Visa Information about Bhutan

All nationality (except Indian & Bangladeshi) should be obtained a visa. Traveler can process the visa through a travel agent. Once the visa clearance is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimpu, they send a visa confirmation number and traveler may travel to Bhutan. The actual visa endorsement is stamped in your passport after your arrival at the port of entry of Bhutan.

VISA FORMALITIES
Passport detail is to be sent to us 15 days in advanced for visa process. Three copies of original passport size photographs are required on arrival.

VISA FEE
US$ 30 for 14 days (included Tourism Development Fee) must be paid on arrival. Visa can be further extended with paying an additional fee of US $ 15.
Visa application form: Visa applications form can be obtained through travel/tour agent on your request.

ACCESS TO BHUTAN
By flight: There is flight form Kathmandu to Paro or Delhi to to Paro Airport at Bhutan.

By road: Traveler may visit through Bhutanese border town of Phuntosholing entering from India with necessary documentation for transiting through that part of India to Phuntsholing.

AIR FARE:  KTM - Paro  213 US$ (One way) / Round Trip 426 US$

People Of Bhutan

The country's population of 600, 000 is composed of three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan. The Lhotsampas who are of Nepalese origin settled in the southern foothills of the country in the early twentieth century. This ethnic diversity of the people has resulted in numerous dialects and languages that are spoken throughout the country. Dzongkha is the National language. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely spoken.

Religion Of Bhutan

Bhutan is the last bastion of the Mahayana form of Buddhism in the world today. It was in the 8th century AD that Guru Padma Sambhava introduced Buddhism to the country. Subsequently this was promulgated by various other religious figures who visited Bhutan. The dominant sect that came to be established in the country was the Drukpa Kargyu sect of Mahayana Buddhism, which is now the official religion of Bhutan.

The Bhutanese are very pious people and religion plays an important part of their daily lives. Prayer flags fluttering in the wind, chortens (stupas), monasteries and twirling prayer wheels are a very common sight. Religion permeates all strands of secular life and this has brought about a reverence for the land and its well-being. Religious festivals known as 'Tsechus' and 'Dromchoes' symbolizing amity, peace and compassion, are held annually at various parts of the kingdom at different times of the year. These colorful festivals are a time for the people from various walks of life to congregate dressed in all their finery. The most popular festivals are Paro Tsechu (March/April), Thimphu Tsechu (September/October) and in Bumthang (October). During the festival, rare and sacred masked dances, sword dances and many rituals are performed.