How booking with us works
Booking a trip to Bhutan takes a few more steps than booking a hotel, because the visa and Sustainable Development Fee have to be arranged before you fly. We handle those steps for you. Here is what happens, from your first message to the day you land.
- Step1
Send a booking request
Fill in the booking request form or email us at info@mysticalshangrila.com. Tell us your rough dates, the number of travellers, the tour you like (or that you want something tailor-made), and your preferred hotel standard. There is no commitment and no payment at this stage.
- Step2
Receive your itinerary and quote
A member of our team in Thimphu replies personally with a day-by-day itinerary, the hotels we suggest, and an all-inclusive price per person. The price includes the visa, SDF, guide, vehicle, hotels and meals. We revise the plan as often as you like until it is right.
- Step3
Confirm with a deposit
When you are happy, we send a confirmation with the final price, the payment schedule and the cancellation terms, all in writing. Paying the deposit secures your hotels, guide and vehicle, and your flights to Paro if we are booking them.
- Step4
We apply for your visa
Send us a scan of each traveller's passport (valid for at least six months) and a recent photo. We submit the visa applications and pay the visa fee and SDF to the government. You receive your visa approval letters by email.
- Step5
Final payment and travel documents
Settle the balance by the date in your confirmation. We then send your final pack: the itinerary, your guide's name and phone number, the hotel list, and an emergency contact in Thimphu.
- Step6
Arrive in Bhutan
Show your visa approval letter at Paro airport or at the border. Your guide is waiting outside, and from then on everything is taken care of.
Paying for your trip
Payments are made by international bank transfer (SWIFT) to our company account in Bhutan. The bank details are printed on your invoice, and we confirm each payment when it arrives. If you need another way to pay, ask us and we will tell you what we can offer.
For your security, we never ask for card details by email. Please check our bank details by phone or by replying to a known email address before you send money. If anyone sends you different details, contact us first.
Can I change my itinerary after booking?
Yes. Small changes, such as an extra night or a different hotel, are usually easy. Changes to your arrival or departure dates can affect your visa and SDF, so tell us as early as possible.
What happens if I need to cancel?
The cancellation terms are set out in writing in your booking confirmation before you pay anything. Government fees, such as the visa and SDF, follow the government's own refund rules.
What if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Paro flights are sometimes delayed by weather. If that happens, we rearrange your guide, hotels and itinerary around the new flight, and help with your visa and SDF dates. Good travel insurance is the best protection against extra costs.
Do you offer group discounts?
The per-person price falls as your group gets bigger, because the guide and vehicle costs are shared. Quotes always reflect your actual group size.
Tell us when you would like to travel
Send us your dates and interests. We will reply personally with a day-by-day itinerary and one all-inclusive price. You can also write to us at info@mysticalshangrila.com.
Free, no-obligation quote. We reply personally within one working day.