What is the cost of this trip?
| MIIS Program Fee: $2200 (Includes 1600 in for food, lodging, and local transport and 600 for Bangkok-Bhutan R/T Flight) |
| Lodging: Included |
| Food: Included |
| Airfare:$1,100 (California to Bangkok) |
| Airport Transportation: $100 (US side) |
| Misc. (snacks, meals not covered by program fee, toiletries, etc.): $150 |
| Visa and/or Exit/Entry Fees’ Tourist Card: $40 |
Total: $3,590
What is the visa process like and when should I begin applying?
Visa clearance applications are to be sent by January 15 to Carolyn Meyer. The following text provides further guidelines for this process:
“All tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent.
Send Carolyn an e-copy of your passport photo page, copy/photo of your MIIS student ID card, and a completed visa form (click here to access PDF). Photo note: The photo can be electronic, but it should match the exact size of the photo box (not larger or smaller).
Visa Form Completion Details: Please fill as follows for Sl. # 8-11:
- Occupation/profession:Student
- Period for which visa is required: 16 March, 2016 to 30 March 2016 (internal note: cushion on either side in case of delay)
- Port of entry/ ext into Bhutan: Entry Port Paro Exit Port Paro
- Purpose of visit to Bhutan: Academic Exchange Program with the Royal Thimphu College
-See more at: Bhutan Tourism
What airport will we be flying into? Where should I catch a connecting flight?
All students will be flying into Bhutan’s Paro International Airport. In order to fly to Bhutan, students will need to take a connecting flight from Bangkok.
When booking your flight to Bangkok, we recommend that you leave California by Thursday, March 17 so that you arrive in Bangkok no later than 1am (early morning in Bangkok) on Friday, March 19. You will then check-in at the Tashi Air Counter at BKK airport at 3:30am on March 19 to travel to Paro, Bhutan. To check-in at Tashi Air, you will have to exit your Bangkok flight go through Thai Arrivals/Immigration, get your luggage, go up to Departures and check-in fresh to the Bhutan flight. See below for earlier arrival option (i.e. arriving in Bhutan on March 18).
*Please indicate whether you want to arrive in Bhutan on March 18 or March 19 here.
Arrival Options: If your schedule permits, we can book you on a Bhutan flight at 3:30am on March 18 with arrival into Paro on March 18. You would have one more day in Bhutan with this option.
Note: We recommend that you leave on Wednesday, March 16 and plan an overnight in Bangkok if your budget and schedule permit so that you are more rested for our first day in Bhutan Friday, March 18 or Saturday, March 19. If you do not want a full hotel overnight in Bangkok, try to arrive later in the evening on March 18 and wait around in the airport.
When booking your return flight, please book flights from Bangkok to California that depart no earlier than 10pm (Bangkok time) on Sunday, March 27. We will leave Paro for a 4.5 hour flight to Bangkok around 10am on Sunday, March 27 with estimated arrival in Bangkok at 5pm. May of the late flights on March 27 and early morning flights from Bangkok to California on March 28 have you arriving into SFO around 11am on Monday, March 27.
March 27 Departure:
DEP: PBH-Paro International Airport
10:35 Hrs. B3700 ARR: BKK-Subarnabhumi Bangkok International 16:05 Hrs
Should I purchase travel insurance?
We recommend that you purchase flight insurance through a company like Travel Insured for two travel days when you will be en route to Bhutan and for the two days of your return in case you miss a flight.
– See more at: Travel by Air
If I stay overnight in Bangkok, where should I go?
There are many hotels close to the Bangkok airport. RTC recommends the Sinsuvarn Airport Suite. It is 2.1 miles from the airport with a free shuttle (check hours).Lodging is around 20 USD per night.
The Floral Shrine Resort also includes a free taxi shuttle (confirm hours with hotel) from the airport to the hotel (2.8 miles). Lodging for one person is around $20/USD per night.
In case of emergency, be sure to carry the wallet sized, emergency contact card (issued by Carolyn). The Bankok airport will have wifi access, so be sure to write to the required recipients in the case of a flight delay, or other problems that may arise.
What are a few things I will need to have in hand while at the airport?
When flying, do not be alarmed if you see two separate lines for boarding and/or ticket processing. Flights sometimes go through Calcutta, and passengers are arranged by nationality to ensure a smoother boarding process. Have the print out of your ticket ready, $40.00 USD for the entrance fee, the visa clearance letter, your MIIS Student ID Card and your passport when going through customs.
