Commonly referred as daily tariff, it is actually the minimum spending per night in Bhutan that you have to meet in order to be granted Visa. This minimum spending (daily tariff) goes towards funding hospital, roads, government direct revenue, hotel stay, food, transportation and guide. By implementing daily tariffs, local economy benefits directly from visiting tourists. This also reduce the impact of mass tourism or over tourism and create more employment in the local economy.
New visitors often mistake daily tariff as fee you have to pay on top of your package. In fact, the cost of your tour package is usually the same as daily tariff. Exception is when you add or customize activities and are staying in 5 stars hotels.
Daily Tariff
The minimum tariff for tourist visiting in a group of 3 persons or more are as follows:
- High Season Tariff: USD 250 per person per night halt (March, April, May, September, October & November)
- Low Season Tariff: USD 200 per person per night halt (January, February, June, July, August & December)
The minimum price includes:
- All internal Taxes and charges (including the royalty)
- Accommodation
- All Meals
- All travel with a licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
- All internal Transport
- Camping Equipment and Haulage for Trekking
Tariff Exception
- With effect from 01/07/2009, the 25% discount on Diplomatic visas has been revoked.
- There shall be no charge for CHILDREN up to the age of 5 years. However,those between the ages of 6 – 12 years accompanied by eldes/ guardians shall be given 50% discount on daily rates.
- Full time STUDENTS below the age of 25 years holding valid identity cards from their academic institutions shall also be given a 25% discount on daily rates
- A discount of 50% on daily rates shall be given to on person is a group of 11 to 15 people. 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.
Surcharges
Individual tourist and smaller groups of less than three persons shall be subject to surcharge, over and above the minimum daily rates applicable, as follows:
- Single Individual: USD 40 per night
- Group of 2 persons: USD 30 per person per night
The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.