Visas: Despite popular mythology, you don't
need special 'pull' to get a visa, neither is there a limit on the number of tourists
allowed to visit. However, to minimize the perceived threat to Bhutan's unique culture,
the government has established a stringent set of rules, which means you must travel on a
pre-arranged itinerary and pay US$200 a night for the privilege, all costs included. Apart
from that, the process is relatively straightforward. All visa applications must be
channeled through the Tourism Authority of Bhutan (TAB) from a selected tour operator.
With notification of approval and receipt of full payment, visas are issued when you
arrive in the country. It's actually an extremely efficient system and you can set up a
trip with as little as 10 days planning. Health risks: Altitude sickness, diarrhea, hepatitis A, malaria (lowland areas
only