A station will be available in the airport to exchange currency. It is best to exchange this when in country, to ensure that you are receiving the best rate. Once you have exited customs, look for the “MIIS” sign. It is a very small airport so you should have no trouble finding this.
What will the weather be like once we get there?
The month of March marks early spring season in Bhutan. The climate will be a bit colder than the temperatures here in Monterey: temperature will be in the 50’s-60’s during the day and 30 degrees at night with a chance of rain, and occasional sunny skies.
Is there a dress code?
“In 1989 a national dress code was started for all citizens of Bhutan. The men are required to wear a Gho, a robe resembling a dressing gown, and the women are required to wear a Kira, a sari-like garment worn over a blouse. While citizens still do wear this formal clothing, many will wear t-shirt and jeans underneath. Citizens who do not comply with the dress code were once subject to a fine. But in present times, the dress code has been more relaxed so one can see people wearing both national and western dresses. It is mandatory to wear the national dress for all official duties.”
“Non-Bhutanese citizens are of course not subject to this dress code, but out of respect for the Bhutanese culture; do not wear shorts in public buildings and monasteries. Wearing shorts for hiking in the country and walking in towns is acceptable.”-Cultural Crossroads.com
Bhutan is a highly conservative society. Therefore, it is requested that visitors wear long sleeves and jeans/long skirts covering the legs while in temples, government offices and formal education sites. Jeans are allowed, but in a formal environment you have to be more careful; it is best to bring darker jeans. Dresses are fine as long as they are not too short.
What is the diet like in Bhutan? Is it vegan and vegetarian friendly?
A typical Bhutanese meal consists of rice (main body of all meals), a vegetarian dish of Ema Datshi (chili and cheese stew), pork, beef curry or lentils. Pork, beef and chicken are the meats that are eaten most often, though vegetables such as spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions and green beans tend to always accompany these dishes.
What does lodging look like?
There will be two individuals per room. Some days will be spent at the Thimphu college campus, hotels will be utilized when not in Thimphu, and a home stay will be offered as well, for one night of the trip.
Will there be areas I can exercise outdoors?
The terrain is not flat, so the roads will be very steep (altitude is around 2,500-2,700 meters). It may not be a good idea to go running while in Bhutan. Because the trip will require a good amount of hiking, it may be a good idea to bring along a hiking pole.
What sort of medication should I consider bringing with me?
It will be springtime there, so consider bringing allergy medication with you if you tend to be allergic. Basic pain reliever is always a good idea, as well as anlti-dhiarial medication and Ciproxin, an antibiotic helpful for any potential infections. Ear plugs will be necessary if you are a light sleeper. It has also been suggested that you bring motion sickness medication, for the times that you will be traveling by bus.
Will I need to get any kind of vaccinations before I leave?
Yes, be sure to check the CDC website for specific information pertaining to Bhutan.
What kind of international health insurance do you recommend, if I do not have a plan with MIIS?
We recommend enrolling in a program designed for Middlebury/MIIS students through HTH Worldwide. The cost for this plan (2015-16) is approximately $49.80/month. – To enroll on line, go to: www.hthstudents.com and enter the code EWG-9068 as the group access code on the home page under “Enroll in your school or organization’s group plan.”
If you would like to compare alternative policies, begin here: http://www.studyabroad.com/pages/sitecontent/marketplace_insurance.aspx.
Please visit: HTH worldwide for more details.
Are there any prohibited items that I am unable to bring into the country?
Tobacco products are banned. Agricultural products not properly packaged or labeled are prohibited as well.
What is the Druk Airline policy for carry on items?
Please see electronic ticket stub.
Are ATMs accessible in order to withdraw currency?
ATMs are not widely available. Please bring enough cash ($300 USD is recommended) with you to Bhutan for gifts and misc. items, and remember to exchange most of your dollars while at the airport.
What is the currency in Bhutan, and what is my purchasing power?
Be sure to visit Numbeo for best estimate prices for common goods.
Are credit cards acceptable to use in country?
This option is not widely available. Please plan to use cash and convert it in country.
What is higher education like in Bhutan? Are there typically more women students than men?
Their student body is 60% female with around 800 students (up to 100 from abroad).
What kind of power adapter should I pack?
Bhutan uses two, round pin power plugs. These must work with 120 and 240 voltage. You can purchase adapters in Bhutan or at your local REI.
Additional questions we plan to pursue in the coming weeks:
How do religious institutions deal with modernization? (high church and low church; worldviews and tensions)
What are the interactions between state and society in an emerging democracy?
Is English an advantage or a problem for the maintenance of Bhutanese culture?
Is culture and development at war with each other?