No, the government doesn't allow you to visit on your own. The government controls tourism tightly and Bhutanese law requires that all visitors organize their trips through an officially recognized tour operator.

Yes, there are many small tour operators, but there are reasons why you may not want to book directly. Scores of Bhutanese tour operators can book your trip, but many are new to the travel business and most are relatively unfamiliar with their would-be clientele. Booking directly may save a few bucks, but it's a gamble. Even if you find a company that understands what you want and can provide those services, you'll likely have pre-departure questions and won't be able to get on the phone with someone who can give you answers. GeoEx has worked with our partners for decades and only puts travelers in the best hands; read Our History in Bhutan.

Yes, several of our friendly competitors also offer Bhutan tours. However, GeoEx has been at it for 27 years, longer than anyone, and has a broader range of trip offerings than any tour operator that we know of. Even on our more traditional cultural tours - where at a glance the itinerary may look similar to our competitors - we add unique touches like a visit with a royal family astrologer, a private prayer ceremony at a temple generally closed to the public, or a dinner with dignitaries.

The daily tariff is the minimum amount tourists are required to spend per day, which is paid to a local company that distributes it to the government and service providers. Bhutan currently requires that foreign tourists spend at least $200 per day (increasing to $250 in 2011.) For those traveling alone or in small groups, the daily tariff is about $50 more per day, depending on the size of the group and length of stay. The tariff policy leads to a common misconception that no matter what you do, you pay the same amount. In fact, the tariff covers only a very basic hotel, a junior guide, a driver, a vehicle, basic meals, and entrance fees to the sights you visit. You'll get considerably more on a GeoEx trip.

No, the government does not set a maximum number of visitors to Bhutan each year. Various factors help keep the number of annual tourists low. Druk Air operates a limited number of flights to Bhutan so airline seats are booked months in advance. The minimum daily tariff discourages backpackers and other travelers who have restrictive budgets. Arranging a trip to Bhutan on your own can be daunting and time consuming for most travelers. Plus, Bhutan is still fairly undiscovered by even seasoned travelers.

The elevations on our trips range between 7000 feet and 12,000 feet. Altitude is definitely an important consideration for anyone planning to visit Bhutan. The average elevation on GeoEx trips is about 7000 feet. Most of our itineraries entail travel as high as about 12,000 feet, including a highest sleeping elevation of about 10,000 feet. When we plan an itinerary, one of our primary considerations is the altitude of each night's stay. We go to great lengths to minimize the risks of altitude sickness and this is something we're happy to discuss with our travelers.

Yes, Druk Air is the only airline operating daily flights to Bhutan. Most visitors to Bhutan fly rather than travel by road. Druk Air operates two airbuses with daily service between Bangkok and Paro and less frequent service to Kathmandu, Delhi, Dhaka, Bagdogra, Kolkata, and Gaya. Because there are only a very limited number of flights each day, seats on the flights regularly sell out several months in advance.

When you book a trip with GeoEx, we take care of your reservations and ticketing on Druk Air flights in and out of Paro. In order to book the flights, we need a copy of the picture page of your passport and payment for the tickets.

Yes, a visa is required for entry into Bhutan. When you book a trip with GeoEx, we take care of your Bhutanese visa arrangements. We need a copy of the picture page of your passport to arrange your visa.

Not necessarily, we think our friendly competitors over emphasize Bhutanese festivals. If you happen to be in Bhutan during a festival, it is well worth half a day to watch the fantastic masked dances, socialize with villagers, and witness a traditional Buddhist ceremony. They are primarily religious events - not entertainment for visitors. These events are crowded, sometimes slow-paced, and not always entirely comfortable (e.g. no seating). We don't want to knock these expressions of Bhutan's rich, traditional culture; we just think that there are many other meaningful ways to experience Bhutanese culture.