Bhutan: Trails, Temples & Traditions

• In order to enter India and Bhutan, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of return.
• We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
• U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in advance in order to enter India. You may choose to apply directly to the Indian consulate for an E-Visa and follow our application walkthrough guide. Or, use a visa provider, such as our partner company, VisaCentral. Obtaining an Indian visa will be an additional cost.
• All foreigners entering India must fill out e-Arrival Card no earlier than 72 hours and no later than 24 hours before the passenger’s scheduled flight departure. You will receive an acknowledgement email which you’ll be asked to present upon arrival.
• If you’re not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Indian consulate for specific entry requirements.
• A Bhutanese visa will be provided upon arrival for all travelers. You must provide Go Ahead Tours with your full passport details. Please submit a photocopy or scan of your passport no later than 45 days prior to departure.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching for the code BHU.

• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Delhi.
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
• When you arrive in Delhi, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity Level

This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• Three 1-night stays
• Most days full of included activities in a row
• Most transportation by motor coach, some by flight
• Daily drive time varies and can be lengthy

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 3-5 miles per day on city streets, cobblestones, dirt pathways, bridges, stairs, and hills.
• Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included hikes and walks without assistance.
  • Gangtey Nature Trail – 2.5 miles / 1.5 hours. A moderate hike starting at roughly 9,514 feet and gently descends through Phobjikha Valley along a dirt trail.
  • Three Temples – 1.5 miles / 2 hours. Mebar Tsho Walk – .62 miles / 1 hour. An easy, mostly flat walk starting at 9,186 feet through the valley ending at 8,901 feet.
  • Sew Dranga to Punakha – 4.5 miles / 2.5 hours. A moderate hike starting at 5,709 feet that runs along a dirt trail descending with some uneven terrain to 4,003 feet into Punakha Valley.
  • Tiger’s Nest – 4 miles / 5 hours. A long and difficult climb starting at 8,530 feet through a forest and reaching a high of 10,335 feet before returning back to 8,530 feet.

Climate Considerations

• Temperatures vary significantly throughout the year in Bhutan. Summers can be warm, with temperatures often reaching the high 70s°F to low 80s°F, while winters are much colder, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s°F to mid-40s°F 1 2.
• In the wet season (June-September), travelers can expect high levels of humidity and frequent, intense bursts of rainfall.
• When in India, temperatures during the warmer months (April–June) can often range from 90–105 F. During the cooler months (October–March), expect cooler temperatures from 50–65 F.
• Please be aware that you will be traveling to altitudes as high as 10,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.

• This tour includes various modes of transportation, including planes and private motor coaches. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• A round-trip flight between Delhi and Paro is included in the price of your tour.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Please note that the flights included on the tour extension may have baggage restrictions as low as 33 pounds for checked bags and 15 pounds for carry-on bags. You will be responsible for any costs associated with overweight baggage.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.

• Bhutan’s weather can vary greatly depending on the region and altitude you are located in. In the Punakha area you’ll find a sub-tropical climate with mild winters. Paro, Thimphu, and the Bumthang region have a much harsher climate with hot, humid summers and cold winters with the occasional snow flurry.
• Loose-fitting, layered clothing that can accommodate varying temperatures will be most comfortable for hiking. Quick-dry material is best for hot days outside and warmer layers may be needed for chilly evenings and early mornings. Additionally, you may wish to pack a hiking style jacket, thermal base layer, gloves, and hat for higher-altitude locations.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing. Hiking boots are highly recommended, especially in the rainy season, as the terrain can be tough and muddy.
• Sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities.
• You may bring collapsible trekking/walking poles to offer you additional support and comfort along the Trail.
• Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
• On long hiking days, it is recommended that you bring a daypack to carry along medicine, sunscreen, water, and any valuables like cash and your passport.
• It is preferable not to visit temples or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
• On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.

• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
• Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
• Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
• Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
• The strength of the air-conditioning in hotels in Asia is often not as strong or as cool as what one might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air-conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
• India and Bhutan operate on 230 volts and use type D, F, and G plugs with two small, round pins and one larger round pin.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.

• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).

• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
• Please be aware that you will be traveling at altitudes as high as 10,000 feet above sea level. These high altitudes can sometimes cause breathing difficulties for travelers who have heart problems or respiratory ailments. If you suffer from any of these conditions, please speak to your doctor regarding any potential health risks.
• Even healthy travelers may sometimes experience altitude sickness, a temporary condition featuring symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, and lightheadedness. Until your body acclimates to the higher altitudes, we suggest that you drink plenty of fluids and limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
• Be sure to take proper care for sun exposure, as the sun can be more intense at higher altitudes.
• Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
• Public restrooms in India can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.

• This tour includes eight lunches and ten dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• Bhutanese cuisine is characterized by its spiciness, and chilis are an essential part of nearly every dish. Rice is central to most Bhutanese meals and is typically accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables. Pork, beef, and chicken are the most typical meats, and spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, and tomatoes are among the most common vegetables. Depending on which part of Bhutan you find yourself in, you might also find dishes made or served with grains such as buckwheat or barley.
• In the northern regions of India, you’ll encounter a great deal of flavorful meat dishes, as well as kebabs and biryanis. In tandoor cooking, probably the most popular cuisine in this region, vegetables, paneer (Indian cheese), or meat is marinated in spiced yogurt and cooked over coals. As many Indians are vegetarians, meat-free options abound. Meals are usually served with rice or bread, such as unleavened roti or deep-fried puri. Many of your included meals will be buffet style, which will allow you to try a variety of new dishes.

• At the conclusion of your tour, it is cuAt the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.

• You will use the Indian rupee in India and Bhutanese Ngultrum in Bhutan.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, though you can look into ordering some rupees from your local bank or a foreign currency exchange retailer, such as Travelex, before you arrive. Ngultrum are very difficult to obtain outside of Bhutan, but you will have the chance to obtain some in Paro and Thimphu either through currency exchange or from an ATM. Please note that exchanging larger denomination bills come with a higher exchange rate than lower denomination bills.
• Travelers may carry up to 25,000 Indian rupees into the country when entering through an airport. Travelers may bring up to 25,000 Indian rupees out of India unless continuing on to Bhutan or Nepal.
• If you wish, you can also obtain rupees through a currency exchange booth at the airport upon your arrival in India. Keep receipt of your exchange.
• Cash is the preferred method of payment across India and Bhutan. Some larger vendors may accept international debit and credit cards, such as MasterCard and Visa, though it is uncommon and a minimum payment is generally required. You should not rely on using your credit card for purchases while on tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.

• To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have a different Tour Director in each country on this tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• In the event your group is larger and split between two motor coaches, an assistance local guide to your Tour Director will join you for the duration of your time in Bhutan.

• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.

• Bhutan is 10 hours ahead and India is 10.5 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET), and do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 10pm in Bhutan and 10:30pm in Delhi from November through March, and 9pm in Bhutan and 9:30pm in Delhi from April through October.

• When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
• Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
• If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.