ÿþ<html xmlns:mso="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:msdt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en-us"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 4.0"> <meta name="ProgId" content="FrontPage.Editor.Document"> <title>Frequently Asked Questions</title> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <mso:CustomDocumentProperties> <mso:Approval_x0020_Level msdt:dt="string"></mso:Approval_x0020_Level> <mso:Categories msdt:dt="string">Travel</mso:Categories> <mso:Assigned_x0020_To msdt:dt="string"></mso:Assigned_x0020_To> </mso:CustomDocumentProperties> </xml><![endif]--> <!-- taking the link flikers> <!-- <style fprolloverstyle>A:link {color: #3399FF; font-weight: bold} </style> --> <!--removes underline--> <STYLE> <!-- a {text-decoration:none} //--> </STYLE> </head> <body bgcolor="#C9C299" link="#000000" vlink="#808080" alink="#000000"> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <div align="center"> <center> <table border="0" width="870" bgcolor="#FFF8C6" height="2" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"> <tr> <td width="502" height="6" valign="middle" colspan="2"> <!--title--> <p align="left"><font face="Lucida Calligraphy"><font size="50">Simply<font face="Arial"><font color="#FF6600">BHUTAN</font></font></font></font></font>&nbsp;</p> </td> </center> <!--this is for the links at the top--> <td width="283" height="5" valign="middle" align="right"> <p align="right"> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/simplybhutan" target="_blank"><font face="Arial"><font size="2"><font color="#FF6600">Follow us on twitter</font></font></font></a> <br><a href="contact_us.htm"><font face="Arial"><font size="2"><font color="#FF6600">Contact us</font></font></font></a> <br><a href="about_us.htm"><font face="Arial"><font size="2"><font color="#FF6600">About us</font></font></font></a> </p> </td> </tr> <!--placeholder--> <tr> <td width="502" height="22" colspan="2"><font face="Arial"><font size="2">www.simplybhutan.com/FAQS</font></font></td> <td width="283" height="5" valign="middle" align="right"> <p align="right"> <a href="Simply Bhutan_2011.pdf" target="_blank"><font face="Arial"><font size="2"><font color="#FF6600"><b>Our 2011 Brochure</font></b></font></font></a></p> </td> </tr> <!--next level of links--> <tr> <td width="927" height="22" colspan="7" bgcolor="#C9C299"> <p align="center"> <font face="Arial"><a href="index.htm"><font size="2">HOME</font></a><font size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="about_bhutan.htm">ABOUT BHUTAN</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="calendar.htm">CALENDAR</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="travelling_to_bhutan.htm">TRAVELLING TO BHUTAN</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="travel_with_us.htm">TRAVEL WITH US</a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="links.htm"><font size="2">RESOURCES</a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="faqs.htm"><font size="2">FAQs</a></font></font></p> </td> </tr> <!--images--> <!-- COMMENT - NO IMAGES FOR ABOUT US <tr> <td width="307" height="22" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000" align="center"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><a href="photo_gallery.htm"><img border="0" src="images/banner_2.jpg" width="294" height="198"></a></p> </td> <td width="307" height="22" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000" align="center"> <a href="photo_gallery.htm"><img border="0" src="images/banner1.png" width="290" height="197"></a> </td> <td width="232" height="22" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000" align="center"> <a href="photo_gallery.htm"><img border="0" src="images/banner3.png" width="290" height="193"></a> </td> </tr> --> <tr> <td width="788" height="300" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" align="center" colspan="3"> <!--use col span to increase columns--> <!-- photo gallery link - NOT REQUIRED -- > <!-- <p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><font face="Arial"><a href="photo_gallery.htm">Bhutan Photo Gallery</a><img border="0" src="NEW_animated.gif" width="60" height="33"></font></p> --> <!-- <tr> <td width="788" height="1" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" align="center" colspan="3"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="left">&nbsp;</p> --> <br> <p class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="#Frequently Asked Questions" name="Top"><font size="4" face="Arial">Frequently Asked Questions</font></a></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">These are some of the common questions we get asked about Bhutan. If your questions are not answered, you are always welcome to <a href="contact_us.htm"><font color="#FF6600">Contact Us</font></a></font></span></p> <ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square"> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Where is Bhutan?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">Bhutan is a small Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom nestled in the Himalayas in South Asia, flanked by India on the south and China (Tibet) on the north. Visit <a href="about_bhutan.htm"><font color="#FF6600">About Bhutan</font></a> to know more.</font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>What can I do or see in Bhutan?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">Bhutan has something for everyone ranging from the colourful festivals to some of the world's best trekking routes. Your senses will be pampered by the wonderful sights, the beautiful sounds, the rich culture and the hospitable Bhutanese. <br><br> Follow links on the various things you can see or do in Bhutan <a href="about_bhutan.htm"><font color="#FF6600">here.</font></a></font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>How do I travel to Bhutan?