Important Info

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). Our accommodations are selected for safety, cleanliness, and convenient locations. While they are comfortable and well-suited for group travel, they are generally simple rather than luxury properties in order to keep the program affordable. Water and electricity can be sporadic. There tends to be a lot of street noise (i.e., barking dogs) at night, which can be annoying. It’s advisable to bring earplugs.

Extra Nights: If you are planning to extend your stay in Bhutan, post-tour accommodation MUST be booked through GEEO in order for us to issue a valid visa for the duration of your stay. These extra nights will include a guide and meals in addition to the accommodation.

TRANSPORTATION

We use a private vehicle that gets our guests from location to location safely. Overland transport in Nepal involves long travel days on narrow, winding mountain roads where delays due to roadwork or weather are common. Flights between Kathmandu and Paro are subject to schedule adjustments based on mountain cloud cover and wind conditions. Always keep essential medications and valuables in your daypack during transit days.

BHUTAN TOURISM RULES

Bhutan has specific tourism rules designed to preserve its culture and environment. Your program price already includes the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), visa, a licensed guide, all transportation, and approved accommodations for the scheduled days of your trip.

MEALS

Most meals in Bhutan are included in the cost of the trip – some are in the accommodation where it is the best quality/availability option. Most meals are served buffet-style with a selection of traditional Bhutanese food, some western-style (often pasta), as well as some Chinese. Fresh local vegetables are in abundance, and while Bhutan is mostly vegetarian, there usually is one meat dish available (on some occasions, there can be shortages, as all meat is imported from India). We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This trip includes some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but it is accessible to most healthy travelers. Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks. Meals can sometimes be far apart, so we recommend carrying snacks.

Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest): The hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery in Bhutan reaches an elevation of approximately 3,120 meters (10,230 feet) over steep, rocky terrain. Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support are required, and trekking poles are strongly recommended. Stay hydrated, walk at a steady pace, and notify your Leader immediately if you experience symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, dizziness, nausea).

CAMERA RULES

There may be times during your visit to Bhutan when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate. You cannot take pictures or videos inside temples. Local people may consider that filming is too intrusive, and in these circumstances, we will request that you do not film. At all times, be aware and sensitive to the impact of photography, and seek permission before taking photographs of people and respect their wishes if they refuse.

Drones: Drones and the flying of drones are prohibited in Nepal and Bhutan. If you violate these regulations, the police may take you into custody.

CLOTHES & DRESS

Bhutan is very conservative and you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and legs should be covered at all times. The wearing of shorts is not allowed (except while hiking), as it will restrict your entry into buildings of a religious nature and family homes. A water and windproof jacket is useful and a hat and sunscreen essential. Due to the altitude, it can be cold in the mountains even in the summer.

BHUTAN FLIGHTS

Flights to/from Bhutan do not show up in most travel search engines. Instead, search for flights on the Drukair and Bhutan Airlines websites. If you would like assistance searching for flights, please feel free to contact us. See the “Flights” section below for more information.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.

You will have different tour leaders in Nepal vs Bhutan. The Nepalese guide will help get you into the airport in Kathmandu, and the Bhutanese tour leader will pick you up as soon as you exit the airport in Paro.
 

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.

Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.

Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Add-Ons & Budgeting section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures South Asia Manager, Sorab Jassawalla (Delhi, India)
From outside of India: +91 8851806614
From within India: 8851806614

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below which will connect you directly with our Sales team who will happily assist you. Hours of operation by region can be found here.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 877 849 3383
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel.

As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.

*Laundry: Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge, or you can ask your tour leader where the nearest laundromat is located. In case you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries.

 
PASSPORT
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS
Your Bhutan visa will be arranged by G Adventures and is included in the program price. You will receive the visa by email prior to your arrival in Bhutan. To arrange your Bhutan visa, G Adventures requires that you submit this form at least 35–40 days before departure.

Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. You can also use Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner to look up the latest requirements.

*INDIA
Most flights between Bhutan and the U.S. connect through India. If your flight transits through an Indian airport (even brief connections), you must obtain an India tourist e-visa. See our India visa guidance here.

You will also need to complete a free e-Arrival Card before departing for India. This is now mandatory for all foreign nationals, and airlines are checking for it at check-in. It must be submitted no more than 72 hours before your scheduled arrival in India. Complete it at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival or via the Su-Swagatam mobile app. Paper forms are no longer accepted.

Money

Currency: The local currency in Nepal is the Nepalese rupee (NPR), and the local currency in Bhutan is the Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN), although the Indian rupee is also widely accepted in both countries. For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com. The Ngultrum (local currency) is valueless outside of Bhutan so make sure that you change back all excess Bhutanese currency before you leave.

Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel.

Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. Carry sufficient USD cash for exchange; credit cards and ATMs are unreliable outside Kathmandu and Thimphu. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected.

Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.

For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit:

– Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill.
– Local guides and drivers: $4-5 USD per person per day each for your drivers in Nepal and Bhutan.
– G Adventures tour leader (CEO): $8-19 USD per person per day. (We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group)

Tipping Kitty: On some trips, your CEO may suggest a “tipping kitty” where everyone contributes at the start of the tour, and the CEO uses that pooled amount to tip service providers for the group as a whole (not including your CEO). Altogether these tips end up around $70 USD. If your CEO doesn’t mention it and you’d like to use a kitty, we recommend asking about it early in the trip. Your CEO will advise the suggested amount and preferred currency for the kitty.

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC’s recommended vaccinations for your destination.

This trip takes place at high altitude, which is medically defined as anything over 8,000 feet (2,440 meters). Most people can travel to 8,000 feet with minimal effects. However, everyone reacts to altitude differently, and altitude sickness can affect some people irrespective of fitness and age. For details on how to best prepare and what to do in the unlikely event you are affected on your adventure, please consult with your physician.

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.

This program begins in Kathmandu and ends in Paro. Paro’s airport (PBH) is a unique destination not serviced by most international airlines. You will need to book a separate, regional flight to and from Paro from a nearby hub. These flights are only operated by one of two airlines: Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines.

Flights to/from Paro are available from cities such as Kathmandu, Bangkok, Delhi, or Kolkata. The best option is likely to book a round-trip ticket to Kathmandu in addition to a one-way flight from Paro to Kathmandu. If you are transiting through India, please be sure to check the visa requirements.

Check the itinerary for the required arrival date. Aim to arrive no later than mid-afternoon for the 6 p.m. Day-1 welcome meeting, and consider arriving a day or two early to buffer flight delays and see more of Kathmandu. You can depart from Paro any time on the final day.

Plugs and Converters

India and Nepal use Type G, Type C, and Type D plugs and the voltage is 230V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider:

1. Adapter (plug shape)
Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post.

2. Converter / transformer (voltage)
Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage.

Check what you need: Look on your device’s plug or power brick. “Input: 100-240V” works worldwide—you only need a plug adapter. Any range narrower (e.g., “110-120V” or “Input: 120V”) means you need an adapter and a voltage converter to avoid damage. Converters are inexpensive and available online or in travel stores.

Weather

We run this trip before and/or after the peak of the monsoon season in South Asia (early to late July) to avoid the worst of the rain and flooding. It is still hot and will rain, but all of the trips we have run in the past at this time of year have gone fairly smoothly with regards to the weather.