<< Pakistan Bhutan Birmanie >>
Attention : ceci est mon expérience, d'autres voyageurs ont eu ou auront d'autres expériences. Les choses changent aussi. Ces informations datent de l'hiver 2003/04 et du printemps 2004.
Pour plus d'informations, vous pouvez aller sur le site : http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/indian_subcontinent/bhutan/
Un visa est requis : s'adresser à n'importe quelle ambassade du Bhutan
à l'étranger. Il coûte 20 USD, d'après les informations
recueillies à l'Immigration Office à la frontière Inde
/ Bhutan, Jaigon / Phuentsholing.
Il faut aussi passer par un agent de voyages officiel, tout réserver
avec lui et cela revient à 200 USD par jour environ. On peut alors visiter
le pays normalement, en étant accompagné par cet agent de voyages.
Sinon, on peut rester seulement une journée (sans visa) à la ville
frontière côté Bhutan, Phuentsholing.
Pour plus d'infos, cf. le mail ci-dessous reçu par le ministère
du tourisme, qui organise et décide cette politique ; des exceptions
peuvent être accordées, notamment si vous êtes invités,
si vous faites un voyage à thème très particulier et si
vous êtes très motivés.
Dear Vincent,
Thank you for your mail. For day-trip visas aren't required unless you are staying overnight inside Bhutan. The closest border town - Phuentsholing is located next to Jaigaon (India). You can bring along your bikes. Pls. Do bring all relevant documents - registration, license, etc. Otherwise, you can park your bike across the border at Jaigaon.
Pls. find all necessary details (attached) so as to enable you to learn and know more about Bhutan.
May I introduce ourselves.
About Us
BTCL (Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited) is the country's only tourism organization
offering integrated nationwide services in hotels, cultural tours, trekking,
special tour programs, transportation, and ticketing. BTCL has the largest and
the most professional support infrastructures in the country. We run our own
chain of hotels, tourist lodges and cafeterias at most
tourist centers in Bhutan. We also have a team of experienced tour guides.
General information on travel to Bhutan :
The Royal Government of Bhutan has adopted a very cautious approach towards the development of tourism in the kingdom, in an effort to avoid negative impacts on the culture and environment. Visitors to Bhutan must either be a guest of the government whereby all the arrangements are made by the concerned authority, or as a tourist availing an all inclusive pre-planned, pre-paid, conducted package tour.
Free independent travel is not permitted.
1. ACCESS TO BHUTAN
Entry points into Bhutan is either by road through the Sate of West. Bengal,
India to Phuentsholing, Bhutan in the south or to Paro Airport by Druk air,
the only national airline. There are flights to and from Bangkok, Calcutta,
New Delhi and Kathmandu. It is a must to travel one way, either
entry of exit by Druk Air. No domestic flights. Entry from Assam is not authorized.
2. VISA PROCEDURE
All foreign nationals require visa for Bhutan, (except for Indian nationals holding a valid ID). Visa clearance from Thimphu must be obtained before departing for Bhutan. Visa details (as per visa form enclosed) should be sent to our office at least 03 weeks prior to arrival. Upon confirmation of tour/entry/exit points, and receipt of the full tour payment, we will process visa and clearance approved will be faxed to you before departure. Two passport photos must be submitted on arrival at the Paro Airport.
Visa stamp will be issued on arrival in Bhutan against direct payment of visa fee US$ 20 per person at the entry point. Visa is initially granted for the intended duration of stay and can be extended for a visa extension fee of Nu. 510. Visa can be extended for a maximum period of six months.
3. a] TOUR PRICES
All tourist have to avail of a tour package, which includes airport transfers, overland transport as per program, accommodation, meals, sightseeing, local guide and museum fees. Package excludes airfares, visa fee, airport departure tax, and extras of personal expenses.
The Package price is based on per person per night. There are two seasonal rates :
High season : Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct and Nov........USD 200 per person/night.
Low season : Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug and Dec .........USD 165 per person/night.
b] Other charges :
1.FIT (individual) surcharge for 01-02 persons are as follows :
a] 01 person : USD 40 per person per night.
b] 02 persons : USD 30 per person per night.
2. Single room supplement is .....USD 20 per night (not applicable to the odd numbered person).
3. Tourism Development Fund ..... USD 10 per person.
4. FAVOURABLE TIME
Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November). Winter months are cold but the day temperatures remain warm with bright, clear blue skies. Snow is expected for a few days at the end of December and beginning of January. Most trek routes are closed during this time.The summer months are pleasant. Occasional rainfall is expected, usually during late afternoon, in the monsoon months of June, July, August and early September.
5. RESTRICED AREAS
Not all areas or religious establishments are open to tourists, this is to ensure that monastic life can continue unhindered, and also for environmental concerns.
Apart from cultural tours and treks, we also organize special interest tours. Flora and Fauna, Bird-watching, arts and Crafts, and traditional architecture are just a few to mention. A special program can be designed just for you if you indicate your interests.
For more information, please visit our website : www.kingdomofbhutan.com and for flight information visit : www.drukair.com.bt
We look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes from The Land of The Thunder Dragon.
Karma Gyeltshen
Tour Operation Dept.
Bhutan Tourism Corporation Ltd.
P.O. Box 159
Thimphu - Bhutan
Tel : ++ 975 - 2-324045 / 322647.
Fax : ++ 975 - 2- 323392 / 322479.
E-mail : btcl@druknet.bt or btcl1@druknet.bt
Web : www.kingdomofbhutan.com
Vous pouvez aller aussi sur leur site Internet ci-dessus.
Je savais tout cela, en rentrant au Bhutan.
J'ai passé la frontière très tranquillement le soir à
Phuentsholing (cf. photo du ''gate''), les gardes de la police ne m'ont demandé
aucun document, juste noté le numéro d'immatriculation de la moto
et mes nom et prénom. Je suis allé ensuite au Police Office à
la frontière pour m'assurer que je n'entrais pas illégalement
: ils m'ont dit que je pouvais passer sans visa. J'aurais pu dormir au Bhutan,
mais j'ai dormi du côté indien, afin de consommer ma journée
sans visa le lendemain.
On est contraint de rester à Phuentsholing, des barrages de police à
l'extérieur de la ville contrôlent les permis, les visas, etc …
Je n'avais pas de visa et n'ai pu rester qu'un jour. J'ai rencontré la police et l'Immigration Office : en fait je voulais savoir si des exceptions pouvaient être accordées directement sur place. Ils m'ont demandé de quitter le pays immédiatement.
Ils limitent le nombre de touristes par l'effet prix.
J ai rencontré un couple d'américains qui va au Bhutan avec un agent de voyages officiel, ils mettront des photos sur leur site Internet : www.thegrowneys.com
Pour plus de renseignements sur les particularités de mon voyage, vous pouvez aller dans la rubrique Sur la route, à partir de janvier 2004.