Bhutan is accessible by air and by road.

The land route is through the border town of Phuentsholing, Bhutan's southern gateway and commercial hub. The town is a three-hour drive from the airport at Bagdogra in the Indian state of West Bengal. The Indian hill stations of Darjeeling and Gangtok are seven hours away by road.

Druk Air, the national flagship airline, is the only such service operating in the country. Its two British Aerospace BAE 146 jets, technically the aircrafts most suited to Bhutan, fly to and from Paro town. Paro is, thanks to the difficult topography of the country, Bhutan's only airport. Druk Air flies in from the capital cities of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand and from New Delhi and Calcutta in India. Each of these routes offer views of some of the highest mountains in the world such as Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga, and Bhutan's revered peaks of Chomolhari and Kulagangri.

Every airport on the world's mightiest mountain range is subject to the whims of nature and Para is no exception. Druk Air flights are sometimes delayed by unfavourable weather so visitors would do well to include an additional day in their itineraries. But rest assured that the airline has had no history of mishaps in its 18 years of operation.

As with visas to Bhutan, Druk Air tickets are issued only in Bhutan. BTS can book them for you and send them to you or to the D rukair out stations . It is advisable that contact us well in advance of your visit. This will save you unnecessary hindrances that arise otherwise, particularly during the peak spring and autumn months.

The same applies to visa formalities. Early intimation allows timely issue of visa numbers.

The following information must be sent to us to process visa approval.

• Full name as in passport
• Permanent address
• Occupation
• Nationality
• Passport Number
• Date of Issue and Expiry date
• Date of birth and place
• Place of Issue
• Exact duration of visa required
• Date of entry and exit and sector
• The number, which we will then send to you, is essential in order to be allowed onboard Druk Air flights. The actual visas are issued on payment of US $ 20 upon entry into Bhutan. You will also need two passport size photographs.

Note: Visas are not issued by Bhutanese embassies and missions abroad. Visas are also extended only in Thimphu by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Druk Air observes a baggage weight limit of 20 kilogrammes (44 lb) in economy class and 30 kilogrammes (66lb) in business class so it may be troublesome and expensive to carry too much. Casual clothes are generally most suitable though a set of formal wear might come in handy as might rain gear, windbreakers, sun caps and sunglasses. You should come prepared for vast contrasts of weather. Sun cream and lip protection will help.

Strange as it may seem you may wish midway through your stay that you had brought along a set of ear plugs, a Swiss army knife or useful equivalent, a small backpack, and a soft suitcase instead of one made of less versatile material.

If you plan to trek or engage in adventure sport and if you plan to come through one of our associate companies abroad it is advisable that you are covered by a travel insurance policy as such policies are non-existent in Bhutan. Insurance will prove useful should unforeseen needs like helicopter rescue crop up.

The national currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum (Nu.) valued at par with the Indian Rupee, which is also used in the country. As of midyear 2001, the Ngultrum's exchange value hung at about Nu. 48 to the US Dollar.

Visa and American Express credit cards are accepted in few places but have a limited use. Travellers cheques as well as US and Hong Kong Dollars, Pound Sterling, French and Swiss Francs, German Mark, and Japanese Yen can be exchanged at local banks and at most hotels.

While hotelling in Bhutan cannot equal international standards, all tourist hotels are comfortable, clean, and reasonably well run. BTS has full access and has carefully selected the best hotels and guest houses in Paro, Thimphu, Wangdue, Punakha, Trongsa and Bumthang.

Our guides are licensed and trained in programs conducted by the Department of Tourism. Our trekking guides have additional mountain guide training, including safety and first aid instructions to lead any size of groups. You will be accompanied throughout your time with an English speaking guide, driver and car at your disposal at all time. Guides have explored every route in Bhutan.

Spicy chillies and cheese blended with a wide variety of vegetables are found on many Bhutanese menus. BTS chooses restaurants and hotels that prepare food more suitable to western taste ranging from Continental to Chinese and Bhutanese to Indian. The choice is yours.

BTS maintains modern Toyota cars, land cruisers and coaster buses for all group sizes.

Every transport are rechecked properly before every tour to ensure safety and comfort for all clients.

Although only the size of Switzerland, Bhutan's topography and climate are those of dramatic contrasts. The land rises from the southern sub-tropics at an altitude of about 1,000 feet above sea level to snow-capped peaks of over 20,000 feet in the north. The central temperate belt, which encompasses most of the major settlements and tourist haunts, ranges from about 4,500 to 14,000 feet. The capital city of Thimphu, for example, is situated at 8,300 feet.

The climate along this belt defies generalization but it can be safely said that spring (March to May) brings warm days and cool nights with the mercury averaging 20° Celsius at daytime. With June come occasional downpours and summer temperatures peak at over 27° Celsius. The milder months of fall (September to November) are less wet and are the best time of the year for trekking. The ensuing months are the driest and nighttime temperatures often plummet to below zero. However, winter offers its own charms of sunny blue skies and unhindered view of snow-capped mountains.