Important Note:

• Itinerary is tentative and can be changed or modified subject to smooth and timely running of Train. The final Timing will be based on the Train order received from the railways.
• Tripozo or its partner has right to alter itinerary under unavoidable circumstances and is not liable for any type of natural calamities/ strikes/ cancellation/ delay of train/ insurgency of any such nature which is beyond control during the tour period.
• Operation of Deluxe Tourist Train is subject to minimum number of passengers booked.
• Passengers before boarding the train should ensure the proper check-up of their body/ health from their doctor in order to be fit for travelling; Tripozo or its partner will not be responsible for any mishap due to unfit condition/health problem such as restlessness/anxiety/breathing problem (asthma)/ any other physical problems and natural death of passengers.

DO'S & DON’T:
Please go through the following points to make your journey better and comfortable:

1. Maintain general hygiene.
2. Tourists should wear face mask if suffering from cough and cold.
3. All tourists should refrain from spitting while in the train, tourist places, buses, hotels etc.
4. Stay away from touching of statues/idols/holy objects at religious/tourist sites.
5. No prasad distribution or sprinkling of holy water etc. inside the train.
6. May follow the decorum at all points of time.
7. Refrain from disruptive behavior on the train and off it.
8. Please be mindful when using phone in common areas. Do not play music loudly which could be potentially intrusive for your fellow passenger.
9. Please wear formals/smart casuals at the restaurant during meal times.

 

Tour Manager

• Tour Manager is the single point contact for all information pertaining to the train and itinerary. Please follow the guidelines of the Tour Manager at all times.

During Train Journey

• Do not pull the chain while traveling on train as it is a punishable offence when done without a valid reason.
• Do not waste water unnecessarily in the train.
• Do not cross railway tracks. Use foot over bridges.

Attire

• Please ensure that your attire does not offend the locals/visitors at the places you visit. At holy shrines, you may be required to remove your shoes.

Decorum

• Please maintain decency of language as a courtesy towards your fellow passengers in the train and other visitors at the shrines/places your visit.
• Do not be rude while interacting with locals and do not indulge in any arguments. In case of any doubts on any matter, please contact the Tour Manager.
• Please be in groups and follow timings at the places you visit as per instructions of the Tour Manager.
• Photography may be restricted at certain places. Do not offend the local regulations.
• Tripozo or its partner reserves the right to remove any passenger that it feels is creating discord on the tour.

Sight seeing

• The itinerary provided to you may change due to unavoidable circumstances. Please follow the instructions of Tour Manager.
• Tripozo or its partner shall not be responsible for any mishaps caused due to negligence, non-compliance of instructions etc.

Safety and Security

• Please take complete care of your belongings during the tour.
• Do carry a Photo Identity Card such as Voter's ID, Passport, and PAN Card etc. for Security reasons.
• Please leave the contact details of person(s) to be contacted in case of any Emergency with the Tour Manager.

Do's and Don'ts Rules and Regulations for Bhutan:

Immigration process: All Indian tourists will have to acquire a permit to enter Bhutan and the immigration formalities are quite strict in the country. The immigration office is at Phuentsholing, and the ideal time to acquire the permit will take 2/3 hours. However it will also depend on the rush available on that particular day and also the pending permits issued from the previous day, so it might take a maximum of 5 hours too. Without acquiring these permits, tourists will not be allowed to travel ahead of Phuentsholing as they are checked at about 3 check posts on the way.

Smoking & Drinking: Strictly prohibited in public places. Allowed in smoking zone only.
 

Local Timings: The Bhutan Standard time is half an hour ahead of Indian Standard Time (e.g: if it is 5.30 pm in India then it is 6.00 pm at Bhutan) and all the timings at Bhutan whether office, restaurant, sightseeing spots opening and closing times are according to BST.

 

Indian Food: Although the cooks are learning, most of them in the hotels are not well accustomed with Indian food items so the taste of the same may be different. Also, chapatis and rotis etc. may not be up to the standard all the time.

 

Bhutanese Dish: People in Bhutan usually have sparse meals compared to Indian meals. The traditional dishes are usually made with cheese (yak or cow milk) and chillies. It would be advisable to observe caution if your palette does not agree to spicy food or if you are lactose intolerant. However, rest assured the traditional Bhutanese is much healthier than average Indian cuisine.

 

Sweet Dish: Bhutan traditionally has no system of having any dessert items after meals. So expect to find tinned fruits or tinned rasgullas etc. only for dessert most of the time. Also, the items in dessert usually will be less in quantity since these tinned items are imported from India or other foreign nations and they are very high priced.

 

Language: The Bhutanese people ideally know these four languages: Dzongkha, Nepali, English and Hindi. All locals may not be well versed in Hindi. However, they will be able to answer in English at least.

 

People: Bhutan is comparatively a laid back country. The hospitality industry is picking up pace in the recent years but the level of efficiency may not be similar compared to the rest of the world. So while dealing with any hotel/restaurant staff or shopkeepers etc. please try to maintain patience as they may be slow in their work but will ultimately get the work done.

 

Roads: The road conditions are comparatively good throughout Bhutan except for the roads to Punakha and Bumthang. However, Bhutan being a fully hilly country, expect the roads to have twists and turns all throughout; so the people who have travel sickness or vomiting tendencies during travel are requested to take caution and carry necessary medication.

 

Traffic: The traffic rules are very strict and the drivers always have to maintain a strict speed limit. As such, the tourists are requested to maintain timings as suggested by the tour leaders and guides during the tour so as to complete all the sightseeings and reach each destination within time. Also, you have to expect a few yards to reach the sightseeing spots, as the vehicles will be able to take you only to the allowable points or parking spaces.

 

Taktshang Monastery: This is one of the most popular sightseeing spots at Bhutan and is located atop a hill. However, to reach it, one has to hike for about 2-3 hours up and about 2 hours down (so people with arthritis, heart, breathing problems and senior citizens are advised to observe caution and if possible refrain to go on this hike).

 

Enroute Tea/Coffee: The traditional tea/ coffee at Bhutan is essentially buttered tea (suja) which would not always suit the Indian stomachs. There usually are not many proper traditional tea shops at Bhutan so do not expect to find many on the way either. Also too many unscheduled halts on the way would mean missing out on some sightseeing spots. It is suggested therefore to have the tea/coffee at the hotel where you shall be staying or to carry your own stock.

 

Shopping: During your tour, you will have the option of visiting the markets at Thimphu and Paro. You will find more traditional items at the market at Paro while you can also visit the handicraft market at Thimphu provided you were able to finish the rest of the sightseeing spots before. However, most of the goods are either imported or hand-made, so in comparison to many markets in India, the products will be high priced, in addition the shopkeepers do not bargain much.

 

Enroute washrooms: The population of Bhutan is very much less as compared to India so most of the road ways connecting the different districts (dzongkhags) will seems to be deserted but full of natural sceneries. As such, there are not many washrooms enroute or even if they do exist, they are not well maintained because there are not enough people there to act as caretakers. There are however washrooms at the enroute lunch sites and/ or sightseeing spots that you shall visit. You are therefore advised to consult the guide in advance so as to negate any discomfort during your travel.

 

Dress Code: Bhutan is a Buddhist country and most of the sightseeing spots have some or the other religious significance. There are some dress codes to be followed at certain sightseeing spots and monasteries, where you are not allowed to wear Cap/Sunglasses/Half sleeves shirt/t-shirt with round neck. If its half sleeve, then it should be having collared neck and if its round neck, then it should full sleeves. For more information guests are advised to consult the Guide/Driver at the start of the day's sightseeing so as to avoid any confusion later.