In a world that is always on the go, Bhutan provides sanctuary.
Here, you can find earthly pleasures: archery and age-old crafts, dishes of home-made cheese and fearsomely hot chillies, breathtaking treks and restorative hot-stone baths.
But there’s another Bhutan, too – the one hinted at by the prayer flags strung across gorges and fluttering on every hillside.
It’s where irreverent humour meets deeply held beliefs, and epic landscapes and slow journeys create room for quiet awe.
In this Bhutan, you can enhance your well-being, immerse yourself in wonder and embark on exhilarating adventures.
More than 70% forested, and the first carbon-negative country in the world, we’re also planting the seeds of science and tech innovation.
There isn't just one Bhutan to discover; there are many. From storied cities to soaring mountains, the door to the kingdom is open once again to old and new friends.
- Bhutan Travel Essentials
- Bhutan Tourism
- Must Know Before You Travel to Bhutan
- Nightlife in Bhutan
- Best time to visit Bhutan
- Shopping in Bhutan
- Festivals of Bhutan
- Customs of Bhutan
- Tips for visiting Bhutan
- Food of Bhutan
1. Bhutan Travel Essentials
Ideal Duration: 7-10 days for a cultural tour or trekking; 2 weeks for a more immersive experience
Currency: Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN)
Best Time: October to December (Autumn) for clear skies and festivals
Accommodation Cost (per night in USD): Government-regulated daily tariff (includes accommodation, food, guide, and transport)
Budget for Food & Drinks (per day in USD): Included in the daily tariff
Visa Policy for Indians: E-visa required, facilitated through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator
Visa Policy for Other Nationals: Visa required, facilitated through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator
Exchanging Money: Apart from the Ngultrum, the Indian Rupee and US Dollar are accepted as legal tender. Indian rupee holds almost equal value as that of Bhutanese Ngultrum. ATMs only accept Bhutanese bank cards apart from the Druk PNB ATMs. Travellers are thus advised to carry traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Indian Rupees
2. Bhutan Tourism
The ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ – Bhutan nestles in the mountainous regions of the Eastern Himalayas and is one of the cleanest countries in the South Asian region.
A remote kingdom that still clings to its Buddhist culture but embraces modernization, Bhutan is a land of beautiful valleys, snow-clad mountain views, and lush greenery.
Bhutan's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its ancient monasteries, intricate temples, and colorful festivals.
Bhutan's main tourist hubs include the capital town of Thimphu and the beautiful city of Paro.
Apart from these, Bhutan is known for its iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliffside, and the Punakha Dzong, a majestic fortress with stunning architecture and many trekking routes.
Bhutan is a unique country as it's the only country in the world that measures success in terms of Gross National Happiness, prioritizing the well-being of its citizens over material wealth.
Because of this, Bhutan has attracted tourists from around the globe due to its warm hospitality and ever-smiling approach to guests.
The colorful clothing, festivals, and hearty food is a testament to their way of life in these misty mountains where resources are scarce, but enthusiasm is not.
You can explore the magnificent dzongs (fortresses) that serve as religious and administrative centers throughout the country.
The country also offers adventure activities such as trekking, hiking, rafting, and even archery competitions for those who enjoy them.
The treks in Bhutan are of varying difficulty, but they all offer a fantastic experience coupled with their untouched vegetation and age-old attractions.
3. Must Know Before You Travel to Bhutan
Daily Tour Cost: Bhutan levies fees depending on the number of nights you plan to stay there and your home country.
This fee is called the "Sustainable Development Fee," and it does not include any other expenses like accommodation or transport, or food
- For citizens of India - you need to pay Rs. 1200 (approximately 15 USD) per night. Before the pandemic, Indians were exempted from this fee.
- For citizens of Bangladesh & Maldives, you need to pay USD 100 per person per night, but the process of applying for a visa is both online or in person at the time of arrival. Before the pandemic, these nationals were also exempted from this fee.
- For citizens of all other countries worldwide, you must pay USD 100 per person per night to get the visa. And you must apply for the visa beforehand, either online or through a local travel agency.
It is now not mandatory to join an organized tour to visit Bhutan. However, it is still highly recommended. Before the pandemic, this was mandatory for everyone except for travelers from India, Bangladesh, and Maldives.
4. Nightlife in Bhutan
Owing to the strong cultural influence that prevails in Bhutan, there is not much of a nightlife here. 8 PM is considered as the end of a typical working day.
However, there are a few underground clubs where the part starts after 10 p.m. on Friday and a few other days of the week.
There are a lot of Karaoke clubs where you can sing your heart out.
5. Best time to visit Bhutan
March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn) is the best time to visit Bhutan.
In spring, which falls from March-May, the weather is beau
6. Shopping in Bhutan
Many hotels even have souvenir shops that sell local handicraft items, clothing, fridge magnets, jewellery, and herbs. Tourists very popularly demand Bhutanese stamps.
Normally, these markets and bazaars are open from 8 AM to 8 PM. You can buy souvenirs from the base of the Tiger's Nest Monastery trek at an affordable price. Don't forget to haggle though!
7. Festivals of Bhutan
The most widely celebrated festival is Tshechu or the tenth day and is a major tourist attraction. This festival is celebrated on the tenth day of a month of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Buddhist Guru Rinpoche.
All visitors must attend a Tshechu fair and witness the mask dances to receive the blessings and wash away the sins. These mask dances are portrayals of historic incidents that took place in Bhutan during Guru Rinpoche's time.
