Your 2026 Nepal and Bhutan Exploration will be here before you know it! About 30 days prior to the start of the trip, we’ll email personalized travel documents, confirming your trip inclusions and airport transfer details. Below you will find additional information to help you prepare for the adventure that lies ahead.
We look forward to seeing you soon in Kathmandu!
All documentation required for this itinerary is the sole responsibility of the guest. Brand g Vacations will not be responsible for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for any passenger, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses, including missed portions of your trip, related to improper or absent travel documentation. It is suggested that copies of important documents, including your passport and visas, be kept in a separate place, in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Passport: A passport that is valid for at least six (6) months after your return date is required for this program. Your passport should have a minimum of two blank pages for the entry visas.
Visas: Citizens of almost every country require tourist visas to enter Nepal and Bhutan.
Nepal: We have arranged for our local representatives to meet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, before you reach the immigration counter, to assist you in obtaining your visa. You will meet the representative at the statue of Buddha pictured below:
To obtain your visa upon entry, we require a copy of the picture and signature page of your passport. We also need a digital face photo of the same specifications as the picture in your passport. We have sent an email with instructions for taking and sending this photo. If you have not already done so, please send us this image at your earliest convenience. Using these items, our local representatives will complete all required paperwork.
You will need to bring the required visa fee of $30 US Dollars. Please bring exact change in new bills with no rips, tears or markings. While money-changing and ATM services are available at the airport, credit card payment is not a reliable option, and ATM machines occasionally malfunction.
Bhutan: Our local representatives will obtain your Bhutan visa on your behalf and you will have already paid the required fee as part of your Brand g reservation. The visa will be provided to you by our local representatives at the appropriate time for entry.
Travel Protection: Travel insurance is strongly recommended. If you have not purchased a policy already, you may do so by contacting your travel agent or Brand g Vacations. You may also get a quote and purchase a policy online from Brand g’s recommended travel insurance provider, Travel Insured International, on our reservations website. Please be sure to carry all policy information with you during your program.
Vaccinations:
No vaccinations are required for entering Nepal or Bhutan at the time of this printing, but it is recommended that you discuss available vaccinations and any other health concerns you may have with your personal physician or a travel medicine specialist.
The consulates of Nepal and Bhutan will also provide information on vaccination requirements and/or suggestions. You may also consult the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for their current recommendations. Their website is www.cdc.gov in the US.
Physical Limitations: The is an active trip, and there is much to see and do. Many included excursions require an extensive amount of walking over uneven terrain, and many sites have numerous steps that may be steeper and narrower than is common in Western countries. Guests with physical limitations will find access to many sites difficult or impossible to navigate. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that you be in good physical condition.
Medical: Medical facilities are not always easily accessible during the more rural portions of the trip. Any medical expenses incurred during the trip are the guest’s own responsibility, and neither Brand g nor the local ground operator is responsible for cost or quality of medical care received. Guests should bring their medications with them. A travel insurance policy that covers medical expenses as well as medical evacuation while traveling internationally is highly recommended.
Dietary Preferences: Please advise us of any special dietary restrictions at least 45 days (September 11th) prior to your departure. This information will be provided to the proper personnel, and where possible within local conditions and limitations, every effort will be made to accommodate your needs. It is the guest’s responsibility to provide us with as much detail as possible concerning any medically related dietary concerns. Not all dietary requests can be accommodated, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.
While there are no restrictions on the number of bags each guest may bring it is highly recommended that each guest bring only one checked bag. Additionally, all airlines impose restrictions on both size and weight, and many airlines restrict the number of bags per person. Each guest must check with their selected air carrier for limitations prior to departure, as luggage restrictions are subject to change. Guests who exceed an airline’s luggage restrictions may be asked by the airline to pay the airline’s overweight/oversized luggage fees.
An airline’s limitations on the weight and size of checked and carry-on baggage are usually found on their website or may be obtained by calling the airline directly. Please remember that international (over the water) and domestic (intra continental) restrictions may not be the same.
Luggage Allowances for Included Flights: For the included flight from Kathmandu to Paro, we fly on Drukair airlines. The checked bag allowance for these flights on Drukair is 30kg (66lb). You are also allowed a personal item as well as cabin baggage. Your cabin baggage must be placed in the over head bin and therefore the overall dimensions are limited to 45 x 35 x 20 cm (17 x 13 x 8 inches). The weight must not exceed 5 kgs (11lb).
