Bhutan is situated in the eastern Himalayas, between India and China. Its landscape ranges from subtropical plains and forests in the South, to sub-alpine forests and snowy mountains in the North. It is a predominantly Buddhist country.
We offer comprehensive assistance with all travel services, including the daily fee required of all travellers to Bhutan. We help with processing visa applications at least two weeks prior to arrival (US$40 per person) and booking flights via Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. We also arrange all ground transportation and provide an English-speaking guide.
All International tourists require a visa which must be pre-arranged through a licensed Bhutanese Tour Operator like us.
COMO Uma Bhutan handles the whole booking process on your behalf, including flights via Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines. However, the price of flights is not included in the package and it is advisable to book well in advance to secure seats. Our packages are also inclusive of visa application processing, which normally takes two to three weeks.
Visa fee is US$40 per person.
The daily Sustainable Development Fee is US$200 for international tourists and US$17 for Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals.
Bhutanese currency is known as Ngultrum which comes from ‘ngul’ meaning ‘silver’, and ‘trum’ meaning ‘coin’. Its value is tied to the Indian Rupee, which is also accepted as legal tender (excluding notes in denominations of 2,000).
Bhutan has a surprising range of climates. The very far north-western, mountainous region has a polar climate, whereas the southern plains and foothills are subtropical. The spring season (late March to May) and autumn season (late September to November) are the most popular times to visit with generally clear views of the Himalayas, lower rainfall and a range of festivals to attend.
In religious institutions like temples, monasteries and dzongs, visitors should remove their hats and dress appropriately – meaning no shorts or tank tops. Visitors should also walk in a clockwise direction and avoid pointing at sacred objects. Visitors can also only take photos in the courtyards of monasteries, temples, dzongs and government establishments. Photographs elsewhere on the premises are prohibited. Bhutan is a Buddhist country, so visitors should generally avoid figure-hugging, sleeveless t-shirts or miniskirts while walking around public areas.
Yes, English is widely spoken. It is the medium of instruction in all schools and institutions. However, the official language of Bhutan is Dzongkha.
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services), as well as cancellation insurance. You should be aware that some policies may not cover travel to Bhutan and may not cover activities such as trekking, mountain biking and rafting. Please ensure that your policy provides a sufficient level of protection and covers you for the activities involved in this package. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you in Bhutan.
Bhutan is a non-smoking country – smoking in public is prohibited. Visitors can bring the following tobacco products for personal consumption: 200 cigarette sticks / 50 cigars / 750 grams of other tobacco products. All tobacco products are subject to 100 percent custom duty and 100 per cent sales tax.
We have two resorts in Bhutan. COMO Uma Paro is nestled above the emerald Paro Valley, on a hill overlooking the rice paddies and ancient temples. Five hours from Paro by car, over a mountain pass dotted with prayer flags, COMO Uma Punakha stands high above a serpentine bend in the Mo Chhu River – just west of the lesser-visited Punakha Valley.
