Bhutan

[cj001f]

Has anybody been? Worth the all-inclusive tourist tariff?

[Black Market]

did tibet and butan back in 2000......two of the coolest places on earth...

if u can afford the 700-1200$ it costs to get a tour group visa its well worth it.

i think they limit you to a week or two unless you pay a little more or get a special visa......

[cj001f]

i think they limit you to a week or two unless you pay a little more or get a special visa......

I think a week is all I could afford, if that. Where'd you go - I assume Paro/Thimpu, anywhere else?

[Black Market]

Flying into kathmandu is probably your best bet....spend a few cheap weeks in nepal to balance out travel costs. Lots of agencies in Thamel, khatmandu that facilitate Bhutan visas and tours. You can save $$$ if you book last minute sometimes or have good haggling skills. If you book ahead of time you may pay up.....

[cj001f]

Lots of agencies in Thamel, khatmandu that facilitate Bhutan visas and tours. You can save $$$ if you book last minute sometimes or have good haggling skills. If you book ahead of time you may pay up.....

Really? Everything I've read says it's a flat fee - $165/day off season, maybe that's new?

I've got a ticket to BKK, from there I'm going to KTM, CCU or DEL. You can get flights from all to Bhutan. Heard it's cold in December, so I'm not sure about it.

[Black Market]

i did no research ahead of time.....i stopped in nepal on the way back from thailand. As far as i know there is a set rate that the bhutanese govt charges per day or week. Tour costs can vary due to mark-ups, type of accomodation, type of transportation once in bhutan, etc. I chose the cheapest options which are about the same as the more expensive ones.....like being in an 84 landcruiser versus an 87. I basically stayed on the tourist trail and was there for a week. Everythings off the beaten track there...so u dont need to worry about staying somewhere too touristy. Definitely worth the cash though...

[Black Market]

Really? Everything I've read says it's a flat fee - $165/day off season, maybe that's new?

I've got a ticket to BKK, from there I'm going to KTM, CCU or DEL. You can get flights from all to Bhutan. Heard it's cold in December, so I'm not sure about it.

165$ is a bit more than i paid.....but that was 5 yrs ago...sounds about right.
I was originally quoted around 1800$ for the trip but only paid around 1100$ . Delhi is a clusterfuck and a nightmare airport. KTM is a bit more mellow. I'm partial to KTM cuz i like nepali HASH.

[Dromond]

I know a guy who went there and also once knew a Bhutanese girl.

She was kinda hot. Go.