Travelers to Bhutan — 3 years ago
This is from LonelyPlanet.com:
Despite popular mythology, you don’t need special ‘pull’ to get a visa, neither is there a limit on the number of tourists allowed to visit. However, to minimise the perceived threat to Bhutan’s unique culture, the government has established a stringent set of rules, which means you must travel on a pre-arranged itinerary and pay around $US165.00-200.00, depending on the time of year, a night for the privilege, all costs included. Apart from that, the process is relatively straightforward. All visa applications must be channelled through the Department of Tourism (DOT) from a selected tour operator. With notification of approval and receipt of full payment, visas are issued when you arrive in the country. It’s actually an extremely efficient system and you can set up a trip with as little as 10 days planning.
Reading about this place seems mythical, and definitely a unique experience for any traveler as there are generally two entries points, through India or by Air. Getting around the country is limited to roads and walking, no railways. It seems mysterious. Hopefully someone can post their experiences here if they have been.
