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Getting Here and Around

Travel Season, Costs and Discounts

Starting from the 1st of July 2009, the Tourism Council of Bhutan has announced the new peak season months, regular season (lean season) months, tariff (costs), and duration discounts.

Peak season months:

  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

Regular season months (lean season):

  • January
  • June
  • July

Tariff (cost) per person per night:

  • During peak season months: USD 200
  • During regular season months: USD 165

This is the minimum rate prescribed by the government. All licensed Bhutanese tour operators must abide by this rate. If you are charged less than this prescribed rate, you are visiting Bhutan illegally. While this prescribed rate is the minimum amount a tour operator must charge, you may be charged more, which is completely at the discretion of your tour operator.

In most cases the tariff includes:

  • English speaking guide
  • Car with driver
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Fees to museums, institutions, etc
  • Nights in a hotel or guesthouse approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan

Royalty per person per night:

  • During peak season months: USD 65
  • During regular season months: USD 55

Royalty is included in the tariff. The per person per night cost includes the royalty which is deducted by the government. Which means, at the very minimum, your tour operator is getting only USD 135 during peak season months, and USD 110 during lean season months.

Discounts

If the duration of your stay in Bhutan exceeds 9 nights, your tour operator is eligible for the following discounts on royalty only from the 9th night onwards:

  • During peak season month: USD 45
  • During regular season months: USD 40

Note that this discount is on the royalty which your tour operator pays the government. Again, at the discretion of your tour operator, this discount may or may not be offered to you.

Discount for diplomats has been discontinued.

5 replies on “Travel Season, Costs and Discounts”

@sj: This tariff is NOT applicable to Indian nationals. Because of close ties between Bhutan and India, Indian nationals visiting Bhutan just pay for their expenses. No tariff.

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