|
|
 |
|
| 12 Days Gateway to Sikkim & Bhutan |
'PRIVATELY GUIDED' TOUR AVAILABLE DAILY EXCEPT DAYS WHEN FLIGHTS NOT OPERATING
|
Featuring Darjeeling, Gangtok(Sikkim), Kalimpong, Chalsa, Thimpu,
Punakha and Paro |
|
|
|
SIKKIM - BHUTAN - Practical Information
SIKKIM Sikkim was a monarchy and an Indian protectorate till it emerged as the 22nd Indian State in 1975. A large number of mountains having altitudes of about 22000ft stand here with - Kanchenjunga (28,200ft), the third highest peak in the world. BHUTAN'S jealously guarded isolation and stunning scenery makes it one of the most desired places to visit by seasoned travelers. It is often said that even the most experienced traveler will find Bhutan to be a 'revelation'.
PASSPORT & VISAS
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date is required. Visas are required for India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Assistance is provided in obtaining necessary visas for tours anywhere in the world. You will require a multiple entry visa for India before arrival in India. Over the years we have found
Zierer Visa Service to be very reliable and efficient. They arrange visas on behalf of most big tour operators in the country.
|
|
|
|
Immediately after sign-up, a visa kit with requisite forms from Zierer Visa Service for the India and Nepal visa are sent to you. Visa fee is not included in your tour price and the payment should be mailed with the completed application to the visa service. Should you decide to get your own visas, you can apply through the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, Washington DC or New York.
to be very reliable and efficient. They arrange visas on behalf of most big tour operators in the country. Immediately after sign-up, a visa kit with requisite forms from Zierer Visa Service for the India visa will be sent to you. Visa fee is not included in your tour price and the payment should be mailed with the completed application to the visa service.
For more information or to download a Zierer Visa application please visit
www.zvs.com. To speak directly with ZVS Customer Service, call toll-free (866)788 1100, Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm EST, Saturday 10am-2pm ET.
Should you decide to get your own visas, you can apply through the Indian Consulate closest to you. With effect from October 1, 2007, visa processing and delivery process has been outsourced by the Indian Consulate to Travisa Outsourcing www.indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com
You will have to complete an online form: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/requirements/gather?apply=bymail to get a unique barcode on your application. (Please follow the step by step process on their website) and send them the completed, printed application with your passports, photos and visa fee, etc. via a track able method such as FedEx, UPS or registered mail.
Travelers to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in Bhutan.
If you do not have a pre-approved visa you will not be permitted to board Druk Air flight to Bhutan. Please send us your passport details such as name, passport number, date and place of issue, validity, date of birth, and your profession. We will assist you in the pre-approved visa process. Current Bhutan visa fee is $30.00 per person which will be collected as part of your land arrangements (visa fee subject to change).
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS India or Bhutan governments do not require any inoculations, except proof of a yellow fever shot if you have traveled in a yellow fever effected area within the past six months. As a minimum, most tourists take protection against Hepatitis A and get booster shots. CDC and your local health department maintain a list of recommended shots for travel to your destination. Your personal physician may recommend some shots for your special needs. For more information you may contact your local health department or the CDC at
(800) 232 4636 or visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/regions/south-asia.aspx.
Precautions
Minor stomach ailments are the most common affliction of visitors to Himlayas. To minimize the chances of your getting sick, we strongly recommend that you drink only bottled water during your travel through Himalayas. Bottled drinking water is available for purchase throughout. In restaurants, insist that they bring a sealed bottle to your table. Avoid having ice in drinks unless you know it has been made with bottled water. It may be advisable to brush your teeth with bottled water. It is also a good idea to always wash your hands before and after eating. Try and avoid unpeeled fruits or raw salads or make sure fresh fruit or vegetables have been washed in bottled water. Most hotels have physicians on call. They are inexpensive (relative to what you pay at home), competent, and familiar with the common ailments that afflict travelers. Your tour might be traveling through remote areas where medical facilities may not be in easy reach. Our local staff are available to assist you in anyway possible.
CLIMATE
The best time to travel to Bhutan & Sikkim is from February/June & September/November.
CLOTHING
No formal clothes are required on your tour and casual to smart casual would be a good general guideline to follow. On tours, shorts are also okay. Bring your protection against sun, (i.e., sun screen, sun glasses, hat, etc.). Cotton clothes are sufficient from May until September but warm clothes are necessary from October to the end of April. However, visitors are advised to carry clothes consisting of layers (preferably a woolen sweater and jacket) throughout the season, as weather may change at anytime. Although we do not expect rain during the suggested months of travel but in the mountains quick showers can develop anytime. Please carry a light rain coat or an umbrella and a wind jacket. Remember comfortable walking shoes and a few pairs of dark "temple sox" that can be discarded after the tour.
Recommended items to pack include
Good walking shoes, protection against sun, (i.e., sun screen, sun glasses, hats, umbrellas, lip balm etc.), a woolen sweater and jacket, rain gear, extra pair of sox (temple sox), mosquito repellent (Deet or such), diarrhea/altitude sickness/de-hydration medication, soap leaves, wet wipes (single use type packets), hand sanitizer, binoculars, flashlight, alarm clock or a travelers watch, ear plugs, calculator, camera with extra memory sticks/film and batteries.
FOOD & DINING
Our tours to Himalayas are full board with most meals included as there is not enough choices of good & safe city restaurants... its best to eat at the hotels. A good combination of traditional local fare and continental favorites is available in most hotels. Buffet breakfast is included daily with juice, fruit, breads, eggs and local items. Lunches and dinners are mostly buffets or a choice of four-course western or traditional style meals. It.s recommended to drink only bottled water which is readily available throughout.
BAGGAGE Baggage handling of only one piece of checked luggage per person is included on all tours. Domestic flights in India and Bhutan allow each passenger only one checked bag not to exceed 44 pounds. Please check with us regarding restrictions on baggage to your destinations.
ELECTRIC CURRENT Electricity in India & Bhutan runs at 220/240 volts, 50 cycles A.C. If you do bring electrical appliances, take along an international converter kit complete with a set of adapter plugs.
TIME ZONES
India & Bhutan have only one time zone;
India: +5.5 hours GMT
Bhutan: +6 hours GMT
For current time in India & Bhutan visit: www.worldtimeserver.com
CURRENCY
Your hotels, sightseeing tours, most meals and on some escorted tours gratuities are prepaid. However, customary end-of-the-trip gratuity to your tour escort is not included. Tourists are advised to carry their money in form of traveler checks and cash (US Dollars) which might be needed for incidental expenses. It is easy to change money at your hotel cashier.s desk. You may want to take some cash in twenties, tens, fives and ones for small purchases. You should try not to change too much money as it is often difficult to reconvert local money back to US dollars. ATMs are not available in the Himalayas and credit cards are rarely accepted. Some large hotels or handicraft shops do accept credit cards but these transactions take extra time. We advise not to count on credit cards and please carry US Dollars cash or traveler's checks.
CANCELLATION:
Our cancellation policy is as follows; If canceled in writing;
90 days or more before departure.Minimum penalty $350.00
89 - 60 days before departure.Minimum penalty 50%
59 - 45 days before departure.Minimum penalty 75%
44 days prior till date of departure.100% of the tour price
NO shows . no refunds and no refunds after the tour begin.
All penalties above are per person.
Terms & Conditions |
|