In monasteries, the mask dances are performed by monks, and in remote villages, they are performed jointly by monks and the village locals.
8. Customs of Bhutan
- The customary greeting is joining palms and bowing down.
- Money is taken and given with both hands.
- Display of affection between people of different sexes publicly is not well received, so if you are travelling with your partner, avoid getting intimate in public.
- At monasteries or temples, it is customary to make a small donation to the monks as a sign of respect.
- Do not smoke at monasteries and in public places, since all tobacco items are strictly banned in Bhutan.
- In temples or religious places, remove shoes and headgear and wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site and the culture of the country.
9. Tips for visiting Bhutan
- Mineral water is widely available
- Milk should be boiled before consumption
- Powdered or tinned milk is available
- Only eat well-cooked meat and fish
- Medical facilities are good but not always close at hand
- Officials in Bhutan have reported repeated outbreaks of bird flu
- Products containing tobacco (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, etc.) are effectively banned throughout Bhutan (which remains the only country in the world to do so), and penalties for possession or use may be severe
- Give and take money with both hands
- One needs to be dressed up in fully covered clothes (legs and arms should be covered) while visiting monasteries and other attractions
- Carry a raincoat and a jacket at all times
10. Food of Bhutan
Meals mostly vegetarian, but non-vegetarian meals are also available. The most popular dishes are Datshi (Cow's milk cheese) Be ready to savour some Ema Dhatsi (chillies and cheese), Kewa Datshi (potatoes and cheese) and Shawa Datshi (mushroom and cheese)
Other dishes include Tshoem (a spicy curry made with beef and mushrooms), Eue chum (Bhutanese red rice), Sha Kam (Dried beef), Hoentoe (Buckwheat dumplings), Jasha Maru (Spicy minced chicken), Goep (Tripe), Ara (alcohol made from fermented rice) and Chang (Local beer). Ema (Chillies) is a popular ingredient in the traditional Bhutanese Dishes.
11. Facts About Bhutan
- Tourists are blessed with elusive sightings of Blood Pheasant, Black-necked Crane, Golden Langur, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Tibetan Wolf and Takin (the national animal), to name a few.
- The pristine Bhutanese architecture featuring rammed earth, daub and wattle construction, intricate woodwork for roofs and windows and stone masonry are noteworthy. The castle fortresses of Dzongs have no iron bar or nail used in construction.
- Another surprising thing in Bhutan is its roads devoid of traffic lights in the capital city of Thimphu as the white-gloved officers regulate the traffic.
- Yak butter tea and meat curry with chilli are common Bhutanese food and beverage items to try.
- The Gangkhar Puensum (24,840 feet) stands as the world’s highest unclimbed and sacred peak while Drangme Chhu valley is the lowest point in Bhutan.
- The southern Shiwalik Hills covered in broadleaf forest, Mo Chhu river system in Black Mountains, Haa Valley, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Royal Manas National Park and the Jigme Dorji National Park are the important sectors of biodiversity.
- For trekking, Snowman Trek, Masagang Trek and Jhomolhari Base Camp Trek are popular.
12. Regions in Bhutan
Bhutan is geographically and culturally divided into three regions: Central, Eastern and Western. These are then divided into 20 different districts for administrative purposes.
West Bhutan: The western region of Bhutan is generally considered to be the traditional part of Bhutan. Also, the only operational international airport is situated in Paro, which is nearby to the western region.
This is a popular segment of Bhutan and is home to some of the most famous tourist destinations in the country, like the Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Other historic locations like Punakha, the scenic valley of Phobjikha, the small and beautiful town of Haa, Gangtey, and the sacred peak of Jhomolhari are located in the western region. Also, some of the most colourful festivals are celebrated in Paro during Spring and in Thimpu during Autumn. Hence, the west of Bhutan is undeniably the most important one in terms of cultural tourism in the country.
Central Bhutan: The central region of Bhutan is for those who wish to explore the country in detail and depth. The central part is all about deep valleys, ancient monasteries, daunting dzongs, and some of the most picturesque landscapes which the country has to offer.
The dzong of Trongsa is the entrance point to the central region in Bhutan, and from this place, you will have access to the four beautiful valleys of Bumthang.
In Bumthang, which is also known as the Chokhor Valley, you will get to experience some of the most exotic monasteries, royal palaces, remarkable sceneries and the most traditional architectural wonders.
Some other major tourist destinations in this region are the beautiful small town of Wangdue, the Royal Manas National Park, Galephu, Jakar Dzong, Tamshing Goemba, and so on.
East Bhutan: East of Bhutan is all about fascinating village towns, beautiful silk and embroideries, temples and dzongs, and everything picturesque. The East-West Junction in Trashigang, which is termed as the ‘Jewel of the East, is a must-visit place in eastern Bhutan.
The Trashigang Dzong or the Fortress of the auspicious hill, Trashiyangtse (the 1500 sq metre forest region of the National butterflies), Mongar, Lhuntse,Khoma Village, Samdrup Jongkhar, are some of the best tourist destinations in the eastern region of Bhutan.
Eastern region is usually untouched by too much of tourism and is home to the minority ethnic groups, some of which comprises of less than 1000 people. So, in case you wish to get a glimpse of the best of local traditional arts & crafts, the eastern region of Bhutan should be there in your itinerary.