ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan. Visitors are required to book travel through a registered tour operator in Bhutan. This may be done directly or through a travel agent abroad. Further information may be obtained through the Bhutanese Department of Tourism, P.O. Box 126, Thimphu, Bhutan, telephone +975-2-32351, 2-32352; fax +975-2-323695 or at www.tourism.gov.bt . Entry is available only via India, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, and Thailand. The border with China is closed. The minimum daily tariff is set by the Bhutanese Department of Tourism and cannot be negotiated. The rate includes all accommodations, meals, transportation, services of licensed guides and porters, and cultural programs where and when available. The rate is the same for both cultural tours and treks . Travelers should contact the Department of Tourism for the latest daily tariff. At this time, the only carrier servicing Bhutan is Druk Air, the Bhutanese government airline. More information on the airline is available at www.drukair.com.bt . Druk Air will board only travelers with visa clearance from the Tourism Authority of Bhutan.

A passport and visa are required for entry into and exit from Bhutan. Visa applications are available from travel agencies. A recent photo is required. Travel agencies will usually arrange for a traveler’s entry visa and clearance. Most visitors, including those on official U.S. government business, should obtain visas prior to entering the country. For additional entry/exit information, please contact the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations (Consul General), 763 First Avenue, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 682-2268, fax (212) 661-0551 .

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  Medical facilities in the populated areas in Bhutan such as Thimphu or Paro are available, but may be limited or unavailable in rural areas. Medical services may not meet Western standards and some medicines are in short supply. Certain emergency medical services are provided free of charge to all tourists. Visitors planning to trek in Bhutan should pay special attention to the risk of altitude sickness. Treks in Bhutan can take visitors days or weeks away from the nearest medical facility. Helicopter evacuation from remote areas is not available in Bhutan.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: 

There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Bhutan. Although no formal diplomatic relations exist between the United States and Bhutan, informal contact is maintained through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. Updated information on travel and security in Bhutan may be obtained at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, or at any other U.S. Consulate in India, as well as the U.S. Embassies in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Bangkok, Thailand. Americans living or traveling in Bhutan are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi through the State Department’s travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Bhutan . Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi in person or via mail (please contact the Embassy for more information on how to register by mail). By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India is located on Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi 110 021. Tel. +91-11-2419-8000, fax +91-11-2419-8407, webpage http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov .

The U.S. Consulate in Calcutta, India is located at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Calcutta 700 071. Tel. +91-33-2282-3611 to 3615, fax +91-33-2282-2335, webpage http://calcutta.usconsulate.gov .

The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal is located at Pani Pokhari in Kathmandu, telephone +977-1-441-1179; fax +977-1-444-4981, webpage http://nepal.usembassy.gov.

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand is located at 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok, tel. +66-2-205-4000; fax+66-2-205-4103, webpage http://bangkok.usembassy.gov