Bhutan via Sikkim

zaphodb

Is it true that one has to pay/spend a minumum of $200 (USD) to visit Bhutan???? Suposed to be the greenest country in the world, and a must see in late summer.

... any insights?

dzibead

Yep, it's true. Tourism is very tightly controlled in Bhutan.

cyberhippie

Isn't it $200 a day or week or something, plus you have to go with an organised group!

zaphodb

I read $200 a day for sure, but I'm hoping I could backpack on my own and bring it down to a managable sum. I spent way less than that in Europe... $200/day is going to blow through my budget... maybe I need to wait for a sugar mama to sponsor my Bhutan trip ;-)

cyberhippie

I don't think there's anyway around these rules!! You used to be able to do a day trip from Kalimpong but as far as I know this has been discontinued!!

There's always Sikkim, must be at least similar!

dzibead

You don't necessarily have to go with an organized tour but you do have to book through an approved tour agency - you aren't allowed to travel "independently." There's apparently a somewhat cheaper rate during the "low season" for people traveling in groups of 3 or more, but I think it's still about $165 per person even then. People traveling solo or with just one other person have to pay an additional surcharge of about $40 on top of the basic rate. So there's no way you can just go in and backpack around on your own on the cheap.

You can try traveling in Sikkim, which is extremely beautiful, but even in Sikkim travel is pretty controlled and there are large areas where you can't travel on you own at all and where you have to get special permits even for the areas you can go to in a group (and now a "group" can be as few as two people - used to require at least four for travel in the restricted areas). Large parts of Sikkim are highly restricted, not only because they are sensitive border zones with a big military presence, but also because the state gov't of Sikkim is trying to protect the traditional Lepcha areas and ecologically sensitive areas, so it's not like backpacking around Europe or the U.S. or even other parts of India. But at least in Sikkim you aren't required to spend $200 per day!

mikewill

We visited Bhutan in February, almost for free!

Well, actually that's not really true. We were in Manas NP and went to the rest house at Mathanguri to look for golden langurs. The rest house overlooks the Manas river (big, fast flowing submontane type) and I had assumed the river was the border. However, just behind the rest house is a line of concrete markers that demarcate the border. So, we stood with one foot in India and one in Bhutan, as you do in these places.

The langurs haven't been seen on the Indian side of the river for some while but it has been possible to cross over in a boat and walk to near the King's lodge to see them. So we crossed the river, with one Indian armed guard and one Bhutanese armed guard and walked a little way into the forest. Unfortunately the Bhutanese are getting a bit twitchy about people taking advantage of visiting without meeting the $200 per day requirement, so they are not currently letting visitors go even as far as the lodge. We were restricted almost to the edge of the forest and didn't see the langurs either - probably a bit late in the day by the time we got there. However, we did find a beautiful small pratincole's nest with four eggs, and I can honestly say I've been to Bhutan.

jgv

I would love go to Bhutan. Will have to save up!

__________________
http://www.pbase.com/bookster/india2003

Dr Funkenstein

Ignore what the latest Lonely Planet says about nipping over the border for a day without a visa, too - people were getting turned back last week.

I had half an idea to do this and then see if a friendly Bhutanese person could maybe 'invite' me to stay if we came to some sort of arrangement.

But no luck.

Looks like it's $200 US a day or not at all from now on ...

__________________
Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

welekar

I have got quote of Rs 10000/- per person for 7 day/6 nights trip of Bhutan. Ofcourse this is valid only for Indian nationals

looking for parters to join me..

zaphodb

Interesting... doesn't Indian provide foreign and military services for Bhutan? So does one need an Indian passport to get this special deal - @ Rs. 10,000 its approx $250/7day-6night. Beats the $200/day deal!!

welekar

You need to have ID proof for Indian nationality like passport, driving license, voter ID card etc...

kirivira

Thanks for sharing the information.
I and my wife are planning for bhutan in the month of march 2007.We are from Mumbai.
Can u give us some tips , suggestions..and more information about Bhutan ... your experiences.
and the name of the travel agent who gave the quotation of Rs. 10,000/- for days 7/6 nights
Thanks

artwallah

I went to Bhutan in December 1999 and it cost me $205/ day; my Indian friend paid $80//day. I am going again in february 2007 and the cost is $185/day. Both times I am not part of a group. February used to be the low season but they have revised the tourist schedule so that only two months are now "off season". If you go during those two months (I forget which they are, sorry), you pay around $165/day. Yes, it is still high by India standards and outrageous by backpacker standards. they have done away with the requirement that you fly in or out on Druk Air, which is a very expensive airline. You can now enter and leave by land. But note, you can only enter at Phuentshoeling. You can go from there and cross the country leaving at Samdrup on the East, but not vice versa.
For the money, you get all meals, all first class hotels, a car and driver and a guide. You really don't need to spend any money if you don't want to, once you're there. They arrange everything based on what you want to do. If you can afford it, I'd recommend it. I used YuDruk the first time I went; this time going through Sakten@druknet.bt.
If you just want to say you've been there, go to Jalgaon, the border town with Phuentsholing and you can stroll through the big Bhutanese style archway and hang out in Bhutan. I think you could eat Bhutanese food at the Druk Hotel, or maybe some smaller places. You just can't go beyond the town itself; the only road out of town has the customs shack just at the edge of the city and you can't get beyond without a visa. At least that was the case in 1999.

Bombadil

Hi Welekar!

Am planning to spend 6 days in Bhutan & I'm from Mumbai. Heard that the USD 200 minimum doesn't apply to Indians. Your quote of Rs10k / person is fantastic.
Do you still have the contact to this agent?

Thanks!