Blue Poppy Tours and Treks

Travel information
Getting to Bhutan
By government rule, visitors to Bhutan must travel by the national carrier, Druk Air, in at least one direction. Bhutan has one airport at Paro, about two hours' drive from the capital, Thimphu. You can fly in from Delhi, Kathmandu, Calcutta or Bangkok. The Delhi flight runs three times a week and comes via Kathmandu so it takes about three hours, including a short stopover. Flight time from Kathmandu is about one hour. The Bangkok flight comes via Calcutta 5 times a week. For more information on the flight schedules see the Druk Air website or ask us and we will happily explain further. The price of Paro flights is charged on top of the tour price. Current rates for return flights are US$430 (Kathmandu), US$435 (Calcutta), US$685 (Delhi) and US$795 (Bangkok). Druk Air flights cannot be booked directly, so we will arrange these for you. You will need to arrange your own international flights to your chosen point of entry to Bhutan. You should bear in mind that Druk Air schedules are subject to frequent change, and often at very short notice, so discuss with us before you make long haul bookings - if you can arrange flexible tickets it is advisable to do so. It is also possible to arrive in Bhutan by road via the Indian state of West Bengal, entering the country at Phuntsholing on the Indian border. This allows you to combine a trip to Bhutan with some time in Darjeeling or Sikkim. Phuntsholing is three hours' drive from the nearest Indian airport in Bagdogra, and about six hours' drive from Thimphu. Only Indian nationals are allowed to enter Bhutan from the south-eastern town of Samdrup Jongkhar but you can leave by that route if you have come into the country by air.
Passports and visas
A valid passport is, of course, essential. Visa confirmation must be obtained before Druk Air flight tickets can be issued. Blue Poppy Tours and Treks will sort out all the details of your visa application for you on receipt of the following basic information: Your full name (as it appears in your passport) Permanent address Occupation Nationality Passport number Date of issue and validity of passport Date and place of birth Place of issue Number of days required for visa Entry and exit dates We will send you a copy of the confirmation showing that your visa has been authorised. Your actual visa will be issued on arrival at Paro. Visas can be extended for up to six months in Thimphu if necessary on payment of a further $15. Don't forget to make enquiries about visa requirements for any countries you are passing through en route even if you are only in transit.
Cancellation policy and rates
Druk Air flights
A full refund of the ticket price can be obtained for cancellations made up to 30 days before travel, subject to payment of an administration charge of US$25. Between 10 and 30 days before travel 50% of the ticket price will be refunded (again subject to payment of a US$25 charge). For tickets cancelled within 10 days of travel no refund will be available and the US$25 charge is incurred. Once tickets have been issued, date changes can be made up to 7 days beforehand on payment of the US$25 administration charge. Rerouting of tickets is permitted once, but the ticket will then be stamped non-reroutable and non-refundable. Seats can be held for up to 14 days so long as the travel date is more than 28 days away. Within 28 days of travel seats are only available on a book and buy basis. Once reserved, cancelled seats incur the US$25 administration charge.
Tours
Once booked, Blue Poppy tours that are cancelled are subject to the following cancellation charges: Within 30 days of the start of the tour programme: no charge Within 21 days: 10% of the rates Within 14 days: 15% of the rates Within 7 days: 30% of the rates Less than 7 days or cancellation without notice: 50% of the rates After arrival in Bhutan: 100% of the rates.