Your luggage and all personal belongings are solely your responsibility throughout the trip. Brand g Vacations is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage or personal belongings. Selecting a travel insurance plan that will cover lost or stolen luggage and/or personal items is highly recommended.
Please place luggage tags on the outside of all of your bags, including carry on and hand luggage, and include a copy of your contact information during the trip on the inside of your checked bags. Valuables and medication should only be packed in your carry-on bags (unless required to be placed in checked bags by your airline).
Please be sure to contact your airline prior to departure and verify there have been no changes to the flight number or schedule. If you have an airport transfer confirmed with Brand g, please advise of any schedule change affecting your airport pick up time.
Familiarize yourself with current airport security procedures and arrive at the airport at least two and a half (2.5) hours prior to your scheduled departure. During peak travel times, you may want to arrive three (3) hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
Entry documents will be required at all border crossings, so please carry proper identification with you all times, and never place it in checked luggage.
When arriving by airplane, it is not unusual for a border guard to ask you questions such as “where are you from,” “where are you going,” “how long will you be there,” or “what is the purpose of your trip.” Always answer honestly and politely.
If you are bringing laptops, cameras, or other electrical equipment with you on your trip, you may be required to register these items with the local customs authority in order to ensure you are not charged duty on these items when you return home.
Most items you purchase internationally can be brought back into the US and Canada. We do recommend, however, that you check with both your home country’s customs office for current restrictions, as well as with the embassies of the countries you are visiting for any restrictions on items that may be unlawful to take outside their borders.
When you return to your home country, you should be prepared to declare everything you purchased or acquired while traveling. Many countries will ask you to complete a customs form, which will require descriptions and values of the items. These forms are easier to complete if you keep your sales receipts easily accessible. Most countries have set customs duty exemptions for both quantity and value of certain items. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with these allowances and limits prior to your travel.
Please be advised that most hotels do not allow check-in earlier than 3:00pm. If you arrive at the hotel before 3:00pm, there may be a wait until the room becomes available. Check-out at most host hotel properties is 12:00pm. If your arrival or departure schedule does not coincide with these times, you may ask the hotel(s) to store your baggage while you explore independently. Please note that every effort is made to ensure that your hotel room is available and ready for occupancy upon your arrival, however a short wait for your room to become available may be unavoidable. Depending on your arrival or departure times, you may wish to purchase an early check-in, late check-out, or additional hotel night in order to guarantee availability of your room. Feel free to contact Brand g Vacations or your travel agent to book additional services.
Guests who provided their independently arranged flight details to Brand g Vacations no later than 45 days (September 11th) prior to departure, will automatically have airport arrival and departure transfers arranged. Flight arrangements must also be made in accordance with Brand g vacations flight recommendations. Guests are responsible for checking with the airlines and providing their most up-to-date flight details. Please contact your travel agent or Brand g Vacations if you have any questions about your flight arrangements.
Arrival transfers are provided from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (KTM) to the Marriott Kathmandu Hotel. The transfer from airport to the hotel takes about 30 minutes. Please consult the travel documents, which will be emailed to you approximately 30 days prior to the trip start date for instructions on where to meet your transfer at the airport.
Departure Transfers are provided from The Zhiwaling Hotel in Paro to The Paro International Airport (PBH) in time for your Independently arranged flight (or the optional Paro to Delhi flight purchased through Brand g). No further transfers will be provided. A departure confirmation will be provided to you during the trip advising you of the meeting time and place for your transfer.
Travel Delays: If you experience a travel delay while still in your home country, after working with your air carrier to revise your flight schedule, please contact Brand g’s Operations Office at 952-405-9309 to advise us of your revised arrival date and time. If the line is busy or you are calling outside of general business hours, please leave a message.
If you have already departed your home country, please contact our local staff at the numbers provided below in the Important Contact Information section. Please note, this section may not be added until we email your personalized travel documents to you about 30 days prior to the trip start date.
If you purchased travel insurance that covers flight delay and cancellation expenses, you will also want to contact your travel insurance company to start a claim for expenses incurred during your delay. If the delay is serious enough that you will miss the starting point of your cruise, any additional hotel, and/or flight arrangements necessary to meet your group will be at your expense.
