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Checklist

Checklist for Trip to Bhutan

2 to 3 months before departure : Please complete all your medical check-up and begin any immunization which require two inoculations.

Make sure you have all the necessary travel documents up to date.

Before your departure, please check : Passport is valid for at least another 6 months with appropriate visas.

Please photocopy the Picture page of your passport showing number and other information and keep it in a separate place in your baggage, so that incase you lose your passport during the trip, then this will help you expedite in getting a new passport enormously.

Money (Traveler’s checks recommended and keep receipts separately).

Carry extra passport size photos (5-7).

Flights : You can fly into Paro, Bhutan and back three times a week from Delhi via Kathmandu and once everyday from Bangkok via Calcutta & Gaya by Druk Air, Royal Bhutan Airlines. Your baggage allowance is 44lbs. (20kg.) Plus your hand carry bag. We will make all your Druk Air reservations and issue tickets from here in Bhutan.

Druk Air Flight Schedule : Please click on the link to see information on Druk Air and Druk Air Flight Schedule. Click here

Lost Luggage : Baggage doesn’t get lost very often, but should this unfortunate situation occur, you will be eternally grateful that you are carrying, or better yet wearing, your walking shoes! Make sure that you hand-carry your most irreplaceable things like prescription drugs, important documents, camera, etc.

Clothing and Packing : For Bhutan, guidelines for estimating your lowest temperatures on the trip are noted. Of outmost importance is LAYERED CLOTHING! This means that the majority of your clothing can be worn in layers, so that you can put on more clothing if it is cold or take off layers as it gets warmer. For example, it is much better to wear a T-shirt, cotton shirt (long sleeve), light sweater and windbreaker than to wear one bulky parka. This idea also come in handy when you are packing and trying to keep under the weight limit.

For packing we suggest the following: One carry on bag that will fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.

We suggest using a duffel bag for Bhutan. Within this bag, you may want to have another duffel or zippered (lockable) bag which you could use to leave behind additional items in Thimphu (if you travel to central Bhutan or go on a trek). Again, remember that this bag can only weigh 44lbs.

Weather in Bhutan : Bhutan enjoys an extremely varied climate which depends on seasons and also on elevation. At the same latitude as northern Florida, USA Bhutan’s temperatures are governed more by altitude than latitude.

During the spring and fall, daytime temperatures will be between 50F and 70F. Nighttime temperatures will be between 35 - 40F. At 8000' (Paro, Thimphu and Bumthang) temperatures vary greatly. It will be quite chilly in the mornings - you will want to have a sweater and light jacket available. By 10:00A to noon, it will be warm enough to be comfortable in a light long sleeve or short sleeve shirt.

A wind usually develops in the later afternoon and by 4:00PM it will be cool enough to warrant your sweater. Whenever the sun disappears over the surrounding mountains, the temperatures will drop quite rapidly. Therefore, remember to think of layered clothing that can be added or subtracted as the weather warrants.

You can expect some afternoon showers so a light poncho or rain coat is advisable, if you are trekking. Otherwise, umbrellas can be purchased in Thimphu and are more convenient than bringing one from home. You will encounter beautiful weather - but, in regards to mountain climates, is wise to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised!

Arrival in Bhutan : Upon arrival in Bhutan, you will have your Bhutanese visa stamped in your passport and you will have to pay US$20 as visa fee at that time. (We will fill up your visa forms and get the visa approved prior to your arrival after receiving the passport details and travel dates confirmed from you). The customs officials will ask you to fill out a form detailing your electronics goods like cameras, tape recorders, binoculars etc. The form will be distributed to you in the flight by flight attendants. Upon departure, this list will be checked and you must have these items with you or a penalty will be charged. After the customs and visa clearance, you will be greeted and given a warm welcome to Bhutan by your guide and driver from Shangri-La Bhutan Tours & Treks who will accompany you throughout your time in the Kingdom.

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