Booking terms

The legal terms behind every booking. Trips are guided on the ground by licensed Bhutanese guides certified by the Department of Tourism; we coordinate the booking, payments and your point of contact end to end.

Bookings & payments

A 30% deposit confirms trips more than 60 days away, with the balance due 60 days before arrival. Trips inside 60 days are paid in full at booking. Prices are in USD unless stated. Payments at booking are processed via Stripe. The balance is paid by bank transfer, in US dollars, quoting your booking reference.

Bookings are subject to availability and the terms in our refund policy.

Inclusions

Listed prices include the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), required permits, licensed guide/driver, and in-country transport as specified in the itinerary. International flights are excluded unless explicitly stated.

Government fees

Our prices include Bhutan's government fees at the rates in force when you book: the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), currently USD 100 per adult per night (USD 50 for children aged 6 to 11, and nothing for children under 6), and the one-time USD 40 visa. These fees are set by the Royal Government of Bhutan, not by us. The current SDF rate has been published for travel up to 31 August 2027.

If the government changes a fee after you book and the change applies to your trip, we will pass the difference on at cost, with no mark-up, and tell you in writing as soon as we know. If a fee goes down, we will refund the difference. If the change raises your total trip price by more than 8%, you can cancel within 14 days of our notice and receive a full refund of the payments you have made to us.

Guides & compliance

Every trip is led by a licensed Bhutanese guide certified by the Department of Tourism, in line with Bhutan's tourism regulations. We arrange your guide, driver, permits and other services directly, and we remain your point of contact before and during your trip.

Cancellations & refunds

Refunds follow our refund policy. One change of dates, or a switch to another private tour, requested at least 45 days before departure has no Guided Bhutan Tours administration fee. A cancellation requested at least 45 days before departure has no administration fee. Changes remain subject to availability and price differences. Refunds exclude documented government, banking, payment-processing, and supplier charges that cannot be recovered. Force majeure events may affect itineraries; we’ll seek fair resolutions where possible.

Liability

We are the tour operator for your trip. We arrange the services in your confirmed itinerary, including hotels, guide, driver, vehicle, meals and entrance fees, and we are responsible for providing them with reasonable care and skill.

We are not responsible for:

flights we did not book for you, including delays, cancellations and missed connections;
events beyond our control, such as weather, natural disasters, road closures, illness, strikes, government action or changes to festival dates;
loss of or damage to your belongings;
activities you arrange yourself, or harm that results from not following your guide's safety advice.

Where we are liable, our liability is limited to the price you paid for your trip. This limit does not apply to death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or to anything else that cannot be limited by law. Nothing in these terms limits your rights under applicable consumer law.

We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers medical treatment, emergency evacuation and cancellation (see our refund policy). Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive in Bhutan.

Contact

Questions about these terms? [email protected]