Baggage Delays: Baggage delays unfortunately occur from time to time, especially during peak travel periods. If you discover any bag did not make it to your destination, do not leave the airport baggage area without completing a Lost Baggage Report with your air carrier. This report is essential to the tracking of your claim. If you have an airport transfer scheduled, and are traveling with a companion, we recommend that one person exit the baggage claim area and locate the representative to inform him or her of the situation. This will allow the representative to ensure that the transfer is properly provided. Give the air carrier a copy of your travel itinerary, along with the hotel and ship contact information. Report your lost baggage to your Brand g Vacations host and provide them with a copy of your Lost Baggage Report. Brand g Vacations is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and/or personal belongings. Selecting a travel insurance plan that will cover lost or stolen luggage and/or personal items is highly recommended.
Brand g Vacations Tour Leaders will be with you during your travel program to handle all the details, leaving you to relax and enjoy your vacation.
The ability to stay in touch with friends and family is an important part of travel, and many guests choose to bring cell phones on the trip. International roaming charges can be expensive, and it is advisable to contact your local carrier to determine the charges and plans available for each country you are visiting, then select the best available plan for your expected usage. In some countries, SIM cards are available for purchase that can be used in an unlocked phone (call your carrier to determine if your phone is, or can be, unlocked), providing a local number that can be used both locally and internationally, usually at a significantly lower rate. Please note that most US Carriers do not have international plans that include Bhutan, so you may want to consider an esim or plan to use your phone at the hotels where wifi is available.
Making international calls from the hotels is possible, but costly. Connection fees are usually applied, in addition to other call charges.
While cell phone service is typically available in the larger cities, service in more rural areas may be extremely limited, and at times may not be available at all. Should you choose to bring your cell phone, please refrain from conducting conversations during the guides’ excursion commentary
Each hotel offers free WiFi internet.
Nepal uses the Nepalese Rupee; and the Bhutanese Ngultrum is the currency of Bhutan. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops. As exchange rates in Asia fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for exchange rates: www.xe.com.
Currency exchanges at the airports are able to exchange a wide variety of currencies, including US dollars, British pound sterling, Euros, and Australian dollars. It is advisable to keep small notes on hand, as it is sometimes difficult to get change.
Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Nepal and Bhutan by many merchants. You may find, however, that some are reluctant to take credit cards because of the fees associated with the cards. Therefore, we suggest that you carry cash, in case you wish to make purchases. Aside from a few of the international hotel chains, American Express is not widely accepted in this part of the world.
Please contact your bank and/or credit card companies to let them know that you will be leaving the country to avoid any problems using your credit card(s) overseas.
Gratuities for the included components of this program have been pre-paid. You are welcome to provide additional tips at your discretion.
The hotels have open areas where smoking is allowed and may offer smoking areas in specific sections of some indoor lounges. All hotel rooms are non-smoking. We ask everyone to refrain from smoking while on excursions.
The voltage in Nepal and Bhutan is officially 220/50Hz. To use any electrical product, which does not accept 220 volts, you will need an electrical converter. We recommend bringing an adapter for use in the hotels. The most common socket types are the two round-prong plug Type F such as is found in Europe or three round-prong plug Type D. Because the voltage may fluctuate at times, we also recommend unplugging your devices when not in use or when leaving them unattended.
Your tour program includes comprehensive excursions led by a local English-speaking guide; these excursions have been designed to provide you with the best possible experience. Your Brand g Vacations host will provide details on each day’s excursion(s) and timing. Should guests be concerned about any aspect of an excursion, please inform your local guide or Brand g Vacations host.
Your itinerary takes you into some areas where locals are simply living their daily lives. Should you wish to take a photo of locals, please request their permission first (simply pointing to your camera and allowing them to nod is sufficient).
Many of the local customs in Nepal and Bhutan differ greatly from Western culture. In many temples it is required that all guests remove shoes as well as cover their knees and shoulders.
We understand it may be hard to resist, but kindly ask that you not give any money to children. A better alternative would be something from a far-away place, e.g., postcards, small notepads or other school supplies, small personal hygiene products, etc. These items should not be given to any individual child or family – instead, ask your guide to give them to a village elder or the local school.
Many of the places we visit on this itinerary are not handicapped accessible. Please note: The American with Disabilities Act does not apply in either country and accessibility to some sights may be limited for those with mobility impairments.
Many excursions involve walking over uneven ground. Additionally, some excursions are walking tours only, and some places will require the removal of shoes before entering. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that all guests be in good physical condition.
