, and Polarized sunglasses are compulsory.
• Hand gear:
  You need warm gloves.
• Traveling supplies:
  Adapter Plug for Charging the Camera and Mobile, Camera belt, Passport belt ( nice to have), Swiss army knife (option), Flashlight, Headlamp, Water bottle, Extra camera battery, Hand sanitizer, Alarm clock, Hiking poles (optional ), and Binoculars (optional).
• Toiletries:
  Razor, razor blades, shaving cream, aftershave toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, sunscreen, toilet paper, small towel, and period pads (for women).
• Medication:
  Altitude Medicines (Diamox), Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, Anti-diarrheic, Powerful antibiotics, and Nasal Spray or Drops.

Checklist for Bhutan Tour:

• Valid passport (valid for six months from the date of your trip).
• One other picture ID, such as driver’s license (in case of emergency and for use as a substitute of passport or in case of loss of your passport) Photocopy of passport page to carry in a wallet.
• Air tickets (Make a copy of flight tickets which may be helpful, in case of loss).
• Visa Clearance (Make a copy of visa clearance which may be helpful, in case of emergencies).
• MasterCard, Visa Credit, and Debit Cards are accepted in Bhutan. However, travelers’ cheques and some cash are highly recommended.
• Mobile (if your cell phone is from CINGULAR USA or ATNT (USA) operators then your cell phone will work in Bhutan).

What to Bring During the Tour in Bhutan:

• Warm Jackets with waterproof or raincoats.
• Hiking shorts (for men) or a skirt.
• Winter clothes.
• Hiking/trekking boots.
• Socks for hiking boots Sunscreen for lips and face.
• Sunglasses.
• Sneakers.
• Long and short T-shirts or cotton shirts.
• Sun Hats.
• Walking Sticks.
• Backpack or Suitcase.

Dress Code for Visiting Fortresses, Monasteries, and Temples in Bhutan:

• Shirt (either half or full sleeve).
• Full pants/long skirts.
• Any type of shoes with socks.
• No Hats, No umbrellas, No Slippers, No t-shirts, No short skirts, and No half-pants.
• Photographs allowed in the courtyard only.