Facilitating movement of tourists at interior checkpoints

A negative list approach has be adopted for tourists, whereby, the requirement of Route Permit for tourist has been lifted.

Under the negative list approach, a tourist with a Bhutanese guide can travel to any part of the country except areas classified as prohibited or restricted (list attached below) without having to produce a route permit or stopping at internal checkpoints.

In this regard, after a tourist has been facilitated entry via designated land ports at Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse and Paro International Airport, movement of all tourist at all interior checkpoints such as Rinchending ICP will be facilitated without any let or hindrance as long as they are accompanied by a DOT certified guide. There is no need to record their entry/exit in the Immigration Information Monitoring System at interior checkpoints.

1.    Prohibited areas

     2.    Restricted areas

Note: However, tourists will be allowed to visit restricted areas identified as trekking route by the Department of Tourism if accompanied by DOT certified trekking guide.