Terms of Service

These terms govern your use of the Bhutan Tourism website and your booking of any trip arranged through it. By creating an account or submitting a booking request, you agree to be bound by these terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Who we are

"Bhutan Tourism", "we", "us", and "our" refer to the licensed Bhutanese tour operator behind this platform. "You" means the traveler creating the account and, where applicable, the other travelers in their group on whose behalf the lead traveler is booking. By booking for others, the lead traveler confirms they have authority to accept these terms on the group's behalf.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to book a trip. Travelers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is named on the booking and accepts responsibility for them.

3. The booking process

1. Request. Submitting a booking through the site is a request, not a confirmed reservation. Pricing shown is an estimate based on the trip details and current Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
2. Review. Our team checks availability of guides, vehicles, hotels, and visa slots, then sends a firm quote.
3. Confirmation. Your trip becomes a binding contract once we mark it CONFIRMED and you pay the amount stated in the confirmation.
4. Payment. Payments are processed by Stripe. Until payment is received your trip remains a pending request and we may release the held resources.

4. Bhutanese Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

The Royal Government of Bhutan requires a per-person, per-night SDF for most foreign visitors. The current rate is shown at booking and is collected by us on the government's behalf. SDF rates and exemptions are set by the government and may change with little notice. Where the rate changes between booking and travel, the rate in force at the date of travel applies; we will inform you of any difference before final payment.

5. Prices, currency, and taxes

Prices are shown in US dollars and include the SDF, your guide, transport, and standard accommodation as described on the trip page. Prices do not include international flights, travel insurance, visa application photos, personal expenses, tips, or activities described as "optional". Exchange rates are determined by Stripe at the time of payment.

6. Cancellations and changes by you

Cancellations are subject to the following fees, calculated from the start date of your trip:

• More than 60 days before departure: full refund, less a $100 administration fee per traveler.
• 30 to 60 days before departure: 25% of the total trip cost is retained.
• 15 to 29 days before departure: 50% of the total trip cost is retained.
• Fewer than 15 days before departure or after the trip has started: no refund.

The Bhutanese SDF is refunded according to government rules in force at the time of cancellation, which we will pass through to you without markup. Requests to change travel dates are treated as a cancellation followed by a new booking unless we are able to absorb the change at no cost to our partners, in which case we will do so.

7. Cancellations and changes by us

We may have to alter or cancel a confirmed trip because of weather, road closures, political events, sudden changes to government policy, or other circumstances beyond our control. Where this happens:

• We will offer a comparable alternative trip or itinerary where possible, or
• A full refund of amounts paid to us, less any unrecoverable third-party costs.

We are not liable for separate costs you have incurred, such as international flights, insurance, or visas for other countries.

8. Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. It must cover medical evacuation from remote areas, trip cancellation, lost baggage, and adventure activities at the level appropriate to your itinerary (trekking, mountain biking, white-water rafting, etc.). You agree to provide proof of insurance before departure on request.

9. Visas and passports

Other than Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, all visitors require a visa to enter Bhutan. We process the visa on your behalf as part of the booking. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to leave Bhutan and have at least two blank pages. You are responsible for the accuracy of the information you provide for visa processing and for any consequences of providing incorrect details.

10. Health, fitness, and altitude

Much of Bhutan sits above 2,000 metres and treks may reach 4,500 metres or higher. You confirm that all travelers are fit enough for the chosen itinerary and that any pre-existing medical condition has been disclosed to us before confirmation. You should consult a travel doctor about recommended vaccinations and altitude medication. We may decline or end participation in an activity where, in our reasonable opinion, you are not fit to continue safely.

11. Conduct

Bhutan is a culturally sensitive country. You agree to:

• Dress respectfully at dzongs, monasteries, and other religious sites.
• Follow the directions of your guide on access, photography, and protected areas.
• Refrain from removing antiques, religious artefacts, or wildlife products from Bhutan.
• Comply with local laws, including those on tobacco import limits and protected species.

We may end a trip without refund if your conduct endangers others, breaks Bhutanese law, or seriously disrupts the trip for other travelers.

12. AI itinerary planner

Our AI travel assistant (Dorji) generates draft itineraries to help you plan. Drafts are not bookings, and the assistant may occasionally produce inaccurate suggestions. Final pricing, route, and operational details are confirmed by our human team before you pay.

13. Liability

We act as the principal for the parts of the trip we directly operate (guide, vehicle, in-country logistics) and as agent for third-party suppliers such as airlines and independent hotels. Our liability for our own acts or omissions is limited, to the extent permitted by law, to the total amount you have paid us for the affected booking. We are not liable for losses caused by events outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to weather, natural disasters, road conditions, illness, theft, or political disruption.

14. Intellectual property

All text, images, photography, code, and design on this site are owned by us or our licensors. You may not copy, republish, or use them commercially without our written consent.

15. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Disputes will be handled by the competent courts of Thimphu, save where mandatory consumer-protection laws in your country of residence apply.

16. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The version in force at the date you submit a booking applies to that booking. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the latest version.

17. Contact

Questions about these terms can be sent through our contact form.