At its sole discretion, Brand g reserves the right to refuse passage, or to require a passenger to end his or her trip if the passenger’s state of health or physical condition may affect his or her own health, safety, and enjoyment, or that of other passengers.
In the countries in which we operate, pickpockets are not uncommon, and caution is encouraged. Brand g Vacations cannot be held liable for loss of money, jewelry, or other valuable items from a hotel, or while on an excursion. A travel insurance policy will typically cover most incidents of loss or theft. Please make use of the in-room safes available in the host hotels.
Please do not drink the tap water in Nepal or Bhutan or use it for brushing your teeth. The water is suitable for showers and baths but should not be consumed. Drinking water will be provided in each hotel as well as during excursions.
Weather forecasts are widely available on the Internet, and some of the favorites for large, international cities are www.weather.com and www.cnn.com/weather.
Average temperatures:
Kathmandu : 75/48 degrees F
Paro, Bhutan: 66/40 degrees F
Despite being among the highest peaks in the world, the elevations you will experience on our Bhutan/Nepal custom tour are not extreme. Kathmandu is at 4,500 feet; Paro, which is situated in foothills of the Himalayas is at 7,300. There is time to move at a comfortable pace, allowing travelers to adjust to the mountain air. Keeping hydrated, avoiding excessive alcohol, eating frequent, light meals, and getting plenty of rest will help with any effects of altitude that you may feel.
WHAT TO BRING
Travel Essentials: The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, rain jacket and umbrella. It is recommended that you bring duplicates of prescription eyewear, copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic equivalents are usually easier to obtain), copies of credit card information, and copies of your passport information pages and visas.
Clothing: Comfortable, sporty, casual clothing is appropriate throughout the trip. We suggest “expedition style” clothing in natural, moisture-wicking fabrics that may be layered. A mix of shirts, everyday slacks/pants, skirts/dresses, swimwear and walking shorts are appropriate. Early mornings, late evenings, and air-conditioned spaces may also require a light sweater and at times in Bhutan you will require a lightweight warm coat or jacket as well as gloves and warm headwear. Again, having layers that you can add or take off to adjust for changing temperatures is highly recommended.
Sport jackets and evening dress are not required at any time during this program; however, you may wish to pack a few smart outfits for evening meals or nights out on your own.
Footwear: Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, with good ankle support, are highly recommended, as there is a significant amount of walking on many excursions.
The below preliminary itinerary is for planning purposes only and is subject to change.
Monday, October 26 (Dinner) Kathmandu
Tuesday, October 27 (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Kathmandu
Wednesday, October 28 (Breakfast / Dinner) Kathmandu
Thursday, October 29 (Breakfast) Kathmandu
Friday, October 30 (Breakfast / Dinner) Kathmandu/Paro/Punakha
Saturday, October 31 (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Punakha
Sunday, November 1 (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Punakha/Thimphu
Monday, November 2 (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Thimphu
Tuesday, November 3 (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Thimphu/Paro
Wednesday, November 4 (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner) Paro
(Optional for those not doing the Taktshang hike)
Thursday, November 5 (Breakfast) Paro
Please provide a copy of the final contacts to your family members or friends in case they need to reach you in the event of an emergency.
Nepal operates on NPT (Nepal Time GMT+5:45 hours), so when it is 12:00pm in New York it is 9:45pm in Nepal.
Bhutan operates on BTT (Bhutan Time GMT+6:00 hours), so when it is 12:00pm in New York it is 10:00pm in Paro.
International telephone calls can be placed by dialing the International Access Code (+977 – Nepal) & (+975 – Bhutan), the country code and then the phone number. Should you need to utilize the local emergency mobile below, please specify that you are traveling with Brand g Vacations.
| PROGRAM DATE | PROGRAM VENUE | ADDRESS |
| October 26 – 30 | Marriott Kathmandu
+977 1-5970300 |
Manakamana Marg, Naxal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal |
| October 30 – November 1 | Dhensa Resort-Punakha
Telephone: +975 2 584 434 |
Post Box No.117 Wolakha, Punakha, Bhutan |
| November 1 – 3 | Le Meridien Hotel – Thimphu
Telephone: +975 2 337 788 |
Chorten Lam, P.O. Box 01286
Thimphu, Bhutan |
| November 3 – 5 | Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton
Telephone: +975-8-276000 |
Paro, Bhutan |
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