Terms of Service

All-inclusive tour packages

Every all-inclusive package includes:

• Bhutan visa processing
• Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), royalty, and all government fees and taxes
• Tours and activities as listed in your itinerary
• Standard hotel room (twin/double bed)
• All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner at local restaurants or your hotel
• Private SUV, minivan, or bus with driver throughout your stay
• Experienced English-speaking licensed guide
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Bottled water in the vehicle

Trekking packages also include:

• Experienced trekking guide and trekking cook
• Trekking permits
• Two-person tents, foam mattresses, and utensils
• Dining and toilet tents
• Ponies or yaks to transport equipment

Not included:

• Airfare
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as souvenirs, alcohol, and laundry
• Tips for your guide and driver

Booking and payment

Your booking is confirmed once we receive payment — we’ll send you the exact payment details and schedule with your quote, so if anything here is unclear, ask us before you pay. We then file your visa application with the Department of Tourism; the government approves visas before you travel, and we send you the visa clearance along with your final travel documents.

You can pay by international bank transfer (SWIFT, +US$35 bank fee per transfer — charged by the banks, not by us) or by card (+5% processing fee).

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates — Bhutan’s visa requires it.

Itinerary changes

Tours run as per your finalized itinerary. In the interest of your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to adjust the route or programme when weather, road conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control require it — we’ll always offer the closest equivalent alternative.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not included and we strongly recommend it. Choose a policy that covers trip cancellation and high-altitude emergency medical evacuation, especially if you’re trekking.

Cancellation policy

• More than 30 days before the travel date: free cancellation, full refund.
• 30 to 10 days before the travel date: 50% of the tour cost is retained.
• Less than 10 days before the travel date: no refund.
• No refund for no-shows or early departures.
• If you leave a trek early for personal reasons there is no refund, and accommodation and meals for the unused trek nights are charged at US$40 per person per night.
• If a trek cannot be completed due to weather, there is no refund, but we provide accommodation and meals for the unused nights free of charge.

The percentages above apply to the tour cost. The US$40 visa fee is non-refundable once filed — it is a government charge. The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is refunded through the Department of Tourism’s official refund process. Refunds are returned by international bank transfer, can take several weeks to arrive, and bank transfer fees are deducted from the amount refunded.

Airline tickets

Flight tickets are purchased on your behalf and are subject to the airline’s own fare rules and refund conditions, which the airlines revise from time to time:

• Drukair — see the current Drukair fare rules. As a guide, refunds range from 90% (cancelled 30+ days before departure) down to no refund close to the travel date, and promotional fares are non-refundable.
• Bhutan Airlines — see the current Bhutan Airlines terms and conditions; refund amounts follow their tariff rules at the time of cancellation.

We’ll confirm the exact conditions that apply to your fare when we book your flights.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and any disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the Royal Court of Justice in Bhutan.