Bhutan is a country that is known for its breathtaking landscapes, stunning monasteries, and ancient Buddhist culture. Thus, tourists from all over the world, especially from India, visit Bhutan to have a memorable and peaceful vacation. However, the travel requirements to Bhutan are strict because the country’s government promotes low-impact tourism. The travel documents required for Bhutan need to be filled up and submitted at the Jaigaon border before entering Bhutan.
The Bhutanese Government has made it mandatory to travel to Bhutan based on the services of licensed tour operators. Thus, you need to choose the best Bhutan tour operator in Jaigaon for a hassle-free permit and trip to Bhutan. This blog will provide information on how you can prepare travel documents for Bhutan. Before covering that point, let us explore why you should visit Bhutan.
Why Should You Travel to Bhutan?
- Breathtaking landscapes: Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bhutan has some of the most pristine landscapes you can ever witness. Valleys such as Haa and Phobjikha can hold anyone spellbound with their picture-perfect natural beauty. The lush green forests and crystal clear lakes act as icing on the cake for the tourists visiting Bhutan. The Bhutan Government follows a strict policy of not cutting down forests as part of prioritising environmental conservation, which is evident from the mandatory clause to maintain 60% forest land. Therefore, by travelling to Bhutan, you can breathe clean air along with enjoying majestic views.
- High spirituality and ancient culture: The Bhutanese people are deeply rooted in their culture, which makes the country highly spiritual. By travelling to Bhutan, you can experience the traditional festivals, which can deliver a unique feeling. In addition, the Bhutanese people wear their traditional dress with pride and respect, which highlights the priority they give to their culture in the contemporary era of westernisation.
- Beautiful monasteries: Imagine watching colourful flags of Buddhism waving in the wind outside of beautifully constructed monasteries on mountain tops. This is something you would not want to miss in Bhutan. In addition, the peace that prevails outside as well as inside the monasteries can make you feel calm at the highest level. By visiting these monasteries, you can feel that there is so much more to life apart from materialistic happiness.
- Diverse wildlife: The flora and fauna in Bhutan are extremely rich because the country is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot. The protected forests are home to diverse wildlife because one can see snow leopards, golden langurs, black-necked cranes, and Takins, just to name a few. Therefore, if you are a nature lover, then Bhutan needs to be on your travel bucket list.
- Mouth-watering local cuisine: The best thing about Bhutanese cuisine is that you get options of both veg and non-veg. The local dishes are bold and have spicy flavours with chilli and cheese as primary ingredients. Ema Datsi and Jasha Maru are two popular dishes that one can try if they are fond of bold and spicy tastes.
How To Prepare Travel Documents for Bhutan?
These are the steps that you need to follow to prepare travel documents for Bhutan:
- Choose a licensed Bhutan travel agency: This is mandatory to travel to the valleys of Bhutan. Thus, it is advisable to choose a licensed Bhutan tour operator in Jaigaon because your permit and entry will be handled at the Jaigaon border. Jaigaon is an Indian border town to Bhutan and is located in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal. By choosing a tour operator in Jaigaon, you can ensure that your travel documents are handled by experts for the Bhutan permit.
- Carry identity proof: For Indian citizens, the primary travel document is an identity card proof, which can be submitted in the form of a passport (must have a minimum of 6 months validity) or a valid Voter ID card. In addition, you need to carry 2 passport-size photographs of each member travelling to Bhutan for preparing the travel documents.
- Book a tour package: The licensed tour operator that you choose will provide you with a confirmed travel itinerary, which will include details of your hotel booking, sightseeing, and return date. Please note that a travel itinerary is a mandatory travel document for entering Bhutan. Therefore, your tour operator will handle this part of the travel document as well.
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) payment receipt: For Indian citizens, INR 1200 SDF is mandatory to be paid for every night’s stay in Bhutan. However, your tour operator will guide you through the payment process of SDF, which is typically paid in advance based on the total number of days mentioned in the itinerary. Thus, you will be given a copy of the SDF payment receipt, and this is a crucial travel document for Bhutan.
- Details of a certified local guide: It is mandatory to be accompanied by a certified local guide for travelling to Bhutan and engaging in sightseeing. By choosing a licensed tour operator, you get access to the services of a certified local guide. Your travel document will consist of the name and photo of a certified local guide, which is used for seeking a permit.
Final Thoughts
Travelling to Bhutan as an Indian citizen is easy as well as tricky, depending on your approach. If you try to prepare your travel documents by yourself, it can get tricky, and you might miss out on something. Since booking the services of a licensed tour operator, such as RS Travels,is mandatory for Bhutan travel, you can just relax and leave the travel documentation in the safe hands of such travel agencies. All you need to do is carry a passport or a Voter ID Card and 2 passport-size photographs. After that, your tour operator will handle the permit based on your chosen tour package.
Are you looking to explore the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan? Contact the best Bhutan tour operator in Jaigaon now.
