Q: What is included in the trip cost?

A: Eight nights at 4-star accommodations; round trip international airfare between Delhi or Bangkok and Paro, Bhutan; tourist visa; $250 per day tourist fee; airport transfers; professional driver for all excursions and day trips; private tours with local professional guides and cultural experts; sessions with traditional medicine experts; entrance fees; Tour of the Dragon race entry fee; bike and luggage transport; daily breakfasts, lunches and dinners; local tea with meals; departure airport transfer; HANAH herbal supplements.

Q: What does the trip NOT include?

A: Roundtrip airfare to Delhi or Bangkok; hotel accommodation in Delhi or Bangkok; travel insurance; hotel incidentals like laundry, bar tabs and spa treatments; optional activities like rafting; gifts and souvenirs; gratuities for local guides and drivers.

Q: Where does the trip go in Bhutan?

A: We will be traveling to the districts of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang, with many stops along the way.

Q: How does the flight to Bhutan work?

A: Your flight will be booked for you into Paro, Bhutan, by Bhutan Philanthropy Ventures. You can choose between Bangkok, Thailand (Suvarnabhumi Airport / BKK) or New Delhi, India (Indira Gandhi International Airport / DEL) for the roundtrip flight to/from Bhutan.

You will only get your seat assignment when you check in at the ticket counter for your flight. You must have a printed copy of your visa and your ticket and your valid passport to board the flight into Bhutan.

Q: When should I arrive/depart Delhi or Bangkok to catch the connecting flight to Paro, Bhutan?

A: Your flight to Paro will be on September 2, 2019, from Delhi or Bangkok. Plan to arrive to Delhi or Bangkok by September 1, 2018 at the latest. Your flight will leave Paro on September 10, 2019. Book your departure from Delhi or Bangkok for September 11 or later.

Q: What if I want to extend my Bhutan trip or arrive early?

A: Please contact us with specific requests.

Q: What if I don’t want to ride the Tour of the Dragon mountain bike race on September 7?

A: No problem! Biking 268 km is optional and there will be many attendees not participating in the race on September 7.

Q: If I am racing, do I need to bring my own bike? What kind of bike do you recommend?

A: We highly recommend bringing your own bike to ride the race. It is a long and challenging course, and you will be better set up for success with your own equipment and gear that is fitted to you. Bikes and bike parts are limited in Bhutan. Please reach out of you have any questions.

The TOD requirements dictate that you race with a mountain bike with at least 2-inch wide tires. We recommend a hardtail bike with some front suspension, but you will see people with full suspension mountain bikes. A fully rigid mountain bike is not recommended. Members of the HANAH team have used a Norco hardtail, a Santa Cruz Tallboy and a Specialized S Works hardtail. There are so many bike companies out there, but it is of paramount importance to be comfortable on the bike for 10+ hours. A bike fit is worth its weight in gold.

Q: Who is leading the trip?

A: Bhutan Philanthropy Ventures and their professional licensed tour guides will be guiding the trip.

Q: Who is going on the trip?

A: We can accommodate up to 80 riders for the Tour of the Dragon, and up to 100 travelers total. The group will be a mix of adventurers, nature lovers, and wellness and spiritual seekers.

Q: What travel documents are required?

A: All tourists (except Indian citizens) need a visa, which is included in the trip cost and will be secured by our local travel agency in Bhutan. You also need a passport with at least six months of validity remaining beyond the date of your arrival (which means it can’t expire before March 1, 2020), and enough pages for stamps.

Q: What if I want my own room?

A: Our pricing is based on double occupancy. If you want your own room, please send us an email for additional pricing and availability.

Q: What should I pack?

A: Upon registration, we will provide a list of packing suggestions and more specific trip details about local culture and practices. For example, monastery visits require long pants/skirts and long sleeves.

Q: What will the weather be like?

A: September in Bhutan is is generally clear and mild, with excellent scenery and lower rainfall. Prepare for a mix of temps depending on the altitude and time of day. The weather should be warm during the day, chilly in the evenings, with potential drizzles throughout. It can get very hot in the valleys (like Punakha) during the day. Here's a link that discusses this all more. We will be in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang, with many stops along the way.

Q: What about altitude?

A: Even though the altitude in Bhutan is higher than most are used to, altitude sickness is rare as most valleys are under 2,500 meters/8,000 feet. We will cross mountain passes that reach over 3,400 meters/11,200 feet. We do take it easy the first few days of arrival to allow people to adjust to the altitude.

Q: When and where will we have access to wifi?

A: You'll have access to wifi at just about all of the hotels we'll be staying in.

Q: What vaccinations do I need?

A: It is always good to make sure you are up to date on general vaccinations. Bhutan is clean and safe. But it’s a personal decision how you feel about getting vaccines when traveling. Visit the CDC website for more info.

Q: What about drinking water?

A: We will provide bottled water. If you want, bring a metal water bottle for travel teas, etc. Local Bhutanese drink the tap water and mountain run off, but they do not recommend it for visitors who are not acclimated to it.

Q: Do I need to sign waivers of any kind prior to arriving in Bhutan?

A: No.

Q: Do I need travel/health insurance before I head out?

A: It’s always good to have. You can buy it online, we use GeoBlue Travel Insurance.

Q: What is the refund policy?

A: Bhutan Philanthropy Ventures will handle all refunds and cancellations. You may cancel up to 60 days prior to the scheduled departure date and receive a full refund, minus banking and other transaction fees. If you cancel less than 2 months in advance, there is a 100% cancellation fee..

Q: How much cash do I need?

A: While some shops have begun to accept credit cards, most transact in cash only. The places that do accept cards charge a fee of 3-5% on top of your bill (your credit card company may also charge for a foreign transaction). The amount of spending cash is a personal preference, but we recommend having $500 for the trip to exchange into local currency upon arrival at the airport.

Q: Where do I convert money to local currency and can I access an ATM?

A: The national currency is the Ngultrum (“Nu” for short). The currency is pegged to the Indian rupee (the rupee can be used in Bhutan interchangeably in denominations under 500). ATMs and currency exchange desks are available at the airport and in parts of Bhutan such as Paro and Thimpu. Please note that some districts do not have ATMs. The banks in Bhutan publish daily rates at which you can exchange foreign currency for Nu at the bank branches.

Q: Who handles my payment and when is it due?

A: Bhutan Philanthropy Ventures (BPV) is the trip operator and will handle all payments. Payment must be made in full at least 45 days in advance of the departure date. Once your package is paid for, BPV will secure your visa and flight to Bhutan. It can take up to one month to secure a Bhutanese visa and flights into Bhutan are limited, so it is important to plan your trip well in advance. .