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">Flying into Bhutan by Druk Air is the most convenient way to come to Bhutan. Druk Air flies regularly into Bhutan from Bangkok (Thailand), Kolkata (India), Delhi (India), Bagdogra (India), Gaya (India), and Guwahati (India), Kathmandu (Nepal) and Dhaka (Bangladesh). <br><br>You can also enter by road from India via the border towns of Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. <br><br> We have provided more details in the section <a href="travelling_to_bhutan.htm"><font color="#FF6600">Travelling to Bhutan</font></a>.</font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>How can I visit Bhutan?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">You can visit Bhutan for business or work, or as a personal guest of someone residing in Bhutan.<br><br>The other alternative is to travel as a tourist. All travellers to Bhutan must come through a local, government licensed tour operator, who will arrange all the travel plans.<br><br> Additional details are at <a href="travelling_to_bhutan.htm"><font color="#FF6600">Travelling to Bhutan</font></a>.</font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>How long does it take to do a tour booking?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">It depends on the type of tour you have arranged and the time of the year you are planning to travel. During the peak seasons of spring and autumn, you are advised to book at least 12 weeks or more in advance to ensure your booking.</font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>Do I need visa to travel to Bhutan? If so, how do I get it?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">Yes - Visa is required for everybody travelling to Bhutan. An exception applies to Indian citizens who can visit without a visa. However they have to show proof of citizenship in India. <br><br> Visa, along-with your flights into Bhutan and other necessary arrangements, are all managed by your local tour operator with whom you book your travel.<br><br>You can read more at <a href="travelling_to_bhutan.htm"><font color="#FF6600">Travelling to Bhutan</font></a></font>.</span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>The Government of Bhutan stipulates a minimum tariff of US$250 per person per day. What does that mean?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">US$250 per person per day is the minimum daily tariff set by the government for travel to Bhutan. The stipulated daily tariff are inclusive of all government taxes and royalty, accommodation on twin sharing basis, meals, tour guides, transportation and equipment for trekking. <br><br>Visa fees and flight costs are not included. <br><br> Also note that your tour company can charge you more if you have special or more tailored requirements (e.g. a German, French or or any other language speaking guide, luxury hotel accommodation, etc.) </font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>I have been asked to pay the whole cost of the trip upfront. Should I be worried?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">You should not be worried. <br><br> This is the process specified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). Your payment for the trip is deposited directly into the account of the TCB and NOT into your tour operator's account. <br><br> Your payment will be safe for the whole duration of your trip. The TCB makes the payment to your tour operator only after you complete your trip. <br><br> However, we recommend you to check that your tour operator is genuine and registered with the TCB in Bhutan.</font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>What if I want to cancel my booking?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">We apply the cancellation policy recommended by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). Different cancellation charges apply depending on the time period you provide before the travel date. Please visit <a href="travelling_to_bhutan.htm"><font color="#FF6600">Travelling to Bhutan</font></a> for more information or contact us to find out what cancellation charges may apply. </font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>What if I want to change my travel dates?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">Please get in touch with your tour operator as soon as possible. Charges may apply depending upon the policies of your tour operator. <br><br>At Simply Bhutan, our policy is only to charge if any of our suppliers apply charges on the changes.We will not take any administrative fees for the changes.</font></span></p> <li> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial"><b>What should I do if I am not satisfied or unhappy with a tour company?</b></font></span></p> <p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2" face="Arial">In the first instance, we suggest you to speak with your tour operator. If you are still unhappy with their response, please provide your feedback/complaint to the Tourism Council of Bhutan and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators.</font></span></p> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" align="right"><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="1" face="Arial"><a href="#top">back to top</a></font></span></p> </table> </div> <center> <br> <font size="2" face="Arial"><img border="0" src="images/tcbabto.jpg" width="200" height="120"></font> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="1" face="Arial">We are registered with the Tourism Council of Bhutan and a member of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators</font> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><a href="privacy_policy.htm"><font size="1" face="Arial" color="#FF6600"><span style="line-height: 121%; language: en-US" lang="en-US">Privacy Policy & Terms of Use </span></font></a> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="line-height: 121%; language: en-US" lang="en-US">© All Rights Reserved 2010</span></font> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center">&nbsp;</p> </center> </body> </html>