Bhutan Travel Information

Visa & SDF

Your Bhutan visa and the Sustainable Development Fee

Every visitor needs a visa, and except for Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals, you must travel through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Once your trip is confirmed, we apply for your visa online and you receive it before you fly.

The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per person per night, half the usual USD 200 rate, and this discount is confirmed until 31 August 2027. Children aged 6 to 11 pay half, and children under 6 pay nothing. The fee funds free healthcare, free education and conservation, and it is already included in our tour prices.

When to go

The best time to visit Bhutan

Spring (March to May) brings rhododendrons in bloom and the Paro festival. Autumn (September to November) has clear mountain views, the Thimphu festival and the best trekking weather. Winter (December to February) is cold but sunny, with black-necked cranes in Phobjikha and the Punakha festival. Summer (June to August) is the monsoon: green valleys, fewer visitors and some rain.

Getting there

Flights and roads into Bhutan

Most visitors fly into Paro, Bhutan's international airport, with connections through cities such as Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu and Singapore. The landing between the mountains is one of the most dramatic in the world. You can also enter by road from India at Phuentsholing. We help you choose the best route and book your flights into Paro.

Money & connection

Cash, cards, SIM cards and Wi-Fi

The local currency is the ngultrum, which is pegged to the Indian rupee. Cards work in larger hotels and shops in the main towns, but you should carry some cash for villages, markets and small purchases. You can buy a local SIM card on arrival, and most hotels have Wi-Fi, although it can be slow in remote valleys.

What to pack

Clothes and essentials for Bhutan

Bring layers: mornings and evenings are cool all year, even when days are warm. For temples and dzongs, you need long sleeves and long trousers or skirts, and you remove hats inside. Comfortable walking shoes, sun cream, a light rain jacket and a reusable water bottle complete the list.

Health & altitude

Staying well in the mountains

Paro sits at about 2,200 m and Thimphu at about 2,300 m, and some passes rise above 3,000 m. Most travellers feel fine on cultural tours, but you should drink plenty of water and walk slowly on your first days. Treks go much higher, so our trekking itineraries include rest days to help you adjust. We recommend travel insurance that covers medical care.

Responsible travel

Travelling with respect in Bhutan

Bhutan protects its culture and nature by welcoming mindful travellers. Walk clockwise around chortens and temples, ask before you photograph people, and never take photos inside temples. Smoking in public places is not allowed. Your guide explains local customs along the way, and your Sustainable Development Fee helps keep Bhutan carbon negative.

Trip ideas

Ways to experience Bhutan

Some travellers come for festivals, some for treks, and some for a quiet honeymoon. Others come for birds, wellness or village life. Tell us what you love, and we will shape a private journey around it.